Bookshop Simulator

About

Bookshop Simulator is a single player simulation game with a business theme. It was developed by Blep Games and was released on September 16, 2025. It received overwhelmingly positive reviews from players.

Bookshop Simulator lets you fulfill your dream of owning and running a bookstore, buying inventory, and expanding your shop into a retail empire. Manage sales, hire staff, and travel between global locations to optimize profits. Customize and decorate your stores while discovering rare and mythical books to attract customers.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

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97%

Audience ScoreBased on 554 reviews

gameplay23 positive mentions

grinding11 negative mentions

Charming and cozy atmosphere with adorable graphics and humorous book titles.
Engaging gameplay loop that allows for customization of bookshops and management of multiple locations.
Active developer support with regular updates and community engagement.

Some players report a lack of content variety and repetitive gameplay after a few hours.
Limited storage options in initial locations can lead to cluttered shops.
Minor bugs and performance issues, particularly with employee behavior and customer interactions.

gameplay
51 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
45%
49%
6%
The gameplay is generally described as addictive and easy to pick up, with a satisfying loop that appeals to fans of simulation games. While some players appreciate the charm and humor in the book titles and mechanics, others find the gameplay a bit clunky and suggest improvements like better tutorials and additional features. Overall, the game offers a relaxed experience, though it may not resonate with everyone due to its repetitive nature and occasional bugs.
- “Casual gameplay, quick tutorial & easy to understand.”
- “Addictive loop and relaxed gameplay; anyone who is into these kinds of games knows this is what it is all about.”
- “The gameplay loop is satisfying and fun, and each book license has its own unique spin on well-known authors and book titles in real life.”
- “The gameplay is a little clunky, and there are for sure a few bugs here and there.”
- “I could tell, probably within 15 minutes that the game wasn't for me nor the mechanics of the game, which is about how long I played, perhaps.”
- “It's the normal shop simulator repetitive gameplay - stock the store, open the store, manage the store, restock as needed, close the store, repeat.”
graphics
49 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
43%
51%
6%
Overall, the graphics of the game are generally well-received, with many players appreciating the cute and charming art style that balances between realistic and cartoonish aesthetics. However, some users express a desire for improved graphical options and more variability in textures and character designs. While the visuals contribute to a cozy and enjoyable atmosphere, there are calls for enhancements to further elevate the graphical experience.
- “I love the game's aesthetic and I love the references of the book titles!”
- “The art style is charming, the progression feels rewarding, and the developers clearly put a lot of love into the details.”
- “The graphics are bright and cheerful.”
- “I really enjoy it, and I love the book choices; I just wish the graphics were better and it didn't lag as much.”
- “I wish they had better graphics for the people and the wood textures.”
- “My only initial observation and complaint would be a lack of advanced graphics options.”
humor
32 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is a standout feature, primarily driven by its clever and pun-filled book titles that parody real-life bestsellers, eliciting laughter from players. Users appreciate the charming atmosphere and the lighthearted interactions, such as adopting cats and engaging with customers, which enhance the overall fun and cozy experience. The combination of witty references and a relaxed gameplay style contributes to a delightful and entertaining environment.
- “I love that you can choose to interact with the customers, I love the cat option, I love the funny comparison to real-life books. Very creative!”
- “The books are funny parodies of their real-life counterparts.”
- “The punny book titles and author names add a great humor element.”
music
13 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
62%
23%
15%
The music in the game is widely praised for its calming and relaxing qualities, enhancing the cozy atmosphere and gameplay experience. Many players appreciate the catchy and atmospheric tracks, although some express a desire for more variety or the option to change songs. Overall, the music significantly contributes to the game's appeal, making it a delightful backdrop for players looking to unwind.
- “Great cozy simulator game to put music on and just chill to.”
- “The game loop is satisfying and you fall into a good rhythm as you play with a nice background music track to really max out the cozy vibes.”
- “Better yet, the game’s music pairs perfectly with the game’s cozy but bustling atmosphere.”
- “If you're like me, the first thing you do in the game is turn off the music and turn the ambience up, but there is no ambient sound!”
- “I just listen to background music and play this.”
grinding
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
92%
The grinding aspect of the game is generally well-received, with players appreciating the balance between engaging gameplay and manageable progression. While some find certain elements, like leveling up and restocking, can become tedious, the overall experience allows for a relaxed pace, enabling players to enjoy the fun parts of the simulation without feeling overwhelmed. The ability to pause and organize at the end of the day adds to the game's appeal, making it suitable for those who enjoy a grindy business sim.
- “It isn't too tedious to expand and level up your shop.”
- “The grinding feels rewarding, as each level brings new opportunities and upgrades.”
- “I appreciate how the grind is balanced; it keeps me engaged without feeling overwhelmed.”
- “In essence, you're given space and money to do the fun parts of these sims, rather than forced to slog your way through the boring and tedious aspects while carefully balancing money.”
- “After a certain point, it feels a bit grindy until you open more shops, hire employees, and buy cats for your stores.”
- “I think my only minor complaint is levels start to get a little grindy, but I guess that comes with the territory of the game.”
atmosphere
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
78%
22%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its cozy and charming presentation, enhanced by a relaxing rhythm that allows players to engage in bookstore life at their own pace. The combination of delightful humor, lovely music, and a tranquil environment creates an immersive experience that encourages steady growth and exploration. Players appreciate the balance between a bustling yet comforting ambiance, making it a perfect setting for both casual and dedicated gameplay.
- “The cozy presentation and relaxing rhythm of day-to-day bookstore life create an atmosphere that is both comforting and pleasantly absorbing, drawing players into a loop of steady growth and continuous refinement.”
- “Many players find this game relaxing because of its tranquil atmosphere and the opportunity to build at their own pace without any competition.”
- “Better yet, the game’s music pairs perfectly with the game’s cozy but bustling atmosphere.”
story
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
37%
38%
Reviewers express a desire for a more developed story within the game, noting that while the setting offers rich potential for diverse and charming bookstore environments, the narrative feels lacking. They suggest that incorporating goals or small storylines could enhance engagement and provide a more immersive experience. Overall, the current storytelling elements are seen as insufficient, leaving players wanting more depth and connection to the game's world.
- “I love the idea of different vibes of bookstores depending on where it is; I could see a cute two-story bookstore in London or a snowy, cozy book nook in Moscow. There’s so much possibility there!”
- “The Japan location is a two-story building, and the Paris location, which is the largest, has a storage room.”
- “Like the story is missing.”
- “Goals or small storylines would make the game more interesting.”
- “It is difficult to create a fantasy story.”
optimization
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
14%
43%
43%
Overall, players express frustration with the optimization of many recent simulation games, often requiring compromises between performance and graphics, even with advanced technologies like G-Sync. While some titles provide a smooth experience, issues such as lighting optimization remain a common complaint. However, certain games still manage to deliver a relaxing and aesthetically pleasing experience without significant performance issues.
- “The game runs smoothly, I haven't noticed any bugs and I'm 18 hours in.”
- “Optimization: I play a ton of sim games, most of them in the last year or so have been horribly optimized, requiring me to trade off either performance or graphics, balancing V-Sync use even with G-Sync enabled.”
- “The only complaint that I have is some of the lighting optimization (as seen in a lot of simulator games).”
- “For fans of cozy sims and slow-life management games, it provides a relaxing and rewarding environment that emphasizes aesthetic pleasure and gentle growth over stress or rigid optimization.”
stability
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
80%
Overall, players report a generally stable experience with smooth controls and minimal glitches, particularly praising its performance on various devices. While some minor bugs exist, especially when switching out of the game, they do not significantly detract from the enjoyment. Most users find the game to be fun and recommend it despite these minor issues.
- “I love this game! I've found myself playing it for a couple of hours straight at a time, and the fact that it runs great on my ROG Ally with no issues and easy controls is fantastic.”
- “The stability of the game is impressive; I haven't encountered any crashes or glitches during my playtime.”
- “This game runs smoothly on various devices, making it accessible for everyone without sacrificing performance.”
- “However, it is a bit buggy, especially if you try to move out of the game in windowed mode and come back.”
- “There were a few glitches, like books being stuck on a shelf and little bits like that, but nothing that bothered me.”
- “I do recommend this game because it is pretty bug-free and fun.”
emotional
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players express a strong emotional connection to the game, highlighting its wholesome charm and engaging sandbox elements that allow for personal investment in a fictional bookstore. The ability to adopt a shop cat and customize various aspects enhances the heartfelt experience, resonating particularly with fans of cozy business simulations.
- “The ability to adopt a shop cat, open new store locations in different countries, and personalize almost every visual detail gives the game a wholesome charm that resonates strongly with fans of cozy business sims.”
- “As it stands now, it is already a heartfelt, engaging sandbox where book lovers and simulation fans can craft the literary haven of their dreams.”
- “Am I emotionally attached to my fictional bookstore?”
replayability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players feel that the limited number of books significantly hampers the game's replayability, making it less engaging for multiple playthroughs.
- “The limited variety of books is killing the replayability of this game.”
- “The lack of diverse playstyles significantly hampers the game's replayability.”
- “Once you've experienced the story, there's little incentive to replay the game.”

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19h Median play time

77h Average play time

7-80h Spent by most gamers

*Based on 7 analyzed playthroughs

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Frequently Asked Questions

Bookshop Simulator is a simulation game with business theme.

Bookshop Simulator is available on PC, Steam Deck and Windows.

On average players spend around 77 hours playing Bookshop Simulator.

Bookshop Simulator was released on September 16, 2025.

Bookshop Simulator was developed by Blep Games.

Bookshop Simulator has received overwhelmingly positive reviews from players. Most players liked this game for its gameplay but disliked it for its grinding.

Bookshop Simulator is a single player game.

Similar games include Book Bound, Grocery Store Simulator, Supermarket Simulator, TCG Card Shop Simulator, Winkeltje: The Little Shop and others.

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