The Librarian
- August 13, 2020
- Octavi Navarro
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Get on itch.io Store"The Librarian" is a narrative-focused point-and-click game featuring horror elements and puzzles. With a stunning fantasy world and supernatural creatures, players help Liz uncover the mysteries of the Library in this 30-minute experience. Cozy up with detailed pixel art, eerie soundtrack, and atmospheric sound effects in this game by Octavi Navarro, creator of "The Supper" and "Midnight Scenes" series. Note: Currently incompatible with 64bit MacOS.
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Reviews
- The pixel art is beautifully crafted, creating a charming and atmospheric experience.
- The game provides a nice, relaxing break with its simple puzzles and pleasant music.
- It's a cute and cozy game that showcases the developer's love for the craft, making it enjoyable despite its brevity.
- The game is extremely short, with playtime averaging around 15-30 minutes, leaving players wanting more.
- There is a lack of depth in the story and character development, making it feel more like a demo than a full game.
- Puzzles are overly simplistic and easy, which may not provide enough challenge for seasoned players.
- story20 mentions
- 40 % positive mentions
- 45 % neutral mentions
- 15 % negative mentions
The game's story is generally perceived as minimal and lacking depth, with many reviewers noting that it feels more like a simple, linear point-and-click experience rather than a fully developed narrative. While some appreciate the environmental storytelling and atmospheric elements, others criticize the absence of a coherent plot and character development, leading to a bland conclusion. Overall, the game is seen as a pleasant experience with good art and music, but it falls short in delivering a compelling story.
“It's just a nice little game with good art, pleasant music, and a simple story, all for the right price.”
“Quite dark but interesting story.”
“And it's such a heartwarming story, a perfect way to spend 20-30 minutes of your evening.”
“There's absolutely no story (we don't know what happened in the library) and it's extremely easy.”
“There is hardly any story and the ending is bland.”
“There is barely any story, character or resolution.”
- atmosphere13 mentions
- 62 % positive mentions
- 15 % neutral mentions
- 23 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its beautiful pixel art, dark and cozy ambiance, and thoughtful sound design, creating an immersive experience that resonates with players. Many reviewers highlight the game's unique blend of cute and creepy elements, which contribute to its overall charm and emotional impact. Despite some critiques regarding gameplay depth, the artistic and atmospheric qualities are consistently celebrated as standout features.
“I love the cozy atmosphere of this game.”
“Loved, loved, loved this little, super atmospheric game.”
“The artwork is beautifully atmospheric and there's lots of thoughtful touches between the animations, storyline, 2D-3D scene setup, and puzzles.”
“But it has a certain atmosphere and it's a product of love by its creator, so these are the only reasons why I'm leaving a positive review.”
“Having played the other games by Octavi Navarro before, this one immediately had a different atmosphere.”
“The atmosphere, imagery, and gameplay were both distinct and familiar enough to allow me to become immersed in the storytelling and even care about saving a library that I was never really introduced to.”
- graphics8 mentions
- 88 % positive mentions
- 13 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are consistently praised for their beautiful art style and atmospheric quality, with thoughtful details in animations and scene setups. Reviewers highlight the aesthetics as a major draw, contributing to an engaging overall experience. Overall, the visuals are described as lovely and well-executed, enhancing the game's appeal.
“The graphics, as always, are beautifully well done.”
“The artwork is beautifully atmospheric, and there's lots of thoughtful touches between the animations, storyline, 2D-3D scene setup, and puzzles.”
“I was drawn to this game by the beautiful aesthetics, and I wasn't disappointed.”
- music6 mentions
- 83 % positive mentions
- 17 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally well-received, described as pleasant and fitting the charming art style and atmosphere. Reviewers appreciate its contribution to the overall experience, enhancing the game's simple story and environmental storytelling. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a highlight, adding to the game's appeal as a delightful and engaging experience.
“It's just a nice little game with good art, pleasant music, and a simple story, all for the right price.”
“Very short, but absolutely worth it :) lovely music, cute pixel animations and a couple simple puzzles make this game a charming break from everything else.”
“I really loved the art style, atmosphere and music.”
- gameplay6 mentions
- 17 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The gameplay is generally described as short, lasting around 10-30 minutes, with basic puzzles and mechanics. While some players appreciate the immersive atmosphere and storytelling, there is a consensus that the game would benefit from additional content to enhance the overall experience.
“The atmosphere, imagery, and gameplay were both distinct and familiar enough to allow me to become immersed in the storytelling and even care about saving a library that I was never really introduced to.”
“The game itself is very short (10-15 minutes tops) and has very basic gameplay and puzzles.”
“It would be nice to add another chapter to the game and make gameplay longer.”
“And yes, it is about 30 minutes of gameplay.”
- character development1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Character development in the games is highlighted by unique character designs and engaging narratives, particularly noted in "the supper" for its playful macabre elements, while "the librarian" showcases impressive close-up artistry and intricate puzzle design that enhances character interactions.
“My favorite so far has been 'The Supper,' with its unique character designs and playfully macabre story, but 'The Librarian' features his most striking close-up work (particularly of a crow, late in the game) and his best puzzle design so far.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its heartwarming story, making it an emotionally engaging experience that is ideal for a short, enjoyable play session of 20-30 minutes.
“It's such a heartwarming story, a perfect way to spend 20-30 minutes of your evening.”
“The emotional depth of the characters really resonated with me, making the experience unforgettable.”
“I found myself tearing up at several points; the narrative truly pulls at your heartstrings.”
