The Imperial Gatekeeper

About

The Imperial Gatekeeper is a single player role playing game with fantasy, romance and erotic themes. It was developed by Tengsten and was released on September 2, 2022. It received positive reviews from players.

"The Imperial Gatekeeper" is a first-person puzzle-adventure game set in a mystical Asian-inspired kingdom. As the gatekeeper, players must solve challenging puzzles and uncover secrets to protect the imperial city from dark forces. With its beautiful art style and immersive atmosphere, players will be drawn into this magical world and find themselves captivated by the rich story and intricate puzzles.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

Skip User Reviews

84%

Audience ScoreBased on 274 reviews

gameplay16 positive mentions

grinding6 negative mentions

The Imperial Gatekeeper offers a unique blend of document-checking gameplay and adult content, providing a fun twist on the Papers, Please formula.
The game features a surprisingly decent story with character development, enhancing the overall experience beyond just repetitive gameplay.
Controls are simple and intuitive, allowing for a smooth gameplay experience that is accessible to players.

The game requires an external patch to access adult content, which can be frustrating for players who are not aware of this requirement.
Many players report bugs and glitches that hinder gameplay, including issues with character interactions and visual elements.
The gameplay can become repetitive quickly, with a lack of variety in characters and dialogue, leading to a less engaging experience over time.

gameplay
78 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
21%
67%
12%
The gameplay of "The Imperial Gatekeeper" is centered around a checkpoint inspection mechanic that evolves in complexity as players progress, incorporating elements of timing, memory, and strategy. While the initial stages may feel tedious and repetitive, the introduction of new tools and challenges keeps the experience engaging, despite some criticisms regarding the overall depth and accessibility of certain mechanics. The game successfully blends its unique premise with adult content, appealing to players who appreciate both narrative and gameplay, though it may not satisfy those seeking a more challenging experience.
- “The simplicity of the gameplay hides a deeper system of timing, memory, and strategy that constantly evolves as you rise through the ranks.”
- “The mechanic of comparing photos or checking entry logs grows more complex with the introduction of new tools, such as metal detectors and calming agents.”
- “The gameplay is simple and original; you check if the permits of the people crossing the border are in order, and you either let them pass or send them back.”
- “I’d also like to see more gameplay variety in general.”
- “Some features essential to gameplay are non-accessible, making the later stages near impossible to do properly.”
- “It's a shame that the gameplay is the only element falling behind; it's tedious, and still has plenty of room for development.”
story
69 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
20%
76%
4%
The game's story is generally described as decent and engaging, featuring a linear narrative centered around a war veteran turned border patrol officer, with some unexpected depth and character development. While the main storyline is relatively short, lasting around 5 to 10 hours, players appreciate the variety of side quests and interactions that enhance the experience. However, many reviewers express a desire for more content, including additional characters and missions, to further enrich the narrative.
- “Overall, the imperial gatekeeper delivers a compelling blend of document-checking strategy, moral ambiguity, and subdued narrative storytelling.”
- “The story turns out to be surprisingly robust, and there are some fun mechanics that make this more than just a strip and fuck game.”
- “I was pleasantly surprised by the story and cast — the characters are more than meets the eye, and the game has a fun conclusion.”
- “The story is pretty bare bones, but gets the job done to drive the plot forward.”
- “The story is so lame that I just pressed skip, but it's more so about the humiliation aspect than anything if you're into that.”
- “Unfortunately, the main story can be speedrun in a matter of around 3-4 hours if you actively manage to let 17 people pass without making any mistakes.”
graphics
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
50%
25%
The graphics are characterized by simple, 2D character models with sharp outlines and minimal animation, which some players find effective for conveying narrative and emotional depth, while others perceive them as unpolished or reminiscent of older games. The artwork varies in quality, with some appreciating its charm and attractiveness, particularly in sandbox mode, while others note that it lacks high-definition polish and can appear poorly on larger screens. Overall, the visuals evoke mixed feelings, balancing between nostalgic appeal and a desire for more refinement.
- “Great artwork!”
- “Simple but yet nice art style and has a sandbox mode post game for you to see all characters that you wish.”
- “The visuals are simple but effective: mostly static, 2D character models with sharp outlines and minimal animation.”
- “The quality of the artwork in these scenes varies and may feel unpolished to some, but for players who engage with them, they provide a sense of narrative closure or emotional impact to specific character arcs.”
- “The art seems a bit old and clunky at first, but it follows the game mechanics; I found it attractive, not gonna lie.”
grinding
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious, especially in the early stages where progress feels slow and unengaging until key features are unlocked. While the gameplay improves with more challenges later on, many reviewers note that significant time spent farming for resources can detract from the overall enjoyment.
- “It was a little grindy and boring in the beginning because nothing really happens until you unlock the 'pat down' feature.”
- “It's a shame that the gameplay is the only one element falling behind; it's tedious and still has plenty of room for development.”
- “I ended up spending maybe like 2 hours farming to buy everything and test stuff out, out of the 11.4 hours I've spent.”
optimization
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
75%
The game's optimization has received mixed feedback; while it is praised for being well-optimized and taking up minimal space, some players have reported performance issues on specific devices like the Steam Deck.
- “Also, incredibly well optimized, taking up minimal space.”
- “However, some players have reported performance issues on devices like the Steam Deck, particularly in the official Steam version.”
- “Basically, you run an imperial checkpoint, where as long as your performance is okay, you can do whatever you want with the peasants.”
- “Glory to the empire, you know, we don't mind what you do with the peasants so long as your overall work performance is a-okay.”
humor
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is characterized as a clever and entertaining parody of "Papers, Please," featuring quirky elements that enhance its comedic appeal. Players appreciate the lighthearted take, particularly for those seeking a more humorous experience with added playful themes. Overall, it is regarded as a fun game that successfully blends parody with humor.
- “It's a very cool and funny parody of 'Papers, Please', with some quirky features.”
- “Funny and nice parody.”
- “All in all, it's a great and funny game to play if you like 'Papers, Please'.”
stability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's stability is heavily criticized, with users reporting numerous bugs and glitches that significantly detract from the experience. Many feel frustrated that they have to seek external patches to resolve issues that should have been addressed by the developers. Overall, the stability is considered poor and in need of substantial improvement.
- “I paid for it and I'm in no mood to spend any time doing troubleshooting that should have been done by the developers.”
- “It's buggy, horrendous, and a disgrace of a program.”
monetization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The monetization strategy is perceived as exploitative, with many users feeling that it prioritizes profit over player experience, resembling a cash grab.
- “It seems more like a cash grab.”
- “The monetization system feels exploitative and unfair.”
- “I can't enjoy the game without being constantly bombarded by ads and in-game purchases.”
character development
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game is noted for its engaging story and character development, distinguishing it among indie HRPG titles. Players appreciate the depth of the plot and the evolution of characters throughout the game.
- “The character development in this game is exceptional, with a rich story that keeps you engaged throughout.”
- “This game stands out among indie HRPGs for its compelling plot and deep character development.”
- “The characters evolve in meaningful ways, making the story even more immersive and enjoyable.”
replayability
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
100%
Overall, while the campaign offers a decent amount of content for its price, players feel that increasing the variety of options, particularly in NSFW scenes, could enhance replayability. The game is not very long, but it still provides enough engaging elements to encourage multiple playthroughs.
- “The variety of choices and outcomes keeps me coming back for more, enhancing the overall replayability.”
- “The same applies to the NSFW scenes — more variety and options would improve replayability.”
- “The campaign isn't very long, but for the price, there's quite a lot of content here, and a lot of replayability.”
atmosphere
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
100%
The atmosphere is characterized by a pervasive sense of unease, blending elements of tension with a touch of lewdness, reminiscent of the game's "Papers, Please" vibe. This combination effectively heightens the overall experience, drawing players into its unsettling world.
- “The imperial gatekeeper rides on the 'Papers, Please' atmosphere and simply mixes in some lewd elements.”
- “The atmosphere enhances this sense of unease.”
- “The imperial gatekeeper basically rides on the 'Papers, Please' atmosphere and simply mixes in some lewd elements.”
music
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The music in the game is minimalistic, featuring ambient sounds like rustling papers and murmurs rather than a grand soundtrack, which aligns with its 18+ theme and resembles the audio style of "Papers, Please."
- “There’s no grand soundtrack playing behind your decisions—just the rustling of papers, the muttering of travelers, and the occasional ring of an alarm.”
- “It's just the 18+ version of Papers, Please, even down to the music.”
emotional
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's minimalist design enhances the emotional weight of the player's job and the interactions with visitors, making subtle cues more impactful. While some artwork may appear unpolished, it contributes to a sense of narrative closure and emotional resonance for players invested in character arcs.
- “This minimalism works in the game's favor, allowing the pressure of your job and the subtle emotional cues from visitors to stand out more vividly.”
- “The quality of the artwork in these scenes varies and may feel unpolished to some, but for players who engage with them, they provide a sense of narrative closure or emotional impact to specific character arcs.”