The PowerWash Simulator leaves Early Access on Steam. But how clean was the launch in the end and how good is the full version?
The feeling of having really done and accomplished something is more than satisfying. It is even nicer when it is recognised and rewarded by others. But what if not everything goes smoothly and you end up frustrated instead of pleased? The test of PowerWash Simulator oscillates in the middle between both feelings and leaves many open questions and construction sites.
Early Access can be both a curse and a blessing. Both for players and for developers. PowerWash Simulator has also gone through an Early Access phase and has been available on Steam and in Game Pass for PC and Xbox consoles since 14 July 2022. With almost 20,000 extremely positive reviews, the cleaning simulator has convinced a great many players. Our tester is also convinced by the simulation in large parts – with small compromises in the technology.
In the test, we explain to you why the PowerWash Simulator does not completely shine under the surface and what weaknesses there are on closer inspection.
Table of Contents
The perfect cleaning tool
Those who own a pressure washer will wonder why they acquired it so late. It”s easy to work with and thanks to different nozzles and attachments, everything gets sparkling clean and looks like new in no time. Unless the pressure is too high, in which case soft or fragile materials are easily destroyed. If a game has the word “simulator” in its title, we expect this kind of behaviour in the game.
Those who expect destructible objects in PowerWash Simulator are immediately disappointed. Destroyed here are only the objects to be cleaned by our nameless protagonist. At the beginning of our career, we directly receive the matching, completely dirty van, which has long since seen its best days.
The van was bought by one of our acquaintances, about whom we as players know very little at the beginning. We trust him and his judgement blindly. He sends us emails and messages while we are working and refers new customers to us.
In addition to the van, he also gives us a pressure washer with matching attachments, which magically has no hose and draws electricity and water from nowhere. After some initial amazement, we get straight to work. We select different nozzles that remove dirt either selectively or over a large area.
There are no other cleaning utensils, so we look in vain for sponges, brushes or polishing machines. Instead, there are several high-pressure cleaners that differ in power and characteristics, as well as the matching attachments, extensions and interchangeable hand tools. And if you”re thinking: “Hmm, that all sounds a bit crazy”, you probably haven”t heard our podcast on the craziest and most absurd simulators yet!
Nobody likes to get their hands dirty
The game distinguishes between different surfaces and dirt. With your pressure washer, you not only rinse away superficial dirt, but also loosen encrustations, ingrained, tough or stubborn dirt. Stubborn we have to be, too, because the simulation always presents you with an indicator of how far you still are from perfect condition.
Strictly speaking, there is also still deeply penetrated dirt and oily residue. However, it almost doesn”t matter what kind of dirt it is. Because the textures hardly differ at first glance and often it is enough to let the pressure washer swing merrily and hope that you will get even the last pore cleaned.
The nozzle with matching cleaning fluid is also more of a “nice-to-have”. The cleaning fluid for wood or metal cleans the coarse dirt and thus causes double work. As a professional cleaner for all surfaces, we quickly ignore the attachment and focus on the details.
Details are very important in PowerWash. Our clients expect us to remove all dirt. The percentage display in the upper left corner of the HUD is not for fun. We remove dirt residues down to the smallest detail. At least we get an overview in the menu of which parts have not yet been cleaned 100 per cent. If we click on the corresponding part, it is highlighted in white in the game – which, however, does not work very well on white surfaces.
Tasks and multiplayer bring variety
We summarize: Only high-pressure cleaners and the attachments hardly play a role. Moreover, the water neither runs off surfaces nor accumulates anywhere. So what makes PowerWash Simulator so special and where do all the positive reviews on Steam come from?
As is so often the case, it”s the simplicity and deceleration. We don”t have to connect complex systems before we fire up the pressure washer. As players, we also don”t have to clean up the amusement park armed with a rubbish bag or build a rocket to get to Mars. Yes, in PowerWash you travel to our red neighbouring planet to clean the Mars Rover and then restore a theme park to its former glory.
In addition, we always receive new missions that we can also complete in co-op. PowerWash can definitely score points here. In addition to big jobs, there are always small missions, such as cleaning a cross bike, which experienced washing professionals can complete in under five minutes.
The textures, on the other hand, are not so fancy: dirty, the objects look relatively good. When cleaned, however, everything is far too shiny and very, very colourful. A better calculation of water and dirt would also be desirable. If we clean the stone slabs in the garden first and then the privacy screen, the ground remains clean – even though the dirt from the privacy screen splashes in all directions and the dirty water should actually soil the pavement even more than it did at the beginning. On Mars, on the other hand, there is a lot of dust and dirty paths automatically exist!
That the calculation of liquids can succeed has already been impressively demonstrated in the past by games like Viscera Cleanup Detail. Here, the calculation of blood and other liquids and their behaviour works better and more precisely.
However, those who can”t see blood or don”t expect a high degree of realism will find the PowerWash Simulator the right game for relaxing hours.
For whom the PowerWash Simulator is suitable
At just under 25 euros, the PowerWash Simulator is not the cheapest everyday simulation. The technical implementation in the Unity engine is basically good. What is missing is an almost realistic calculation of the water.
Plus points are awarded for the different missions, vehicles and objects, the free play and changing challenges.
In combination with the co-op, PowerWash offers a lot of potential for long gaming fun. From the tester”s point of view, the simulation is ideal for casual players and can have a very relaxing and meditative effect, which is also attested to by many Steam reviews.
Editor”s verdict
I was sceptical at the beginning whether PowerWash Simulator could really pick me up completely. After more than two hours, however, I was hooked. It”s a satisfying feeling when you”ve removed the last shred of dirt from the old steam locomotive or given the Mars Rover a new shine. And yet the question always remains in the back of your mind: How much water am I actually wasting here? And why isn”t the water draining properly?
The title is just right for a relaxed evening with friends in co-op – as long as your friends share your passion for cleanliness and perfection. Because your clients expect nothing less than perfect, pore-deep cleaning. PowerWasher Simulator is solid and doesn”t take itself too seriously.
In my opinion, a combination of PowerWash Simulator and Viscera Cleanup Detail would be desirable – i.e. a cleaning simulation with different liquids and a realistic calculation of the same.
