Independent game developer Mandragora recently released a new trailer for their upcoming title, *ReStory*. The game will take players back in time to mid-2000s Tokyo to run a retro-style electronics repair shop. The game is expected to launch in 2026 and is currently available online.Playtest test application.
For gamers who experienced the early 2000s, it was a wonderful era where digital and analog technologies intertwined. Brick-like cell phones without touchscreens, electronic pets in our pockets, and cassettes or CDs on our Walkmans formed our youthful memories.
Paying homage to classic 3C products, reliving the joy of disassembling them.
ReStory's core gameplay is quite intuitive and has a strong "handcrafted" feel. Players take on the role of a repair shop owner, receiving various malfunctioning electronic products from customers. From the released trailers, eagle-eyed players can immediately recognize many references to classic products from that era, including:
• Tamagotchi:Even with the name changed, the egg-shaped appearance and pixelated pet are still instantly recognizable.
• Nokia's legendary phone:A rugged and durable upright button phone.
• Handheld gaming instrument:The game console looks very similar to the Sony PlayStation Portable (PSP) or the Nintendo Game Boy Advance.
• Walkman:A playback device that carries music and memories.
Players need to revive these nearly unusable devices through cleaning, replacing parts, and soldering. For players who enjoy disassembling 3C products, this meticulous simulation process is highly therapeutic.
What we repaired was the machine; what we mended was people's hearts.
Beyond the hardcore repair elements, ReStory places greater emphasis on narrative and emotional connection. The game bills itself as a "Cozy Game," where players will engage in dialogues with customers during the repair process.
Your job is more than just getting the machines running again; through interactions with customers, you might untangle the knots or memories they cling to these old objects. This setting elevates the game from a simple simulator into a human-centered interactive drama. Compared to the more hardcore style of *Kaizen*, which was previously showcased at the Steam Automation Festival, *ReStory* clearly takes a warmer and more relaxing approach.
