PREVIEW / LIBRITOPIA: Library Management Simulator (PC)

The Sim genre has always been an interesting one, blending games of various qualities. Every genre has its hits and misses, but simulation games seem to have wider extremes. I’ve encountered brilliant gems, but I’ve also waded through some truly dire experiences, often forcing me to give them the lowest scores in my reviewing career. Today, we’re diving into “LIBRITOPIA: Librarian Simulator” on PC. It’s got a hint of charm, but let’s just say it falls short of greatness. Now, before you clutch your pitchforks, remember: this game is still in Early Access. So, let’s explore what “LIBRITOPIA” currently offers, with room for growth in mind.

In “LIBRITOPIA: Librarian Simulator,” you get to create and manage your own library. This concept is quite appealing to me. Libraries are sanctuaries of knowledge and quietude, soothing refuges from our bustling lives. They’re places for students to seek enlightenment or simply for anyone to relax and get lost in different worlds. As I fired up this game, I was hoping for a whimsical, leisurely pace that captivates. But I walked unawares into what felt more like a scramble than a serene library day.

As you navigate “LIBRITOPIA,” you’ll cater to patrons’ needs, ensuring minimal complaints. Failing to satisfy too many of them each day means game over. If this were a Dash game, I’d be more content, but labeling this as a Sim strips it of the nuances you’d expect in a true simulation. It equates librarianship with stress, a realism perhaps, but not the experience players seek here.

Each day begins with the chance to spruce up your library with new items and organize returned books. You start from your in-game computer (a somewhat odd choice), ready for the daily influx of book lovers. Up to this point, it aligns with expectations; griping about its premise feels unfair now.

Curiously, in a library filled with supposedly book-savvy individuals, patrons act cluelessly. You start with just twelve books. They’ll stare blankly at your small selection, only to ask about titles that are right in front of them. In a vast library, this might make sense, but here, it borders on absurd. Initially, covers face out, making this even less excusable. As you progress, book spines begin to show, demanding you identify books by title—adding an unintended complication to the mix.

The library is divided into various work zones: check-in and check-out desks, and a customer query area. This separation slows you down, as customer inquiries require visiting distinct stations. Automation upgrades become essential, but the initial setup feels cumbersome. To check out a book, you head to a computer, search it, then process it, which involves leaving the computer often. A simple display of the title being sought would streamline this significantly.

The check-in desk, on the other hand, is a mini-game in itself, requiring you to pair book titles, authors, and genres. However, the controls lack responsiveness, stretching what should be a quick task into a drawn-out process. The game’s mechanics, leaning into dash elements, call for fluidity that isn’t always there.

The game loop is basic: acquire books, supply them to readers, and retrieve them again. Simplicity is fine, but the execution here feels unnecessarily cumbersome. Patrons often request books you haven’t yet discovered, a wrinkle when losing patrons equals losing lives.

Visually, LIBRITOPIA is straightforward, reminiscent of early 2000s charm, though lacking polish. The audio is sparse, with occasional mismatched voice effects, slightly detracting from the immersion, even if it’s just grunts and murmurs.

For Dash game enthusiasts, there’s some appeal here. It won’t win any awards, but the mechanics can be engaging. However, the “Sim” label is misleading as the game’s nature leans more towards a fast-paced dash game than a slow-burn strategy sim. Early Access means changes are coming, and improvements could elevate it. Fortunately, this game won’t strain your budget if you fancy trying it.

Bear in mind, this is an Early Access build, with updates already in development. So, expectations might well be met later down the line. This insight comes from an Early Access version provided by the publisher.