I was looking for a little simulation game, and this certainly filled the niche. I wouldn't say anything it does is particularly ground breaking or deep, but it provided an acceptable 10 or so hours of gameplay.
The gameplay is fun - take apart, repair, and put back together complex electronics. I wish it was a little more involved and less rote, especially in the endgame where you're still getting basic cleaning orders, and I feel like much more love was given to the video gaming paraphernalia and phones than other electronics they had on offer. I enjoyed it, although I can't imagine going for some of those achievements.
There's also a smattering of writing in the game. It's what I'd describe as "completely deranged"? This is a cozy game about taking on a repair shop, but then there's the Yakuza and everyone's into crime and I won't even get into the ending, which turns up the confusion to 11. Characters aren't very memorable and they're often described by their relationships to one another, making for an inscrutable web of people that I didn't care to remember much of. The final plot twist doesn't even make sense from our and the antagonist's perspective? I have no experience with Japanese history, mind you, but I also think the writers didn't do a terrible lot of research into what 2000s Japan was actually like. All the writing just felt... Off. It's not why you play this game.
Still, the game was a decently fun way to pass the time. It's alright. I wouldn't mind more devices to get into with an expansion at some point, but I probably won't play it past 10 hours for now. If you're looking for this sort of experience, you won't be completely dissapointed.
EDIT: I have been informed about undisclosed use of generative AI in this game. I cannot condone such behavior, and this review will remain negative until it's removed.
