PowerWash Simulator Test: the ultimate chill-out game

PowerWash simulator is a refreshing game, and not just because of the millions of liters of water with which you thoughtlessly wash off dirt. This is exactly what it says on the can label: You have a high-pressure cleaner and are confronted with cleaning work. If you’ve ever seen a news show where a guy uses a pressure washer to instantly blow away 500 years of accumulated dirt and thought, “Oh, goddamn yeah,” then you’re going to enjoy it PowerWash simulator.

PowerWash simulator is in Early Access, but feels complete. The game’s core premise works: there is dirt and you remove it with a high pressure water jet. You can go through a narrative campaign where you take on tasks of increasing scope and deal with unusual clientele, or you can jump into a free mode or challenge level, such as: In other words, this game doesn’t require you to work to get to the cleaning.

However, PowerWash simulator makes you work for every little touch of satisfaction. It takes time to wash everything, no matter how powerful the nozzle is, and every construction site is divided into different tasks. For example, I have to take care of the wall, skirting boards, gutter, porch, etc. There are only a few jobs that just blow my hose and wipe the slate clean immediately.

As soon as I clean a layer of baked-on mud and grit from a brick wall with a powerful sweep of the pressure washer, I get a small shot of dopamine. Chances are I’ll never be able to own my own home and do so in real life, but it’s so nice to experience the simulated version.

I can use an in-game spidey scythe to find tiny bits of dirt that my eyes missed, but it still takes a fair amount of patience to chase it all down. For every single swipe of dirt, I spend a few minutes staring into the distance while rinsing imperceptible layers of dirt off a roof. It’s a game that can do at times House fin look like an exhilarating high octane ride.

But that’s okay, because PowerWash simulator fits in well with my gaming lineup as the ultimate low-energy game. When my brain is tired or I’m not in the mood to compete or fight in any way, I grab a pressure washer. It has become a fantastic bedtime relax game. I may never be a homeowner, but I can capture the most relaxing parts of home care with little effort, and that’s pretty nice.