Papers, Please is still an incredibly impressive game considering it came out in 2013 and was developed by a single person. No playthrough is the same, and there are a total of 20 endings. But how is a game about mundane labor so much fun?!
Firstly, I think the developer captured the interaction with characters that travel to Arstotzka perfectly: most are impatient, incompliant and rude. They often don't even provide their forged documents to you at first in the hopes you will forget to ask for them, which is something I would imagine real people would try as well. It feels great to deny them entry, especially when they behaved particularly badly. Yet, there are also people who show lightheartedness and love who need your assistance in dire circumstances. Are you going to help them, even if it would technically not be allowed? Papers, Please manages to pull on your heartstrings very well, making you have to choose between what's right and wrong (which everyone has a different interpretation of).
Secondly, the story is packed with temptations for money and revolution, as well as violent scenarios that still jumpscare the hell out of me whenever they happen, even though I have finished the game multiple times now. The first time you play, you really do not know what to expect. This is one of those games you wish would disappear from your memory entirely, to be able to play it blindly once more.
The only aspect of Papers, Please that I find particularly frustrating is the finnickiness of it all. I understand that sorting through documents is like that in real life, but the added items separated from character's documents can really clutter up your workspace, making it difficult to grab, let alone find some of the items you do need.
I'm glad I decided to give this game a go about 8 years ago, because it remains one of the most enjoyable games I've ever played. I do recommend people take breaks in between in-game days, as playing the entire game in one go can be quite tiring. Don't be fooled, Papers, Please requires your full attention and concentration the whole way through!
Firstly, I think the developer captured the interaction with characters that travel to Arstotzka perfectly: most are impatient, incompliant and rude. They often don't even provide their forged documents to you at first in the hopes you will forget to ask for them, which is something I would imagine real people would try as well. It feels great to deny them entry, especially when they behaved particularly badly. Yet, there are also people who show lightheartedness and love who need your assistance in dire circumstances. Are you going to help them, even if it would technically not be allowed? Papers, Please manages to pull on your heartstrings very well, making you have to choose between what's right and wrong (which everyone has a different interpretation of).
Secondly, the story is packed with temptations for money and revolution, as well as violent scenarios that still jumpscare the hell out of me whenever they happen, even though I have finished the game multiple times now. The first time you play, you really do not know what to expect. This is one of those games you wish would disappear from your memory entirely, to be able to play it blindly once more.
The only aspect of Papers, Please that I find particularly frustrating is the finnickiness of it all. I understand that sorting through documents is like that in real life, but the added items separated from character's documents can really clutter up your workspace, making it difficult to grab, let alone find some of the items you do need.
I'm glad I decided to give this game a go about 8 years ago, because it remains one of the most enjoyable games I've ever played. I do recommend people take breaks in between in-game days, as playing the entire game in one go can be quite tiring. Don't be fooled, Papers, Please requires your full attention and concentration the whole way through!