First Look: Librarian Simulator – Libritopia (PC)

The Sim genre is a real mixed bag. You could argue this about any gaming category, but it seems particularly evident with Sims. Over the years, I’ve stumbled upon some fantastic ones, but equally, I’ve encountered some disastrous attempts that still label themselves as Sims. It seems like a poorly made game can often hide behind the Sim label and get away with it. I’ve played some outright failures from this lot and handed out some of my harshest reviews during my career as a gaming critic. Today, we’re diving into LIBRITOPIA: Librarian Simulator on PC. While there are definite moments of charm, the game’s Early Access state leaves plenty of room for improvement. I’m not here to tear it apart but to offer a glimpse at its current state before it reaches its final form.

In LIBRITOPIA: Librarian Simulator, you get the unique chance to create and manage your own library. There’s a certain appeal to this idea, with libraries being havens for bookworms seeking refuge from the chaos of everyday life. They’re sanctuaries of knowledge and places to lose oneself in literary worlds. I was hopeful for a vibe that combined whimsy with a slow-paced yet addicting gameplay experience. But instead, I felt unexpectedly thrust into a fast-paced dash game, which was quite a surprise.

The game tasks you with meeting the needs of your patrons while trying to minimize complaints. Fail to satisfy too many customers, and the day comes to a screeching halt. If this had been a Dash game, I might have had a smoother experience. However, by branding it as a Sim, it loses the nuances that make simulations engaging, ultimately reducing the role of a librarian to managing stress levels—a realistic aspect, perhaps, but not the ideal experience for players.

At the start of each day in LIBRITOPIA, you’re given the chance to build up your library and collect any returned books. You kick things off at a computer, which feels odd, and soon find yourself surrounded by book lovers eagerly awaiting their reading fix. At this point, all seems well—no complaints about the setup.

However, the patrons, supposedly well-read individuals, often seem oblivious. Picture this: you’ve got just twelve books on your shelves, yet a customer will wander over, gaze for a moment, and then ask you for a book that’s staring them in the face. In a room packed with hundreds of books, this might make sense. But with two small shelves displaying books cover-out, it borders on ridiculous. As the game progresses, things change slightly, but that presents its own set of challenges, possibly unintentionally.

As your library grows, books are shelved spine-out. This limits your view to the book’s title, yet patrons might request an author or genre. You can either memorize your stock—easier said than done—or check the title on your computer. While this system is clever, it consumes time and tests your patrons’ patience. Keeping them is crucial to avoid game over, but while you can label shelves, you’re limited in how much you can do at once, presenting another layer of challenge.

LIBRITOPIA’s layout divides your library into zones, featuring check-in and check-out desks, along with a customer query area. It’s a bit cumbersome, and I’m left baffled as to why separate systems are necessary. Automating desks helps, but it remains slightly clunky.

Checking out books requires a trip to your computer to search and complete the transaction. This process becomes tedious, particularly when faced with a line of customers. A simple on-screen list of sought-after books could have streamlined things significantly.

The check-in process involves a matching game, pairing titles, authors, and genres. The interface, however, isn’t always responsive. Clicks sometimes don’t register, disrupting what should be a fluid experience essential for dash mechanics.

The core loop of LIBRITOPIA involves acquiring, lending, and retrieving books. The simplicity is deceptive, as the game finds awkward ways to complicate what should be straightforward tasks. Adding to the frustration, patrons often request books you’ve yet to encounter. While not a major issue, it creates avoidable setbacks since they equate to your lives, leaving little room for mistakes due to circumstances beyond your control.

Visually, LIBRITOPIA: Librarian Simulator feels reminiscent of games from the early 2000s. The aesthetic is simple, and while art is subjective and resources finite, it’s not particularly remarkable. Sound design is sparse, and mismatches between voice interactions and characters are noticeable—distracting, given the limited vocal cues.

For those who enjoy Dash titles, LIBRITOPIA might offer some appeal. It won’t dazzle anyone into considering it for game of the year, but its mechanics are entertaining. The “Sim” label, however, is misleading. While it involves library management, this game diverges from traditional Sims and fits more aptly as a Dash title with its replayable challenges. My earlier mentioned issues place LIBRITOPIA in a mediocre bracket for the moment.

That said, let’s remember this is an Early Access experience. Revisit the game in a while, and you might find it transformed. The developers are actively working on it, promising future enhancements. Moreover, it’s a budget-friendly game, sparing you from financial regret should you decide to explore its charm.

This Preview is based on an Early Access copy of the game provided by the Publisher.