The Sim genre is truly a mixed bag. While you might say this about any gaming category, it seems particularly true here. Over the years, I’ve encountered some stellar examples, but I’ve also stumbled upon a fair share of the genre’s less impressive offerings. Often, terrible games seem to mask their flaws under the Sim umbrella, somehow getting a pass. Some of my harshest reviews have been reserved for these misfires. Today, we’re diving into LIBRITOPIA: Librarian Simulator on PC. Although the game has its moments of charm, it leaves much to be desired. Now, before you think I’m gearing up for a critical takedown, let me clarify: this is an Early Access title, so we’re evaluating its current state, not its final form.
In LIBRITOPIA, you get to create and manage your own library. This concept initially struck me as quite charming. Libraries, after all, are sanctuaries for book lovers seeking refuge from the chaos of everyday life. They serve as learning havens for students and provide a peaceful escape for anyone looking to get lost in a book. With this in mind, I hoped for an experience that would be whimsical and relaxing yet engaging. However, it turned out to be more of an unanticipated dash game than I had bargained for.
In the game, your primary goal is to meet the needs of your patrons while minimizing complaints. If a customer doesn’t find what they’re looking for, they leave dissatisfied. Too many unhappy patrons in a day, and it’s game over. Had this been marketed as a Dash game, this would make more sense to me. As it stands, they’ve taken a Sim title and stripped away the nuanced aspects that characterize the best simulations. The game equates a librarian’s role with stress, which, while true to life in some circumstances, might not be the experience players are seeking.
Before starting each day in LIBRITOPIA, you’re tasked with building and organizing your library, as well as collecting any books returned the previous night. Your day begins at a computer—a curious choice—and soon, an influx of eager readers arrives, expecting literary delights. This setup aligns well with expectations, so it feels a bit unfair to criticize the premise too harshly.
What does raise eyebrows is the intelligence, or lack thereof, exhibited by your patrons. Despite a mere 12 books on the shelves, customers will often stare aimlessly before requesting a book sitting right before them. This behavior would be understandable if faced with hundreds of unsorted books, but in such an organized space, it feels absurd. Although this aspect evolves as you progress, it introduces another issue, likely unintentionally.
As you acquire more shelves, books are stored spine out. This means you can only see the title, complicating requests for specific authors or genres. Your options are to memorize your entire stock or check the desk for details—a smart but time-consuming strategy that tests customer patience. Labeling shelves is an option, but it offers only limited relief, especially under pressure.
In LIBRITOPIA, your library is divided into zones, each serving specific functions like check-in and inquiry desks. Strangely, a separate computer system is required for each area, an unnecessary complication. You can eventually buy automated systems, but the initial setup could be more streamlined.
Checking out books requires navigating several awkward steps at the computer—one extra layer that feels cumbersome when managing queues of waiting patrons. Offering a simple on-screen interface would streamline this process significantly.
The check-in desk features a matching mini-game involving titles, authors, and genres. Unfortunately, the controls feel unresponsive, complicating what should be a straightforward task. For a game with dash mechanics, fluidity is crucial, yet it often feels lacking.
The gameplay loop in LIBRITOPIA boils down to acquiring books, distributing them to readers, and reclaiming them later. Although this simplicity should be a strength, it instead feels cumbersome. Adding to the frustration are requests for books that you haven’t encountered yet. Early in the game, this can derail your progress in unfair ways.
Visually, LIBRITOPIA is modest, reminiscent of games from the early 2000s. While developers have budget constraints and artistic visions, the results aren’t particularly stunning. The sound design is sparse, sometimes mismatching, with male voices unexpectedly paired with female patrons. The fundamentals like controls work well enough, though.
For fans of Dash games, LIBRITOPIA offers some enjoyable mechanics. It’s unlikely to win any awards, but it has enough challenge to keep you coming back. Dropping the “Sim” label would align expectations better, as the game plays more like a Dash experience. While promising, current shortcomings place it in the “just okay” category for me.
That said, it’s worth noting this is an Early Access title, and it’s entirely possible improvements will come with updates. The development team is actively working to enhance the game, and at its price point, trying it out won’t break the bank.
This preview was crafted using an Early Access copy of the game from the publisher.
