Undusted: Letters from the Past Review: I Came to Clean, But This Game Just Cleaned Out My Tear Ducts Instead

I’ve played games that have made me angry, games that have made me feel powerful, and games that have made me question my life choices. But it’s been a long time since a game this simple and unassuming just completely, utterly broke me.

Undusted: Letters from the Past looks like another entry in the ever-growing genre of "virtual chores." On the surface, it’s a bite-sized, cozy version of Powerwash Simulator. You pick up a dusty old object and clean it. Simple. But underneath that loop is a story so goddamn heartfelt and poignant that it completely ambushed me. I sat down expecting a zen-like distraction. I stood up two hours later with a lump in my throat and an urgent need to call my mother.

The Zen of Digital Dusting

Let's talk about the cleaning itself, because it is ridiculously satisfying. You play as Adora, a woman returning to her childhood home after her mother’s death. Your task is to clean various mementos scattered around the house, each one caked in the dust of neglect and forgotten time.

Armed with a small arsenal of tools, a toothbrush for scrubbing, a sponge for wide surfaces, a cloth for polishing, and a dust blower for those hard-to-reach spots, you meticulously wipe away layers of grime. The sound design is pure ASMR. The gentle scrape of the brush, the soft whoosh of the air, the final sparkle when an object is fully restored... it’s a dopamine hit of the highest order.

Unlike its more overwhelming genre-mates, Undusted never feels like a chore. The objects are small, the process is quick, and if you get stuck on that last 1%, the game has a "quick clean" button to finish the job for you. It knows you're here to relax, not to pixel-hunt for a single speck of dirt. The controls are smooth, letting you rotate and clean at the same time, making the whole process feel fluid and intuitive.

A Story in Every Speck of Dust

Here’s the part that sucker-punched me. Every object you clean is a key, unlocking a memory from Adora’s past. As you restore a tarnished music box or a dusty camera, you’re treated to a short, beautifully written vignette that pieces together the story of her and her mother's fractured relationship.

The narrative is simple, but it’s told with such sincerity and emotional honesty that it’s impossible not to get invested. It’s a quiet, powerful story about grief, regret, and the things left unsaid. It’s about returning to a place full of memories and finally understanding the person you’ve lost. The game doesn't resort to cheap melodrama; it just presents these small, intimate moments and lets them hit you with the force of a freight train.

The Price of Emotion

My only real gripe with Undusted is that it’s over in a flash. I saw the credits roll in about two hours, and that was with me taking my sweet time. For its $10 price tag, some might find that a bit steep, and I wouldn't blame them.

But I'd argue it's worth every cent. This isn't a 100-hour epic hollywood movie, it's a short film. It's a concentrated dose of emotion and satisfying gameplay that respects your time and leaves a lasting impact. It accomplishes more in its two hours than many games do in fifty. It’s a beautiful, polished, and deeply moving experience from start to finish.

The Verdict

Undusted: Letters from the Past is a special little game. It takes the simple, satisfying loop of a cleaning simulator and elevates it with a powerful, emotional narrative that will stick with you long after you’ve put down the virtual sponge. It’s a cozy, meditative experience that will almost certainly make you cry. I know I did.

Score: 9/10 Come for the satisfying cleaning, stay for the existential sobbing.

We at NLM received a key for this game for free, this however didn't impact our review in any way.