1998 The Toll Keeper Story Review

1998 The Toll Keeper Story is a narrative-driven indie simulator inspired by one of the most turbulent chapters in Indonesia’s recent history. Developed and published by GameChanger Studio, based in Tangerang, Indonesia, the game draws thematic parallels to titles like Papers, Please, offering a grounded, morally complex experience set against a backdrop of civil unrest. It joins a growing wave of standout Indonesian releases, led by Toge Productions’ acclaimed Coffee Talk series and the upcoming Kriegsfront Tactics.

Players follow the story of Dewi, a toll booth operator and expectant mother navigating the fictional nation of Janapa during a period of political uncertainty. As protests grow, mass layoffs spread, and economic uncertainty looms, Dewi must balance her loyalty to the government with her family’s survival.

Will she survive this tumultuous time in her country’s history? Let’s find out more in 1998 The Toll Keeper Story!

A Country On The Brink

1998 The Toll Keeper Story adopts the familiar structure of narrative simulators, echoing titles like Toge Productions’ Coffee Talk. Players follow Dewi’s daily routine as a toll booth operator, beginning each day with her shift at the toll gate and ending with personal reflections in her journal, offering a quiet yet poignant look into her world.

Gameplay is straightforward as players charge vehicles based on class, process payments, issue receipts, and open the gate. However, moral complexity quickly emerges. Drivers may offer insufficient fare or attempt to tip Dewi, forcing players to decide whether to bend the rules or uphold regulations. As long as the expected payment is met by the end of the shift, the game leaves these choices to the player’s conscience, making morality a central mechanic much like in Papers, Please.

The toll booth part of the game is quite straightforward. You charge each vehicle based on its class, and once it’s charged, the driver will pay you. With this payment, you give them the correct change, correct their payment, and print them a receipt when they’ve paid the proper amount. You then let them through by opening the gate.

However, moral complexity quickly emerges. Drivers may offer insufficient fare or attempt to tip Dewi, forcing players to decide whether to bend the rules or uphold regulations.

As long as the expected payment is met by the end of the shift, the game leaves these choices to the player’s conscience, making morality a central mechanic much like in Papers, Please.

As the story unfolds, new responsibilities are introduced, including checking for counterfeit bills, monitoring vehicle weight, and following government directives. These tasks grow more demanding as Dewi’s personal challenges mount. Rent deadlines, rising expenses tied to her pregnancy, and the threat of political entanglements add pressure to an already fragile existence.

1998 The Toll Keeper Story gradually intensifies, blending systemic gameplay with emotional stakes to deliver a compelling reflection on survival, duty, and personal agency during times of crisis.

Dewi’s Choice

Having lived in Indonesia through this time period, 1998 The Toll Keeper Story resonates on a deeply personal level. The game’s fictional setting of Janapa mirrors the political volatility of that era, and its integration of daily news updates, shaped by the player’s decisions, adds a layer of realism that elevates the narrative.

One early example sees Janapa’s star football player short on fare, and choosing whether to let him through directly influences the nation’s championship outcome. While some choices may seem minor, the stakes escalate as the story unfolds, reflecting the growing tension and uncertainty of Dewi’s world.

I appreciate that each day begins with an update of current events in the form of the newspaper. Coffee Talk has this feature as well, which creates a deep sense of space, but it really hits home more here in 1998 The Toll Keeper Story, as your actions have direct or indirect consequences.

The game’s structure builds pressure gradually. Though there’s no strict time limit for processing vehicles, the constant flow of traffic and mounting responsibilities simulate the stress of Dewi’s daily life. This slow-burning anxiety is one of the game’s most effective storytelling tools.

That said, some side quests feel underdeveloped. Occasional barter scenarios, where drivers offer food instead of money, allow players to cover tolls using personal savings, but these moments are rare and largely dependent on RNG. Flyer-based side quests also repeat frequently, which can lead to gameplay fatigue over time.

Each run of 1998 The Toll Keeper Story lasts around 2–3 hours and is designed for replayability, allowing players to explore different moral paths, whether as a compliant government worker or a desperate mother doing what she must to survive. The game subtly reflects the player’s values, reinforcing the developers’ message that in times of civil unrest, it’s the everyday citizens who bear the brunt.

We played 1998 The Toll Keeper Story on both PC and Steam Deck, and while it’s portable, it’s best experienced on PC with a dedicated keyboard and mouse. Precision-based controls, especially during journal customization, are not yet optimized for touchscreen or touchpad input, making the Steam Deck experience less intuitive.

Verdict: Buy It!

1998 The Toll Keeper Story is a compelling narrative simulator that invites players to experience the grounded struggles of an ordinary citizen caught in extraordinary circumstances. With its thoughtful premise and morally driven gameplay, the title delivers a relevant message through the lens of personal survival and societal pressure.

In a time when global political tensions continue to rise, 1998 The Toll Keeper Story offers a timely reflection on civil unrest and the human cost of systemic instability. GameChanger Studio has crafted an evocative experience, one that makes you think after you’ve put the title down.

The demo is currently available and runs smoothly on most PCs, making it accessible to a broad audience. However, players may want to hold off on trying it on the Steam Deck until touchscreen functionality is further optimized, as precision controls are better suited to keyboard and mouse setups.

*1998 The Toll Keeper Story was reviewed on the PC/Steam Deck with a review code provided by the publisher.