Papers, Please

Papers please is a simple, short and well rounded game about being an immigration inspector, which basically boils down to 30 or so rounds of "find the differences" that can last up to 10 minutes or so. Setting it into a communist country allows the game to have minor plots involving choices of conscience, rebellions, favors to friends, use of guns, bribes, harsh working conditions and multiple endings that made a lot of reviewers back then consider it an essential game but sadly it's mostly hype, the depth is simply not there for it to truly work. It's a deliberate decision to keep the game short and sweet, but it also means it fell way short of what I was expecting, whether it was in terms of storytelling or on the thrills of being an officer with the power to decide the fates of others. -1 because it was a bore to complete and -1 because although the game is intended to be clunky, a couple of design choices I still thought sucked beyond that excuse (pointless upgrade booths, null encouragement to improve conditions for your family, etc)

I played the main campaign all the way through. The game is very fun for what it is, and really, the fact that it's an immigration control simulation game-- and still manages to be fun, is a feat in itself. There are multiple endings, the graphics fit the game because of the setting. After a week or two, the game might lose it's luster in your collection. Not because it's a bad game. This game is a really really good game! So why will it start collecting dust? Let's find out! The negatives: 1.) The interface at the end of your shift, when you pick your medicine and heat and pay your rent-- I really think the game falls short here and should be a bit more player interactive. Like being able to see your living space...or leveling something up? 2.) More dialogue, please. The game falls short in dialogue and voice sfx. I'm talking of the people approaching you trying to get in. They literally all say the same thing, they have the same sound clips when they speak- Expect many different people to respond to you with the same response after you've interrogated twenty or so other people for the same problem. While the dialogue for the player is obviously going to be the same, the dialogue for the travelers shouldn't. Was it deliberately bland for a reason? Maybe so. Maybe it's the developer's creative way of purveying times of destitution during the Cold War era.

This is the type of game that others in the field need to take notes from. Well made, modes that are available for people of all interests right off the get go. I wasn't originally into the story and just wanted to play endless mode so i was delighted to learn that you could skip right there. (eventually did play story and was amazing). Most certainly a 5 star game and don't regret one penny of my purchase.

When I first downloaded Papers, Please I went in with the soul mission to get Endless mode. I reached that. To me, Endless mode is the best part of the game. You get a few different challenges, and no interruptions. You don't have to think about the story or earning money. You just go through and systematically check through peoples' documents. This is for sure not for everyone. You'd most likely have to enjoy slower paced games, with little to no action, plot, or conflict. Though it may be a bit difficult at first, just taking a round or two to look through the rules and analyze the patterns is all it takes to get a good hand on the game. Personally, I have reached a point to where my fastest denial is 20 seconds, and my fastest approvial is 35 seconds. Once you reach even 1 1/2 minutes of checking, the game becomes easier, and you find yourself not of edge/hyper attentive. I like to mute the music and put on something more relaxing too ^^. I am on Windows, and as for graphics, everything looks sleek. I haven't ever had issues with it running.

After watching the trailer and trying out the beta that was free on the creators website I was sucked in immediately. The atmosphere and art style grabbed my attention and would not let go. Such a different concept and approach to what is usually defined as the norm in gaming. The concept of stamping passports and verifying paperwork everyday, in game, may seem boring until you give this amazing game a try. As the days go by more steps are added or taken away and require an immediate change in gameplay. I was totally immersed and shocked at how addictive this simple concept is approached and how well the story plays out and how deep it can get. "Papers, Please" is a rarity in today's flooded market of the usual shooters and adventure games. Simply, this game is different, immersive and addictive. Don't pass this up!