ReStory: Chill Electronics Repair provides exactly what its title promises

It’s Tokyo in the early 2000s, and I’ve just inherited a little device repair shop. It’s not glamorous work, but it’s a living – I unscrew devices, clean out dust, and replace broken parts. I have a quirky upstairs neighbor who communicates exclusively via bucket, and I’ve instituted a policy that kids don’t have to pay. That’s right, there is nothing but peaceful and cozy vibes here … except, uh, a cop swung by to grill me about gang activity, and then he warned me not to stay open past midnight. Come to think of it, the guy who ran the shop before me went missing, and no one’s really sure where he went. A couple of rough-looking locals also showed up, quizzing me on certain products. It’s fine. I’m sure this is all fine, and I’m going to go back to enjoying my cozy little workday. 

I’m playing ReStory: Chill Electronics Repair from Mandragora, the developer behind I Am Future: Cozy Apocalypse Survival. The developer has leaned even further into the cozy element here; this game has a ton in common with other job simulators and low-stakes games I’ve enjoyed. A customer shows up and asks me to do a job, the task is just intellectually stimulating enough to keep me engaged, and then I get paid so my business is in surplus. Then, I have to take those extra funds and spend them on new tools: instead of a little hand brush, a can of compressed air should speed things up nicely, or maybe I’ll purchase this screwdriver for easy disassembly of products.

There’s also a nostalgia factor to ReStory; as I work on a variety of electronics that are just legally distinct enough to avoid copyright issues. Kids don’t play with Tamagachis; they use Eggotchis. Some customers have durable Pokia phones, or they play their consoles with X1-Box. There is something interesting about taking these elaborate electronics apart, seeing how they work and meticulously cleaning out each nook and cranny. 

While there are some alarming elements in the narrative, the game doesn’t inflict anguish on you – there are no surprise encounters with a timer, or a sudden ramp-up in difficulty. I spent days on end building up my savings, cleaning out my backlog of orders, and listening to the in-game radio. The game’s story slowly unfolds across visits from various customers; some who are harmless and others who charge protection fees.