Fans of co-op management games have a brand-new one to enjoy on Steam. Bookshop Simulator has arrived on the platform with an incredible 94% “Very Positive” review score from players. Those who enjoy cozy simulator games will definitely find plenty to love in this new co-op Steam game.
Bookshop Simulator is the first-ever title from developer Blep Games. It has stuck the landing on its first attempt, after initially launching into Early Access in September 2025. Compared to some games, that’s a pretty brief Early Access period, but the developer has been able to make it to 1.0 fairly quickly. Luckily, Bookshop Simulator has made great use of its spell in Early Access to improve the game according to player feedback, making for a successful launch.
Bookshop Simulator Lets Friends Build Their Dream Bookshop Together
Check Out Bookshop Simulator on Steam
- Developer: Blep Games
- Genre: Co-op, management, simulator
- Release date: July 20, 2026
- Price: $15:99
The gameplay of Bookshop Simulator will be very familiar to those who love to indulge in other simulation games like TCS Card Shop Simulator and Retro Rewind – Video Store Simulator. Players take charge of a brand-new bookshop from the bottom, and must build it up into a retail empire by deciding the products, designing the store, and hiring employees to help bear the load. With success, they can expand their business to different locations around the world.
Guess the games from the emojis.
Guess the games from the emojis.
Easy (120s)Medium (90s)Hard (60s)
Bookshop Simulator Gameplay Features
- Single-player and co-op (up to four players)
- Buy and sell bookshop inventory
- Use profits to decorate and expand the bookshop
- Extensive customization options
- Hire employees to help with your workflow
- Expand to new locations around the world
- Rare mythical books offer powerful abilities
- Adopt shop cats
Bookshop Simulator costs $15.99 at full price, but an introductory discount allows players to pick up the game at 15% off for a limited time. This brings the price down to just $13.59 until August 3, 2026.
The 1.0 launch has quickly been a big success for Bookshop Simulator. According to SteamDB, the game has smashed its player count record since launch, with a new all-time concurrent peak of 1,207. This far eclipses anything it managed in Early Access. Player reviews for the game are extremely strong, too, with 94% of lifetime reviews being positive among players. In an increasingly stacked simulator genre, it’s difficult to stand out, but the fun gameplay loop and cozy vibes touted by gamers in the reviews have clearly helped Bookshop Simulator differentiate itself.
Bookshop Simulator has a free Steam demo for gamers to try out the game before they commit to a purchase.
As part of the 1.0 update to Bookshop Simulator, developer Blep Games has made some significant additions. Its launch brings the co-op multiplayer to the game for the first time, allowing up to four players to jump in and create their dream bookshop together. Fun co-op games are more popular than ever at the moment, so it seems like the perfect time for something like Bookshop Simulator to really take off. The update also added a new location in the Cotswolds, England, bringing players to a snowy environment. Two existing locations, Lyon and Yamanashi, have been expanded, too. The other major addition is a new item type: magazines, which can be added to any bookshop.
Steam users are blessed with a wealth of new titles released every single day. Not all of them are worth the time, which is exactly why it’s always worth checking the reviews before purchasing. While the abundance of titles naturally means the quality can be mixed, there are plenty of gems like Bookshop Simulator that are well worth checking out. As a platform, the variety of games available on Steam is so hard to beat.