PowerWash Simulator Reviews
Don’t let its title fool you: quirky Powerwash Simulator took the gaming world by storm last year for a good reason.
Virtual reality makes PowerWash Simulator more intuitive and immersive, but still very relaxing. Sure, the convoluted nature of having to put a visor onto your face for lengthy periods of time means that this game won’t be played in sessions as long as the ones you’ve been playing on PC or console. Still, you’ll still have tons of fun with PowerWash Simulator VR. I sure did. The superior control scheme, and the novelty of playing such a game on VR are enough to make this particular port of the cult hit my favorite, even though I don’t think it’s the best one, at least technically speaking.
Powerwash Simulator VR is the ultimate evolution of Futurlab's astoundingly satisfying smash hit, effortlessly translating the calming clean 'em up to virtual reality.
Simple, addictive, soothing and a lot of fun, Powerwash Simulator VR is the ideal fit for the Meta Quest headset.
My actual car is covered in grime and road dirt, but I’m happy to ignore the laborious task of washing it in favor of doing the same task in virtual reality. PowerWash Simulator has always been an addictive, relaxing, and satisfying game. PowerWash Simulator VR feels like a game that has found its true home and the most convincing version of itself possible. It’s a great addition to the growing library for the Quest 3.
PowerWash Simulator is a perfect fit for VR, and incredibly relaxing. It has more than a few flaws, like difficult to read text and some minor movement issues, once you get in the zone you'll be there until you take the headset off.
A new hobby and a new love all in one.
PowerWash Simulator does manage to be interesting and even intriguing, with the proposal to clean different places, and it's something to be played with no urgency to finish. The visuals show a surprising amount of care when portraying places full of details, but the lack of musical support to break the irritation of the washing machine's sound and the repetitiveness of objectives abruptly affect the experience provided.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
A game that truly knows what it delivers and does so excellently, Powerwash Simulator is perfect for players seeking a simple and relaxing time while engaging in a relatively straightforward affair. While cleaning, in reality, can be annoying, the meditative nature of Powerwash Simulator proves otherwise with a controller in your hands. Although it is certainly not made for everybody, for those willing to don the suit, it can be one hell of an addictive ride trying to erase all existence of dirt for a paycheque.
How to rate Powerwash Simulator? If one is factual and relies on purely mechanical criteria, the game is not up to par. It does not offer crazy gameplay, ultimately only varies its environments, and is not a technical showcase.
Review in French | Read full review
Powerwash Simulator forgoes any semblance of complexity to provide players with a game pure and unflinching in its quest to tickle a certain part of the brain that just wants to clean... or listen to some podcasts.
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 one of the most relaxing and rewarding gaming experiences I can remember. The simple and immersive gameplay leads to an authentic state of zen for dozens of hours, falling short of nirvana due to a boring design decision and technical problems that end up being exhausting. Even so, it's a great game to relax and wash away our irritations and day-to-day problems, making it a recommendable experience even for those who aren't fans of this type of games.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Power Wash Simulator is probably the most enjoyment I have had a cleaning in a video game up to this point. There is something incredibly relaxing about seeing the dirty project ahead of you. Then, little by little, turning into something new and shiny again. For me, the game is at its best when you can take things at your own pace. With that in mind, I probably wouldn’t recommend this to everyone. This slow-paced design may be boring to some, and the game’s general concept may not click. As for the Switch version, apart from the slow load times and lack of cross-play co-op, it’s a solid port. Power Wash Simulator happily places itself in the realm of Simulator games I would recommend.
For a game that should not be fun, PowerWash Simulator is very addictive. The 'ding' you get when each piece gets cleaned is so satisfying and rewarding, as is seeing a massive area go from being dark brown and dirty to shiny and new. In a world of very similar games that fail to offer anything new, PowerWash Simulator achieves this with aplomb and makes me happy for future unique titles. There's nothing quite like this game on the market and that in itself means you should give it a try.
Where we fall slightly out of love is with the fiddly controls. It packs a lot of useful functions onto the controller but it took us a while to figure it all out, and the tutorials are so minimal that some features barely register. It's also a shame the DualSense's capabilities are wholly ignored; this seems a perfect game for all its tricks. Even with any small reservations, though, we can't deny the game is just as engaging, relaxing, and enjoyable as everyone says.
PowerWash Simulator definitely lives up to its namesake, and while there's something quite satisfying and calming about slowly spraying a concentrated beam of water at objects to rid them of dirt, the repetitiveness of its gameplay can't be ignored. If you're looking for a by-the-numbers time waster that feels a little like painting towards a set objective, then hop into your cleaning suit and equip your nozzle of choice (even better if you pair it with your favorite podcast). However, some will definitely find the power washing itself to be more of a chore than a blast, so splashing around with PowerWash Simulator is better left to anyone looking to zone out and clean to their heart's content.
For a game based on such a non-exciting task, PowerWash Simulator is way, way more fun than it ought to be. That mainly comes to down the game embracing its silliness, putting you the perpetually dirty Muckingham and tasking you with washing ridiculous places like a giant shoe home or a washroom with decades of baked-on piss stains. Once you settle into the game's zen-cleaning state, you'll easily melt the hours away obsessively cleaning objects until they look brand spanking new.
The verdict is, PowerWash Simulator belongs on Switch. It’s not an immersive world demanding you get lost in it. You’re just enjoying beautifying playgrounds and old busses. It’s something to do with your hands. As such, if you’ve been waiting to power wash some stuff, this Switch port is a great excuse to get started.
PowerWash Simulator takes a typical everyday chore and turns it into a cathartic gameplay experience that’s a lot of fun to play. I didn’t think that I’d find cleaning the filth from an assortment of locales and objects so entertaining, but I’ve found myself completely addicted to the game and pouring hours in. It’s the perfect game to play when you want to unwind, whether that’s alone or when chatting with friends in online co-op.