PowerWash Simulator

PowerWash Simulator is a simulation video game developed by FuturLab and published by Square Enix Collective. The game was first made available in early access through Steam on 19 May 2021,[2] and was fully released for Microsoft Windows, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S on 14 July 2022.[3] Further ports for the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5, were for a 31 January 2023 release.[4] A standalone VR port titled PowerWash Simulator VR for Meta Quest 2, 3 and Pro models is set to be released on November 2, 2023. Players take control of a power washing business and complete various jobs to earn money. Gameplay primarily revolves around using a power washer to clean dirt off of objects and buildings.

PowerWash Simulator
Developer(s)FuturLab
Publisher(s)Square Enix Collective
Director(s)James Marsden
Producer(s)Toby Adam-Smith
Designer(s)Dan Chequer
Programmer(s)Peter Hansen
Artist(s)
  • Sean Frisby
  • Kev Martin
  • Torger Naerland
Writer(s)Mark Ginbey
Composer(s)Dan Bibby
EngineUnity[1]
Platform(s)
ReleaseMicrosoft Windows, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
14 July 2022
Switch, PS4, PS5
31 January 2023
Meta Quest (2, Pro, 3)
2 November 2023
Genre(s)Simulation
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Gameplay

PowerWash Simulator is a simulation game played in the first-person perspective. Set in the town of Muckingham, players take control of a small power washing business and take jobs for a variety of clients in different locations in the form of levels.[5] Players must remove dirt from various objects, ranging from residential houses to a Mars rover, to complete each level.[6] Successfully cleaning an object will grant the player money, which can then be used to upgrade their power washing tools.[7] These upgrades allow the player to customise their power washer to be more effective at certain ranges or in certain situations.[8] The player can also use additional tools, like a ladder which can reach different areas of a level.[2]

Several new jobs have been added to the game via a series of free updates since launch. Multiple "Special Pack" expansions themed after other media franchises have also been released as downloadable content. These include the "Tomb Raider Special Pack" on 31 January 2023,[9] the Final Fantasy VII Remake-themed "Midgar Special Pack" on 2 March 2023,[10] and the "SpongeBob SquarePants Special Pack" on 29 June 2023.[11] Packs based on Warhammer 40,000[12] and Back to the Future[13] are planned for release later in 2023.

Development

The game was developed by British studio FuturLab.

Reception

Pre-release

Cass Marshall of Polygon praised the game for its casual gameplay, writing that it "[captures] the most relaxing bits of home care with none of the hassle."[6] Jordan Devore of Destructoid also praised the game for its "robust" gameplay, but noted that slight issues were present in the game's demo, including walking on slopes and finishing the last portion of levels.[2] Gabriel Zamora of PCMag similarly gave praise to the satisfying gameplay loop, relaxing game feel, variety of items to clean, and "terrific" graphical style and presentation but took issue with the "poorly implemented" soap system, "unnatural" water and dirt simulation, "bland" sound, and "sluggish" character movement.[20]

Critical reception

PowerWash Simulator received "generally favorable" reviews according to review aggregator Metacritic, but received "mixed or average" reviews for the Windows version.[14][15][16][17]

Ed Thorn of Rock Paper Shotgun praised the game's career mode, zen-like gameplay feel, variety of substantial modes, and addition of online co-op, but criticised the pacing of some jobs, concluding, "...issues with the game are small in comparison with the true satisfaction and serene spaces it provides...It's not overly complex, doesn't take itself too seriously, and still has plenty of depth for those who just want to hose down a bungalow."[21] Fraser Gilbert of Pure Xbox gave the title 8/10 stars and appreciated its intuitive gameplay, leisurely pace, variety of modes, and inclusion of online co-op while noting its repetitive nature and lack of a proper soundtrack.[19]

References
  1. "Unity - PowerWash Simulator Launch - Live on Twitch". Unity Forum.
  2. "Early Access Review: PowerWash Simulator". Destructoid. 19 May 2021.
  3. "PowerWash Simulator launches July 14 for Xbox Series, Xbox One, and PC". Gematsu. 10 June 2022. Retrieved 11 June 2022.
  4. Romano, Sal (18 January 2023). "PowerWash Simulator for PS5, PS4, and Switch launches January 31 alongside free DLC 'Tomb Raider Special Pack'". Gematsu. Retrieved 18 January 2023.
  5. "PowerWash Simulator Looks Like A Cathartic Way To Fight Grime".
  6. Marshall, Cass (7 June 2021). "PowerWash Simulator is my new chill vibes game". Polygon.
  7. "I was worried, but then PowerWash Simulator washed my dumb, anxious brain clean". The A.V. Club. 16 July 2021.
  8. "PowerWash Simulator is somebody's dream game". 20 April 2021.
  9. Shearon, Andrea (19 January 2023). "Tomb Raider Reemerges as PowerWash Simulator DLC That Lets You Clean Lara Croft's Mansion". IGN. Retrieved 1 September 2023.
  10. Moyse, Chris (31 January 2023). "PowerWash Simulator is headed to Midgar for Final Fantasy VII DLC". Destructoid. Retrieved 1 September 2023.
  11. Romano, Sal (18 May 2023). "PowerWash Simulator DLC 'SpongeBob SquarePants Special Pack' announced". Gematsu. Retrieved 1 September 2023.
  12. Marshall, Cass (25 May 2023). "PowerWash Simulator heads to the grimdark future of Warhammer 40K". Polygon. Retrieved 25 May 2023.
  13. Kennedy, Victoria (1 September 2023). "Great Scott! There's a Back to the Future DLC coming to PowerWash Simulator". Eurogamer. Retrieved 1 September 2023.
  14. "PowerWash Simulator for PC Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved 28 April 2023.
  15. "PowerWash Simulator for Xbox Series X Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved 23 August 2022.
  16. "PowerWash Simulator for Switch Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved 15 February 2023.
  17. "PowerWash Simulator for PlayStation 5 Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved 15 February 2023.
  18. Cardy, Simon (19 July 2022). "PowerWash Simulator Review". IGN. Retrieved 20 July 2022.
  19. Gilbert, Fraser (13 July 2022). "Review: PowerWash Simulator - A Great Way To Chill Out With Xbox Game Pass". Pure Xbox. Retrieved 16 July 2022.
  20. "PowerWash Simulator (for PC) Review". PCMAG. Retrieved 16 July 2022.
  21. Thorn, Ed (12 July 2022). "PowerWash Simulator review: a first-person soother built to relieve pressure". Rock, Paper, Shotgun. Retrieved 16 July 2022.
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