Note: This review only covers the base game without DLC.

Wash and make yourselves clean. Take your evil deeds out of my sight; stop doing wrong. - Isaiah 1:16

Some things in the real world are just work. Dull and tedious, but they need to be done. Making a game about some of these tasks seems strange, but PowerWash Simulator manages to succeed at making it work.

Power washing, or pressure washing, refers to using pressurized water to clean objects. If you've ever been to a car wash or used a shower, this should be familiar. In PowerWash Simulator, you play as a proprietor of a powerwashing business, taking jobs to blast dirt off surfaces to make them clean. Ranging from vehicles to houses to everything in between, it's your job to scour dirt and other scum from every filthy surface you see.

The game is split up into a series of "jobs" in the main campaign mode, with increasingly difficult objectives. Using a variety of different power washers and their accessories, you will need to purge dirt, grime, and other debris. No job is considered finished until all objects are 100% clean of filth. You have an in-game checklist and a highlighter key to see any remaining filth.

What is interesting is the range of tools you acquire. Aside from eventually getting stronger washers, you can use various nozzles and extensions to reach certain hard-to-reach surfaces. Certain limited (but eventually rebuyable) soaps can be used to get particularly hard stains off certain surfaces. Finally, while not strictly useful, you can accessorize your cleaning gloves and spray nozzles with various patterns.

The gameplay loop is simple in execution but difficult to master. You will need to get into all kinds of positions to reach certain spots. You will also need to make good use of all your power wash nozzles and extenders to reach all surfaces. While some surfaces get really tedious to clean, you really feel you've accomplished a lot when one is finally free of its grime problem.

Graphically, it uses a first-person perspective paired with a colorful contemporary setting with varied setpieces. While I was expecting the set pieces to have a "Unity Store Asset Flip" look, I can pleasantly say they look pretty varied and interesting.

Sounds and music are minimalistic. Given it's set in a realistic setting where you need to concentrate on the task at hand this is entirely appropriate. Aside from a level with a carousel with music (which you can turn off), the only sounds you'll have are those of the water you are spraying. This is a pretty easy game to have something like a podcast or music in the background too though.

This game can be played with either a keyboard and mouse or any Steam-supported controller. I found the former to be more versatile, but the latter works just as well, especially on mobile systems like the Steam Deck. Keys are remappable, but the default setup is easy to learn and intuitive.

Stability is pretty solid. This title runs natively on Microsoft Windows and runs easily on Linux via Steam Proton. It's Verified for the Steam Deck and can run well out of the box. There is support for cooperative multiplayer for up to six players, in order to get cleaning jobs done even sooner.

Morally, there aren't too many issues of note.

For starters, there is no violence or sexual content. One job has you clean off something identified as a fortune-telling shop. There are minor references to flatulence and manure, as you will have to clean off surfaces covered in the same, but that's about the worst of it. Morally, you are doing a valued service for your community in cleaning up grime; there is nothing to be concerned about in that.

Overall, I recommend this title. Technically, it's fairly competent with a surprisingly addictive gameplay loop. Morally, it's suitable for almost any age. If you detest dirtiness and want to feel like you did something productive while still playing a game, then PowerWash Simulator is highly recommended.