Papers, Please vs The Red Strings Club
Which one is worth buying now, with today's prices and each game's recommendation.
Papers, Please wins 8 of 15 head-to-head metrics. The Red Strings Club is $5.70 cheaper.
Metric by metric
The winner of each row gets a ✓. No row weighs more than another; the recommendation is calculated separately.
| Metric | Papers, Please | The Red Strings Club |
|---|---|---|
| GameValio scoreRecommendation: Maybe × Worth It | 68 | 69 |
| Quality | 93 | 88 |
| Value | 56 | 74 |
| Popularity | 39 | 33 |
| Current Best Price (USD) | $7.99 | $2.29 |
| Steam Review Score | 97.4% positive | 93.3% positive |
| Average Concurrent Players (14 days) | 307 | 11 |
Where to buy
The 3 cheapest stores for each game
Side by side over time
Papers, PleaseThe Red Strings Club
Details and requirements
| Item | Papers, Please | The Red Strings Club |
|---|---|---|
| Release date | August 8, 2013 | January 22, 2018 |
| Developers | Lucas Pope | Deconstructeam |
| Publishers | 3909 | Devolver Digital |
| Platforms | Linux, Windows, MacOs | Linux, Windows, MacOs |
Frequently asked questions
Which is better: Papers, Please or The Red Strings Club?
Papers, Please won the comparison against The Red Strings Club based on the head-to-head metric breakdown. Check the metrics table above for a full side-by-side analysis.
How is the comparison calculated?
The comparison winner is determined objectively by counting which game wins more individual metrics in the head-to-head table. No weighting is applied. The GameValio Recommendation shown separately is our own suggestion for each game, based on a weighted score that combines quality (reviews), popularity (player counts), and affordability (price vs value) into a score out of 100. These are two different things: the comparison is objective, the recommendation is GameValio's opinion.
Is Papers, Please worth buying over The Red Strings Club?
Based on the metrics, Papers, Please won the direct comparison. However, also check the GameValio Recommendation for each game and the price comparison table to make the most informed purchase decision.
Which game has better player reviews?
Review score trends and volume over time are shown in the charts section above. The game with consistently higher positive ratios has stronger community reception.
Which game offers better value for money?
The affordability score and price comparison table above highlight the best deals. The Red Strings Club currently scores better on value relative to its quality and price.
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Analysis updated: Oct 24, 2026, 03:04 PM UTC