PowerWash Simulator
Developer: FuturLAB
Publisher: Square Enix


Introduction
==========
I had no idea what I was getting into when I got this game. I thought it was one of those dime a dozen sim games that started to flood the market when Goat Simulator came out, but I was so so wrong. This is so much more fulfilling and in-depth than every other sim I've played. Being able to sit down and just turn my brain OFF and still complete relaxing tasks is such a good feeling, and this game delivers that feeling like no other. If you're the kind of person who likes seeing the before and after of things, this is the game for you, and it will definitely scratch that itch!

Gameplay
==========
When you first load up the game, you are greeted with a couple of modes, the most important one being Career. There is where you unlock new things to wash, and the primary mode you'll be spending about....70% of your time in at first. You'll play through a couple of levels in a row, before you are given "branching" choices. This stage, or that stage. But you'll have to complete all of them no matter what. Once you're in a stage, you're given your equipment and set loose to wash to your hearts content. PC players can press TAB to highlight all the filth that remains to be cleaned, and this is likely the button you'll be spamming most.

As you progress, you'll be able to buy new Power Washer, new attachments for said Washers, new nozzles, soap, cleaner, and a few cosmetic pieces to change the look of your suit/washer. Prioritize your Washer and soaps, as you'll need them the most for progression. Your default washer isn't very powerful, but when you get towards the end of the game and get the best one, you'll notice a HUGE difference in efficiency and how long it takes to clean things. In my playthrough I found I didn't NEED any of the special soaps, but if you want to speed things up with it you can. I found it's more important in the Challenge Mode, especially in Timed Challenges.

You can also jump, crouch, use ladders, stepstools, and scaffolding. All of which you will be using generously in many stages. Get used to your tools, and which nozzles are best, because they will make your jobs easier. (That said, #YellowNozzleSupremacy).

Graphics
==========
There isn't much to say here. PowerWash Simulator looks nice enough, but the main thing you'll be focusing on is the flashing filth remaining on each stage as you spam the TAB key!

You'll definitely notice more love and care put into the DLCs if you decide to pick those up, as those are more intricate and detailed. That's not to say the base game isn't good enough....far from it. It's just this isn't the kind of game you play for graphics.

Sound and Music
==========
There's no music, only sound effects. While I can understand why, I'd have appreciated something like being able to use our Steam OSTs from our library in-game. Aside from that, the only thing important here is the DING you get when you completely wash an item in a stage. It is the most satisfying sound in the world, and you get to hear it hundreds of times as you play!

Performance[/b]
==========
I mean, it runs well enough. It's not an action game that requires precise inputs, so FPS isn't a big deal here. I never ran into any FPS drops, however, and never had any random crashes or errors. I play fullscreen, with mouse+keyboard, and the game looked and ran great. Definitely no complaints here.

Final Thoughts
==========
This was my go-to "chill" game for weeks. I platinumed it on PS4, then grabbed the entire collection (game + DLC) here on Steam and hyper focused it ALL in just over a week. Best week of gaming in recent memory!

When you finish the Career Mode there are plenty of Bonus Jobs, Challenges, and DLC to keep you going. Speaking of DLCs, I highly recommend the Final Fantasy VII pack, the Spongebob Pack, and the Warhammer Pack. The Tomb Raider pack was my least favorite batch of jobs in the entire game, especially the obstacle course and treasure room.

Regardless, get this game. It's great.

Verdict:
==========
A Must Play

[b]PowerWash Simulator[/b] [b]Developer:[/b] FuturLAB [b]Publisher:[/b] Square Enix [b]Introduction[/b] ========== I had no idea what I was getting into when I got this game. I thought it was one of those dime a dozen sim games that started to flood the market when Goat Simulator came out, but I was so so wrong. This is so much more fulfilling and in-depth than every other sim I've played. Being able to sit down and just turn my brain OFF and still complete relaxing tasks is such a good feeling, and this game delivers that feeling like no other. If you're the kind of person who likes seeing the before and after of things, this is the game for you, and it will definitely scratch that itch! [b]Gameplay[/b] ========== When you first load up the game, you are greeted with a couple of modes, the most important one being Career. There is where you unlock new things to wash, and the primary mode you'll be spending about....70% of your time in at first. You'll play through a couple of levels in a row, before you are given "branching" choices. This stage, or that stage. But you'll have to complete all of them no matter what. Once you're in a stage, you're given your equipment and set loose to wash to your hearts content. PC players can press TAB to highlight all the filth that remains to be cleaned, and this is likely the button you'll be spamming most. As you progress, you'll be able to buy new Power Washer, new attachments for said Washers, new nozzles, soap, cleaner, and a few cosmetic pieces to change the look of your suit/washer. Prioritize your Washer and soaps, as you'll need them the most for progression. Your default washer isn't very powerful, but when you get towards the end of the game and get the best one, you'll notice a HUGE difference in efficiency and how long it takes to clean things. In my playthrough I found I didn't NEED any of the special soaps, but if you want to speed things up with it you can. I found it's more important in the Challenge Mode, especially in Timed Challenges. You can also jump, crouch, use ladders, stepstools, and scaffolding. All of which you will be using generously in many stages. Get used to your tools, and which nozzles are best, because they will make your jobs easier. (That said, #YellowNozzleSupremacy). [b]Graphics[/b] ========== There isn't much to say here. PowerWash Simulator looks nice enough, but the main thing you'll be focusing on is the flashing filth remaining on each stage as you spam the TAB key! You'll definitely notice more love and care put into the DLCs if you decide to pick those up, as those are more intricate and detailed. That's not to say the base game isn't good enough....far from it. It's just this isn't the kind of game you play for graphics. [b]Sound and Music[/b] ========== There's no music, only sound effects. While I can understand why, I'd have appreciated something like being able to use our Steam OSTs from our library in-game. Aside from that, the only thing important here is the DING you get when you completely wash an item in a stage. It is the most satisfying sound in the world, and you get to hear it hundreds of times as you play! Performance[/b] ========== I mean, it runs well enough. It's not an action game that requires precise inputs, so FPS isn't a big deal here. I never ran into any FPS drops, however, and never had any random crashes or errors. I play fullscreen, with mouse+keyboard, and the game looked and ran great. Definitely no complaints here. [b]Final Thoughts[/b] ========== This was my go-to "chill" game for weeks. I platinumed it on PS4, then grabbed the entire collection (game + DLC) here on Steam and hyper focused it ALL in just over a week. Best week of gaming in recent memory! When you finish the Career Mode there are plenty of Bonus Jobs, Challenges, and DLC to keep you going. Speaking of DLCs, I highly recommend the Final Fantasy VII pack, the Spongebob Pack, and the Warhammer Pack. The Tomb Raider pack was my least favorite batch of jobs in the entire game, especially the obstacle course and treasure room. Regardless, get this game. It's great. [b]Verdict:[/b] ========== A Must Play