PREVIEW / LIBRITOPIA: Library Management Simulator (PC)

The world of simulation games is a bit like a mixed candy bag—you never quite know what you’re going to get. Sure, you could say this about any genre, but with Sims, it’s way more apparent. Over the years, I’ve stumbled upon some real gems, yet there’s also a sea of mediocrity where even a disastrously poor game can get away with calling itself a Sim. Some of my worst gaming experiences and lowest review ratings have come from this genre. Today, I dived into LIBRITOPIA: Librarian Simulator on PC. This game has a sprinkle of charm, sure, but it still leaves a lot to be desired. To be fair, let’s remember this is in Early Access, a work in progress—not the final product.

LIBRITOPIA lets you create and manage your own library. The idea alone feels heartwarming, right? Libraries are these magical places of calm, where book lovers can escape life’s chaos. They’re hubs for student knowledge hunts or simply a haven when one needs to withdraw from the world. I went in hoping for a whimsical, slow-paced, addictive adventure. Instead, I got thrown into a hectic dash game unprepared.

When playing LIBRITOPIA, your job is to keep your patrons happy. If they can’t find what they’re after, they’ll leave dissatisfied. And let’s be honest, if too many walk out annoyed, your game comes to an abrupt end. If this were a pure Dash game, it’d sit easier with me, but LABRITOPIA waters down the Sim nature, stripping away the nuances that make Sims enjoyable. Instead, it feels more stress-inducing than rewarding, akin to equating a librarian’s job solely with anxiety—which, as a player, isn’t quite the experience I’m craving.

At the start of each day, you can place new items, retrieve returned books, and prep your library. Oddly, your day kicks off from your in-game computer—and suddenly, a crowd of eager readers floods in. Initial impressions here align with expectations and avoiding nitpicking feels fair.

However, these patrons, supposed lovers of the written word, seem as sharp as a sack of hammers. With merely a dozen books on display, they often ask for books that are right in front of them, a perplexing scenario unless your library’s shelves are teeming. Excuses aside, this changes as you progress, but it feels unintentionally challenging when the game expands.

As you add more shelves, book spines replace covers, testing your memory when folks inquire about specific genres or authors. You can either memorize your stock, no easy feat, or refer to your check-in desk—a clever touch but one taxing precious time and patience. We could label shelves, but progress remains sluggish, complicating swift retrieval.

LIBRITOPIA divides the library into zones, like check-in and check-out desks, which makes one wonder why separate systems exist. Adding a bit more realism, a waiting area feels right, but for Dash mechanics, starting simple is crucial before piling on complexity. Automated desks, purchasable as you progress, help but initially, the setup feels cumbersome.

Checking out books involves back-and-forth with a computer, a drawn-out process that could benefit from a streamlined, on-screen solution. The check-in desk, meanwhile, hosts a matching game of titles, authors, and genres, where lag in response detracts from fluidity—a hitch in an otherwise satisfying Dash setup.

The game loop is straightforward: loan books, retrieve them, rinse and repeat. However, execution feels awkward, not seamless. Annoyingly, patrons sometimes request books you’ve never come across, a minor gripe but a nuisance when your progress hinges on meeting their needs.

Visually, LIBRITOPIA evokes early 2000s aesthetics—charming if nostalgic but lacks modern polish. Audio falls short too, with mismatched voices hinting at a broader oversight. Control-wise, though, it’s standard fare, doing what it says on the tin.

For those fond of Dash games, LIBRITOPIA might offer something valuable. While it won’t snag any game-of-the-year accolades, its mechanics provide a replay-worthy challenge. The “Sim” label, however, misleads—it’s more Dash masquerading as a Sim, with just enough challenge for repeated plays but still only manages an okay rating primarily due to its hiccups.

Yet, being an Early Access title, there’s room for growth. Game developers are actively refining LIBRITOPIA, and it’s a budget-friendly buy, so there’s little financial risk if you’re curious to explore its evolving landscape. This review draws on an Early Access copy generously provided by the Publisher.