Herbalist Simulator

Herbalist Simulator, developed and published by EJRGames, is a first-person simulation game released on January 22, 2020, for Windows. Players step into the role of an herbalist, engaging in activities related to herbalism through direct control in a first-person perspective, though specific gameplay mechanics and setting details are limited in the provided sources.

Herbalist Simulator: Review

Introduction

In the ever-expanding landscape of simulation games, where titles range from meticulously detailed farming ventures to absurdist physics-based farces, Herbalist Simulator emerges as a fascinating, if flawed, anomaly. Released on January 22, 2020, by the indie studio EJRGames, this game positions itself as a niche love letter to traditional Polish herbal medicine, embodying the forgotten craft of the “Zielarze.” Yet, beneath its whimsical premise—a mock-job advertisement for a village herbalist—lies a title that straddles the line between cultural preservation and technical inadequacy. This review will argue that Herbalist Simulator is a curio with a deeply authentic core concept undermined by underdeveloped execution, ultimately serving as a poignant reminder of the challenges facing ultra-niche indie titles in a crowded market.

Development History & Context

EJRGames, a small developer with limited public documentation, conceived Herbalist Simulator during an era when the simulation genre was saturated with both ambitious successes and hastily assembled “asset flips.” The game’s unique cultural angle stems from the developer’s personal connection to Polish herbalism, as revealed in a parallel itch.io version by the pseudonymous “cryptophobe,” who describes it as a tribute to family traditions passed down through generations of Zielarze. This context is critical: the game is less a commercial product and more a passion project aiming to preserve a fading cultural practice. Technologically, it leverages Unity for its 3D Windows version (with VR support via SteamVR), while the itch.io iteration is a minimalist HTML5 build. Releasing in January 2020—a period dominated by genre giants like Farming Simulator 19 and The Sims 4—Herbalist Simulator arrived without the marketing budget or polish of AAA titles, relying instead on its unconventional premise to stand out in a sea of similar “simulator” games.

Narrative & Thematic Deep Dive

The narrative framework is deliberately unconventional, framed as a satirical job advertisement. Players “apply” by assuming the role of a herbalist tasked with treating villagers “using natural methods,” preparing healing mixtures, and venturing into forests to source ingredients. This absurdist framing masks a deeper exploration of traditional healing practices, particularly Poland’s historical reliance on Zielarze. The dialogue is sparse but purposeful, with villagers presenting ailments (e.g., respiratory issues, digestive ailments) that mirror real-world conditions treatable with herbs. Themes of cultural preservation emerge strongly, especially in the itch.io version, which explicitly ties gameplay to the oral traditions of herbalists. However, the Steam version’s narrative is thin, lacking character depth or overarching story. The mock-bureaucratic tone—complete with tax regulations (18% income tax) and “sanitary, veterinary, construction and anti-smog regulations”—adds a layer of dark humor, critiquing the commodification of healthcare while celebrating the simplicity of natural remedies. Yet, these themes remain underexplored, leaving the cultural depth more implied than realized.

Gameplay Mechanics & Systems

Herbalist Simulator’s core loop revolves around three interconnected activities: treating patients, crafting remedies, and foraging. Patients arrive at a clinic (hospital room or waiting room), offering fixed payments (50 gold for hospital treatment, 20 for waiting room visits). Crafting involves combining herbs using “formulas,” though the game provides little guidance on these recipes, forcing trial-and-error. Foraging occurs in a procedurally generated forest, where players gather ingredients to expand their apothecary. A trading system lets players sell remedies to a certified merchant, but the economy feels rudimentary. Progression is minimal, with no skill trees or meaningful character development—advancement hinges solely on acquiring more herbs.

The systems exhibit significant flaws. First-person controls are clunky, with players reporting unresponsive inputs and bugs like falling through the terrain (per Steam community posts). The UI is utilitarian but unintuitive, lacking feedback for crafting success or ingredient efficacy. VR support, while advertised, adds little immersion given the game’s limited interactivity. Notably, the tax system (18% income tax) feels tacked on, serving no strategic purpose beyond artificial resource drain. Ultimately, the gameplay loop is repetitive and shallow, with no emergent complexity to sustain long-term engagement.

World-Building, Art & Sound

The game’s world is confined to a small village and its adjacent forest, evoking a pastoral, almost fable-like setting. The village’s rustic aesthetic—with wooden cottages and a modest clinic—hints at a pre-modern Eastern European setting, aligning with its Polish herbalism theme. The forest, while visually unremarkable in screenshots, serves as a functional foraging space with basic vegetation.

Art direction is minimalist, with Unity’s default assets dominating the 3D environment. Textures are bland, and lighting is flat, failing to evoke the tranquility or mystery of natural settings. The itch.io version’s 2D art, by contrast, is more charming, with hand-drawn herbs that celebrate organic detail. Sound design is equally sparse, with no spoken audio and only subtle environmental sounds (e.g., wind, footsteps). Subtitles in English and Polish enhance accessibility, but the absence of audio in Polish (despite the language option) feels inconsistent. The overall atmosphere is “cozy” yet sterile, lacking the sensory depth needed to immerse players in the world of herbalism.

Reception & Legacy

At launch, Herbalist Simulator received a lukewarm reception, epitomized by its Steam user score of 18% positive (11 negative reviews out of 14 total). Critics cited “poor controls,” “lack of content,” and “technical bugs” as major flaws, with one Steam reviewer quipping, “I spent more time falling through the floor than healing anyone.” The itch.io version fared better, praised by Polish-American players for its cultural authenticity, with one user calling it “a touching way to connect with heritage.”

Legacy-wise, the game occupies a niche space as a cultural artifact rather than a landmark title. It influenced no subsequent titles but remains a reference point in discussions about ultra-specific indie games. Its mention alongside “asset flips” on platforms like Steambase underscores its reputation for technical jank. Yet, its unyielding focus on Polish herbalism has preserved a sliver of digital folklore, ensuring it’s occasionally cited in studies on niche game development.

Conclusion

Herbalist Simulator is a noble failure. Its core concept—a celebration of traditional Polish herbalism—is unique and culturally resonant, but the game’s technical shortcomings, shallow mechanics, and underdeveloped world prevent it from realizing its potential. It stands as a testament to the challenges of passion projects: a vision diluted by execution gaps. For players seeking a deep simulation of herbal medicine, it disappoints; for those curious about niche cultural preservation, it offers a fleeting glimpse into a vanishing craft. In the annals of game history, Herbalist Simulator will likely be remembered not as a masterpiece, but as a quirky, flawed footnote—a reminder that even the most heartfelt ideas can be undone by the rigors of game development. Verdict: A culturally rich but mechanically hollow curiosity best suited for archival interest.