ReStory Beginner's Guide: How to Play (First Day)
ReStory is a chill shop-management simulator set in mid-2000s Tokyo. You run an electronics repair shop: customers bring in nostalgic devices, you fix them, and your choices shape a branching story. Here is everything you need for your first day.The confirmed loop never changes: accept, disassemble, inspect, clean, replace, reassemble. Master it slowly and you will never need to rush — the game is designed to be relaxed, not stressful. Take it at your own pace: the shop never punishes a slow day, only missed promises. Above all, enjoy the shop: the game is built around the pace you set, and the guides here exist so nothing feels like a wall. When in doubt, choose the slower, cleaner repair — it builds the reputation that every later system feeds on.
The 5-step repair loop
Every repair follows the same loop (confirmed by the official description and beginner guides). Master it and the whole game opens up:
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Accept the job
Greet the customer and take in their device. Online orders arrive through your computer and have deadlines (see the online-orders guide).
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Disassemble
Open the device with your screwdriver. Every device is made of parts that can be dirty, broken, or missing.
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Inspect & note
Check each part and write the state in your notebook. The notebook is the game's memory — keep it updated so you know what to fix.
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Clean & replace
Brush dirty parts, use cleaning tools, and replace broken or missing parts with spares.
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Reassemble & deliver
Put it back together and hand it over. A clean, complete repair keeps the customer happy and builds your reputation.
What to do on day one
Accept a small walk-in job first — cheap, fast, and safe to learn on.
Upgrade your screwdriver as soon as you can afford it (it is used in every repair).
Start the notebook habit: record every dirty/broken part before cleaning.
Set up passive income early: the tip jar and shredder pay out while you work.
Do not ignore online orders — they are limited per day and have deadlines.
First tools, in priority order
| Tool | What it does | Priority |
|---|---|---|
| Screwdriver | Opens every device; needed for every repair | Upgrade first |
| Brush | Cleans dirty parts faster | Worth upgrading early |
| Air can | Consumable cleaning spray — use sparingly | Optional, buy as needed |
| Tip jar | Small passive income while you work | Buy early |
| Shredder | Turns spare parts into money (passive income) | Buy mid-game |
| Sonic bath | Deep-cleaning station with timing involved | Later |
No matching work orders
Avoid these early mistakes
Painting and reprogramming do not make money early — invest in repairs first.
Hoarding air cans: they are consumables; the brush pays off more.
Accepting more online orders than you can finish — missed deadlines hurt your reputation.
Skipping the notebook and guessing what to fix — you will re-open devices twice.
Beginner FAQ
Is ReStory really relaxing?+
What do I do if I miss a deadline?+
How do I unlock more devices?+
Does my choice matter?+
Is there multiplayer?+
What we are still verifying
Exact repair steps for individual devices, precise upgrade prices and full ending triggers are not yet verified. We mark them as unverified and will fill them in as we verify them in-game.
Your first day, step by step
A relaxed way to run day one, based on the confirmed mechanics:
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Greet a walk-in customer
Small walk-ins are the safest first job — cheap, fast, and they teach the loop.
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Open the device with your screwdriver
Get used to the disassembly step before taking anything apart at speed.
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Write every state in your notebook
The notebook remembers for you — record dirty, broken and missing parts.
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Clean what you can, replace what you must
Brush dirty parts; buy spares only for what is truly broken or missing.
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Deliver and bank the profit
A clean delivery builds reputation and cash for your first upgrades.
What the notebook does for you
The notebook is the game's memory (source: intoindiegames). Three things it changes:
You never re-open a device wondering what was wrong — the state is written down.
You decide what to clean vs replace before spending money.
The full state of every device you have worked on stays available.
Repair habits that pay off
Small habits with big returns over a playthrough:
Always record before cleaning — guessing costs money.
Prioritise walk-ins early, then grow into online orders.
Upgrade the screwdriver before anything else.
Feed spare parts to the shredder instead of hoarding them.
Keep a small parts stockpile for Frugal (10 days without buying).
More beginner questions
Should I take every online order?+
Is it okay to refuse a customer?+
Do I need to repair everything in one day?+
How do I know what to upgrade next?+
What to skip early
The confirmed economy is clear about two money-pits (source: intoindiegames):
Painting devices — confirmed not profitable early; invest in repairs instead.
Reprogramming — same story: not a money-maker in the early game.
Stockpiling air cans — consumables; the brush covers most cleaning.
Over-buying parts — the notebook tells you exactly what you need.
First-day FAQ
Can I lose the game on day one?+
How many devices should I fix day one?+
Should I buy every tool immediately?+
Where does the money go first?+
Before you close the shop
A short closing ritual that keeps progress smooth:
Fulfil any order with a deadline today.
Feed spare parts to the shredder for passive cash.
Save your progress and check tomorrow's order board.
Note which devices still need parts so tomorrow starts planned.