Paperback

About

Paperback is a single player simulation game with a horror theme. It was developed by Morning Rain Interactive and was released on January 26, 2026. It received overwhelmingly positive reviews from players.

ABOUT THE GAME Paperback centers around a library setting at night with an aggressive thunderstorm raging in the vicinity. Dawn Of The Millenium - the year is 2001. You're a novice librarian tasked with keeping things running smoothly and closing up shop for the night. Sort out the shelves, maintain the utilities of the library and take calls as they come in - but keep your ears to the …

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

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100%

Audience ScoreBased on 11 reviews

atmosphere5 positive mentions

The game features an amazing atmosphere and great music that enhances the horror experience.
It offers a unique and interesting story with impressive voice acting, making it stand out from typical indie horror games.
For a free game, it provides good visuals, replay value with two endings, and a satisfying experience overall.

The first half of the game involves repetitive tasks that can feel tedious and detract from the overall experience.
Some players felt that the intriguing storyline was too short and wished it had been explored in more depth.
The gameplay can be slow-paced, which may not appeal to those looking for a more action-oriented horror experience.

atmosphere
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its impressive depth, enhanced by haunting music and strong voice acting, creating a spooky and immersive experience. Reviewers note the effective slow build of tension, contributing to moments of genuine fear, despite the game's brief duration. Overall, the combination of sound design and storytelling significantly elevates the atmospheric quality.
- “The atmosphere was amazing, and the music playing on the radio added another layer to it.”
- “Great voice acting, spooky atmosphere, interesting story too with the tapes.”
- “Paperback is a slow build atmospheric horror game which is surprisingly impressive given that the game is only an hour long.”
story
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
60%
The story is praised for its intriguing and spooky elements, particularly the unexpected twist involving a VHS and cult narrative, which captivated players. However, many reviewers expressed disappointment that the engaging storyline felt rushed and overshadowed by mundane tasks, leaving them wanting more depth and exploration of the plot.
- “Great voice acting, spooky atmosphere, and an interesting story with the tapes.”
- “I do wish that the VHS/cult-type storyline was around for longer.”
- “It did feel like half the game was just doing chores, but then it got into a very interesting storyline that I wanted to know so much more about.”
- “I had no idea that a simple 'there's a killer on the loose' game would go into a VHS, cult, creepy storyline, but boy did it.”
- “I wish it spent more time on the story and dialed back on just walking around doing chores.”
- “I do wish that the VHS/cult type storyline was around for longer.”
gameplay
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The gameplay is characterized by its simplicity and accessibility, making it easy for players to engage, while still offering enough enjoyment to maintain interest over time.
- “The gameplay is simple and easy to get into, but still fun enough to keep me playing.”
- “The mechanics are intuitive, allowing for a smooth learning curve while still offering depth for experienced players.”
- “I love how the gameplay encourages creativity and experimentation, making each playthrough feel unique.”
replayability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players appreciate the game's replayability, particularly enjoying the option to explore multiple endings, which enhances their overall experience.
- “I completed both endings and enjoyed the replay value.”
- “The game offers so many different choices that I can't wait to play through it again.”
- “Each playthrough feels fresh due to the variety of paths and outcomes available.”
music
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The music in the game significantly enhances the atmosphere, contributing to an immersive and sometimes frightening experience for players. Overall, it is praised for adding depth and intensity to the gameplay.
- “The atmosphere was amazing, and the music playing on the radio added another layer to it.”
- “That was a really nice experience; the music and atmosphere were amazing and had me pretty scared sometimes.”
graphics
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The graphics of Paperback are praised for their impressive quality, especially considering it is a free game, complemented by appealing sound design.
- “Paperback is a great free game with really nice visuals and sound for what it is.”