First Look: Librarian Simulator (PC) – Libritopia

The Sim genre can be quite the rollercoaster. Sure, every type of game has its hits and misses, but simulators really seem to lay bare the extremes. Over the years, I’ve delved into some fantastic ones, but I’ve also come across some truly abysmal attempts—often the lowest-rated games in my reviewing career seem to hail from this genre. Today, I find myself diving into LIBRITOPIA: Librarian Simulator on PC. While there’s some appealing charm, a lot about it could use some polish. Now, let me assure you, this isn’t about tearing the game apart; I fully understand it’s still in Early Access. This is more of a snapshot of where the game currently stands than a take on its final form.

In LIBRITOPIA: Librarian Simulator, you step into the shoes of a budding librarian tasked with building and managing your own library. The concept alone is quite delightful, drawing images of warm, cozy spaces where book lovers escape from the chaos of everyday life to dive into worlds of knowledge. I approached this game, hoping for a whimsical experience—something slow and charming that draws you back. However, what I got was more akin to being thrust into a high-stakes dash game scenario, which was a bit of a surprise.

Your objective in the game centers around satisfying customer demands without racking up too many complaints. If a customer leaves dissatisfied, it’s a strike against you, and too many unhappy patrons in a day mean it’s game over. This setup might work better if it leaned more into the Dash game genre. By stripping the elements that make simulations engrossing, it makes the experience feel more stressed librarian than leisurely sim manager—and I’m not convinced that stress is what players are craving here.

Before a new day dawns in LIBRITOPIA, you have a moment to spruce up your library by adding items and collecting returned books. Oddly, the day kicks off from a computer screen, after which you’re met with a parade of literature enthusiasts eager to quench their thirst for books. This is where the premise finds its grounding—nothing to revolt against here, really.

However, let’s talk about the patrons: they aren’t exactly the brightest bulbs in the chandelier. With your initial inventory being a simple twelve books, patrons often amble over, gaze at the shelves, and then ask for a book that’s staring them right in the face. This would make sense in a sprawling library where books are scattered everywhere, but with your limited selection, it’s a tad ludicrous. At least initially, when the book covers are easily visible, their oblivion is hard to swallow—although this dynamic shifts later, introducing its own set of challenges.

As the game progresses and your library grows, you end up shelving books spine-first, adding a new layer where you need to recall or reference the book via a computer for title, author, or genre—this can be time-consuming. The solution is to label your shelves to save some legwork, but this feature comes with its own limitations.

Structurally, LIBRITOPIA divides your library into specific zones, complete with separate desks for checking in and out books—two different systems for what should theoretically be a streamlined process. The query area adds another step, slowing down the pace unnecessarily. A real Dash game thrives on simplicity, gradually introducing complexity, making this setup cumbersome from the get-go.

Checking out a book involves searching for it on your computer, a task that requires stepping away to verify selections—imagine juggling six patrons simultaneously, each waiting for their turn. A simple screen overlay showing what’s on hold would be a godsend here.

The book return is another story. It features a matching mini-game involving titles, authors, and genres, with an interface that’s not as snappy as it should be. Quick reflexes are crucial in dash-style mechanics, and the game’s response time could use a tune-up.

At its core, LIBRITOPIA seems simple—initiate the cycle of lending and returning books. Yet, it’s wrapped in an awkward execution that adds unnecessary complexity. What worsens the situation is when patrons demand books you haven’t even acquired yet. While not game-breaking, it unnecessarily chips away at your ‘lives,’ adding avoidable frustration.

From a cosmetic standpoint, the game doesn’t exactly push boundaries—its simple visuals give off early 2000s vibes. Sound design leaves much to be desired; the limited effects often mismatched, like male voices for female characters. On the bright side, controls function as expected.

Fans of Dash games might find something intriguing in LIBRITOPIA despite it not aiming for Game of the Year stardom. However, labeling it a ‘Sim’ is a stretch—it fits better as a Dash game with some replay value, but current issues hold it back.

Let’s not forget, this is only Early Access. The developers are actively working on it, implying potential improvements are on the horizon. Plus, it’s affordable, so diving into it won’t burn a hole in your pocket.

This review is crafted from an Early Access copy of the game, generously provided by the Publisher.