Video games have this magical power to bring out raw emotions with their storylines. They immerse players into narratives that feel deeply personal, making every choice, victory or failure, feel more intimate. Evoking everything from fear, guilt, joy, and excitement, creating bonds that continue, even after the game is finished.

Undusted: Letters from the Past by developers 5minlab Corp tells the story of a girl who returns home after the passing of her mother. As she starts to clean, she restores pieces that tell stories of her past. The more pieces she uncovers, the more stories that reveal themselves.

Gameplay

In Undusted: Letters from the Past you play as Adora, tasked with cleaning long-neglected belongings of her late parents. The game gives you a brush to start and as you progress unlock new tools, a sponge, a cloth, even a tiny vacuum. Each tool helps you restore these treasures and reveal the letters and memories they contain.

Cleaning mechanics are very simple, use the tool to scrub the surface of the object. There are no time limits so take your time enjoying the process. Hints unlock only after you’ve cleaned a certain percentage of the object, and each object has its own progress threshold. At 99% cleaned, the ‘wrap up’ button appears. You can either keep cleaning to perfection or hit the button to continue your journey. (hint: for those trophy hunters, finish cleaning to 100% at least once) Some dirt is stubborn, I recommend using tools like their intended use instead of just back and forth. Ex: brush in circles.

Some objects hide clever little secrets. Don’t forget to open latches, press buttons, and see what surprises you can find. Some Easter eggs hide more objects to clean, and some emotional details to the story. 

This game does not have customization or character building (which you know are some of my favorite attributes of a cozy game) but it wasn’t necessary and would have taken the focus off the important parts of the game. The simplicity of a heavy story and restoring objects was enough to keep me wanting to progress in game.

Storyline

Perhaps I was still feeling emotional after my sister’s wedding the weekend before, but the story in Undusted: Letters from the Past really resonated with me. Storylines carry a lot of weight in cozy games, a well told narrative fully immerses players into the game.

Without spoiling (because I truly feel this story needs to be experienced first hand rather than told by some girl on the internet), the story is tender and so personal. A beautiful story of reflecting on memories of a passed loved one. Good and the bad. It’s a quiet but impactful reminder that memories sometimes shape who we are. It’s also a gentle reminder how human we all are. 

Art, Music & ASMR

The art in Undusted: Letters from the Past leans into the cozy. A mix of pixel style and adorably handdrawn characters. The attention to background detail when cleaning objects, like water rings on a table, or paperclips on a desk create so much visual interest and texture. Scenes with depth and realness give you so much to appreciate.

The game also has original music which is a delicate balance of tugging at your heartstrings, and yet somehow still leaving you at peace. Even during the emotion heavy moments, the music invites reflection, rather soothing than stirring. In some games it’s necessary for storyline purposes, but in Undusted: Letters from the Past, it is more complimentary than forefront. 

If you enjoy ASMR, the sound of cleaning in this game is for YOU. The enjoyable shush of the brush cleaning objects, the squeaking of the shine cloth, it all is so auditorily appealing. 

Conclusion

Undusted: Letters from the Past only took me around 4 hours to complete, but not only will I be returning to collect all the hidden steam achievements, but because of the gameplay itself. The story may not change, but cleaning and restoring objects was so peaceful. There was no pressure, no rush, just a calming experience that gave me space to sit with my thoughts and truly reflect on the narrative. 

If you’re looking for a heartfelt story, with calming and reflective gameplay, Undusted: Letters from the Past is one you’ll definitely want to pick up, and not put down. 

Undusted: Letters from the Past releases October 13th on Steam for PC and on October 16th for the Switch.

Thank you to the developers for the key for the purpose of this review. This game was reviewed on PC.