The Lift: A Sci-Fi Repair Simulator that Redefines the Genre with Immersive Storytelling and Innovative Mechanics

The publishing company **tinyBuild** and the new studio **Fantastic Signals**, composed of seasoned developers who have worked on titles like [**Pathologic 2**](https://store.steampowered.com/app/3283240) and [**Ori and the Will of the Wisps**](https://store.steampowered.com/app/17168), have officially announced **The Lift**. This game is a narrative-driven first-person simulator centered around repair work set in a sci-fi environment.

Imagine yourself as a skilled technician, tasked with the challenging job of restoring a massive research complex that has been left desolate following a mysterious disaster. You will need to tidy up one floor at a time to uncover what went wrong in the Institute.

The gameplay combines systematic «repair» mechanics, a unique circuitry assembly feature, a rich storyline, and the exploration of an interactive world. In **The Lift**, you’ll encounter diverse tasks ranging from simple furniture repairs to complex restoration of electrical devices. Additionally, you’ll meet various characters within the Institute and can take on their missions. The main character navigates through the facility using an elevator as their mobile base.

As noted by **Fantastic Signals**, the team leverages their experience from **Pathologic 2** to incorporate immersive simulator elements into **The Lift**, along with introducing several distinct innovations within the handyman genre—typically, such games focus primarily on repairs, renovations, and cleaning.

What kinds of innovations can players expect? For instance, you will be able to use electrical engineering concepts to repair and operate intricate electromechanical systems. Moreover, **Ivan Slovtsov**, founder of **Fantastic Signals** and game director of **The Lift**, mentioned that the development team drew inspiration from the works of the Strugatsky brothers and the SCP Foundation while crafting the game world.

**Ivan Slovtsov**

**The Lift** is set to launch on PC via [Steam](https://store.steampowered.com/app/3283240) in 2026, complete with a text translation in Russian. The project will eventually be available on consoles as well. Currently, a limited-time playtest is accessible on PC, and you can request access through the store page.

Gameplay trailer.