Papers, Please

Fans of Papers Please have a hard time recommending this game. Often i am faced with a simple and slightly horrified "no". That is once i get passed being an apologist for the simple retro graphics. The words " You stamp passports in a passport office" as a summary of the basic gameplay isn't appealing. And is sometimes further hampered by the additional "In some weird utopian soviet unionesque country". I remember laughing when first reading a synopsis of the gameplay, i played it out of sheer curiosity of the high reviews it recieved. I only encourage you to do the same.

This game makes you feel sympathy for a nameless, faceless protagonist. Second, it makes examining documents according to stringent bureaucratic procedures fun and addictive (no, seriously!). And if that wasn't enough, it also has just the right mix of dark humor and dreary thematic elements. Did I mention that it's addictive?

If somebody is telling different time of duration compare to what is on the entry permit, then It makes suspicious enough, and I won't let him in. But I'm the one who gets penalty, because this person was clear to empty (as per the game). I'm doubtful about if I should let a person in with inconsistency in his words, and especially in a country like Arstotzka where the personal safety and well-being is very, very questionable... Although the atmosphere is very good, makes anxiety in me to be faster and more accurate, because if I do not do my job well enough, then my family will suffer.

I don't know where the 5 star reviewes are coming from. You sit there, analyze some papers, and stamp them. How is this fun? It is like work. I play games for entertainment, not work. It is cold, dreary, and just ugly is a way to describe it. +1 star for being original I guess.

This Game is mean !. I only scratched the surface, couldn't last longer than 4 days by now (just downloaded it and have been playing for an hour). I will play on ! :-)