First Look: Librarian Simulator – Libritopia (PC)

The Sim genre really is a bit of a wild card. Sure, you can argue that every gaming genre has its outliers, but with Sim games, the difference seems even clearer. I’ve come across some standout gems over the years, yet I’ve also encountered some of the most dreadful titles I’ve ever played, often earning the lowest scores in my reviewing history. Today, I’m diving into LIBRITOPIA: Librarian Simulator on PC. While it has its moments of charm, there’s still a lot that leaves me wanting more. Keep in mind, I’m evaluating an Early Access version, so we’re just taking a snapshot of its current state rather than a final judgment.

In LIBRITOPIA, you take on the role of managing your own library. On the surface, this idea is rather endearing. After all, libraries are warm havens where book lovers escape from the hustle and bustle, sanctuaries for eager learners or just quiet spots to browse away a peaceful afternoon. I entered this game hoping for a touch of whimsy, something methodical yet captivating. What I didn’t expect was to be tossed into a frenetic dash game without any warning, but that’s exactly what transpired.

As you journey through LIBRITOPIA: Librarian Simulator, your mission is to keep your patrons happy and minimize complaints. Fail to meet customer expectations, and they’ll leave displeased, not great for business. Should too many patrons walk out unhappy in a single day, you face the dreaded game over. It feels more akin to a Dash game than a Sim, taking away the depth that typically makes simulations engaging. Sure, librarianship has its stresses, but is this really what players are searching for?

Each day in LIBRITOPIA begins with collecting returned books and deciding where to add new items in your library. The day kicks off from your computer—an unusual choice, but let’s go with it. Soon enough, a wave of book enthusiasts will flood in, expecting their literary fixes. So far, so good—it’s what you’d anticipate from this type of game.

Now, onto the elephant in the room: your patrons, who should ideally be book-savvy, sometimes act like they can’t spot a book in a dozen-strong collection. They’ll walk up to a shelf, all twelve titles clearly visible, then ask you for the very book right under their noses. While this makes sense in a room filled to the brim with books, it’s baffling here. Admittedly, as your library expands, titles become visible only by spine, introducing a dilemma—I doubt it was a planned move.

As your collection grows, it becomes a memory game—remembering every item in stock or frantically consulting your check-in desk for info you need—which burns valuable time. Not ideal, considering making patrons wait too long could mean losing the game. You can label your shelves, but it’s a slow process that forces you to adapt quickly.

The library is divided into zones—check-in and out, and customer service areas—each playing a unique role in managing library operations. It feels unnecessarily cumbersome with multiple computer systems when a streamlined approach would’ve sufficed. Slowly acquiring automated desks helps, but the initial setup feels unwieldy.

Checking out a book requires you to leave the computer to search for the title before clicking to check out. This adds unnecessary steps, especially with a line of waiting customers. A more intuitive approach, like a quick-reference pop-up window, could make a huge difference.

The check-in desk features a matching mini-game requiring you to pair titles with authors and genres. The process sometimes struggles with responsiveness, which isn’t ideal when smoothness in gameplay is crucial.

In short, LIBRITOPIA follows a straightforward loop: managing books and catering to patrons’ literary needs. While this simplicity might sound appealing, it quickly becomes cumbersome due to the logistical hoops you must jump through. Early on, I even encountered requests for books not yet available in the game—a minor frustration, especially considering patron satisfaction equates to your lifelines.

Visually, LIBRITOPIA channels an early 2000s vibe. While the artistic choices are understandable given resource constraints, it’s a tad underwhelming in terms of appeal. Sound effects are sparse and occasionally mismatched, which detracts from the overall immersion.

If you enjoy Dash games, LIBRITOPIA offers some intriguing mechanics. It might not be anyone’s contender for game of the year, but it has its moments. However, dropping the “Sim” label is advisable, as it promises more than what’s delivered. With refinement, the game’s current drawbacks could fade, making it truly engaging.

Being an Early Access title gives developers the opportunity to polish and expand it over time. The game is also budget-friendly, so you won’t have to break the bank to try it out.

This preview is based on an Early Access version provided by the publisher.