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System Restored
Derek Cooper is a retro gamer.
His small flat is crammed with old consoles, controllers, accessories and shelves brimming full of old games. Quite an amazing collection, but there's always room for one more, isn't there?
1981. The world of arcade games is just coming into its own. The youth of the era are whiling away their spare time and money in the smokey, bright and flashing neon arcades of the world.
A company called Dolos, based in Watford, creates an amazing arcade machine called 'Time Portal'
The game is simple, but the graphics are way beyond anything else in the arcade at the time, making it quite unique.
Only 256 units were ever made, and they were a massive hit in arcades all over the UK. But, sadly they were all recalled soon after when one kid got a belt of electricity while playing. No fatalities, but the machines were all scrapped as the internal wiring was deemed to be a bit dodgy.
Dolos disappeared after that, never to be heard from in the gaming world again.
Well, except that one machine has survived, unbeknownst to the world, and has sat undisturbed in a cellar in Watford for the last forty years.
Undisturbed, that is, until Derek finds it for sale online.
What weird and wonderful journeys will he encounter as he warps through the levels on Time Portal?
A world of adventure awaits.
Fantasy or reality? Hard to tell.
System Restored is a wonderfully exciting romp through the nostalgic history of video games. A celebration and tribute to gamers everywhere.
His small flat is crammed with old consoles, controllers, accessories and shelves brimming full of old games. Quite an amazing collection, but there's always room for one more, isn't there?
1981. The world of arcade games is just coming into its own. The youth of the era are whiling away their spare time and money in the smokey, bright and flashing neon arcades of the world.
A company called Dolos, based in Watford, creates an amazing arcade machine called 'Time Portal'
The game is simple, but the graphics are way beyond anything else in the arcade at the time, making it quite unique.
Only 256 units were ever made, and they were a massive hit in arcades all over the UK. But, sadly they were all recalled soon after when one kid got a belt of electricity while playing. No fatalities, but the machines were all scrapped as the internal wiring was deemed to be a bit dodgy.
Dolos disappeared after that, never to be heard from in the gaming world again.
Well, except that one machine has survived, unbeknownst to the world, and has sat undisturbed in a cellar in Watford for the last forty years.
Undisturbed, that is, until Derek finds it for sale online.
What weird and wonderful journeys will he encounter as he warps through the levels on Time Portal?
A world of adventure awaits.
Fantasy or reality? Hard to tell.
System Restored is a wonderfully exciting romp through the nostalgic history of video games. A celebration and tribute to gamers everywhere.
388 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 24, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
March 16, 2022
One of those (increasingly) rare books that you can’t put down and just have to get to the end.
This is a real good fun tale with some wonderfully sneaky references, especially through song lyrics. Even mentions my all time favourite game Monkey Island.
A real winner and highly recommended.
This is a real good fun tale with some wonderfully sneaky references, especially through song lyrics. Even mentions my all time favourite game Monkey Island.
A real winner and highly recommended.
February 26, 2022
MINOR SPOILERS below the line of asterisks halfway down.
Adam Eccles has turned in another winner—one of his very best yet. I very much enjoyed the main character Derek, his arc and resolution, as well as the subject matter, the settings, and the adventure with its concept of game-like challenges in real life. They all sit neatly on top of the themes of missed and second chances. Indeed, recognizing and taking opportunities plays a central role in the author’s writing. Readers know what they’re getting when they come to an Adam Eccles book.
The Time Portal game that features here sounds like fun, a combo of the early 1980s classics Defender and Phoenix. Eccles successfully depicts the game so we can clearly visualize it, meaning the games element in the story feels fully authentic. I lived those days and played those early arcade games, so I can say that Eccles shows both the addiction and the actual gameplay well—and it’s right: the focus, the feeling of one with the game and its moves—all spot on, I can tell you from personal experience. Anyone who has played games (which I don’t anymore btw, nothing since it got too complicated in the 1990s!), or who simply collects whatever, will understand the internal motivations of the main character. Yet, Eccles ensures that those who never engaged in cult activities will still enjoy and feel why Derek is who he is: a man full of regrets, his dreams out of reach, his drive out of order. Eccles ensures System Restored is a story driven by Derek’s issues, experiences, and motivations.
System Restored doesn’t disappoint! It’s a fun, engaging romp with a neat devices to challenge the MC to find himself. Super stuff! Right up there on the leaderboard with Adam Eccles’s Need a Little Time and Who Needs Love Anyway.
***********
Minor plot device, possible spoiler below...
What impressed me is how well this stands up and hooks you into the story before we get anywhere near the time-travel device around halfway through the book. Readers coming to System Restored for that, or chiefly that, element will still find a lot to like. Indeed the story, being character driven, stands up very well even without the time travel. But when we get to 1981, the fun really begins! Derek is no time tourist ensconced in the people, the streets, the shops & brands, and fashions of the day. The stakes for Derek are high as he takes on the challenges he needs to overcome to save a life.
System Restored doesn’t disappoint! It’s a fun, engaging romp with a neat use of time travel to challenge the MC to find himself. Super stuff! Right up there on the leaderboard with Adam Eccles’s Need a Little Time and Who Needs Love Anyway.
Adam Eccles has turned in another winner—one of his very best yet. I very much enjoyed the main character Derek, his arc and resolution, as well as the subject matter, the settings, and the adventure with its concept of game-like challenges in real life. They all sit neatly on top of the themes of missed and second chances. Indeed, recognizing and taking opportunities plays a central role in the author’s writing. Readers know what they’re getting when they come to an Adam Eccles book.
The Time Portal game that features here sounds like fun, a combo of the early 1980s classics Defender and Phoenix. Eccles successfully depicts the game so we can clearly visualize it, meaning the games element in the story feels fully authentic. I lived those days and played those early arcade games, so I can say that Eccles shows both the addiction and the actual gameplay well—and it’s right: the focus, the feeling of one with the game and its moves—all spot on, I can tell you from personal experience. Anyone who has played games (which I don’t anymore btw, nothing since it got too complicated in the 1990s!), or who simply collects whatever, will understand the internal motivations of the main character. Yet, Eccles ensures that those who never engaged in cult activities will still enjoy and feel why Derek is who he is: a man full of regrets, his dreams out of reach, his drive out of order. Eccles ensures System Restored is a story driven by Derek’s issues, experiences, and motivations.
System Restored doesn’t disappoint! It’s a fun, engaging romp with a neat devices to challenge the MC to find himself. Super stuff! Right up there on the leaderboard with Adam Eccles’s Need a Little Time and Who Needs Love Anyway.
***********
Minor plot device, possible spoiler below...
What impressed me is how well this stands up and hooks you into the story before we get anywhere near the time-travel device around halfway through the book. Readers coming to System Restored for that, or chiefly that, element will still find a lot to like. Indeed the story, being character driven, stands up very well even without the time travel. But when we get to 1981, the fun really begins! Derek is no time tourist ensconced in the people, the streets, the shops & brands, and fashions of the day. The stakes for Derek are high as he takes on the challenges he needs to overcome to save a life.
System Restored doesn’t disappoint! It’s a fun, engaging romp with a neat use of time travel to challenge the MC to find himself. Super stuff! Right up there on the leaderboard with Adam Eccles’s Need a Little Time and Who Needs Love Anyway.
February 26, 2022
Such a clever idea, a proper blast from the past. I loved the references to the games and the 80’s, completely loved it.
March 17, 2022
He does it again - having only recently started to pick up a controller again to have a go at Katamari Damacy, this book about a video gaming nerd meeting the challenge of a lifetime was very apt. Un-put-downable until the end.
October 4, 2022
A very fun jaunt through retro gaming's past. I honestly can't get enough of nostalgic Time travel and this was right up my street.
January 19, 2025
Vintage video games, time travel, adventures, and a sweet love story. Fun and entertaining.
September 15, 2026
Really good fun
March 1, 2022
Needed.
With the world the way it is this book was just what was needed. A chance to escape back to the 80s with a funny, feel good, superbly written reminder of my formative gaming years. Thank you!
With the world the way it is this book was just what was needed. A chance to escape back to the 80s with a funny, feel good, superbly written reminder of my formative gaming years. Thank you!
March 21, 2022
what a great book, its funny, its a love story and its a great read
we have all got birds we fancy and sometimes things dont work out
this is what this book is all about. that and Games and as an IT geek and a gamer i loved it
we have all got birds we fancy and sometimes things dont work out
this is what this book is all about. that and Games and as an IT geek and a gamer i loved it
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 28, 2022
👾👾👾👾👾
Adam delivers again , outstanding quality read .
Go into the gaming world like of the past and explore !!!
Adam delivers again , outstanding quality read .
Go into the gaming world like of the past and explore !!!
March 6, 2022
this is definitely a winner
Really liked the unusual background story involving an arcade game. The story twists and turns and keeps you guessing, whilst being a really nice complete adventure with a great ending.
Characters were easy to like and you really rooted for them.
Great book & fun read.
Really liked the unusual background story involving an arcade game. The story twists and turns and keeps you guessing, whilst being a really nice complete adventure with a great ending.
Characters were easy to like and you really rooted for them.
Great book & fun read.
July 10, 2022
It was ok, the historical facts are a gamers dream and the author obviously has a timely passion. The story line was pretty obviously pushing to its verdict and the love sick guy was steering its way. Did I like it? As I said earlier it was OK....
September 23, 2022
Incel wanna be’s fantasy of getting the “life he deserves” with his manic pixie dream girl.
I liked it besides that.
I liked it besides that.
March 17, 2024
I love a gaming genre type of book and if you add in some time travel back to tht 80s then winner, winner, veggie dinner. But... it's only OK. The gaming history bit was good and the main character also fairly well-rounded but the relationships were a bit clichéd and, for want if a better word, dated. It seemed almost like the women were interchangeable as long as the male characters had one of the girls on their arm (and their bed). Derek is in love with his best friend's wife but gets fixed up on a date with her cousin and SPOILERS it doesn't seem to matter which girl goes to which guy for the happy ever after, because basically they are shallow female characters and follow the men I the story. It was also a bit longcwinded on the quest and towards the end of the quest didn't really make a lot of sense.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 14, 2023
This is what Ready Player One could have been!
Unlike in Ernest Cline's "Ready Player One," I was able to suspend my disbelief enough to enjoy Adam Eccles "System Restored." In another life with different life choices I could have been the socially inept and introverted Derek.
An introverted gaming lover who restores an arcade cabinet that acts as a time machine back to 1981 is actually far more plausible to my imagination than a futuristic society that is so miserable they escape via VR to a fictitious online world obsessed with the 1980s.
Eccles succeeds where Cline failed! Thoroughly enjoyable read!
Unlike in Ernest Cline's "Ready Player One," I was able to suspend my disbelief enough to enjoy Adam Eccles "System Restored." In another life with different life choices I could have been the socially inept and introverted Derek.
An introverted gaming lover who restores an arcade cabinet that acts as a time machine back to 1981 is actually far more plausible to my imagination than a futuristic society that is so miserable they escape via VR to a fictitious online world obsessed with the 1980s.
Eccles succeeds where Cline failed! Thoroughly enjoyable read!
February 26, 2024
Another Eccles classic, read it
This is a great book for all fans of time travel, in Mr Eccles usual style.
It's a proper romcom of a book, with the ending you want. The only niggle for me is that I thought it was going to take a dark turn with Silas playing the main characters through his invention / game. In some respects I wanted Silas to wreak havoc, but then realised I only had about 15% of the book left. It all plays out as you want, but I just can't help but think there's could have been a second book in this.
Despite my views, it doesn't disappoint in any way. And I'm already reading 22:22:22 Frequency Shift by the same author.
So, no complaints
This is a great book for all fans of time travel, in Mr Eccles usual style.
It's a proper romcom of a book, with the ending you want. The only niggle for me is that I thought it was going to take a dark turn with Silas playing the main characters through his invention / game. In some respects I wanted Silas to wreak havoc, but then realised I only had about 15% of the book left. It all plays out as you want, but I just can't help but think there's could have been a second book in this.
Despite my views, it doesn't disappoint in any way. And I'm already reading 22:22:22 Frequency Shift by the same author.
So, no complaints
May 27, 2024
About a 3.8, so I uprounded it to a 4. What will you like? Well, the book is quite short and it moves quite quickly, (a bit like his other books). It's a love song to the 1980s and retro gaming which is why it got the extra 0.8 stars for me.
The main character is likeable. It's almost more like a nice 30-45min BBC2 drama or a decent short story.
I felt a bit conflicted about
The main character is likeable. It's almost more like a nice 30-45min BBC2 drama or a decent short story.
I felt a bit conflicted about
April 7, 2022
There’s only a few authors that can guarantee an entertaining read with each new release. Adam Eccles has now joined that list. I’m not sure what genre I would place his books. Speculative fiction? Not that it matters of course. It has all the ingredients that I love: A bit of romance, a sprinkle of geekiness, a dash of humour, mixed in with a lashing of sci-fi and wrapped up nicely with some gaming and 80s nostalgia.
Perfect.
Perfect.
June 15, 2022
Eccles is a kindred spirit. He writes for people like me, pushing 50, lifetime of regrets, and a fascination with the past and what ifs. I adore reading him. It speaks truth to me. This, like his other works, follows a similar path but the ability to create new hooks, sympathetic characters and tap in to the zeitgeist of us 80s/90s kids is mesmeric and comforting. I'm sure the author's target audience is narrow but I'm happy to be in it.
July 19, 2022
great - really enjoyed it
This book was recommended based on my reading history. Well the algorithmic magic was spot on
Not only have I found a new author I really enjoy but this book was great! Retro gaming, memories from childhood, song lyrics, time travel and a love story? Check, check and check again!
If you’re considering trying this do it. What’s the worst that could happen?
This book was recommended based on my reading history. Well the algorithmic magic was spot on
Not only have I found a new author I really enjoy but this book was great! Retro gaming, memories from childhood, song lyrics, time travel and a love story? Check, check and check again!
If you’re considering trying this do it. What’s the worst that could happen?
May 10, 2023
This book is amazingly intricate with a complicated plot with time-twists that leave the reader baffled. I thoroughly enjoyed it. However, I'm not into electronics or gaming and that takes up a lot of the book. But as a reader I'm into human characters and their relationships and this is where the four stars come from because it didn't disappoint. If you like descriptions of electronic repairs and if you're a retro-gamer this will be a no-brainer five star.
August 8, 2026
I didn't realise I was picking up a book about turning 40 right as I also turned 40 so it gets an extra star for that. I wasn't particularly into Derek's character to begin with, lusting after his best friends wife and being a bit of a toxic male but it really picks up after he gets sucked into the game where he becomes someone to root for. I enjoyed the ending although a touch OTT. This has been sat on my TBR forever and I know I was now fated to connect one 40 year old to another.
March 27, 2022
Enjoyable.
The early part of this book were a little difficult to get through, a little stilted, but in hindsight I think the author was showing us the disjointed life of the principle character. Once the story started opening up, it became much more enjoyable and hard to put down. Brilliant twists and turns at the end.
More please,
The early part of this book were a little difficult to get through, a little stilted, but in hindsight I think the author was showing us the disjointed life of the principle character. Once the story started opening up, it became much more enjoyable and hard to put down. Brilliant twists and turns at the end.
More please,
May 31, 2022
Ive read all of Adams books now and this one doesn’t disappoint. The characters are all brought to life well (although I’d love to know how Melanie funded her lifestyle).
If you enjoy light hearted 1980s time travel romps then you’ll love this one. The thrill of a boxed ZX81 really stirred something in me 😀
If you enjoy light hearted 1980s time travel romps then you’ll love this one. The thrill of a boxed ZX81 really stirred something in me 😀
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 9, 2022
Time Travel Retro Style
It's not often I find a time travel book totally absorbing. This was one of those rare ones I couldn't put down. A fabulous story that links retro gaming with time travel. A clever and fun read. Pick it up and fall through the time portal. Now I'm back I have to feed the cats.
It's not often I find a time travel book totally absorbing. This was one of those rare ones I couldn't put down. A fabulous story that links retro gaming with time travel. A clever and fun read. Pick it up and fall through the time portal. Now I'm back I have to feed the cats.
July 28, 2022
I LOVED this!
Isn't it great when we randomly pick a book and it's this good. Derek is a great, if sometimes irritating, character and the story is engaging yet simply written, so it feels personal and in tune with the retro theme. Actually, it really does remind me of Nick Hornby, especially High Fidelity. More please from the 'new' Irishman.
Isn't it great when we randomly pick a book and it's this good. Derek is a great, if sometimes irritating, character and the story is engaging yet simply written, so it feels personal and in tune with the retro theme. Actually, it really does remind me of Nick Hornby, especially High Fidelity. More please from the 'new' Irishman.
September 19, 2022
Good. I liked this. It is very quirky. I loved the nerdy computer game stuff. The story if very weird and a bit on the silly side but fun. I liked the characters. As with most time travel stories you have to accept certain anomalies but that is ok and it is a fun feel good story. Overall I enjoyed it, but would only recommend it if you like nerdy quirky books.
May 25, 2022
Wow, really enjoyed this so much more than I expected. Given that I’m used to reading crime and thrillers this was a bit of a change but a genuinely great read. A really original story and plot with great characters and a lovely ending!
April 9, 2023
Brilliant
Yet another great book. I'm getting so addicted to this wonderful series of book. I can't wait to start the next one. Thank You so very much and Best Wishes for the Future.
Yet another great book. I'm getting so addicted to this wonderful series of book. I can't wait to start the next one. Thank You so very much and Best Wishes for the Future.
July 20, 2023
slow start but worth the time.
I found the story slow to start but well worth the effort. I highly recommend this to any sci-fi reader. The story ends with a surprise turn of events.
I found the story slow to start but well worth the effort. I highly recommend this to any sci-fi reader. The story ends with a surprise turn of events.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews