ReStory: Chill Electronics Repairs, a narrative shop simulator from developer Mandragora and publisher tinyBuild, offers a cozy and nostalgic experience reminiscent of early 2000s PC games. Drawing inspiration from titles like Unpacking and PowerWash Simulator, the game immerses players in early-aughts Tokyo with an anime-inspired aesthetic and a lo-fi soundtrack.
The game places players in the role of a repair technician tasked with disassembling, cleaning, and reassembling a variety of electronic devices. These range from officially licensed Atari consoles, thanks to a partnership with Atari, to phones, cameras, and music players. Upon starting, players are guided through setting up their workstation and opening the store via a to-do list that checks off tasks as they are completed. A glowing target indicates items that have a specific placement, providing guidance without over-explaining.
Gameplay centers on a satisfying loop of repair. Players begin by working on a fictionalized phone, removing screws that the game automatically collects and placing components that cannot be immediately fixed into a separate parts box. If a necessary part is missing, it can be ordered online via an in-game CRT computer and delivered almost instantly. This core mechanic remains consistent whether players are repairing a basic phone, an Atari controller, or a portable media player.
The tactile feel of the game is enhanced by subtle sound design, including the clinks of dropped cords and the clicks of reassembled components, contributing to its ASMR qualities. While some elements like cleaning dust with a brush are stylized with animated clouds, they transform a potentially tedious task into an enjoyable experience.
Interactive elements primarily involve pointing, clicking, and dragging, which can lead to extended periods of holding down the mouse button. Situations where a repair cannot be completed with available parts can initially be confusing, but the game prompts players to set the pieces aside for later, implying that the necessary components will become available in time.
The game cultivates a meditative atmosphere, amplified by its detailed environmental design that evokes childhood memories. The shop is filled with nods to the late 1990s and early 2000s, including weathered posters and classic computer monitors.
Beneath the gameplay lies an unfolding narrative that hints at mysterious events surrounding the previous repair master. Players interact with various characters who introduce plot details, such as secondhand sellers who may provide misleading information about device conditions or a landlord who encourages charging more for repairs. An upstairs neighbor might even enlist help for a Pac-Man championship joystick repair.
ReStory is designed to make players lose track of time, a sentiment mirrored by an in-game alarm clock players can place on their desk. The passage of in-game hours often surprises players as they become engrossed in repairs, completing tasks and shipping fixed items before realizing how much time has elapsed. This immersion suggests that players, like their in-game characters, become deeply engaged in the work.
The game continues to unveil its mysteries, such as a strange phone number found in an early repair, leaving players with lingering questions. ReStory: Chill Electronics Repairs is currently available on Steam. The reviewed version was a prerelease download code provided by the publisher.