Powerwash Simulator 2
Developer: FuturLab
Writer: FuturLab
Platform: Performed on PC
Availability: Out 2025 on Steam, PlayStation, Xbox
I’ve received fairly into rug cleansing movies not too long ago. You’ll have seen them on YouTube and TikTok: probably the most horrendously filthy, black, infested rugs are sloshed with an inordinate quantity of water and cleaning soap, and scrubbed with a plethora of brushes and scrapers till brightly colored patterns (often from the 70s) emerge from beneath. These movies are immensely satisfying and stress-free to look at. I’ve spent far too lengthy getting sucked in by the soothing sounds of a water jet pummeling grime away. I simply marvel the place individuals even discover these rugs?!
Powerwash Simulator scratches an identical, ASMR-esque itch. Maybe that is partly why the 2022 sport turned such an unlikely hit – it is the anti-FPS, the place you purpose and shoot to cleanse moderately than kill. The environments are heat and alluring, regardless of the grime, and there is not any soundtrack past your water spray and the “ping!” of a job properly finished.
FuturLab recognises that surprising success and, with this sequel, is aiming to change into the developer of what it calls ‘soothing video games’. And Powerwash Simulator 2 definitely is a soothing expertise – I performed the sequel for round two hours and it was a superbly nice time. However because the mud has re-settled from the primary sport prepared for one more clear, I am not fairly satisfied this does sufficient to warrant sequel standing.
The studio admitted that is an evolution not a revolution. It is the type of sequel that retains what gamers loved from the primary sport, however now with numerous minor enhancements. There is a new Dust Finder, as an illustration, the place every job is split into subtasks which are nonetheless unclean, and that are then revealed within the atmosphere with a goal. It ensures it is simpler to search out spots to wash with out spamming the spotlight grime button repeatedly. There is a new adaptable nozzle too, so you possibly can simply scroll via completely different spray widths with out switching to a brand new system every time. There’s additionally a brand new home-base you can customise and chill in with buddies between jobs.
Then there are the visuals, which have obtained a satisfying – if not drastic – improve. Listed out, the enhancements appear stable sufficient: environments are extra detailed, texture high quality has seen a “vital soar”, grime particles now match the kind of grime you are squirting away, higher lighting ensures a comfortable vibe. But in observe, these are the kinds of modifications you may solely discover in side-by-side comparisons. At a look, this is similar (if barely refined) Powerwash Simulator. And whereas the visible impact of water following gravity down vertical surfaces seems to be extra real looking, it would not impression gameplay by realistically dripping as you’d count on. FuturLab stated that is for efficiency and to keep away from frustration, nevertheless it’s one other instance of the sequel bringing visible tweaks over modifications to gameplay.
The preview construct began off merely sufficient with a elimination van job that had me crouching to wash in and across the wheels, in addition to climbing as much as its roof. These kinds of bite-sized, manageable duties I feel are the place Powerwash Simulator has at all times shined and that is nonetheless the case right here. I squirted methodically throughout every floor, switching between vertical and horizontal sprays; the sport rewarded me with visible cleanliness and that joyful ping. It is a easy pleasure. (If solely deep cleansing had been this simple in actual life.)
Subsequent up I received to strive one of many new multi-stage jobs: the general public facility. What began off as a type of commercial within the floor then popped up as soon as cleaned to disclose the surface of the power. As soon as that was totally washed, the door opened to disclose a dirty public bathroom, lined in rancid greens and slimy browns. You would virtually odor the stench via the display, however my powerwash jet made fast work of all of it. This method to degree design is a brilliant replace in Powerwash Simulator 2 – the place typically bigger jobs can really feel overwhelming by their sheer measurement, right here the dimensions is split into smaller items to really feel way more doable, and permits for extra intricate, nearly puzzle-like, designs.
Two different jobs confirmed off some new strategies to get round ranges. The Artwork Deco Home included a scissor carry I might place across the residence after which rise upwards to achieve a considerably hidden balcony, that proved way more handy than a step ladder. Then there was an enormous billboard that included abseiling tools to swing from side-to-side as I sprayed, though the controls felt a little bit awkward. Each of those seem to be a requirement as the scale of jobs will increase, and I used to be nowhere close to ending both of those ranges. We weren’t capable of take a look at multiplayer on this preview, however Powerwash Simulator 2 can have on-line co-op with shared marketing campaign development, in addition to two-player split-screen co-op. These greater jobs are way more entertaining with buddies as you chat away and divvy up squirting tasks.
What appeared to be missing, a minimum of from this preview, is an enormous new thought to attract gamers in, past one other promised weird storyline. Powerwash Simulator was successful as a result of it was such a unusual novelty, albeit with a stable sport beneath. Now that novelty has been washed away within the sequel, and whereas what’s left stays an satisfying expertise, it would not really feel as recent. For some gamers, a fast spruce up can be sufficient – and I am unable to deny that two hours flew by as I settled right into a meditative state of easing the water jet rhythmically forwards and backwards, the stress of the day easing away, my thoughts wandering regardless of the centered work.
But what additionally made the primary sport successful had been the unlikely collaborations that had gamers cleansing the Croft Manor from Tomb Raider, or the Seventh Heaven bar from Closing Fantasy 7, and many extra. If that type of DLC is about to proceed, it’s going to little doubt lengthen the lifetime of Powerwash Simulator 2 significantly. With that in thoughts, this refined sequel offers FuturLab the proper platform to proceed tweaking and experimenting with its cleansing sim – so long as the grime would not put on too skinny. Maybe we might even get some rug cleansing DLC to essentially get the ASMR tingles going – and monopolise my leisure time for good.
