First Look: Librarian Simulator – Libritopia (PC)

The simulation genre can be quite the grab bag in terms of game quality. Sure, you could say that about any genre, but it’s particularly noticeable here. I’ve encountered some truly exceptional sims over the years. Yet, I’ve also stumbled upon absolute stinkers that seemingly get away with mediocrity just because they slap on the ‘Sim’ label. Some of my lowest reviews have come from this category. Today, we’re diving into LIBRITOPIA: Librarian Simulator on PC. It’s charming in spots but doesn’t quite hit the mark in others. Before you think I’m gearing up for a total teardown, keep in mind that this is an Early Access title, so I’m reviewing its current state, not the final product.

In LIBRITOPIA, you’re tasked with building and managing your dream library. On paper, this sounds delightful. Libraries are those cozy havens where book lovers lose themselves in a good read, and students dive into research. The game’s concept excited me—I was expecting a blend of whimsy, charm, and addictive gameplay. Instead, I felt blindsided by a fast-paced dash game.

Your role in LIBRITOPIA involves keeping your patrons happy and complaint-free. Fail to meet their needs, and they’ll walk out dissatisfied. If enough customers leave unhappy on any given day, you’ll find yourself at a game over screen. This mechanic would fit well in a Dash game, but for a Sim, it’s a bit disappointing. It strips away the subtle intricacies that usually make simulations engaging. Associating the library work purely with stress isn’t quite what most players are looking for.

Before opening the library each day, you’ll have the chance to set up new items, like book displays, or organize returned books from patrons. Your day kicks off at a computer terminal, where streams of readers filter in, searching for their literary fix. So far, so good, right? The premise has potential, but some aspects feel a bit undercooked.

Here’s the thing, for library patrons presumably well-read, they’re surprisingly clueless at times. Early on, you may have only a dozen books, yet a customer will insist you find a book that’s staring right at them from the shelf. This makes sense in a large collection but is laughable when the selection is meager. Admittedly, this becomes less of an issue as you advance in the game, but it uncovers another unintentional wrinkle.

As you expand your library, books are stored with only their spines visible. If a customer asks for a book by genre or author, you can either memorize your inventory (easier said than done) or consult a reference at the checkout. While a clever touch, this adds stress and eats up time—time you can’t afford with impatient customers. You can organize your shelves, but only incrementally, which isn’t always enough.

LIBRITOPIA’s layout is segmented into zones—checkout, check-in, and a query area for patron requests. This setup can become cumbersome in a dash-style game, where fewer initial hurdles generally work best. While you can eventually automate some desks, the start feels unnecessarily clunky.

For each checkout, return to your computer to search and checkout items. In theory, it’s simple. However, without an on-screen clue to the item in need of checkout, you’re left juggling between the screen and customers, which can be frustrating.

Check-ins are paired with a title-and-author-matching mini-game. But the unresponsive controls gum up what should be a smooth process. It’s a small hitch that dents the overall experience, especially when speed is the crux of a dash game.

So, the gameplay loop is this: acquire books, distribute them, and retrieve them back. It’s a straightforward approach, yet it entangles in convolutions that make the basic mechanics feel awkward. Adding to the challenge, customers often request books you have yet to access, potentially cutting down your ‘lives’ early on.

Visually, LIBRITOPIA isn’t exactly cutting-edge. It’s reminiscent of older aesthetics from the early 2000s; while design simplicity has its place, it’s paired here with scant sound effects and mismatched audio cues. Some female patrons inexplicably have male vocalizations—these small details add up.

For fans of Dash games, LIBRITOPIA might have some merit. It won’t snag any ‘Game of the Year’ awards, but there are enjoyable elements. However, labelling it a ‘Sim’ is misleading as it currently stands, more akin to a straightforward Dash title. Despite its entertaining aspects, LIBRITOPIA sits at an average standing right now.

That said, being an Early Access title means there’s still plenty of room for growth. The devs are actively improving the game, and with time, this could transform into a worthwhile experience. It’s also not an expensive buy, so even if you’re just curious, it won’t break the bank.

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