- Black Border 2 is out now, seeing you play a customs officer on a totalitarian state’s border
- Build up your border post, absolutely don’t profit from bribes and make difficult decisions
- Get it now on the iOS App Store and Google Play
You might have a tough job, but it could be worse, you could be a border guard in a vaguely Eastern-European dystopia sometime in the 1960s. What’s that? Actually that sounds interesting? Well, lucky you because Bitzooma have got just the game for you, as Black Border 2 releases today.
It should be obvious at a glance, but Black Border 2 seems to take more than a little bit of inspiration from games like Papers, Please. And that’s not a bad thing, as Black Border 2 combines the simple repetitious pleasure of signing and checking documents with more gameified aspects, like building up your border checkpoint with all manner of new buildings.
As noted before, while the original Black Border had a slightly unimpressive clip-art style, Black Border 2 looks much more impressive with its grim but cartoony aesthetic. While I’m a little sceptical of it claiming to offer an “authentic” experience (how on earth would you measure that?) I do think it looks to be something that actually develops into a more innovative experience.
My hovercraft is full of eels
I admit it’s not necessarily a cheerful topic but I can definitely see the appeals in exploring the often money-greased wheels of totalitarian border patrol. And while it doesn’t have the minimalist artsiness of a game like Papers, Please, for better or worse I’d say that will make it more appealing to a wider audience.
You can grab Black Border 2 right now on the iOS App Store and Google Play to give it a try for yourself!
In the meantime if you’re looking for other games to try out this week then be sure to check in one the latest entry in our regular feature of the top five new mobile games to try this week!
And while you’re here be sure to cast your vote in the nominations for the latest installment in the Pocket Gamer Awards for 2024!