As a Retrofuturistic Handyman Sim, The Lift Might Become One of My Favorite Games

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Many people, myself included, struggle to get into handyman simulator games. They often feel like endless, random to-do lists, and while completing tasks can be satisfying, the finished product rarely feels exciting. Although some people enjoy these chore-like games, I’ve never found one that really grabbed me – I usually find the tasks too repetitive and simple. So, you should know that even though The Lift is a handyman simulator, it’s quickly becoming one of my all-time favorite games.

I just heard about this new game called *The Lift*, and it sounds really promising! It’s being published by tinyBuild, who I know from games like *Pathologic 2*, *Clustertruck*, and *Hello Neighbor*. The developers, Fantastic Signals, are a brand new indie studio, but get this – they’re made up of people who worked on *Ori and the Will of the Wisps*! So they clearly know what they’re doing, and I’m definitely keeping an eye on this one.

The team has created a promising game inspired by the classic Soviet science fiction of the Strugatsky brothers. It’s set in a retro-futuristic world full of interesting characters, intriguing mysteries, and a unique atmosphere. You play as the Lift Keeper, tasked with fixing a damaged research station and discovering what caused the catastrophic event that left it in ruins.

Two Star-Studded Teams Come Together to Create a Wonderful Game

Both *Pathologic 2* and *Ori and the Will of the Wisps* are celebrated games – *Pathologic* for its unique and unusual world, and *Ori* for its excellent design and storytelling – and *The Lift* demonstrates that the developers haven’t lost their skill. While I’ve only played an early version of the game, even in this incomplete state, *The Lift*’s world and story are immediately engaging and believable.

The game’s environment is incredibly immersive, making the world feel alive even when you’re alone, and you gradually uncover the story of what happened to the Institute just by exploring. The developers at The Fantastic Signal have created a unique world that feels both fresh and nostalgic, drawing inspiration from 1970s science fiction and combining it with their own retrofuturistic style.

The Lift Effortlessly Creates a World Based on Soviet Sci-fi With Beautiful ’70s Flair

In an early preview, Ivan Slovtsov, the founder of Fantastic Signals, described the game’s design as drawing visual inspiration from titles like *Prey*, *House Flipper*, and *Stranger Things*. The team blended elements from these sources with their own creative ideas, resulting in a game that feels both unified and original – I was immediately impressed! It’s clear the game is passionate about its story, which makes the experience even more impactful.

In that interview, Slovstov also mentioned that *The Lift* might have some tough, even violent, enemies. The big challenge in the game is dealing with this strange, almost *SCPlike anomaly you have to get rid of. He explained they wanted *The Lift* to be a different experience than *Pathologic* – where everyone basically dies – and aim for something more about *not* dying, instead.

Slovstov explained that they aimed for a positive and empowering experience, where players feel proud of their progress and strive to refine their work. While the game includes challenges – or ‘anomalies’ – it’s designed to be forgiving; you won’t be harshly punished for making mistakes. Ultimately, this game is about growth, breathing new life into something forgotten, and its hopeful message and distinct style are immediately apparent.

It’s rare to genuinely enjoy a game’s tutorial, but *The Lift* managed it. You learn the ropes by practicing repairs with robot instructors, all while the game subtly suggests that humans find meaning through work. This idea is presented a bit directly in the dialogue, but it’s done with a light touch, making it a funny and thought-provoking piece of satire. *The Lift* smoothly draws you into its world through smart writing and detailed environments.

It’s the Little Details That Matter, and The Lift Nails Them

While *The Lift* boasts fantastic worldbuilding and stunning visuals, it’s the small touches that truly make it special. The way the game teaches you mechanics – through in-world posters and guides – really pulls you into the experience. And the controls are perfect: quick, responsive, and with just enough playful exaggeration to make the movement feel great.

It’s often tricky for games focused on hands-on tasks and realistic environments to get the controls feeling natural. Developers often prioritize building the game world itself over making simple actions, like flipping a switch, feel satisfying. However, Fantastic Signal is different. The controls in their game, *The Lift*, are exceptional – it feels remarkably similar to virtual reality, even though it’s a traditional PC game. Every action feels realistic and connected to the character’s movements, enhanced by crisp sounds and appealing visuals. Since renovating and repairing are central to *The Lift*, Fantastic Signal has clearly put a lot of care into making those actions feel great.

I’ve been playing *The Lift*, and it’s really struck me as a game about restoring a place, the Institute, bit by bit. It feels a lot like *Pathologic 2* where you played a doctor trying to save a town – here, you’re essentially healing a building, treating it with the same kindness and attention you’d give a patient. What’s really different about *The Lift* is that, unlike a lot of games about worlds falling apart, it doesn’t focus on accepting that destruction. Instead, it’s all about believing things *can* get better, and that’s a really powerful message.

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2025-09-16 19:15