restory: chill electronics repairs steam Guide

Learn how to run your Tokyo repair shop in ReStory: Chill Electronics Repairs on Steam. Step-by-step repair loop, common mistakes, and advanced tips.

Overview

ReStory: Chill Electronics Repairs is a narrative-driven shop management simulator developed by Mandragora and published by tinyBuild. It released on Steam on August 6, 2026, and currently holds an Overwhelmingly Positive rating from over 1,500 English reviews.

You run a small electronics repair shop in mid-2000s Tokyo. Your day-to-day work involves taking in broken gadgets—phones, consoles, cameras, music players, toys, and home appliances—diagnosing their faults, cleaning them, replacing damaged parts, and returning them to working order. The game blends cozy repair mechanics with a branching storyline where your customer interactions and choices lead to multiple endings.

This guide walks you through the complete repair workflow, from accepting an order to delivering a finished device, plus the common mistakes that trip up new players and advanced strategies for growing your business efficiently.

What You Need Before Starting

Before you dive into your first repair shift, make sure you understand the core systems the game puts in front of you:

SystemWhat It Does
Repair BenchYour main workstation for disassembly, cleaning, and reassembly
Parts InventorySpare components you acquire from orders, scavenging, or the in-game web browser
Customer DialoguesConversations that unlock story branches and affect future orders
Shop FinancesRent obligations and income from completed repairs
Web BrowserA Y2K-era in-game internet used to order rare spare parts

Minimum PC requirements (per the Steam store page):

  • OS: Windows 10 x64
  • Processor: 2-core / 4-thread CPU
  • Memory: 4 GB RAM
  • Graphics: GTX 750ti
  • DirectX: Version 11
  • Storage: 1 GB available space

Mac users need macOS 14 or newer with an Apple M1 processor or better.

The game supports English, French, German, Spanish, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese-Brazil, Russian, and Simplified Chinese for both interface and subtitles.

Step-by-Step: The Complete Repair Loop

The game's core loop repeats across every order. Once you internalize this sequence, you can handle any device that comes through your door.

Step 1: Accept the Order

Customers arrive at your shop during business hours. Each order comes with a device and a description of the problem. Some orders arrive online through the in-game web browser instead.

Read the order details carefully. The customer's description usually hints at which component is faulty—a "fried motherboard" or a "screen that won't light up" points you toward specific parts before you even open the device.

Step 2: Disassemble the Device

Take the gadget apart using your toolset. Work methodically: remove the outer shell first, then expose internal components. The game tracks each part you remove, so keep track of where everything came from.

For example, a gaming handheld that won't power on typically needs full disassembly to reach the motherboard. You'll remove the casing, disconnect the battery, and unscrew the board mounting before you can inspect the internals.

Step 3: Inspect and Diagnose

Once the device is open, examine each component. The game shows you the condition of parts you can see. Look for:

  • Corrosion or burn marks on circuit boards
  • Loose ribbon cables or connectors
  • Debris or dust buildup that could cause shorts
  • Physical damage to buttons, screens, or housings

If you're unsure what's wrong, check the customer's description again. The symptom they reported usually narrows down which component is failing.

Step 4: Clean What Can Be Saved

Not every problem requires a replacement. Many devices just need a thorough cleaning. Dust, grime, and oxidation on contacts can cause intermittent failures that look like dead components.

Clean contacts, ports, and board surfaces before you decide to replace anything. This saves you money on parts and keeps your inventory stocked for orders that genuinely need replacements.

Step 5: Replace Faulty Parts

For components that can't be saved—like a fried motherboard—you need a replacement from your inventory. If you don't have the right part on hand, you have two options:

  1. Order it online through the in-game web browser. This takes time but guarantees you get the exact component.
  2. Scavenge it from other devices you've acquired. The game encourages hunting for broken devices and disassembling them for displays, circuit boards, buttons, and other reusable parts.

Some parts are rare and may not be available immediately. Plan ahead: if you know a difficult order is coming, stock up on commonly needed components before you accept the job.

Step 6: Reassemble the Device

Put everything back together in the reverse order of disassembly. Make sure every connector is seated properly and every screw is back in place. A device that powered on during testing can fail after reassembly if you left a ground strap disconnected or a ribbon cable loose.

Step 7: Test and Deliver

Once reassembled, verify the device works. The game confirms when a repair is successful. Then return the device to the customer.

The delivery conversation matters. How you interact with customers during these exchanges affects the branching storyline. Some choices have consequences that ripple across multiple play sessions.

Step 8: Manage Your Business Between Orders

Between repairs, you need to:

  • Pay rent on your shop space
  • Order spare parts you're running low on
  • Scavenge devices for rare components
  • Decorate or customize your shop to make it your own
  • Talk to customers to learn their stories and unlock new opportunities

The business side runs alongside the repair loop. A smooth repair operation generates income; a disorganized shop burns money on rush orders and missed deadlines.

Common Mistakes New Players Make

Skipping the Cleaning Step

The fastest way to waste parts is assuming every faulty device needs a replacement component. Dust and oxidation cause a surprising number of "dead" devices. Clean first, replace second. You'll save parts and money over the course of a playthrough.

Not Stocking Parts Before Accepting Hard Orders

When you accept an order for a device you can't repair because you lack the part, you're stuck. You either scramble to find the component online or fail the order. Check your inventory before you commit to a repair, and keep commonly needed parts—screens, batteries, motherboards—in stock.

Ignoring the Web Browser for Rare Parts

The in-game web browser exists for a reason. Some parts are rare and only appear through online orders. The launch trailer shows the player hunting online for a laptop part they don't have in stock. Make the browser part of your regular routine, not an emergency tool.

Rushing Customer Dialogues

The storyline branches based on your choices. Skipping dialogue or picking responses without thinking can lock you out of story content and affect which endings you can reach. Take your time with conversations, especially with recurring customers like your landlord Hashimoto, whose phone repair is one of the early orders in the game.

Neglecting Rent and Finances

The game tracks your shop's finances carefully. Rent comes due regardless of how many repairs you've completed. If you spend everything on decorative upgrades and rare parts, you can find yourself short when the landlord comes calling. Keep a cash buffer for rent and essential parts.

Reassembling in the Wrong Order

Rushing reassembly causes failed repairs. If a device doesn't work after you've put it back together, you may need to disassemble it again and check your work. Methodical reassembly—matching the exact reverse of disassembly—prevents this wasted time.

Advanced Tips for Running a Better Shop

Build a Parts Pipeline Early

Start scavenging devices for parts as soon as the game lets you. Disassemble anything you don't need for active orders. Displays, circuit boards, and buttons are the most commonly needed components, so prioritize harvesting those. A steady parts pipeline means you rarely have to turn down an order.

Learn Which Devices Yield Which Parts

Different devices contain different components. A camera gives you lenses and sensors; a music player gives you audio boards and storage; a console gives you motherboards and power supplies. Knowing what each device type drops lets you target your scavenging toward the parts you actually need.

Prioritize Repeat Customers

Regular customers like Hashimoto bring consistent business. Keeping them happy—through successful repairs and good dialogue choices—can lead to better orders, higher payments, or access to rare devices. Treat every customer as a potential long-term relationship.

Use the Browser to Pre-Order Rare Components

If you know a difficult order is coming—or if you spot a component that's frequently requested—order it before you need it. The browser takes time to deliver, so pre-ordering common-but-slow parts keeps your bench moving.

Save Before Major Story Decisions

The game has multiple endings, and your choices matter. If you want to see different outcomes, keep a save before major dialogue branches. This lets you explore alternate story paths without replaying hours of repairs.

Balance Story Progression with Business Growth

The game rewards both. A shop that only repairs devices without talking to customers misses the narrative content. A shop that only talks and never repairs goes broke. Alternate between repair work and customer engagement to keep both systems moving forward.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is ReStory: Chill Electronics Repairs available on Steam?

Yes. The game is available on Steam, published by tinyBuild and developed by Mandragora. It released on August 6, 2026, and supports Windows and macOS.

What devices can I repair in ReStory?

The game features a wide range of nostalgic 2000s-era devices, including video game consoles, handhelds, phones, cameras, music players, toys, and home appliances. Officially licensed Atari consoles are also included.

Does ReStory have multiple endings?

Yes. The game features a branching storyline with multiple endings that depend on your choices during customer interactions and story events. The game is designed to be replayable to see different outcomes.

Do I need to manage money in ReStory?

Yes. You must pay rent on your shop space and manage your finances carefully. Income comes from completing repairs, and expenses include rent and spare parts.

Can I customize my shop in ReStory?

Yes. The game lets you make your shop your own through customization options, and you can also customize certain devices for customers when they request it.

What are the Steam system requirements for ReStory?

Minimum requirements are Windows 10 x64, a 2-core/4-thread CPU, 4 GB RAM, and a GTX 750ti graphics card. Mac users need macOS 14 or newer with an Apple M1 processor.