Game Gush Gamer

Is The Repair House a perfect restoration simulator or does it have a few cracks in its foundation? In my in-depth analysis review, we’ll check on how the restoration process works, taking orders, customization, and more. Huge thank you to developers, Claudiu Kiss & QUANTUM LOGIC GAMES, for the free game! Now let’s get tinkering!

The Repair House: Restoration Sim

From the original creator of PC Building Simulator comes The Repair House! Discover and restore a range of objects in this relaxing restoration sim. Dismantle, clean, fix, customise and sell everything from musical instruments and antiques to games consoles, arcade cabinets and more!

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Unlocking Rooms and Customizing Spaces

Players start The Repair House in one room with options to unlock a garage, a second room, and an upstairs floor later on. The shop catalogue has options to customize the walls and floors. Decorations are also available to purchase like posters, steering wheels, extra shelves, and plants. Plants can’t be put on a shelf though, and it’s awkward to have them just sitting on the floor.

Quick Tutorials and Guided Objectives

Tutorial hints are simple and straightforward. Concise objectives provide a clear sense of direction. Each customer order has a defined set of rules and date deadlines. Whether it’s fixing a broken lens on an oil lamp or reassembling a vintage turntable, The Repair House breaks down tasks into achievable steps. There is no time limit that ends the day, so the more difficult aspect is figuring out where all the missing/broken parts fit on an item.

Diverse Antiques and Wholesome Restoration

At The Repair House, there is a diverse collection of over 15 antiques awaiting restoration, such as coffee grinders, skateboards, gumball machines, guitars, and air hockey tables, to name a few. Each repair task contributes to gaining experience, allowing you to level up and unlock even more items to work on. The satisfaction derived from the complete restoration process is truly addictive and gratifying. Replacing broken or missing parts provides a relaxing puzzle-like experience. However, adding parts back onto the antique can sometimes be frustrating due to the need for excessive clicking or button-tapping. Each piece of equipment requires a separate “install” selection, which can become a bit tedious.

Navigating Part Purchases: Challenges and Improvements at The Repair House

The process of purchasing the parts required to repair customer orders becomes a hassle at The Repair House. Instead of having a quick menu that highlights the necessary parts, you constantly find yourself switching back and forth between the order request menu and the shop catalogue. This can be particularly annoying when dealing with multiple orders, trying to source three or more items across four separate orders. Additionally, The Repair House lacks an order history or shipping menu, which compounds the problem. If you happen to forget what you ordered, you are left with two options: either reorder the parts to be safe, or wait until the next day to confirm your previous order. Having an order history would alleviate this anxiety-inducing situation.

Growing Challenges: Inventory Woes and Selling Struggles

Initially, the lack of categorized parts in the inventory menu might not pose a significant issue. However, as you progress to level 30 and amass enough money to purchase items elsewhere, the situation changes. With 30+ items cluttering your inventory, locating the specific part you need to wash and sandblast becomes overwhelming and time-consuming. It would be nice if we could sort the parts alphabetically or by antique. Although there is an option to recycle all junk in The repair House, there’s no convenient way to sell multiple parts simultaneously. Consequently, getting rid of numerous parts becomes a time-consuming process, as each part needs to be recycled or sold individually.

The Repair House Essential Tools

Throughout the restoration career, you have the option to purchase essential tools like a washing machine, sandblaster, and paint station. For the painting process, it’s required to clean and sandblast the part before proceeding. The visual effects during painting are incredibly satisfying. However, one aspect that bothers me is the limitation on painting options. Each part can only be painted in one solid color, and I had hoped for the possibility to use gradients or even engage in freeform painting for more personalized antique projects. Of course, that is a preference and not a fault in the game.

Exploring Antique Sources: Flea Markets, Storage Lots, and Auction Houses

After a workday, we have several options to consider before retiring for the night. One possibility is to explore flea markets, garage sales, and barns in search of antiques. Another option is to participate in storage unit auctions, although my experience with them has yielded nothing but useless items. Lastly, I can also engage in bidding at auction houses for unique and rare antiques. These places offer opportunities for personal restoration projects, but they come with one major downfall: restoring personal antiques doesn’t generate any income.

For instance, I spent approximately $1000 to refurbish a boombox, but its value turned out to be only $600. In contrast, customer orders are much more reliable in bringing in substantial profits. It feels unusual to earn extra income from orders, which helps offset the investment cost of restoring personal antiques. However, this may be intentional in The Repair House to foster appreciation for the repair process and to avoid becoming overly attached to monetary value.

Addicting and Satisfying: The Joy of Restoration in The Repair House

Despite the critiques I’ve mentioned about the game, I want to emphasize that The Repair House is an addicting, relaxing, and highly satisfying experience. The diverse range of antique items showcased in the game truly impresses and does not disappoint. The attention to detail in breaking down every part of an object reflects the love and care invested in its development.

The satisfaction derived from successfully restoring a rubble box into a jamming boombox is a rewarding feeling that keeps me coming back for more. While some aspects, such as the lack of categorized parts in the inventory menu or the limitations on painting options, may be seen as minor setbacks, they do little to detract from the overall enjoyment of The Repair House.

An Immersive Journey of Restoration

All in all, The Repair House is a well-crafted and immersive experience that captures the essence of restoration and the joy of transforming neglected items into cherished treasures. With its addicting gameplay, attention to detail, and diverse selection of antiques, the game proves to be a delightful journey for anyone who appreciates the beauty of restoration and the thrill of bringing forgotten objects back to life. If you need more relaxing games, then check out these Top Video Games to Relieve Stress & Soothe Your Soul!