The Unexpected Joys of PowerWash Simulator

The genre of FPS doesn’t just have to be shooting enemies with a gun. It is explored in several other ways to make use of seeing the world through the player-character’s eyes while holding something that isn’t a firearm. There’s parkour in Mirror’s Edge, medieval weapons in Chivalry: Medieval Warfare, and even cleaning up a battlefield in Viscera: Cleanup Detail. One particular FPS that has its hooks in me right now is PowerWash Simulator.

I have experience power-washing in real life, as I washed my stained driveway a few years back. The difference between freshly-washed spots right next to dirty spots is like night and day. While the process took a lot of setup/takedown, the actual washing was immensely enjoyable. It felt immeasurably satisfying to see the fruits of my labor once I was done. PowerWash Simulator removes the hassle of getting things ready and puts you right in front of the grimy objects that need a hose-down.

Farming Simulator and Truck Simulator never really appealed to me, but having that past experience in power-washing had me interested, especially since it felt free being on Game Pass for PC. The simple, straightforward presentation makes this game accessible for the older demographic that it will likely appeal to – which might age me as I near my 30’s – but getting straight into the “action” is a breeze and won’t be confusing for anyone.

Jobs in PowerWash Simulator range from quick car washes to entire buildings needing a cleaning. No spec of dirt is spared as you’ll have to go on top and under every nook and cranny to fully clean each individual piece. This is where the fun lies – the critical thinking piece of your brain will analyze the most effective, quickest way to tackle the project, but it’s all good stress as you watch your project go from concept to completion in a short period of time with no micromanagement or barriers of entry.

Between the ambiance, the accurate visuals, and the quirky texts your clients send you, it’s positively cathartic going through the motions in PowerWash Simulator. Whether it’s an old-fashioned bike, a fire station, or the Mars rover, this is a game where you can do the same exact thing from start to finish. At the same time, you can stimulate your brain enough to get that sweet, sweet serotonin without having to put yourself in stressful situations. In fact, the only downside is I’ve been playing so much that I had to pick up an ergonomic mouse again to offset the carpal tunnel symptoms!

My fiance loves to play low-stress games like Ooblets and Stardew Valley as a means of relaxation, whereas most days I’ll be on the edge of my seat with a roguelike or a zombie-killing FPS. Now that I’ve spent several hours within PowerWash Simulator, I have a newfound sense of enjoying video games as a sense of release – even if this one is working a job after working at my real-life job for eight hours. This game comes highly recommended if you’re wanting to remove stress after having a long day of it. It’s still on Game Pass for the foreseeable future!