PowerWash Simulator

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.

If what you want in a game is a simple, relaxing cycle that doesn’t require more from a player than their time and doesn’t offer much more than the enjoyment of playing it and the satisfaction of completion, Powerwash Simulator might be perfect. Of course, it’s not for everyone, but if it hits right, you too might find yourself up late into the night, looking for that last…little…spot.

PowerWash Simulator is the type of game that you sit down to play for 15 minutes, then realise hours have gone by. It may not be full of intense action or have a rivetting story, but once it’s got its hooks in you, it’s hard to break free. The desire to clean just one more object is strong. Still, it’s an acquired taste: it does simply have you undertaking menial jobs after all. But if you like stress-free games and don’t mind repetitive tasks, the reward of making things look shiny and new is considerable.

Powerwash Simulator does not try to hide its true nature. What might barely feel like a game is more of an expression of that part of the brain that just wants to feel some kind of satisfaction. Whether it’s watching a person peel a large part of dried glue off their hand, seeing a massive pimple being popped, or using a controller to wash off an unrealistically dirty suburban house, there’s an audience here. Those who have already played Powerwash Simulator won’t find anything particularly special about the PlayStation 5 version. Undoubtedly, there’s varying levels of reward here but if you’re looking to relax, this may just be the ticket.

PowerWash Simulator is a game that goes beyond its simple premise to be quite an entertaining and sometimes complex experience that can keep you hooked for hours.

PowerWash Simulator is a relaxing game that combines gaming with mindfulness. I didn’t expect to enjoy this game as much as I did, but it is a very soothing experience that can be played for short or long bursts, especially if you just want to chill.

PowerWash Simulator is a relaxing game that brings out the cleanest in us. For anyone who carries their obsessive-compulsive inside, the game plunges us into a strange feeling of satisfaction when doing our job. It's a quiet game that will take us a long time to complete and that beyond that will make us feel like we're cleaning experts.

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.