Much of the joy I experience from playing video games comes from taking a break from our current dumpster fire of a reality to hop into some other world. Many times we get to be the hero within that world. 

I’ve been the plumber that saves the princess from the evil turtle/dragon creature. I get to live in a reality where my favorite teams (Miami Heat, Miami Dolphins, Chelsea FC) are champions — no matter how bad of a season they are having in real life. Sometimes a nice puzzle game comes along and takes over my extra time and it’s not about the world at all (like Balatro).

Over the past few years there’s been a trend where we are getting more and more “REAL LIFE SIMULATOR” games. Many are focused on the most mundane of tasks while others are kind of goofy. Games like Farming Simulator, Lawn Mowing Simulator, Bus Driver Simulator, Drug Dealer Simulator, Goat Simulator, and my personal favorite — PowerWash Simulator. I’m pretty sure all of these are now series.

I wrote about the original PowerWash Simulator a few years ago, which led me to explore other games in the “REAL LIFE SIM” category. I just couldn’t get into mowing lawns and driving buses — maybe I’ll try “goating” next?

ESCAPE 2 REALITY

PowerWash Simulator 2 was released late last year and it feels very much like the original game, but with all-new items and locations to clean up — maybe some new tools too. That’s fine because I don’t think I need much else in a pressure cleaning game than what was offered in the first game. I am fully satisfied with a whole bunch of new stuff to wash.

After playing PowerWash Simulator 2 for a couple of hours I started to think of how I’m escaping the real world by simulating a task I can very easily do in real life. My parents own a pressure washer. I have many dirty real life objects that could use some washing — cars, bikes, balconies, lawn furniture, walkways, and so much more.

Anyone can go out and purchase or rent a pressure washer and start cleaning today. Once I’m done cleaning things around the house, I can even start my own pressure washing business and get paid real money to do this for other people in my neighborhood — just like in the game. I’m not going to do that, but if I wanted to I could start today!

The magic behind the PowerWash Simulator game formula is to ease players in and turn them into expert pressure cleaners. Different jobs teach you which attachments work best on each surface or when you need to start off with some soap. In-game money can be used to purchase new equipment or deck out your offices, outfits, and van. I am saving my hard earned cash for the top tier, professional-duty power washing equipment, the Urban X STREAM.

Once you’ve become a Master Power Washer, that is when they bring on the DLC (downloadable content). This leads to the real escape from reality. The first game’s DLC packs took us to a dirty Bikini Bottom (SpongeBob SquarePants) and Shrek’s swamp. I never went further than the base game in the original PowerWash Simulator.

There have been two DLC packs released for the sequel, and I am a huge fan of both — Adventure Time and Star Wars. Who doesn’t want to wash a dirty, post-battle AT-AT or the Mos Eisley Cantina after a wild night. The Adventure Time pack brings you plenty of familiar locations from the Land of Ooo and they are as colorful and dirty as can be.

REALITY 2 FANTASY/SCI-FI

Now that you know your way around a pressure cleaner let’s get into some bigger projects. It’s nice to start off with some regular ass, everyday scenarios — dirty car, filthy playground, disgusting billboard — only to bring on the sci-fi, fantasy, and animation worlds.

I’ve seen plenty of crossovers in recent popular games, mostly Fortnite. You can currently play Fortnite as your favorite superhero, athlete, musician, cartoon, or Jonesy. Other games have tried to cash in on the crossovers and collaboration, but it really makes sense in the PowerWash Simulator franchise, because everything needs to be washed from time to time.

After becoming a master pressure cleaner on Earth, why wouldn’t you get hired off-world? The team at FuturLab didn’t just recreate beautiful versions of Adventure Time and Star Wars locations, they also added little details through sound design and there are even some familiar creatures and characters about. PowerWash Simulator 1 & 2 are the most relaxing of the “REAL LIFE SIM” games.

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*myVGBC.com was given a review code for PowerWash Simulator 2 (plus the two DLC packs) from the publisher.