There are two game modes in Papers, Please. Story mode is available from the start, and endless mode is unlocked after reaching one of the twenty endings in the former.
Story mode
Story mode consists of a 31-day campaign, with 20 different endings. The story is that an unnamed male Arstotzkan is chosen via a job lottery to work as a border inspector. He will have to earn enough money to cover rent, food and heating bills each day, in order to keep his family healthy.
In addition to taking care of his family, he will soon have 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 randomized generic 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 extra 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 same code is shared among all copies of the game and is not generated separately for each player or playthrough. The code is 62131.
Note: Endless mode can be seen as the semi-epilogue to story mode, specifically ending 20, since ending 20 says to report for return to duty on January 1st, 1983, and endless mode will always be on this date.
Endless game modes
Name | Challenge | Details |
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Timed | Process as many travelers as possible in 10 minutes | |
Perfection | Game over at first citation. Earn dwindling points. |
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Endurance | Play until balance goes negative. Avoid penalties. |
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Rule sets
A rule set determines which border checkpoint rules are in effect and which documents are required for entrants. All four rule sets are available for all three game types in the endless mode.
Icon | Features in use | Rules in effect | Documents in use |
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as above | as above, and
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as above, and | |
as above, and
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as above, and
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as above, and | |
as above | as above, but
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as above, but
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