ReStory: Chill Electronics Repair [REVIEW] – The Most Chill Repair Shop in Gaming

There is something undeniably satisfying about taking broken electronics apart and figuring out how to get them working again. I mean, sure, I’d never dare attempt it in real life, but in a video game? It’s cathartic. It’s an experience that’s offered by ReStory: Chill Electronics Repairs, and whilst the concept alone was enough to draw me in, I didn’t expect to find myself loving the game quite as much as I did.

Check out some screenshots down below:

Set in early 2000s Japan, ReStory puts you in charge of a rundown repair shop inherited from a rather demanding landlord. It is up to you to tidy the place up and start fixing gadgets for the locals… simple enough, right? A colourful cast of characters will regularly show up at your counter, with each requiring your help to fix their broken gadgets. What’s pleasantly surprising is that you actually get a say in how these interactions play out – with branching dialogue choices on offer as well as charming writing that brings plenty of personality to each conversation, there’s a surprising amount of replay value to be found from your everyday conversations alone.

But, of course, it’s the gameplay loop that makes ReStory so damn fun to play. The core of the experience revolves around a wonderfully relaxing loop of unscrewing, cleaning, replacing broken parts, and putting everything back together, with players finding themselves working on a massive catalogue of gadgets that parody classic 2000s hardware (as well as officially licensed Atari gear). The developers have managed to make the actual repair process extremely satisfying whilst keeping annoyances at a minimum, with the game gently guiding you on the correct order to remove and replace components, meaning you can easily fall into a rhythm that almost feels automated the longer you play… you know… in that relaxing kind of way where you watch the hours fly by. Eventually, you will be tearing down and rebuilding gadgets entirely from muscle memory alone, and to ramp up the tension, there are even time-based rebuilding challenges to test how fast you can work. It’s very rewarding and works perfectly as a gameplay experience, ensuring ReStory is incredibly hard to put down once you start playing.

“If you enjoy the meditative satisfaction found in sim games but want something with a bit more charm (and a bit of Y2K nostalgia), ReStory is an absolute must-play.”

Progression is handled brilliantly too, with the player using the shop’s desktop PC to accept internet jobs via email, order spare parts, and purchase broken tech. As you complete these jobs and hand over fixed items to customers, you earn money to buy licenses, with these licenses then letting you work on increasingly complex devices, ensuring there’s always something fresh to get your hands on to keep the gameplay engaging. You can also spend your cash on workflow upgrades – starting with a basic manual screwdriver is a bit slow, but you can soon unlock ratcheting and electric tools that speed things up immensely, whilst you’ll also gain access to the likes of machines that clean items or a shredder that converts your rubbish into extra money further down the line. It makes the sense of progression within the game feel significant, with players genuinely reaping the rewards of the work they put in.

There is some sense of pressure when playing: you technically have three days to complete a customer’s repair before they leave a negative review, though the penalty is incredibly easy to bounce back from, so it never feels punishing at all. You can even choose to stay up working through the night if you want, though you will have to wait until the morning for any deliveries to arrive. The whole management side is stress-free really, ensuring the zen-like atmosphere is maintained throughout… it’s definitely an easy-going experience that’s meant to be enjoyed at your own pace.

Check out some screenshots down below:

Visually, the game strikes a really unique balance where your workshop and all the intricate circuit boards and plastic shells are rendered in highly detailed 3D, but the character art follows a cute 2D anime style. I was a big fan, and it fits the Japanese setting perfectly. The entire experience is backed by some incredibly relaxing lo-fi beats – I thought it’d be the perfect game to play with a podcast or my own Spotify playlist, but honestly, the soundtrack is so on point that you’ll find it perfect to listen to. It’s just the cherry on top of what is a brilliant experience.

Developer: Mandragora
Publisher: tinyBuild
Platform(s): PC (Reviewed)
Website: https://store.steampowered.com/app/3812600/ReStory_Chill_Electronics_Repairs/