12 Puzzle games like Papers, Please that you should try

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We filtered the 24 games similar to Papers, Please down to the 12 that fit the “Puzzle” category. Papers, Please - The Short Film, Do Not Feed the Monkeys and Beholder top the list, ranked by affinity and similarity score to Papers, Please.

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GenreSimulationSubgenreJob Sim

The best puzzle games like Papers, Please

12 similar games foundUpdated July 2026

Handpicked by our similarity algorithm, these are the titles with the highest gameplay match to Papers, Please. 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 - The Short Film

iRank91

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.

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Steam GOG PS

#2Do Not Feed the Monkeys

iRank84

GenreSimulationSubgenreJob Sim

SoloNarrativeDark2DPixel ArtFirst Person

Steam👍 93%· 12KIGDB75· 1OC77· 21

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

✓ Like Papers, Please, 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, 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, expect deep simulation, adventure storytelling and puzzle design

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

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Steam GOG Epic

#5There Is No Game: Wrong Dimension

iRank92

GenreSimulationSubgenreJob Sim

SoloCasualNarrativePixel Art2D

Steam👍 98%· 25KRAWG👍 90%· 143MC88OC88· 18

Year 2020Dev Draw Me A PixelPlaytime ~5hOn PC · iOS · Android

✓ If you enjoyed Papers, Please, expect deep simulation, adventure storytelling and puzzle design

≠ Its own twist: deep RPG systems and melee combat, while skipping dark, oppressive atmosphere

GenreSimulationSubgenreJob Sim

SoloCasualNarrative2DFantasy

Steam👍 88%· 326

Year 2015Dev 8Floor · 8Floor GamesPlaytime ~4hOn PC · PS · Xbox

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

≠ Its own twist: horror tension, fantasy world and horror setting, while skipping dark, oppressive atmosphere

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Steam Xbox PS

#7Loom

iRank89

GenreSimulationSubgenreJob Sim

SoloNarrativePixel ArtMagicFantasy

Steam👍 89%· 699

Year 1990Dev Lucasfilm GamesOn Linux · PC · Mac

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

≠ Its own twist: combat magic, fantasy world and historical setting, while skipping dark, oppressive atmosphere

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Steam GOG

#8Farmer Against Potatoes Idle

iRank95

GenreSimulationSubgenreJob Sim

SoloCasual2DFree to Play

Steam👍 95%· 8.0K

Year 2022Dev Oni GamingPlaytime ~2hOn PC

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

≠ Its own twist: deep RPG systems and free to play, while skipping strong narrative focus

GenreSimulationSubgenreJob Sim

SoloCasual2DFree to Play

Steam👍 97%· 8.5K

Year 2023Dev 100 Hidden Animals · 100 Cozy GamesPlaytime ~1hOn PC

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

≠ Where it differs: brings sports simulation and free to play, while skipping strong narrative focus

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Steam

#10Human Resource Machine

iRank83

GenreSimulationSubgenreJob Sim

SoloCasualHardcoreIsometric

Steam👍 94%· 4.6KIGDB74· 6OC71· 21

Year 2015Dev Tomorrow CorporationOn Linux · Android · PC

✓ Like Papers, Please, it's known for deep simulation, puzzle design and vibe casual

≠ Stands apart with visual isometric, while skipping adventure storytelling

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Steam GOG Epic

#11Uplink

iRank75

GenreSimulationSubgenreJob Sim

SoloNarrative2DProceduralOpen World

Steam👍 91%· 2.4KRAWG👍 56%· 145MC75IGDB70· 1

Year 2001Dev Introversion SoftwarePlaytime ~1hOn PC · iOS · Apple Macintosh

✓ If you enjoyed Papers, Please, expect deep simulation, puzzle design and strong narrative focus

≠ Stands apart with roguelike runs, procedural generation and open world exploration, while skipping adventure storytelling

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Steam GOG

#12TIS-100

iRank85

GenreSimulationSubgenreJob Sim

SoloHardcore

Steam👍 97%· 4.1KRAWG👍 66%· 123

Year 2015Dev ZachtronicsPlaytime ~1hOn PC · Apple Macintosh · Linux

✓ Nearly identical: deep simulation, puzzle design and punishing difficulty.

≠ Missing: adventure storytelling.

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Steam GOG itch.io

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