PowerWash Simulator 2 is a pretty straightforward sequel. It sticks to the core of what made the first game such a cult hit, but builds on it just enough with a few smart revisions and new features.
Broadly, this is more of the same, but so strong is the satisfying clean-’em-up gameplay that we don’t mind one bit. Each level presents you with a filthy vehicle or building, and your job is to wash it all away with a variety of tools, purchasing better gear as you progress.
It sounds like a chore, but erasing away the dirt and getting that gratifying “Ding!” when a part is fully clean never gets old. The sequel certainly hasn’t lost that magic, and it only adds to the experience.
A central hub acts as a stopgap between jobs, and you can customise it with objects earned while cleaning. There are several new tools, like a specialised surface cleaner for floors, improved scaffolds, and abseiling equipment for some of the larger jobs.
Even soap has had an overhaul; it was an undercooked mechanic in PowerWash 1, but here it has much better utility.
The structure of the game is improved thanks to the hub, though we still feel like it’s an oddly fragmented experience. You have a van but you don’t drive it; the hub is fun but seemingly optional. Everything you need is accessed through a menu, and it just gives the game a slightly distanced, disconnected feel.
Still, the game knows what it does best, and that’s providing a long list of varied and interesting things to clean. Whether it’s an art deco house or a car that looks like a dog, there’s a vast amount to do. Once you’ve finished a level in career mode, you can play it whenever you want in free play, too.
Again, PowerWash Simulator 2 isn’t reinventing the wheel; it’s an overhaul of the original that improves just about every aspect. It won’t win over any sceptics, but if you loved the serene, zen-like satisfaction of hosing down houses, this is a no-brainer.