Power Wash Simulator Switch Review + DLC

Gaming can be such a varied concept, one minute, you’re saving the world in an epic RPG, the other minute, you’re a special forces soldier in Call of Duty… Sometimes you’re… asked to… clean things? Powerwash Simulator is one such concept in gaming that shouldn’t really work. While using a high-pressure hose to wash the eucalyptus staining off your driveway is fun, it’s usually a job that can be accomplished in a matter of hours and you don’t have to worry about it for 12 months. Developer FuturLab along with Square Enix have taken that task and and turned it into a video game. What’s PowerWash Simulator and its DLC like? Let’s grab our pressure washer, soap up, and find out!

There’s a story to Powerwash simulator that involves an ash eruption in Muckville, and as luck would have it, you just started a Pressure wash cleaning company to clean things up. Along the way in your new career, you will clean up playgrounds, cars, houses, and even the Mars Rover. It’s a game that doesn’t take itself too seriously and is better because of it. During levels, you will earn money to upgrade your equipment and be able to buy supplies to better clean up the ash covering the various locations around town.

Graphically, Powerwash Simulator looks and performs well all things considered. The textures may look a little basic on the Switch, but Dirt and grime are easily distinguishable, water effects look good, demonstrating various levels of wetness, and the framerate is consistently smooth. The levels and locales are varied, interesting, and highly detailed, helping you soak in the atmosphere while cleaning. The only thing that breaks immersion for me at least, is the repetitive droning of the power washer, which I tend to turn down and opt to listen to Spotify while cleaning, much like I do in real life.

For my vision-impaired cleaners, there aren’t any accessibility options that may make the final stages of cleaning a frustrating experience as described before. I would recommend further investigation into whether this title may be enjoyable for you.

So how does it play? Surprisingly, Powerwash Simulator is an almost relaxing experience as you select your nozzle size and start cleaning. It’s an almost cathartic experience, methodically washing down surfaces and clearing the town of dirt. I say almost, as there are some minor frustrations that may put players off. The main issue is that each surface is broken down into sections, a Van for example will have “door, mirror, etc.” Sometimes, you will get a surface 99% clean only to spend time frustrated, trying to find out where that last spec of dirt went to. While you can press right on the D-pad to reveal dirt in bright orange, somewhat similar to Batman’s detective mode in the Arkham series, sometimes the contrast or section is so minimal, that you end up aimlessly spraying the surface again to hope it ticks the percentage over. Other times, the checklist may not have much detail as something may be labeled “Gutter” on a house with multiple gutters. While not a deal breaker to me in the slightest, I did find myself going from relaxed to raging in the space of 5 minutes looking for that 1% spec of dirt to finish the job!

Speaking of Jobs, there are plenty in the base version of the game, and there’s an option to replay jobs and clean things you have already completed should you be inclined to do so. The strength of the game, however, is that the Developers have bolstered it with some of the most enjoyable DLC I have had the pleasure of playing. These DLC’s act as mini-campaigns, each with their own story that moves along your cleaning quest. For example, the recently released Back to the Future DLC pack follows the story of you being hired by Universal Pictures to help scrub up the props and the set. The further along you get the more you learn about the movie via texts from an intern. These exchanges are filled with easter eggs and humorous kickbacks to both the movie franchise and the 80’s as a whole. Other DLC sees you hired by Shinra to clean various Final Fantasy 7 locations and vehicles, as well as Lara Croft’s Mansion from the Tomb Raider Series, and Spongebob Squarepants.

While these could have been quick cash grabs, a lot of care for the source material has been adopted to create real value for money, as well as a great amount of fan service. I personally loved the Back to the Future and Final Fantasy DLC as I’m a huge fan of both franchises and really enjoyed the throwbacks and humour put into the messages shared. Washing the Delorean and completing that job was particularly satisfying as the final easter egg was amazing. These DLC’s start off with small jobs (with the exception of Lara Crofts mansion, which requires moving scaffolding back and forth to complete the job) and end up increasing in scale the further you get on.

PowerWash Simulator is a prime example of how gamers will do an 8-hour session of gaming performing what may seem menial tasks, but sigh when they realise they have to take out the bins in real life. It’s a fun and addictive game that offers a sense of achievement, coupled with outstanding and iconic themed DLC that’s worth every cent, PowerWash Simulator really does scrub up nicely on the Switch.

So What’s it Like?

Doing chores, but fun.