Game modes

There are two game modes in Papers, Please. Story mode is available from the start, and endless mode is unlocked by entering a five-digit code (62131) given after reaching one of the twenty endings in story mode.

Story mode[]

Story mode consists of a 31-day campaign, with 20 different endings. An unnamed Arstotzkan is chosen via a job lottery to work as a border inspector. He has to earn enough money to cover rent, food, and heating bills each day, and medicine (if needed) in order to keep his family healthy.

In addition to taking care of his family, he has to make some tough choices, as a revolution is stirring in Arstotzka, under the careful planning of a mysterious organization.

Each day, the inspector will encounter a number of procedurally generated entrants as well as scripted events, such as entrants with unique dialog, documents, or items. The inspector's daily salary is based on performance. Each entrant that is handled according to immigration protocol is worth 5 credits; failing to follow regulations will lead to a citation.

Easy mode[]

Story mode can be played with easy mode set on in the preferences. This will give the inspector 20 credits at the end of each day but does not have any other effect on the game. The daily bonus is called easy mode crutch in the end-of-day screen.

Endless mode[]

Endless mode allows you to play one of three game types with an endless flow of procedurally generated entrants: Timed, Perfection, or Endurance. Each game type has a different scoring system. You can also choose from four different rule sets for any game type.

Endless mode is unlocked by entering a five-digit code, which is unlocked after reaching ending 20 in story mode. The code is 62131, and it is shared among all copies of the game and is not generated separately for each player or playthrough.

Endless mode can be seen as the semi-epilogue to story mode, specifically ending 20, which says to report back to duty on January 1st, 1983, and endless mode will always be on or after this date.

Endless game modes[]

Name	Challenge	Details
Timed	Process as many travelers as possible in 10 minutes	+1 point for each correctly processed entrant. +5 seconds and +1 point for each detained entrant. –30 seconds for each incorrectly processed entrant.
Perfection	Game over at first citation. Earn dwindling points.	+10 points for each correctly processed entrant in the first minute, one less point for each minute that passes until you get +1 point per entrant, in which the points per properly processed entrant will not lower any more. Receiving a citation ends the game.
Endurance	Play until balance goes negative. Avoid penalties.	+1 point for each correctly processed entrant. +2 points for each detained entrant. –5 × n points for each incorrectly processed entrant, where n is the number of citations received. Falling below 0 points ends the game.

Rule sets[]

A rule set determines which border checkpoint rules are in effect, which documents are required for entrants, and which day it is (January 1–4, 1983). All four rule sets are available for all three game types in the endless mode.

Icon and date	Features in use	Rules in effect	Documents in use
Jan 1, 1983	Inspection mode Detainment Fingerprints Search option Forged documents possible Wanted criminals possible All booth upgrades have been installed	Entrant must have valid passport All documents must be current No weapons or contraband Arstotzkan citizens must have an ID card Foreigners require an entry permit Workers must have a work pass	Passport Entry permit Work pass ID card
Jan 2, 1983	as above	as above, and Foreigners require an ID supplement Diplomats require authorization	as above, and ID supplement Diplomatic authorization
Jan 3, 1983	as above, and Reason for denial stamp	as above, and Asylum-seekers must have a grant Entrants must have a polio vaccine certification	as above, and Grant of asylum Certificate of vaccination
Jan 4, 1983	as above	as above, but Foreigners require an access permit Entry permits and ID supplements are not valid (not in the rulebook)	as above, but Access permit replaces entry permits and ID supplements