ReStory is coming this summer – a repair simulator that will turn nostalgia for the 2000s into a full-fledged business

TinyBuild and Russian studio Mandragora have announced that ReStory, a unique electronics repair simulator set in Y2K-era Japan, will be released on PC this summer. While the exact release date hasn’t been revealed, players can already get a taste of the project thanks to a new demo available as part of Steam Next Fest.

ReStory centers on a dedicated electronics repair shop. Players will restore iconic devices from the early 2000s: mobile phones, game consoles, handheld devices, music players, digital cameras, and even consumer electronics. The project emphasizes not only the repair mechanics but also the atmosphere of the era, which many players still remember fondly.

The developers promise a detailed device restoration process. Players will have to disassemble devices, remove parts, clean components, solder circuit boards, repaint cases, and reassemble the gadgets. In addition to working in the workshop, players will search for spare parts using the built-in retro browser, manage business finances, and accept new orders.

One of ReStory’s key features will be its storytelling. Each client arrives not only with a faulty device but also with a story to tell. Interactions with visitors and decisions made will influence the development of events and the characters’ fates, forming a nonlinear narrative.

The new demo expands on the capabilities of previous test versions. It adds additional devices for repair, including the Atari Lynx and other licensed Atari systems. Thanks to an official partnership with the legendary company, the Atari 2600, Jaguar, and several other classic consoles will also be featured in the game. Furthermore, the demo includes an airbrushing tool, allowing you to customize the appearance of your equipment.

Among numerous shop and workshop simulators, ReStory stands out not so much for its economic component as for its combination of relaxing gameplay, nostalgia for early 21st-century technological culture, and the cozy atmosphere of Japanese city streets. If the developers manage to realize all of their stated ideas, the project could become one of the most unusual indie releases of this year for fans of retro technology and leisurely simulators.