Pool Cleaning Simulator

About

"Pool Cleaning Simulator" is a single-player business simulation game that offers an intriguing story as you clean and maintain various pools. With realistic cleaning simulations, players will use a variety of tools to transform dirty pools into sparkling oases. However, the game is reportedly very grinding and full of bugs, affecting the overall experience.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

69%

Audience ScoreBased on 235 reviews

story11 positive mentions

stability27 negative mentions

The game offers a relaxing and satisfying cleaning experience, similar to other popular simulation games.
The developers are responsive to player feedback and actively working on bug fixes and updates.
The variety of tasks and environments, including unique side quests like collecting rubber ducks, adds fun and engagement.

The game is plagued by numerous bugs and performance issues, making it frustrating to play.
There is a lack of clear instructions and save features, often requiring players to restart levels after making mistakes.
Some gameplay mechanics, such as the controls and item interactions, feel clunky and unrefined.

story
82 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
13%
83%
4%
The game's story is minimal and often overshadowed by frustrating gameplay mechanics, such as the inability to purchase items during quests and frequent bugs that require players to restart missions. While some players appreciate the quirky side quests and the unique narratives tied to each job, many express disappointment over the lack of a cohesive storyline and the tedious nature of certain tasks. Overall, the narrative elements are seen as underdeveloped, with players often feeling stuck due to unclear instructions and technical issues.
- “The story for the maps is also pretty interesting, and the last one was quite unexpected!”
- “I liked that it had a story to each job, and dipping into murder and choices of how we complete a job was a nice touch.”
- “I'm enjoying the little story that comes with it!”
- “Unfortunately, those objects are quest items, so when it happens, your only option is to abort the mission and go back to the hub, then start over again.”
- “There are a number of mind-numbing tasks that take too long and a few bugs that block progress, requiring restarting the mission.”
- “The story for the maps is also pretty interesting, but I have had problems with it in the past, and the game is unplayable after the first tutorial mission.”
stability
27 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The stability of the game has been widely criticized, with numerous users reporting significant bugs, glitches, and performance issues that disrupt gameplay, including crashes and unresponsive controls. While some players noted improvements in stability after the full release and praised the developers' responsiveness to bug reports, the overall consensus remains that the game is currently too unstable and frustrating to enjoy fully. Many players expressed disappointment, as the game's potential is overshadowed by its technical shortcomings.
- “I also really wanted to finish this game, but it is just way too buggy.”
- “- Technical issues: certain users have reported bugs and performance issues, such as glitches in tool functionality and occasional crashes, which can disrupt the overall experience.”
- “The game is very buggy, making some mundane tasks feel torturous.”
gameplay
23 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
13%
74%
13%
The gameplay is characterized by realistic simulation mechanics that offer an authentic pool cleaning experience, requiring players to manage various tasks like scrubbing and chemical balancing. While the methodical and ambient nature of the gameplay provides a relaxing and meditative experience, some players find the repetitive tasks can lead to monotony. Despite comparisons to games like Powerwash Simulator, the game features unique challenges and environments that keep the experience engaging, though some mechanics may feel limiting or frustrating.
- “The game provides an authentic pool cleaning experience, requiring players to manage tasks such as scrubbing surfaces, balancing chemical levels, and removing debris.”
- “The methodical nature of the tasks, combined with ambient soundscapes, creates a calming experience that appeals to players seeking a meditative and stress-relieving activity.”
- “Each level offers unique challenges and environments, keeping the gameplay fresh and engaging.”
- “Some players may find the core gameplay loop becomes monotonous over time, as the primary activities revolve around similar cleaning tasks without significant variation.”
- “There are some really stupid mechanics in the game; you can only have one bottle of each chemical in your van at a time.”
- “The game has a lot of issues and I feel like the gameplay is limited and boring.”
graphics
23 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
22%
52%
26%
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with some players praising the realistic and detailed environments, while others criticize the performance issues and lack of optimization, leading to poor frame rates even on lower settings. While certain aspects, like the design of levels and aesthetic appeal, are appreciated, many users report technical problems, including items appearing to float and crashes affecting their hardware. Overall, the graphics are seen as a highlight for some, but significant issues hinder the experience for others.
- “Great game to play, gives a bit of a house flipper vibe, a lot of fun, great graphics.”
- “The game also has a realistic and detailed graphics engine, which makes the pools and the environments look amazing.”
- “The music and graphics are better than expected, and the jobs have a ton of variety with things hidden around the area.”
- “Secondly, the graphics are subpar when you are having to carry items that appear to float in mid-air instead of actually being in your hands.”
- “Even when set to the lowest graphical settings, it puts out garbage frame rates while still utilizing 40% CPU and 100% GPU.”
- “A bit janky with the graphics and does seem like it lacks optimization, and there is no option to fix the field of view.”
optimization
14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
21%
57%
21%
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with some users praising significant improvements in performance and a smooth experience, while others report persistent technical issues, including crashes, high GPU usage, and unreasonable performance dips. Early access players express hope for further optimization, as current performance struggles detract from the overall enjoyment.
- “The lag and performance issues I encountered before are practically gone.”
- “The improved optimization, user-friendly interface, new levels, and impressive water physics make it a standout in the simulation genre.”
- “Good game overall, I had no performance issues whatsoever; I would suggest playing in windowed full screen if you're encountering any FPS issues.”
- “1 - poor performance: RTX 3060... graphics on medium, and my PC is about to explode...”
- “This game is in serious need of optimization as the game, as listed in the Steam store recommended specs, cannot and could not run this game on its best day.”
- “A bit janky with the graphics and does seem like it lacks optimization, and there is no option to fix FOV.”
grinding
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be largely tedious and repetitive, often feeling that certain tasks, like loading the van or cleaning, require excessive effort for minimal reward. While some appreciate the relaxing nature of these activities, many agree that the grind can detract from the overall enjoyment.
- “This is completely over the top and tedious for literally no reason, and it's required to finish the mission.”
- “So, you can only collect one piece at a time, which can become tedious.”
- “4 - tedious cleaning: the cleaning is the worst part, you just hold left click!”
humor
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is hit-or-miss, with some players finding it genuinely funny due to the quirky client stories and amusing elements like ducks and Easter eggs, while others feel that certain jokes fall flat. Overall, the game's comedic approach is appreciated for its creativity and variety, though it may not resonate with everyone.
- “Before playing, I thought, why do I want to clean a swimming pool? But it's really funny, and the gameplay knows this job.”
- “Very funny idea to put different clients' stories and personalities.”
- “Love the ducks and the funny Easter eggs.”
music
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The game's music is praised for its unique and calming qualities, enhancing the overall experience alongside impressive graphics and varied gameplay. However, some players express frustration with the audio settings, noting that turning off sound effects also reduces the music volume, detracting from their enjoyment. Overall, the ambient soundtrack complements the game's atmosphere well, making it a pleasant backdrop for exploration and tasks.
- “I love the music of the game; it is unique and really calm.”
- “The music and graphics are better than expected, and the jobs have a ton of variety with things hidden around the area.”
- “Amazing water physics, great hidden tasks, and all of this accompanied by chill ambient music played through the radio.”
- “They should add more sound effects and music, like the sounds of steps in water or mud.”
- “The music and graphics are better than expected, but they could use more variety.”
- “Good way to pass time while listening to music or podcasts, but the in-game music could be improved.”