PowerWash Simulator

- Reviewed on Switch -

PowerWash Simulator released on July 14th, 2022.

Developed by FuturLab, PowerWash Simulator is exactly what it says on the tin — a game about cleaning stuff with a power washer. 

But don’t let that simple premise fool you; it’s surprisingly fun, smooth, and oddly stress-relieving. 

I jumped in on the Switch, and despite a few bumps, I found myself hooked on this oddly satisfying little indie gem.

This review WILL have Major Spoilers so keep that in mind before continuing...

The game’s core loop is simple: you power wash dirt, grime, and all sorts of gunk off buildings, vehicles, and outdoor objects. 

You start small and progress to bigger, more complex jobs that require tools like ladders, scaffolding, and stools. 

These tools can be moved and rotated to reach tricky spots, though the grid-based placement system can be a bit wonky and frustrating at times.

One huge downside for me? No split-screen multiplayer. This feels like a huge, missed opportunity to make the game even more fun with friends locally. 

Online multiplayer exists, but it’s not quite the same. 

Plus, a persistent “constant internet connection required” pop-up shows up, even when you’re playing solo in offline mode — super annoying and immersion-breaking.

Loading times vary — some can be long, others barely noticeable. It’s not a dealbreaker, but definitely noticeable.

The gameplay itself is ridiculously satisfying. 

Watching dirt wash away in crisp detail never gets old. Cleaning liquids act as a handy, quick way to finish jobs, but they’re limited until you hit certain milestones, which adds a nice pacing mechanic. 

The digital tablet you use to track your progress and earnings is simple but effective, showing which parts need cleaning, their dirt percentage, and the payout.

Money earned lets you buy new equipment and cosmetic clothing, but the shop is pretty limited in scope. 

Also, the clothing felt pointless for a single-player offline player like me — feels like a feature that’s mainly for online or multiplayer folks.

Speaking of atmosphere, I was shocked to find almost no background music. None. Nada. Which was weird for a game that otherwise nails the mood. 

The only sounds are the water spray, dirt washing off, and ambient noises. It works for immersion, but I missed some kind of chill soundtrack.

The devs do a great job injecting humor via NPC text messages between jobs — some are genuinely funny, others a little hit-or-miss, but it keeps the tone light and playful.

Controls are smooth, easy to grasp, and feel natural on Switch. 

My favorite little touch? The end-of-mission timelapse videos, showing the entire cleaning job in a satisfying fast-forward recap. Seriously, the best little reward after a job well done.

Finally, shoutout to the DLCs — the SpongeBob one was a blast and proves the game has great potential for creative expansions. 

Pros: 

    - Extremely satisfying, stress-relieving gameplay
    - Smooth, intuitive controls on Switch
    - Great digital tablet tool for progress tracking
    - Fun and humorous NPC texts
    - Cool end-of-mission timelapse videos
    - Creative and fun DLC content

Cons:

    - No local split-screen multiplayer
    - Persistent “internet connection” pop-up in offline play
    - Grid system for tool placement can be frustrating

    My Rating for PowerWash Simulator (on Switch):

    5 / 5


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    Disclaimer

    All Reviews, Ratings, Pros, Cons, and Opinions Shared on this Blog (Press A Reviews) are my (Connor Butler) own Thoughts and Feelings.



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