Reflections: Papers Please (Paperwork the game!)

When I first heard what Papers, Please was I was intrigued. It sounded so mundane: working in border patrol, checking documents for information. My friend got it in a Humble Bundle and told me I might as well try it. I figured, why not? I had some time to kill before I had to leave for my art class. I played three days worth of the game and was hooked. I bought it for myself the next day.

Whenever my friends saw me play the game they just laughed at me. “How did you mess that up? C’mon it’s just paperwork it’s not hard.” Of course, when I had them try to play at the level I of difficulty I had reached they weren’t so dismissive about it. By the end of the game you have to check every little piece of information: sex, picture, expiration date, multiple files, fingerprints, issuing city (the worst of them all), and more. You were really immersed in the position of a border patrol officer because you were literally just doing the job.

But how is that fun? The game takes place in a Russian-esque country named Arstotzka, which has just ended a six year war with neighboring Kolechia. You encounter terrorists, human traffickers, smugglers, and a rebellious organization. A lot of time you have to choose between doing your job and reuniting families, helping the down and out, and keeping your job. A mysterious organization that wants to overthrow the corrupt government wants you to help them take down the Arstotzkan government. You must choose to work with them or against them, with both sides requesting you to do questionable things (including poisoning passports).

The storyline gets really intense as time goes on. You become immersed saving your family, saving yourself, helping the people, doing your job… whatever you so choose. There are 20 different endings for the game spread out over 31 total playable days. I’ve played the game multiple times with different mindsets to get different endings. I never thought I could ever invest so much time in a game where I just did paperwork… but after writing this I just want to play it again.

#reflections #papersplease #rpg