10 Seemingly Pointless Video Game Choices That Have Surprising Consequences
6. Glory To New Arstotzka - Papers, Please!
Papers Please tells the story of an immigration inspector in the fictional dictatorship of Arstotzka.
The game's ending is heavily dependent on how well you do your job. If you fail, you risk getting executed.
However, there is also a secret ending related to one small choice in the beginning that will then force you to make deliberate mistakes to change Arstotzka forever!
One of the main enemies of your character's country is a secret rebel organization known as EZIC. You are instructed to report any of their activities, but early in the story one of their operators will approach you, inviting you to cooperate with them.
Though the proposition appears non-committal, choosing to help EZIC will set you down a path that will determine the rest of your game. After you accept, the EZIC member will visit you regularly and give you tasks to fulfill, most of which violate your government directives.
Failing to do most of these tasks will lead to your execution for unsuccessfully conspiring with EZIC.
However, if you commit to your choices and balance the fine line between doing your job and helping the rebellion, you'll get the secret ending where EZIC actually overthrows the government.
Not bad for a rookie revolutionary!