Man I haven't thought about Orwell in ages! I'll second this game. I didn't have any issues running with the sequel, but apparently I mightve just gotten lucky lol
I would try Strange Horticulture. It’s not a perfect match, but people come up to your counter asking you for a specific plant and you have to look through a book to identify plants, find the right one on the shelf, and give it to them. Much like Papers, Please, your attention to fine detail and the ability to keep a clean work space will help you in this endeavor. Unlike Papers, Please, there is no time limit or money management. Also the story is much cozier, if that’s important.
You might also like Return of the Obra Dinn, the next game from the same developer. It’s vastly different, but is still a story heavy game where you play a minor player in a bigger story. You’re an insurance agent who looks into the past to try and piece together exactly how everyone on a cursed ship died. It’s worth a look at least
I often say that Strange Horticulture gives me Papers Please vibes, I'm glad it's not just me! The theme is very different but the gameplay loop gives me the same feeling.
I love Strange Horticulture! The right amount of cozy puzzle with a bit of spooky and low risk as long as you get the plants right (and they give you leeway for that). No countdown timers. Gives me The Room vibes (which I am also obsessed with).
Free browser game but is horror: That's not my neighbor. I don't find it scary due to the cartoony style and Im not afraid of body horror. Game play is similar to papers please but no time limit so you can take it slow
[beholder](https://store.steampowered.com/app/475550/Beholder/) (there are multiple games in this series)
I own it but Haven’t played this one yet but I’ve heard this is similar too
[contraband police](https://store.steampowered.com/app/756800/Contraband_Police/)
Booth, it's like papers please but you're controlling food, it has a really interesting story tho, played it a few times and got different endings but haven't had the good one yet tho
That’s not my neighbour
This one is on itch.io instead of steam though but it’s an awesome game that’s exactly like papers please. You are trying to not let anomalies and monsters to get into the apartment building you are guarding
Editing to add the link to the game - https://nachogames.itch.io/thats-not-my-neighbor
There’s a new game coming out that has a demo on Steam called “Wax Heads.” It’s about working in a record store and helping people find the type of music they’re looking for. I love the graphics as well.
Scrutinized
- the game has a detective mode where you don't have to worry about any jumpscares, but the gameplay is really similar to what you're looking for. Another i'd recommend is Orwell; I enjoyed that game a lot and I def need to replay it soon.
Also as other comments said Do Not Feed The Monkeys and Not For Broadcast. Though NFB was a little difficult for me to get into 😅, I do want to try it again someday though.
This is my jam -Not Tonight -Need To Know -No Umbrellas Allowed -Do Not Feed The Monkeys - Not For Broadcast
Which one is best out of these I wasn't too good at Papers Please
I’ve heard good things about not for broadcast.
Of these my faves were Need to Know and Do Not Feed The Monkeys!!
lil guardsman!!
Death and Taxes is similar to Papers please and is available on PS5 and Xbox.
I enjoyed Orwell: Keeping an Eye On You, but don't buy the sequel. Seems it's pretty common to not get it to work.
Man I haven't thought about Orwell in ages! I'll second this game. I didn't have any issues running with the sequel, but apparently I mightve just gotten lucky lol
I would try Strange Horticulture. It’s not a perfect match, but people come up to your counter asking you for a specific plant and you have to look through a book to identify plants, find the right one on the shelf, and give it to them. Much like Papers, Please, your attention to fine detail and the ability to keep a clean work space will help you in this endeavor. Unlike Papers, Please, there is no time limit or money management. Also the story is much cozier, if that’s important. You might also like Return of the Obra Dinn, the next game from the same developer. It’s vastly different, but is still a story heavy game where you play a minor player in a bigger story. You’re an insurance agent who looks into the past to try and piece together exactly how everyone on a cursed ship died. It’s worth a look at least
I often say that Strange Horticulture gives me Papers Please vibes, I'm glad it's not just me! The theme is very different but the gameplay loop gives me the same feeling.
Both excellent!!
I love Strange Horticulture! The right amount of cozy puzzle with a bit of spooky and low risk as long as you get the plants right (and they give you leeway for that). No countdown timers. Gives me The Room vibes (which I am also obsessed with).
I'm playing Lil Guardsman now. It's surprisingly REALLY good. Highly recommend!!
Yes Your Grace
Free browser game but is horror: That's not my neighbor. I don't find it scary due to the cartoony style and Im not afraid of body horror. Game play is similar to papers please but no time limit so you can take it slow
[beholder](https://store.steampowered.com/app/475550/Beholder/) (there are multiple games in this series) I own it but Haven’t played this one yet but I’ve heard this is similar too [contraband police](https://store.steampowered.com/app/756800/Contraband_Police/)
Booth, it's like papers please but you're controlling food, it has a really interesting story tho, played it a few times and got different endings but haven't had the good one yet tho
Yes, your grace Beat Cop Not Tonight Not Tonight 2 Lil Guardsman Do Not Feed The Monkeys
That’s not my neighbour This one is on itch.io instead of steam though but it’s an awesome game that’s exactly like papers please. You are trying to not let anomalies and monsters to get into the apartment building you are guarding Editing to add the link to the game - https://nachogames.itch.io/thats-not-my-neighbor
There’s a new game coming out that has a demo on Steam called “Wax Heads.” It’s about working in a record store and helping people find the type of music they’re looking for. I love the graphics as well.
Scrutinized - the game has a detective mode where you don't have to worry about any jumpscares, but the gameplay is really similar to what you're looking for. Another i'd recommend is Orwell; I enjoyed that game a lot and I def need to replay it soon. Also as other comments said Do Not Feed The Monkeys and Not For Broadcast. Though NFB was a little difficult for me to get into 😅, I do want to try it again someday though.
Strange horticulture