Papers, Please immerses players in a gripping narrative set in the communist state of Arstotzka, which has just emerged from a devastating six-year war with the neighboring country of Kolechia. Now tasked with overseeing the Grestin Border Checkpoint, you step into the role of an immigration inspector responsible for controlling the influx of immigrants and visitors eager to enter Arstotzka.

Your duty is to scrutinize the documents provided by each traveler. Hidden among these hopeful applicants are smugglers, spies, and potential terrorists, challenging your ability to discern the truth. With only the basic inspection tools provided by the Ministry of Admission, you must meticulously analyze each document, search for discrepancies, and make critical decisions that will determine who gains entry into Arstotzka and who is turned away or apprehended.

As you navigate the complexities of your job, you must also consider the well-being of your own family, facing the harsh realities of a totalitarian regime. Through its unique gameplay mechanics and compelling story, Papers, Please asks players to grapple with moral dilemmas and the consequences of their choices in a world where every decision matters.