The world of simulation games really is a curious mix of experiences. Yes, you could probably argue that about any game genre, but it feels more pronounced in the Sim category. Over the years, I’ve come across some truly excellent titles, but I’ve also stumbled upon some downright terrible ones that seem to escape harsh criticism simply because they’re labeled as Sims. Some of my most disappointing gaming moments have sprung from this genre, where I’ve had to give out my lowest scores. Today, we’re diving into LIBRITOPIA: Librarian Simulator on PC. While it does have its moments of charm, there’s a lot left to desire. Before we go further, it’s crucial to remember that this is an Early Access title, which means we’re looking at a work in progress, not the final version.
In LIBRITOPIA: Librarian Simulator, you step into the shoes of a librarian tasked with building and managing your own library. Just picturing that brings a smile to my face. Libraries are such cozy retreats, perfect for anyone wanting to escape into a world of books. They’re havens of knowledge and solace from life’s hustle and bustle. I came into this game looking for a whimsical experience, something slow yet captivating. What I wasn’t ready for was being thrust into a fast-paced dash game right from the start.
As you embark on your librarian journey, you’ll find yourself catering to the whims of your patrons. If you can’t find what they need, they leave frustrated. Too many disgruntled customers in a single day spells disaster. It’s an unexpected twist that takes the Sim elements and flips them into something more akin to a dash game. The quintessential nuance we expect from a simulation seems lost, replaced by a sense of stress associated with librarian duties. While this might hold a grain of truth, it’s not necessarily the gaming vibe we seek.
The game lets you lay out your library before opening hours, allowing you to pick up books dropped off the night before. You start from your computer, welcoming a crowd of book lovers eager for their next literary escape. Up to here, everything flows as expected, and it would be unfair to nitpick these aspects.
Still, here comes a surprising quirk: for a bunch of supposedly book-savvy customers, they sure act a bit clueless. With only a dozen books available initially, you’d think they could easily spot the right one. Instead, they’ll stand right in front of the shelf, seemingly oblivious. This setup might suit a much larger library or one with cluttered shelves, but when it’s all out in the open on just two shelves, it feels absurd. Although this does evolve as you progress, creating both intentional and unintentional challenges.
As your library expands, shelves fill, and spines start facing outwards. Patrons now ask for authors or genres, demanding either exceptional memory skills or constant trips to the checkout desk. While this mechanism adds a layer of strategy, repeatedly running to and from the desk tires patience and could lose customers, and perhaps the game. Re-labeling shelves could ease some of this burden; however, doing it all at once isn’t feasible, intensifying the challenge further.
Diving into the game’s zones, you have check-in and check-out areas – each requiring separate systems, which seems needlessly complex. Customers line up with queries, waiting for your assistance. It’s understandable but feels overly cumbersome in what aims to be a dash-style setup. Though automated desks come into play later, the process remains clunky from the get-go.
Checking out books involves bouncing around the computer system, searching, clicking, and moving back and forth. If there were a singular screen displaying search requests more efficiently, gameplay would feel considerably smoother and less of a chore when handling larger crowds.
On the other hand, the check-in tasks include a minigame about matching titles, authors, and genres. While this sounds intriguing, it isn’t as responsive, leading to a less seamless experience. In a dash game, you crave fluidity, which this mechanic lacks.
LIBRITOPIA’s game loop remains simple: get books, serve customers, and restock. Yet, ironically, it lacks simplicity in its execution. It feels like they overcomplicated an otherwise straightforward task. Making matters worse, customers may request books not yet revealed, making for an early-game frustration when every reader counts as a life you can’t afford to lose.
In terms of looks, LIBRITOPIA feels a bit dated, reminiscent of early 2000s games. While every artistic choice has reasoning and limitations, it could use a modern uplift. The sound design, too, is minimal and mismatched, notably with voice gender disparities. Still, control-wise, it does what it’s meant to.
If dash games draw your interest, LIBRITOPIA: Librarian Simulator has potentials worth exploring. It’s unlikely a contender for game-of-the-year, but the mechanics offer replayability. Dropping the “Sim” from its title might be wise, given the expectations associated with that genre aren’t met here. Yet, the challenges presented suit a dash game fan base.
It’s worth remembering, we’re discussing an Early Access release, with the possibility of significant updates in future iterations. The developers are evidently hard at work, so improvements seem likely. Considering its affordable pricing, stepping into LIBRITOPIA might be a worthy diversion for gamers who don’t mind digging into ongoing development.
This preview arises from a provided Early Access version of the game.
