ENDINGS (6)

Discover the various endings in Papers, Please! This guide breaks down the conditions and choices that lead to each of the 6 distinct conclusions to your immigration inspector career.

Alright, let's talk about how your time as an immigration inspector in Arstotzka can wrap up. Papers, Please has a bunch of different endings, and while the guide mentions 6, there are actually more if you count the really grim ones. We'll focus on the main paths here, but keep in mind that your choices, big and small, really do shape how your story concludes.

The game doesn't always make it obvious which action leads to which ending. Sometimes it's a specific person you let through or detain, other times it's how you handle major events like terrorist attacks. It's all about paying attention to the details and understanding the consequences of your decisions. Let's dive into how you can achieve some of these endings.

Ending 12: Detaining Shae Piersovska

This one's pretty straightforward, but it's a classic example of how a single decision can have a major impact. If you decide to detain a specific individual named Shae Piersovska at your border, you'll be setting yourself up for a bad ending. The game explicitly states that this action will lead to Ending 12 the following day. So, if you want to avoid this particular grim outcome, make sure Shae Piersovska gets processed and allowed through, or at least handled in a way that doesn't involve detention.

Day Twenty Six & The Terrorist Attack

Day Twenty Six introduces a new document requirement: the polio vaccine certificate. This is important because it allows citizens of the United Federations to enter if their other paperwork is in order. Remember, these certificates are valid for 3 years, so anything dated before December 18th, 1989, is no good. Keep an eye on those dates!

This day also ties into a two-day storyline involving Sergiu. You can earn a significant amount of money the day after Day Twenty Six if you let Elisa into the country. However, there's a catch: the day is cut short by a terrorist attack. You absolutely must stop the terrorist with the gun before Sergiu is killed. If you fail to do this, you won't get that promised cash bonus the next day. This is a critical moment where your efficiency and aim directly impact your earnings.

Handling the Terrorists on Day Twenty Six

The terrorist attack on Day Twenty Six is a bit more complex than previous ones. You're not dealing with just one threat, but three: one person attempts to climb the wall, and two individuals arrive on motorcycles. If you're patient and let the guards engage, the wall-climber might even end up on one of the motorcycles. Your priority is to neutralize these threats quickly and efficiently.

A good strategy here is to shoot the lower of the two motorcyclists. This often takes out both of them in one go, allowing you to then focus your attention on the person trying to scale the wall. If you find yourself running low on ammo with your first firearm, don't hesitate to switch to your second gun. Staying alive and protecting Sergiu is key to getting that bonus, and ultimately, to progressing towards certain endings.