Common Sense Media Review
By JK Sooja
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Mature immigration game forces tough ethical choices.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Play
Videos and Photos
Papers, Please
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 7 parent reviews
Based on 23 kid reviews
Kids say the game is both educational and enjoyable, allowing players to engage with serious topics like immigration and moral dilemmas while navigating a pixelated world filled with humor, notably from a character named Jorji. However, it does contain some vulgar language, nudity that can be disabled in settings, and political themes, prompting mixed feelings about its appropriateness for younger audiences.
- educational content
- moral choices
- pixelated violence
- humor present
- age appropriateness
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's It About?
PAPERS, PLEASE is a simulation game that puts the player in the role of an immigration officer for the fictional communist nation of Arstotska. The player decides who gets in and who stays out. The plot evolves around developing political events, terrorist activity (including attacks), an antigovernment radical group, and mini stories involving potential immigrants or visitors. Whereas one player might deny a particular potential immigrant, another player (or the first player on a second run through the game) might approve the same potential immigrant. With 20 potential endings, the player's decisions and ability to work fast and correctly will greatly impact the story's outcome.
Is It Any Good?
Before approving or denying a potential entrant, the player has to check an ever-increasing number of documents. Each day adds more things to be aware of, and they get harder to keep track of and manage. Players need to be efficient as things get more complicated and hectic, which encourages slower play. But getting more money for more people correctly approved or denied encourages faster play. It's a tightrope walk.
Papers, Please is a very simple but unique game: part simulation, part puzzle, part time-management, part commentary. Players encounter many ethical quandaries that force can't-do-good-by-everyone decisions, and upsetting people is unavoidable. Although the "easy" option makes the game more forgiving, it remains tough. Papers, Please is a particular breed of game that may require a particular breed of player. For some, obsessively fact checking and pouring over virtual documents will be particularly engaging, but, for others, the grind of each day may prove too hard.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
How did this game and the decisions you made make you feel?
How do you think this game depicts multitasking, and why?
Why purposely make a game difficult?
Game Details
- Platforms : Mac , Windows
- Subjects : Language & Reading : reading , text analysis , using supporting evidence , Social Studies : citizenship , cultural understanding , government , power structures
- Skills : Thinking & Reasoning : analyzing evidence , decision-making , investigation , Responsibility & Ethics : following codes of conduct , learning from consequences , making wise decisions , respect for others
- Pricing structure : Paid
- Available online? : Available online
- Publisher : 3909
- Release date : August 8, 2013
- Genre : Simulation
- ESRB rating :
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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