7 Dark games like Papers, Please - The Short Film that you should try

Games like Papers, Please - The Short Film · Find similar →

We filtered the 24 games similar to Papers, Please - The Short Film down to the 7 that fit the “Dark” category. Papers, Please, 911 Operator and Do Not Feed the Monkeys top the list, ranked by affinity and similarity score to Papers, Please - The Short Film.

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GenreSimulationSubgenreJob Sim

The best dark games like Papers, Please - The Short Film

7 similar games foundUpdated July 2026

Handpicked by our similarity algorithm, these are the titles with the highest gameplay match to Papers, Please - The Short Film. Each one has been evaluated across 11 real attributes — from combat style and progression mechanics to world structure and visual perspective — so every recommendation is based on how the game actually plays, not just its genre label.

#1Papers, Please

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GenreSimulationSubgenreJob Sim

SoloNarrativeDarkCasualHardcoreFirst PersonPixel Art2D

Steam👍 97%· 79KRAWG👍 91%· 1.8KMC85IGDB82· 5

Year 2013Dev Lucas Pope · 3909Playtime ~4hOn PC · PS · iOS

✓ Nearly identical: deep simulation, adventure storytelling and puzzle design.

GenreSimulationSubgenreJob Sim

SoloCasualNarrativeDark2D

Steam👍 89%· 19KIGDB76· 1OC57· 14

Year 2017Dev Jutsu Games · SONKAOn PS4 · Linux · Android

✓ If you enjoyed Papers, Please - The Short Film, expect deep simulation, vibe casual and strong narrative focus

≠ Its own twist: combat tactical, setting modern and resource management, while skipping adventure storytelling

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Steam Epic Xbox

#3Do Not Feed the Monkeys

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GenreSimulationSubgenreJob Sim

SoloNarrativeDark2DPixel ArtFirst Person

Steam👍 93%· 12KIGDB75· 1OC77· 21

Year 2018Dev Fictiorama Studios · BadLand PublishingOn PS4 · Linux · Android

✓ Like Papers, Please - The Short Film, it's known for deep simulation, puzzle design and adventure storytelling

≠ Stands apart with resource management, while skipping vibe casual

GenreSimulationSubgenreJob Sim

SoloNarrativeDark2DStealth

Steam👍 92%· 30KIGDB80· 3OC76· 27

Year 2016Dev Warm Lamp Games · Alawar EntertainmentOn Linux · Android · PC

✓ If you enjoyed Papers, Please - The Short Film, expect deep simulation, adventure storytelling and puzzle design

≠ Where it differs: brings deep RPG systems, stealth mechanics and visual 3d, while skipping vibe casual

GenreSimulationSubgenreJob Sim

SoloNarrativeDarkFirst PersonHorror

Steam👍 78%· 5.1KIGDB82· 11OC76· 81

Year 2019Dev No Code · Devolver DigitalOn PS4 · PC · Xbox

✓ If you enjoyed Papers, Please - The Short Film, expect deep simulation, adventure storytelling and puzzle design

≠ Stands apart with horror tension, horror setting and setting scifi, while skipping vibe casual

GenreSimulationSubgenreJob Sim

SoloNarrativeDarkProceduralFantasy

Steam👍 80%· 14KIGDB85· 2OC78· 22

Year 2018Dev Weather FactoryOn Linux · Android · PC

✓ Like Papers, Please - The Short Film, it's known for deep simulation, adventure storytelling and strong narrative focus

≠ Where it differs: brings deep RPG systems, card game strategy and turn-based strategy, while skipping puzzle design

GenreSimulationSubgenreJob Sim

SoloNarrativeDarkManagementIsometric

Steam👍 82%· 11KIGDB61· 14OC64· 58

Year 2016Dev Weappy Studio · EuroVideo MedienOn PS4 · Linux · Android

✓ Shared with Papers, Please - The Short Film: deep simulation, adventure storytelling and strong narrative focus

≠ Stands apart with visual novel storytelling, resource management and visual isometric, while skipping puzzle design

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Steam GOG Epic

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