PowerWash Simulator 2
PWS2 is pretty much exactly the same as the first game, which is fine. It runs great, there's a whole bunch of new maps, and it's just as relaxing as it was before. Put on a movie (or a work Zoom meeting) and wash away. It's a shame they didn't really find any ways to innovate, but I can't really think of what would have been better either.
Pros
- More of the same relaxing gameplay
- Runs great
- Interesting maps to wash
- The feature where you can target things you've missed is way better. In PWS1 it just flashes white, which only works if you're looking right at it (and difficult for small things). Here, they've added a targeting reticule that shows you exactly where to find that little missing piece
- Editable colour and duration of dirt highlighting
- Cats
- They made a huge deal about a new "soap 2.0", which I guess is fine because I literally never used soap in the first game. In this one, you basically just spray it onto something, you don't have to buy it, and it doesn't seem to be limited, then you wash it off and the dirt is 100% gone. So I guess it's become more usable, but just means you have to spray everything twice.
- Added some new machines like a scissor lift. Not game changing, but fine
- Several of the levels I've played so far have interactive elements where more of the map opens up as you clean it
Cons
- The new washer selection UI is confusing. It feels like they just changed it for the sake of it
- Starting with 2 almost identical power washers is confusing. Looks like it continues like that up the chain, with two washers of each tier being available and only slightly different.
- The messages that appear while you're washing disappear quickly, and there's no way to see them again, so I'm missing pretty much all of the story
- Didn't affect me, but launching a game in 2025 without being able to rebind keys is pretty awful