PowerWash Simulator
- July 14, 2022
- FuturLab
- 24h median play time
A game that gives you what it says it will on the label. Powerwash simulator let's you fulfill your cleaning fantasies... if you have them.
"PowerWash Simulator" is a business simulation game where players can power wash their way to relaxation, either alone or with a friend in multiplayer mode. The game offers a variety of dirty jobs in the town of Muckingham, as well as a free play mode to replay favorites. With different types of dirt and an array of washing tools, players can find satisfaction in blasting away grime in this soothing experience.
Reviews
- story1,266 mentions
- 37 % positive mentions
- 61 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The story in "PowerWash Simulator" is surprisingly engaging, featuring a quirky narrative that unfolds through text messages from clients and environmental storytelling as players progress through various cleaning missions. Many players found the humor and unexpected plot twists, including a subplot about a missing cat, to be delightful, adding depth to the otherwise simple gameplay. Overall, while the game primarily focuses on satisfying cleaning mechanics, the charming and whimsical story enhances the experience, making it more enjoyable and immersive.
“This game is surprisingly one of the best games I've ever played; it's relaxing, casual gameplay, but the lore and storyline had my jaw drop in some instances, especially at the end.”
“The story development and the recurring elements from past washes were so cool, and the end credits were something I never willingly sat through before. The way they did it, with the music and playback videos, was just amazing.”
“I did not expect this game to have an actual story, but not only does it have a story, but it's also pretty interesting and does some great world-building.”
“The story is basically non-existent.”
“I wish the text messages you get in the game made any sense, but they are stupid and hardly hint at the storyline.”
“The story was humorous at times but was pretty thin, but again that was still more story than you tend to get with this genre.”
- music698 mentions
- 31 % positive mentions
- 67 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The game's music aspect has received mixed feedback, with many players noting the absence of an in-game soundtrack, which some find disappointing. However, this lack of music allows players to enjoy their own playlists or podcasts, enhancing the relaxing experience of power washing. Overall, while the game could benefit from a dedicated soundtrack, it remains a popular choice for those looking to unwind with their favorite tunes in the background.
“Great fun, calms the mind and perfect paired with music.”
“One of the most memorable experiences I've had in all my years of playing video games was just relaxing to some of the various maps this game has, playing lo-fi and other relaxing music genres in the background and zoning out completely.”
“This game is perfect for blasting music and grinding!”
“There's almost no music (aside from the end credits, which is a nice song) and graphics, while not bad, are mostly there to show that something is there and has a notable before-after situation after cleaning them and not a main focus.”
“1) There is no music in the game whatsoever (though this allows you to play your own, so some people may not mind this).”
“The lack of music is kind of a bummer since all that you really hear is the droning of the power washer most of the time.”
- gameplay676 mentions
- 35 % positive mentions
- 62 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "PowerWash Simulator" is widely praised for its relaxing and satisfying mechanics, allowing players to engage in the simple yet addictive task of cleaning various surfaces with a pressure washer. While the core gameplay loop can become repetitive over time, many players find joy in the gradual progression and upgrades, as well as the therapeutic nature of the experience. However, some users express a desire for more diverse mechanics and content to enhance long-term engagement.
“I love that this game takes the FPS mechanics and uses them in such a novel, fun, calm, and enjoyable way that I find myself coming back to it more than I would have ever expected prior to trying PowerWash Simulator.”
“The gameplay is surprisingly one of the best experiences I've ever had; it's relaxing and casual, but the lore and storyline had my jaw drop in some instances, especially at the end.”
“The gameplay loop revolves around the same core action of power washing, which could lead to monotony for some players after extended play sessions, but the sense of accomplishment that comes with watching a filthy surface transform into a sparkling clean one keeps you motivated.”
“Gameplay is as slow as Joe Biden.”
“The gameplay loop revolves around the same core action of power washing, which could lead to monotony for some players after extended play sessions.”
“The gameplay is extremely repetitive and gets boring quickly.”
- graphics402 mentions
- 56 % positive mentions
- 42 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The graphics in "Powerwash Simulator" are generally praised for their charm and effectiveness, providing a satisfying visual experience as players clean various surfaces. While some users note that the graphics aren't groundbreaking, they appreciate the attention to detail, vibrant colors, and the therapeutic effect of watching dirt wash away. Overall, the visuals are considered good, with smooth performance even on lower-end systems, making the game visually appealing and enjoyable to play.
“The graphics are beautiful!”
“The graphics are surprisingly realistic, and the sound effects are spot on.”
“The graphics are excellent, and the physics make sense, so if you try to wash something at an odd angle you do get sprayback.”
“The graphics are underwhelming, and the overall look of the game is not visually appealing.”
“If you are playing this game on a non-gaming laptop, you have to turn the graphics to the lowest setting just to be somewhat playable.”
“The premise is boring, the levels are tedious, the graphics are bad, the physics are so-so at best, there is no challenge.”
- humor270 mentions
- 99 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely praised for its quirky and absurd nature, with players enjoying the funny text messages from clients and the entertaining lore that accompanies each cleaning job. Many reviews highlight the balance between humor and satisfying gameplay, making the experience both relaxing and amusing. Overall, the game's lighthearted tone and clever writing contribute significantly to its charm, providing players with a delightful and often hilarious backdrop to the mundane task of power washing.
“The funny messages from clients that pop up on the side, the lore on whatever we were cleaning, complaining about where the hell the tiniest speck of dust is on the last 3 things are nice moments I'll look on fondly.”
“The story is hilarious and unique and keeps you interested, even if you don't read the texts that tell the story, there are little easter eggs and random things hidden around the whole game.”
“The dialogue in the texts between you and customers can be really funny too.”
“Unfunny”
“I need to see if there's a way to turn off the texts you get during career mode because I find them painfully unfunny, but otherwise I look forward to playing more.”
“They are either unfunny remarks that offer nothing, or strange pseudo-horror comments that ruin the visual storytelling and break the immersion.”
- grinding244 mentions
- 1 % positive mentions
- 14 % neutral mentions
- 85 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game is frequently described as tedious and time-consuming, particularly in later levels where finding the last speck of dirt can become frustrating. While many players find the cleaning process satisfying and relaxing, the repetitive nature of the tasks can lead to boredom and a sense of it feeling like a chore. Overall, the game appeals to those who enjoy meticulous, grindy gameplay, but it may not be suitable for players who dislike tedious tasks.
“So good for just switching off your brain, but somehow not tedious when cleaning.”
“It's not too easy and not too hard to get things 100% clean, which means little to no tedious searching for that last speck of dirt while also having to work for the 'level cleared!' pop-up!”
“This game is so relaxing and not too grindy.”
“The first dozen or so levels are pretty fun, but then they just kept growing more and more tedious and large.”
“I thought I would find this game relaxing and fun, but it was really just tedious.”
“Some levels can be very tedious trying to clean everything.”
- emotional84 mentions
- 99 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
Players have found "PowerWash Simulator" to be unexpectedly emotional, with many expressing that the game's heartfelt ending brought them to tears. The experience of cleaning and the accompanying narrative foster a sense of satisfaction and emotional release, making it a therapeutic escape for those dealing with stress or anxiety. Overall, the game is praised for its wholesome nature and ability to evoke deep emotional connections, leaving players feeling accomplished and uplifted.
“The ending made me cry.”
“Never before have I experienced such emotional depths; it is truly a miracle that I was not ripped from this mortal coil and brought to the celestial heavens from which this game, nay, this spiritual masterpiece was birthed.”
“This game has filled the emotional void that my childhood has given me.”
- replayability79 mentions
- 42 % positive mentions
- 54 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
Overall, the game boasts high replayability due to its variety of levels, challenges, and the ability to approach tasks in different ways. Players appreciate the engaging gameplay and the potential for community-created content, which could further enhance replay value. While some users noted limitations in replayability after completing the story mode, many found the game satisfying enough to revisit multiple times.
“Honestly so good, infinite replayability, and just so satisfying to play.”
“This game also has a multiplayer mode that can support up to 4-6 players depending on the map, and with the introduction of community-made maps, this game has endless replayability.”
“The game's replayability is enhanced by the wide variety of surfaces and environments available to clean.”
“Lastly, the achievements offer some replayability, small bonus tasks or ways to complete jobs differently; however, I have to deduct some points for the SpongeBob DLC achievements being in the base game, which locks them behind a paywall.”
“Only downside I can think of is replayability; once story mode is finished, there is no way of earning extra money for the remaining unlocks.”
“It's decent, but I do not see any replay value here until more is added, and it would be better if there were achievements.”
- stability78 mentions
- 23 % positive mentions
- 1 % neutral mentions
- 76 % negative mentions
The game's stability has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting frequent bugs and glitches, particularly in multiplayer mode, which can disrupt gameplay and progress tracking. While some users noted that the game runs well on various platforms and is generally enjoyable, the presence of persistent issues like freezing and unresponsive mechanics detracts from the overall experience. Overall, while there are moments of smooth gameplay, the game's stability remains a significant concern for many players.
“Besides that, it was the most bug-free game I've played in a while!”
“The game is smooth and fairly bug-free.”
“I've had no bugs and no glitches, which for an early access game is rare.”
“Having played this almost exclusively in co-op mode, the multiplayer systems for this game are filled with numerous bugs and glitches and just bad game mechanics.”
“The game is also rather buggy and honestly seems like it should have remained in early access.”
“This release is buggy, frustrating, and seemingly incomplete.”
- optimization47 mentions
- 51 % positive mentions
- 36 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's optimization is generally praised, with many players reporting smooth performance even on lower-end hardware, achieving solid frame rates and good graphics. However, some users have experienced occasional stuttering, crashes, and performance issues, particularly on the Steam Deck and during complex levels. While the game is well-optimized for most systems, there are still minor bugs and performance concerns that players hope will be addressed in future updates.
“The game has excellent graphics, the performance is a rock solid 60fps, has never crashed, a lengthy campaign with tons of levels, and feels perfect on Steam Deck.”
“Surprisingly, the game is very well optimized.”
“Very relaxing and well optimized game.”
“A lot of minor issues with performance and mouse stuttering that I only experience in this game.”
“Probably the best sim game ever made, with the caveat of frequent crashes on Steam Deck (your mileage may vary) and occasional weird performance issues on my PC.”
“They even had to tell the buyers they would fix the optimization 'later', which to this team means well over 6 months to a year.”
- atmosphere22 mentions
- 64 % positive mentions
- 23 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its relaxing and immersive qualities, making it ideal for unwinding and enjoying a zen-like experience. Players appreciate the beautiful graphics, attention to detail, and ambient sounds that enhance the overall vibe, though some suggest that more atmospheric changes could improve the experience. Overall, the game successfully creates a cozy and calming environment that encourages players to take their time and enjoy the gameplay.
“The graphics in this game are amazing, and the atmosphere is almost even better in some of the maps.”
“Everything about its atmosphere, attention to detail, and design is damn near perfection.”
“With its immersive gameplay mechanics, serene atmosphere, and attention to detail, Power Wash Simulator provides a uniquely satisfying experience that offers relaxation and a sense of accomplishment.”
“The atmosphere and how the upgrade system works give off an FPS incremental idle game vibe.”
“A comfy and cozy atmosphere.”
“The amount of love put into this game is obvious, from the atmosphere to tiny environmental details.”
- monetization17 mentions
- 18 % positive mentions
- 18 % neutral mentions
- 65 % negative mentions
The monetization aspect of the game is praised for its absence of microtransactions, paywalls, and convoluted systems, offering a refreshing experience in contrast to the prevalent pay-to-win models and cash grabs in the industry. Players appreciate the straightforward gameplay that encourages enjoyment without the pressure of grinding or spending extra money, although there are concerns about potential future monetization strategies. Overall, the game is seen as a well-crafted product that delivers value for its price, avoiding the pitfalls of many AAA titles.
“Very satisfying and relaxing. With the current state of gaming, with its battle passes, endless grinds, and microtransactions, it's incredibly refreshing to just have a simple experience that makes you want to play for hours. It's a great example of a simple pleasure; you're not on a loot treadmill or worried about missable content, you're just enjoying what the game has to offer, and that's why you keep coming back.”
“No unnecessarily convoluted skill tree or paywalls or microtransactions popping up.”
“In a world where most AAA game studios sell you a half-finished, untested game for $60 with day-one microtransactions and cosmetic skin packs, this game delivers for its price and provides regular quality of life updates while frequently adding new content!”
“I don't agree to the EULA which allows the dev to add in-game purchases and advertisements.”
“This game is just turning into a cash grab and pumping out crossovers faster than Fortnite.”
“The premise is silly, and if you only give it a brief glance it looks like any one of a number of other 'simulator' games that are janky, memed-up, low-effort cash grabs.”
- character development2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Character development is highlighted as a strong point, with reviewers praising the rich storytelling and compelling narrative arcs that enhance the overall gameplay experience. The depth of the characters contributes significantly to the game's entertainment value.
“God tier entertainment, incredibly rich story and strong character development with an amazing narrative arc.”
“Great gameplay, good character development.”