The unique PowerWash Simulator ended up being one among my favourite podcast video games ever. I used to look ahead to each single stage pack or paid DLC simply to have extra ranges to play and clear. What initially appeared like a kind of Steam joke simulator video games ended up getting me hooked on the purpose the place I made certain I owned the sport and all DLC on each platform. Whereas this itself is notable and stunning, the true shocker to me was that FuturLab developed PowerWash Simulator. I adored the Velocity sequence from the Brighton-based developer, however I used to be delighted to see the workforce lastly discover large success with PowerWash Simulator.
If you happen to’ve by no means heard of PowerWash Simulator, your goal right here is to mud off an precise energy washer and clear particular issues throughout completely different places and ranges to earn cash, improve your gear, and tackle more difficult duties. It’d sound boring on paper, however PowerWash Simulator is without doubt one of the most stress-free video games on the market and one I’ll by no means tire of enjoying, particularly with that addictive ding sound once you end cleansing an object. FuturLab’s stage and placement design actually elevated this from simply an addictive expertise to a unbelievable sport.
PowerWash Simulator was initially out there on PC and Xbox platforms earlier than seeing PlayStation and Nintendo Swap releases afterward. I ended up placing probably the most time into it on PS5 and Steam Deck as a result of the Swap model had a couple of too many stability points. These finally bought resolved, however I appreciated how you could possibly entry any new content material pack by itself with out ending prior ranges. This allowed for leaping between platforms extra simply, and, talking of content material packs, PowerWash Simulator had tons of post-launch content material by means of free and paid content material.
You is perhaps questioning why FuturLab determined to launch PowerWash Simulator 2 as a standalone sequel as an alternative of simply persevering with to work on new free and paid packs for PowerWash Simulator itself. I feel there are a couple of causes for that, which I’ll get to, however probably the most notable one is that PowerWash Simulator 2 is self-published whereas PowerWash Simulator was printed by Sq. Enix. I feel a clear break is healthier for FuturLab, but additionally as a result of PowerWash Simulator 2 delivers far more content material proper now for its asking value in comparison with what we noticed in paid DLC packs for the primary sport.
PowerWash Simulator 2 debuts this week on Nintendo Swap 2, PS5, Xbox Collection, and PC concurrently. I had an opportunity to play the PC and, extra not too long ago, Swap 2 variations pre-release for this evaluation. Whereas I want a bit extra time to check out the web on Swap 2 and check the sport with its ultimate launch construct as an alternative of a pre-release one, I can safely say that PowerWash Simulator 2 is already one among my favourite video games of 2025.
PowerWash Simulator 2 builds (or washes over) on the unique sport by including multi-stage jobs (ranges that change as you clear throughout phases), a brand new dwelling base with customization, massively improved on-line help with development saving for all events, a brand new cleaning soap mechanic, improved controls (with an choice to play with traditional controls), and extra. I really like how even one thing like furnishings or cosmetics in a base you spend time in between jobs has its personal set of washing required. Once you buy furnishings on your base, it’s good to truly energy wash it earlier than you may place it. This can be a good contact.
As for the multi-stage ranges, I consider the demo included the primary of those, however I really feel just like the workforce might’ve executed a greater job of hiding them with the job progress indicator not truly displaying you the way far right into a stage you might be in main into a way of shock fairly than simply questioning how the extent will change as you filter out the primary part. Past that, I’ve no complaints with this new mechanic.
Whereas cleansing a particular stage, you continue to get textual content messages with lore and even unlock new jobs throughout one other job. All of this comes again to your fundamental dwelling base, the place you choose a brand new job from the map and customise issues with furnishings and extra. I additionally love how the workforce was artistic with the completely different modes by having you go right into a room to entry miniatures for ranges you’ve accomplished to entry them in free play mode for a revisit.
In terms of the controls, it took me some time to get used to the brand new trendy scheme, given the greater than 100 hours I put into PowerWash Simulator with what the workforce now calls “Basic Controls.” You may go for these, however I like to recommend attempting the brand new ones as a result of they really feel extra intuitive. I just like the HD Rumble 2 implementation as effectively. The controls are literally one space the place I discovered the present Swap 2 model disappointing.
Proper now, there is no such thing as a gyro help or mouse controls in PowerWash Simulator 2 on Swap 2. This may change, however I’m shocked to see neither of those enter choices out there proper now. I’ll say that I recognize having paddles/again buttons with PowerWash Simulator 2 since you find yourself urgent into the Proper Stick to focus on the dust very often. With the ability to do this on the Nintendo Swap 2 Professional Controller or an 8BitDo controller just like the Final 2 is quite a bit nicer than urgent into the sticks. I hope the gyro and mouse controls are added through patches within the close to future.
Barring the inputs, PowerWash Simulator 2 runs fairly effectively and hundreds quick on Swap 2, each docked and handheld. It targets 60 frames per second and it isn’t good, however it runs quite a bit higher than PowerWash Simulator did on Swap, all issues thought-about. I additionally assume it seems to be very nice in Handheld mode, however the stage draw distance is kind of low on Swap 2, with environmental particulars getting minimize off fairly near you. This doesn’t have an effect on the precise ranges, however it’s noticeable when trying round in them.
As for multiplayer, I used to be capable of try it out on PC with a buddy and it labored nice on my Steam Deck. The large information with on-line is development saves for all gamers when doing the marketing campaign. This can be a large deal. There may be additionally split-screen co-op, however I might be testing this extra once I check out the web multiplayer on Swap 2 from launch day.
Whereas I want a bit extra time with PowerWash Simulator 2 to check out the web and ultimate patched construct on Nintendo Swap 2, it’s already one among my favourite video games of 2025 and one I see myself sinking tons of of hours into with buddies. As for the Swap 2 port, it seems to be excellent and runs higher than I anticipated, however it isn’t good. The dearth of gyro and mouse controls is disappointing, which I hope are added in future patches.
Model Examined: Nintendo Swap 2Review copy supplied by FuturLab
