ReStory: Chill Electronics Repairs Steam Deck Guide: Fix Stuttering & Settings
Learn how to run ReStory: Chill Electronics Repairs on Steam Deck. Get the best settings, fix frame stuttering, and master repair mechanics.
Overview
ReStory: Chill Electronics Repairs is a cozy repair-shop sim set in Tokyo where you restore Y2K-era electronics like the Nokia, Atari 2600, and a non-Sony portable console. The game is in playtesting on Steam, and developer Misao Kamiya confirmed on the Steam forums that it is not fully optimized for Steam Deck yet. A player report from December 2025 describes "massive frame stuttering" during the phone tutorial, specifically when removing parts.
This guide gives you a working Steam Deck setup, explains why the stuttering happens, and walks you through the repair flow so you can keep playing without fighting the hardware.
What you'll achieve: a playable ReStory experience on Steam Deck with reduced stuttering, a stable framerate target, and a repair routine that avoids the common failure points.
Requirements
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Game | ReStory: Chill Electronics Repairs (Steam, playtest build) |
| Platform | Steam Deck (SteamOS) |
| Proton | Default Proton is reported to work; ProtonDB lists the game as working out of the box |
| Internet | Required for marketplace orders and the in-game browser |
| Storage | Standard Steam install; no special requirements reported |
What the developer says: In the Steam Community thread, Misao Kamiya wrote: "We're still in the playtesting phase, so it's not completely optimized for Steam Deck just yet, but with this feedback, we'll be able to make improvements."
This means the stuttering is a known issue in the playtest build, not a permanent limitation. Expect patches to improve performance.
Steam Deck Settings for ReStory
The player who reported stuttering described it as follows:
"I'm experiencing massive frame stuttering in just the tutorial taking apart the phone. It specifically slows down the more parts I take off, but goes back to normal when I put everything down or if I'm dusting something."
This pattern — slowdown that scales with the number of visible parts — suggests a rendering or object-count bottleneck. Here are the settings to try:
| Setting | Recommended Value | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Framerate limit | 30 FPS via Steam Deck OS | The game is a cozy, couch-style experience; 30 FPS is smooth enough and reduces GPU load |
| TDP limit | 8–10W via Quick Access Menu | Caps power draw, which can stabilize frame pacing on handhelds |
| Half Rate Shading (HRS) | Off | HRS can cause shimmering on small text and UI, which is dense in this game |
| Allow Tearing | Off | Tearing is distracting during the dusting/cleaning animations |
| Resolution | Native (1280×800) | The game is UI-heavy; lowering resolution makes labels hard to read |
What to do when stuttering starts:
- Pause the game.
- Open the Quick Access Menu (QAM).
- Set framerate limit to 30 FPS.
- Set TDP to a fixed 9W.
- Resume and test the repair.
If stuttering persists, the issue is in the playtest build itself. In that case, the practical fix is to power through the tutorial — the stuttering reportedly happens most in the phone disassembly. The developer is aware of the issue and is collecting feedback via the in-game survey.
Repair Mechanics: The Core Loop
The playtest build (as shown in gameplay footage) centers on a simple, repeatable repair flow. Here's the sequence that works:
Step 1: Accept the job
Customers walk in with a broken device. You can choose how much to charge — options range from free service to an inflated price. The customer will negotiate. In the playtest footage, the player chose an inflated price of 6,000 yen and the customer countered with 4,000 yen, which was accepted.
Step 2: Inspect the device
Place the device on the work desk. Every device has a dirt level — dirty parts show a visual indicator. Use the brush to clean parts before disassembly. This matters because dirt can obscure whether a part is broken or just dirty.
Step 3: Disassemble in the right order
The game expects a logical order:
- Remove the battery first — the playtest footage explicitly notes this.
- Unscrew all screws — the lower-right corner shows a screw counter so you know how many remain.
- Separate components — the shadow preview shows exactly where each part will land when you pick it up.
Critical detail: The shadow indicator is accurate. Use it to avoid dropping parts into the wrong container.
Step 4: Identify broken parts
When you inspect a part, the game tells you if it's broken. Broken parts cannot be placed into the replacement parts box. You have two options:
- Use a donor device — the Atari joystick job gives you two broken joysticks; you can take a working component from one to fix the other.
- Order from the marketplace — the in-game browser lets you buy replacement parts. Check the seller's rating; one listing in the playtest was rated one star and described as "cursed."
Step 5: Reassemble
Put everything back in reverse order. The screw counter helps you avoid leaving screws out. The playtest footage shows that reassembly is straightforward — the game does not require you to route cables in specific paths.
Step 6: Deliver to the counter
Place the finished device on the counter. The customer returns, pays, and the next job starts.
Common Mistakes and How to Recover
Mistake 1: Dropping parts into the trash
The trash bin is near the desk. If you drop a part and it lands in the bin, it is gone. In the playtest footage, the player accidentally threw away a cable this way, leaving two joysticks with missing cables.
Recovery: If you lose a unique part, you must order a replacement from the marketplace. Check whether the part is available from a donor device first — this is cheaper than buying new.
Mistake 2: Skipping the battery removal
Removing the battery first is not optional flavor. In the playtest footage, the player notes it explicitly. If you disassemble in the wrong order, the game may not let you progress.
Recovery: If the game won't let you proceed, put the device back together and try again in the correct order.
Mistake 3: Forgetting to buy the replacement part
The marketplace order system is manual. In the playtest footage, the player forgot to confirm a purchase twice, which delayed repairs.
Recovery: After placing an order, wait for the courier delivery. Check the inbox tab on the computer for incoming parts.
Mistake 4: Not checking the seller rating
The marketplace has unreliable sellers. One listing in the playtest was described as "cursed" with a one-star rating. Buying from low-rated sellers wastes money.
Recovery: Only buy from four- or five-star sellers. If you already bought a bad part, you cannot return it — but you can keep it in the replacement parts box for later use.
Mistake 5: Staying open past midnight
The game warns you to close before midnight. The playtest footage shows the player closing at 11:00 PM or earlier. Staying open late risks a break-in event.
Recovery: If you're mid-repair at 11:30 PM, finish the current job and close. Do not start a new job.
Advanced Tips
Buy the electric screwdriver early
The playtest footage shows that the electric screwdriver (available from the Home Depot-style store) dramatically speeds up disassembly. It turns a four-screw removal into a near-instant action. Save up for it after your first few repairs.
Use the replacement parts box strategically
The box stores parts from donor devices. In the joystick job, you can keep the second broken joystick and harvest its parts for future repairs. Do not throw away donor devices unless you are certain you won't need their components.
Get the service license as soon as possible
The non-Sony portable console job requires a license. The license costs 1,000 yen and is purchased through the in-game browser. Once you have it, you unlock a new revenue stream. The playtest footage shows the player earning 26,000 yen from a single repaired console after getting the license.
Set the framerate limit before starting the tutorial
The stuttering is worst during the phone disassembly. Set your Steam Deck to 30 FPS before you start the tutorial, not after the stuttering begins. This prevents the frame pacing issues from compounding.
Close the store on time, every time
The game tracks your reliability. The playtest footage shows the player closing at midnight on day one and suffering no consequences, but the landlord warns about a break-in at a neighboring store. Closing on time keeps the story on track and avoids risk.
Related Guides
- ReStory: Chill Electronics Repairs on Steam — PC-specific settings and performance notes.
- ReStory: Chill Electronics Repairs on Nintendo Switch — For players considering the handheld version.
FAQ
Is ReStory: Chill Electronics Repairs playable on Steam Deck?
Yes, but the playtest build is not fully optimized. The game runs through Proton and is listed as working out of the box, but you may experience frame stuttering during disassembly sequences.
What causes the stuttering on Steam Deck?
A player report from December 2025 describes stuttering that gets worse as you remove more parts. The developer confirmed the game is still in playtesting and not fully optimized for Steam Deck. The issue appears to be rendering-related, not a Proton compatibility problem.
Can I fix the stuttering with settings?
Partially. Setting a 30 FPS framerate limit and capping TDP at 9W can stabilize frame pacing. If the stuttering persists, it's a build issue that should be addressed in a future patch.
How do I get the non-Sony portable console license?
Open the in-game browser and go to the license purchase page. The license costs 1,000 yen. Once purchased, you can repair, buy, and sell the non-Sony portable console.
What happens if I lose a part?
If you drop a part into the trash, it's gone. You must either order a replacement from the marketplace or find a donor device with the same component. Check the seller's rating before buying.
Is the game worth playing on Steam Deck now?
Yes, if you can tolerate occasional stuttering. The playtest content is short (roughly four in-game days), and the repair mechanics are satisfying even in the unoptimized build. The developer is actively collecting feedback, so expect performance improvements before the full release in 2026.
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