Indie game Probably Stolen has achieved unexpected viral success on Steam, drawing in a peak of 174,382 concurrent players shortly after its October 28 release. The debut title from Questing Goose Studio blends the visual style and atmosphere of Cyberpunk 2077 with the gameplay loop of Papers, Please, incorporating inventory management elements.
In Probably Stolen, players assume the role of a market stall owner on a dystopian space station, with the primary objective of maximizing profit. The game's premise, as described on its Steam page, involves operating as a former scavenger who has secured a storefront through a loan. The core gameplay revolves around trading in goods, many of which fall into legal gray areas or are outright illicit.
Players can choose to specialize in various illicit operations, such as being a gunsmith, chemist, or fence, with each path presenting unique challenges like addiction, inspections, or acquiring necessary permits and machinery. As the player's ethically questionable business expands, they can manage multiple ventures simultaneously, but must remain vigilant about rent payments.
Steam reviews for Probably Stolen are overwhelmingly positive. Player anecdotes highlight the game's engaging nature, with one user humorously recounting hiding valuable items in a trash can during an inspection, only for the garbage collector to profit. Another player described successfully increasing sales by adding opium to their water supply as a water dealer.
Many players praise the game's addictive "just one more round" quality, with some suggesting it sets a new standard for its genre. It has also been noted for standing out amidst a flood of lower-effort titles on Steam. While some late-game feedback suggests a lack of gameplay evolution, players generally find the experience to be well worth the $17.99 price, especially considering the potential for dozens of hours of playtime.