Document thriller · Lucas Pope · 2013
Papers, Please
A border checkpoint in a fictional country. Check passports, follow the rules, and decide when to break them.
4.8Score out of 5
Save data
- How it saves
- Save anywhereThe game saves at the end of each day, and you can restart from any day you have reached.
- If you fail
- At most one in-game day.
- Forgiveness
- Good place to stop
- About every 20 minutes
0-1What you do
You are an immigration inspector in the fictional state of Arstotzka. Each day you check documents against growing rules, earn money to keep your family warm and fed, and face moral choices.
0-2Who it is for
Players who enjoy tense, thoughtful games and stories told through small decisions.
1-1Day by day
Each in-game day takes about ten minutes. You can jump back to any day you have reached, so you can explore other choices.
2-1Rising rules
New documents and rules arrive every few days. Keep calm and check one detail at a time.
3-1Many endings
There are many different endings. Your choices about who to let through shape what happens.
Power-ups
- Unique, tense idea
- Perfect short sessions
- Many endings
Debuffs
- Stressful by design
- Bleak setting
Hint
Jump back to an earlier day if you want to try another path. Nothing is lost.
Final word
A small game about paperwork that turns into a great story about conscience.
Played to the credits and saved on 29 October 2026. Updates can change details; check the official page before buying.