There’s no telling what you’ll find when you go searching through childhood memories. You might laugh or cry. You might even cringe. No matter what, though, there’s going to be nostalgia. Undusted: Letters from the Past captures that feeling perfectly.

Developed by 5minlab Corp. and published by Toge Productions, Undusted is a casual game about cleaning and restoration that lets you explore memories of main character Adora as she returns to her childhood home. The short and sweet demo is available now as part of Steam Next Fest: June 2025, and after playing it, I’m already eager to see the full game.

Pages from the Past

Undusted: Letters from the Past is a story of reminiscing. As Adora approaches her long-neglected family home, she begins to describe some of her childhood memories. You get to read her thoughts and stories on yellowed pieces of notebook paper. Each excerpt leads you to an object that’s covered in rust, dirt, or other grime. As you clean each object to discover the treasure beneath, you also uncover more about Adora’s family, childhood, and why she’s come back after all these years.

After you clean each item, you also get a conversation between Adora and other characters regarding the story behind those belongings. See why the porcelain teacup broke, how Adora’s mother reacted, and why it’s still in the cupboard to this day. Each bit of storytelling is accompanied by charming illustrations, bringing extra color and charm to this dusty, nostalgic world you’re exploring.

Simple Yet Satisfying

As you find more things to clean in the house, you also get more cleaning supplies to help you restore each item until it’s bright and colorful again. Different sound and visual effects accompany the new tools—which include a toothbrush, a sponge, and a cloth for wiping glass—making each one unique and interesting to use.

Meanwhile, the lovingly crafted pixelated textures complement the nostalgic atmosphere while delivering that satisfaction you want out of a cleaning game. When every level ends with a clean object and a little more story to explore, you get a true sense of reward and accomplishment.

Every detail of the game comes together to deliver a delightful gameplay experience. Even small touches, such as the angle of the sponge as you move it around your object or the different backgrounds for everything you’re cleaning, adds to the atmosphere. It’s a rich and immersive experience that perfectly evokes the warmth and heaviness of digging into the past.

The Beauty of a Quiet Game

As with many old memories, sadness colors many of Adora’s stories. But even in this short demo, there’s a sense of healing that comes with every object you clean. As Adora opens the windows of her dusty old house, you’re invited to take a deep breath and settle in with your cleaning tools.

A slow, gentle score of original piano music encourages you to take your time brushing away dirt and grime. The masterfully crafted sound effects bring each object and tool to life without feeling overbearing, which means you can simply enjoy the satisfaction of bringing color and detail back to these long-forgotten treasures. There is no rush, no pressure, no all-important end goal; there is simply the care you put into each object as you take the slow, meandering journey down memory lane.

A Narrative that Draws You In

Just as Adora found herself immediately pulled into her childhood memories, I was immediately hooked on her story. Each small memory gives you a little more insight into who she is and where she comes from. Even better, the story felt perfectly balanced with the cleaning sessions—I never wanted to rush through to get to the next object, and I never wanted to skip the cleaning so I could learn more.

There’s a heaviness, a sorrow, and a maturity to Adora’s narration, and the demo leaves off right as you start to see where these feelings might have come from. I’m eager to play more so I can learn more about her family and what she’s been through, but also so that I can settle in with this peaceful game and its gentle, tender atmosphere again.

Undusted: Letters from the Past demo is out now and was part of Steam Next Fest: June 2025. It’s release date is TBA.