Xbox Series X|SPlayStation 4PC (Microsoft Windows)PlayStation 5Xbox OneNintendo Switch2023

The Library of Babel

Join Ludovik in a 2D Stealth Platformer and Graphic Adventure, as he explores the jungles of a futuristic Babylon to discover the secret behind the Library of Babel’s sudden lockdown and the mysteries behind their mythical creators.

Trailers

Screenshots

Mostly Positive

2 Steam reviews

Review History

Reviews

2 total

≥h

Steam User 0408STEAMNot recommended

Unfortunately, while this game has an interesting premise, cool elements and competent art direction (in both visuals and music), the experience as a whole just doesn't deliver.

My main gripe has to be that, for a game subtitled "stealth platformer journey", both the stealth and platforming are mediocre.
The stealth consists of exclusively red/green light situations where you remain out of enemy sight and hide behind boxes. What defines the enemy line of sight is unclear, as they don't use laser pointers (except for snipers) or flashlights, or any other elements that might help you gauge their cone of vision. They also can't really look beyond the platform they're standing on, so you're relatively safe as long as you're not jumping to/from their platform and kind of far from them. But when you're hiding nearby, even when the hiding spot is outlined as green (safe), you can be detected leaving your cover even when they have their backs turned on you. The only clever addition to this red/green light situation are the laser drones which pass over you but only detect you if you move while they scan. It would've been interesting to see at least one ore two more variations for each enemy type, maybe with different detection ranges or vertical traversal, something to spice it up a little.
The platforming isn't better, as the controls don't feel tight enough to make traversal feel satisfactory, and the jumping as a whole seems inconsistent. On sections where you have to continuously jump a bunch of times, some inputs go missing leading you to fall you your death. It's also unclear when you will or won't be able to catch some ledges, and sometimes you can't really see if there are platforms you can jump below due to how the camera works. Brief Spoilers: The final zone, where you have to dodge a bunch of traps, feels much more like a relief than a reward when you realize you don't have to do it again. Not to mention the sewer chase scenes. God. I'm not against having such hazards, but the controls and animations really aren't suitable for that kind of thing.

I think it's a shame that there wasn't more made out of the inventory system and the items as a whole. Most of the items you'll find have to be combined into something else in order to progress, which is interesting, but with one or two exceptions, these work more as narrative (or literal) keys that you'll need to use in either at doors or in dialogue to advance to the next zone. It would've been interesting to see more elements typical of Metroidvanias, where you can't access an area at first but then unlock/assemble a tool that allows you to enter or traverse it by adding or adjusting to the game mechanics. The worst part is that this idea is already kind of implemented with the fog lantern, but it's only mandatory for one section and it doesn't even light up other areas.
Also, some of these items could've aided in the stealth sections in order to make them more engaging. Maybe if your drone could be upgraded to generate sound at a faraway location and cause a distraction, or briefly stun an enemy you can't avoid otherwise.

Finally, while I think the story has an interesting premise, I can't say much of anything is done with it. You progress from one area to the next, following in the footsteps of one character or the other, but you don't get any significant interactions or revelations from these moments. By the time the game ends, the final cutscene shows what I'd consider to be some progression, but to me it feels much more of a midway point or even first third than a conclusion.

Mar 18, 2026·13h·Verified

Steam User 2104STEAMRecommended

Very cool stealth metroidvania, love the art and lore and stuff. Some very annoying backtracking if you don't get all secrets the first time around though, so beware. Also an annoying achievement to die less than 30 times the entire game (did they change this? I thought it was a tighter condition than that?). Underrated. But also quite frustrating in some areas, admittedly.

Mar 15, 2026·9h·1·Verified