Preview: Libritopia – Librarian Simulator for PC

Navigating the world of simulation games can be a rollercoaster experience. While every genre has its gems and misses, the simulation category seems to have a particularly wide range. Over the years, I’ve encountered some truly exceptional sims, yet I’ve also played ones that fell flat, leaving me questioning if slapping “Sim” on a game somehow gives it a free pass. Today, I find myself exploring LIBRITOPIA: Librarian Simulator on PC. This game carries a whimsical charm, but it also leaves quite a bit to be desired. Before you get the impression I’m ready to criticize harshly, remember, this is an Early Access game, so consider this a glimpse into its current state rather than a definitive verdict.

In LIBRITOPIA: Librarian Simulator, you’re tasked with creating and overseeing your own library. The concept tickles the imagination—libraries are serene havens for book lovers, welcoming retreats where students can delve into knowledge or simply a shelter from life’s frenzy. With this game, I anticipated a dose of whimsy paired with a relaxing, yet addictive experience. Instead, I found myself unexpectedly thrust into a hectic dash game.

As a library manager, you’ll cater to patrons’ requests, and pleasing them is crucial. Fail to meet their needs too often, and you’ll find yourself facing game-over. Had this embraced the dash game genre completely, perhaps I’d be more accepting. However, by marketing it as a sim, the game ditches the depth that usually defines a good simulation. While the hustle of a librarian’s day might have elements of truth to it, I doubt players are seeking that kind of stress in their escapism.

As you begin each day in LIBRITOPIA, you’re offered the chance to upgrade your library and handle any overnight book returns. Starting your day at a computer feels oddly disjointed, but soon book enthusiasts swarm in looking to quench their literary thirst. The setup feels standard, and critiquing this would be unfair.

One quirky aspect is the customers’ apparent lack of observational skills. Initially, your shelves host a mere dozen books, yet patrons often fail to find what’s clearly there and ask for help locating it. This might be expected in a vast collection, where some books are shelved, but with such limited stock, it’s a bit ludicrous. Luckily, as the game progresses, so does your collection, but that introduces its own set of challenges.

Further expanding your shelves leads to only seeing book spines, which complicates customer requests for specific authors or genres. You can either memorize your inventory (easier said than done) or refer to your check-in desk, which, while clever, eats up time and tests customer patience. Try to keep them waiting, and they’ll leave, risking your progress in the game. Labeling shelves helps but only to an extent and not always when you’re pressed for time.

The library layout includes zone-specific areas like check-in and check-out desks, which feel unnecessarily cumbersome. Everything should ideally connect through one system, reflecting reality more accurately. While purchasing automated desks helps eventually, the starting setup feels unwieldy.

Checking out books involves navigating a somewhat convoluted process. Searching for an item and proceeding with the transaction necessitates leaving your computer each time, a setup that’s far from streamlined, especially when facing a long line. A more straightforward, glance-ready interface would be a significant improvement.

Meanwhile, check-in involves a somewhat painful matching mini-game, demanding precision clicks that sometimes don’t seem to register. Given the dash mechanics, fluid interaction is essential, yet this portion feels lacking.

The game follows a straightforward loop: acquire books, dole them out, and retrieve them later. While simplicity can be appealing, this doesn’t feel simple—it feels unnecessarily complicated. To top it off, patrons often request books not yet in your possession, adding another layer of irritation when their satisfaction defines your game continuity.

On the visual front, LIBRITOPIA adopts a rather basic aesthetic, akin to titles from the early 2000s. Budget and resource constraints are understandable, but the presentation lacks polish. Audio elements, minimal as they are, sometimes misalign, like mismatched character voices, leaving immersion wanting. At least control responsiveness meets expectations.

For fans of dash games, LIBRITOPIA potentially offers an enticing challenge, but it’s not positioned to become anyone’s game of the year. The term “Sim” is a bit misleading here—while it simulates library management, it lacks the quintessential sim complexity. As a dash game, though, it offers enough engaging mechanics to merit replayability, even if current issues temper my enthusiasm.

However, being an Early Access title, there’s room for growth. It’s worth revisiting down the line to experience any positive changes. The developers appear active, promising future improvements. At its price point, it’s also a risk-free addition for curious players.

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