Papers, Please cover art

games like

Papers, Please

Papers, Please leans Optimization (Pure Optimization). Below: catalogued games with the closest cheat-test profile, and exactly where each one differs.

Matched first against: Point-and-click, Simulator - then ranked by cheat-test profile.

EXECUTION4 /10READS0 /10VARIANCE4 /10OPTIMIZATION7 /10

12 games like Papers, Please

A cross-genre tag below means that pick didn't share a genre - it filled a slot on cheat-test profile alone.

Return of the Obra Dinn cover art
Return of the Obra DinnPure Optimization · deduction puzzle

Both lean on reads about the same (0 vs 0). Biggest difference: execution (4 vs 0) - No mechanical execution required

full comparison →
Her Story cover art
Her StorySystems & Chaos · FMV detective

Both lean on optimization about the same (7 vs 7). Biggest difference: execution (4 vs 0) - Typing search terms only.

full comparison →
Orwell: Keeping an Eye on You cover art
Orwell: Keeping an Eye on YouSystems & Chaos · surveillance narrative sim

Both lean on reads about the same (0 vs 0). Biggest difference: execution (4 vs 0) - Reading and clicking documents only

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Cult of the Lamb cover art
Cult of the LambPure Optimization · roguelite management

Both lean on execution about the same (4 vs 4). Otherwise the profiles match closely.

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Dave the Diver cover art
Dave the DiverPure Optimization · diving management sim

Both lean on execution about the same (4 vs 4). Otherwise the profiles match closely.

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Moonlighter cover art
MoonlighterPure Optimization · shopkeeper roguelite

Both lean on execution about the same (4 vs 4). Otherwise the profiles match closely.

full comparison →
Sid Meier's Pirates! cover art
Sid Meier's Pirates!Pure Optimization · open-world adventure

Both lean on execution about the same (4 vs 4). Otherwise the profiles match closely.

full comparison →
Dark Cloud cover art
Dark CloudPure Optimization · dungeon-crawling RPG

Both lean on execution about the same (4 vs 4). Otherwise the profiles match closely.

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Terraria cover art
TerrariaPure Optimization · 2D sandbox

Both lean on execution about the same (4 vs 4). Biggest difference: variance (4 vs 3) - World seeds and loot drops randomized.

full comparison →
7 Days to Die cover art
7 Days to DiePure Optimization · zombie survival crafter

Both lean on execution about the same (4 vs 4). Biggest difference: reads (0 vs 1) - Zombie AI is largely scripted with minor pathing adaptation.

full comparison →
State of Decay cover art
State of DecayPracticed Mastery · zombie survival management

Both lean on execution about the same (4 vs 4). Biggest difference: optimization (7 vs 6) - Base building, resource runs and survivor management are the game

full comparison →
Thief: Deadly Shadows cover art
Thief: Deadly ShadowsPure Optimization · stealth game

Both lean on execution about the same (4 vs 4). Biggest difference: variance (4 vs 3) - Unknown layouts hide loot until first playthrough

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Game details

Released
2013
Developer
Lucas Pope
Platforms
Linux, Android, PC, iOS, Mac, Vita
Modes
Single player
IGDB critics
82/100
IGDB users
82/100
Point-and-clickPuzzleSimulatorIndieThriller