In “Papers, Please,” players navigate a complex moral landscape that significantly impacts the game’s diverse 20 endings. Each decision influences not just personal outcomes but also broader political scenarios, family well-being, and the player’s standing within the game’s authoritarian regime. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the key factors influencing the endings and the available outcomes:

Key Influencing Factors

1. Financial Management and Honesty:
– The player’s financial health directly affects the game’s progression. If the player’s family suffers from issues like starvation or illness because of poor financial choices, they may face an early ending characterized by arrest or dismissal. Scenarios such as ending with negative credits can lead to incarceration (e.g., the “Delinquency” ending). Thus, managing funds responsibly and meeting family needs is crucial.

2. Interactions with the EZIC:
– The choices made regarding the terrorist group EZIC fundamentally shift the narrative outcome. If the player helps with EZIC tasks, they can align themselves with a potential insurgency that may improve living conditions. Failing to support EZIC (completing fewer than four tasks) leads to a scenario where the player cannot effectively defend the checkpoint, resulting in arrest. Conversely, completing four or more tasks can lead to a narrative where EZIC takes power, resulting in improved conditions for the player and family.

3. Violence or Illegal Actions:
– The game implements strict consequences for violent behavior or illegal actions. Shooting or using tranquilizers on civilians can lead to severe outcomes, such as forced labor or execution. Players must carefully navigate their treatment of entrants; failing to adhere to established protocols or engaging in bribery can also result in arrests.

4. Escaping to Obristan:
– An alternative ending involves fleeing to Obristan. Preparing for this escape requires the player to make strategic choices, including resource management and securing necessary documentation, like passports. Successfully executing an escape with family members results in a different resolution where the player transitions to a life outside the oppressive regime.

Notable Endings

Here’s a summary of some notable endings and their triggers:

| Ending Type | Condition/Trigger | Result |
|———————————–|————————————————————————————————————|———————————————–|
| Delinquency | Finishing a day with negative credits | Arrested and imprisoned |
| Being Too Honest | Collecting funds by giving EZIC documents to M. Vonel on day 12 | Arrested |
| Accepting Illegal Funds | Keeping bribes/money accepted from EZIC without burning it, leading to arrest | Arrested |
| Failure to Defend the Checkpoint| Completing fewer than 4 EZIC missions by day 31 | Arrested |
| Injuring a Bystander | Shooting a bystander with the tranquilizer gun after day 16 | Forced labor sentence |
| Shooting the Man in Red | Shooting him with the tranquilizer on day 23 | Arrested/executed |
| Detaining Shae Piersovska | Detaining her on day 25 | Arrested |
| EZIC Takes Power | Completing 4+ EZIC missions, wall destroyed on day 31, do not escape | EZIC takes power, family moves to better housing |
| Escape to Obristan | Illegally confiscating passports and escaping with family | You and family successfully escape |
| Family Dies or You Are Dismissed| Failing to support family needs repeatedly leads to firing or death | Fired or family dead |

Gameplay Dynamics

The save system allows for nuanced exploration of these endings. Players can restart from specific days, enabling them to test different strategies and pathways without having to replay the entire narrative. This feature enhances the game’s replayability and allows players to reflect on the moral implications of their choices.

Conclusion

In “Papers, Please,” decisions around honesty, compliance with EZIC, treatment of migrants, and family welfare weave together to form a rich tapestry of potential outcomes. The variety of endings—ranging from political uprising and successful escape to arrest and despair—illustrates the impact of choice in an oppressive environment, highlighting the game’s exploration of themes like morality, duty, and survival.