Cozy Game Restoration Review

Cozy Game Restoration is a relaxing simulator game where we restore vintage video game cartridges. We have a variety of tools at our disposal, so we can peel off old stickers, clear grime, and transform dusty relics into cherished collectibles.

Gameplay

Cozy Game Restoration is a simulation where we clean and restore objects, but it also includes economic elements because we buy and sell the games we restore. The game also includes interior design elements, as we unlock furniture and decorations to arrange our workspace to suit our tastes. Of course, the main part of the game is restoration.

We start with a sealed box that we need to unwrap. Then we get old, battered video game cartridges and CDs. They will be dirty, covered in dust and grime, markers, and stickers. Some will have cracks, scratches, and sticky residue. We have more than 100 different game titles to uncover, all inspired by classics from the 1980s to early 2000s. Some games will be common, while others will be much rarer and will bring in more money should you decide to sell them. Since they arrive in sealed packages, each one of them will be a surprise. Of course, as the game progresses, we also get games we already have, so a good early strategy is not to sell anything unless you need to.

For a mouse-based game, Cozy Game Restoration feels surprisingly tactile and really satisfying. I liked lifting up stickers with some tweezers. Besides the tweezers, we also have different cleaning liquids for sticky residue and buffing scratches, plus a cotton swab for general dirt. It is important to clean the cotton swab every few minutes since it gets dirty, as in real life. An interesting tool is the blacklight, which highlights any dirt and debris left on the game’s surface. The variety and use of the tools is great, but the game offers no chance to upgrade them, such as a bigger cleaning tool or a backlight that lasts longer.

To add variety, we also get collection-based quests. They range from simple quests like “collect three puzzle games” to more complex quests like collecting games from a particular genre on a particular in-game day. For each completed quest, we get a reward – a decoration for our room.

Cozy Game Restoration is truly a cozy game, with no timers and no pressure to pass a level. We can clean a game cartridge to a certain level, then either sell it or return to it later to polish it more. Depending on how far along we are with the cleaning, each item gets a different grade and value.  If we get a C grade, we receive some decoration for the room, and with S grade we receive an even larder decoration.

In terms of visual style, Cozy Game Restoration leans toward a more realistic look. The soundtrack is chill, with some weather ambiance in the background, such as a light rain shower or birds chirping.

Since I haven’t actually seen gaming consoles, let alone retro gaming consoles, in real life, I can only attest that cleaning a CD in-game felt like cleaning a CD in real life. I could only make a passing connection to some of the referenced games, but I imagine this will be a fun side quest for anyone with memories of gaming from the 1980s to the early 2000s.

Some Other Things

I didn’t encounter any bugs or crashes while playing Cozy Game Restoration. The game has no Steam achievements or trading cards yet. It has the usual audio and video settings.

Conclusion

Cozy Game Restoration is a chill cleaning simulator game, with no timers or expectations, just cleaning and removing stickers and trying to guess the reference. It’s best taken in small doses, because the gameplay can get a little repetitive, unless, of course, you are a great fan of cleaning sims. If so, this is the perfect game for you.

Final Verdict: I Like it a Lot

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