Can't Sleep Because I Clean Houses With Pressure Washer - PowerWash Simulator is My GOTY Candidate, and I Ain't Even Joking
PowerWash Simulator has recently appeared on Game Pass. Cleaning surfaces monotonously for hours on end seems crazy, and yet I can't help it.
"There's a game for you on Game Pass," I heard at home. While everyone in the gaming world is busy playing Stray, I am hectically running around with a pressure washer in PowerWash Simulator cleaning everything I can, from playgrounds, to facades, to gardens and vehicles, removing layers of volcanic dust, mud or moss. My strained office shoulder protests after 5 hours of continuous playing, but at least the gigantic shoe now shines. 100% clean, 5 stars. Since the first time I cleaned windows in House Flipper with a pressure washer (or maybe a steam cleaner?), I knew that a whole game based on this mechanics was 1) inevitable 2) going to engulf me completely. I was not wrong.
POWERWASH SIMULATOR - HAVE YOU GONE COMPLETELY MAD?
Contrary to appearances, there's quite a lot to get done in PowerWash Simulator. There's even a story background – strange things happen in the town: a cat disappears, and you, sporting overalls and equipped with endless water supplies, clean everything that became dirty as a result of a series of events, paranormal and otherwise (?). You can do this with another person, which I haven't tried yet, but I feel it will be worth it. You can complete yourself in the career mode (completing assignments vide House Flipper), in the free mode, or in the zero relax mode (as I call it), where work against time and with limited water supply. You can buy and develop equipment, buy more detergents, read messages from clients and delve into the secrets of the city.
If you do office work (like I do) on a daily basis, remember about the correct posture at your desk. And one more thing – don't mind the hypocrisy of playing a cleaning game, while your room evokes Augean stables! Don't let anyone tell you that you should focus on doing actual cleaning. Everyone needs a rest! And if the game inspires you to clean up, it's all the better.
What's new?
In our office, Martin is sitting about 5 feet from me, regularly asking his favorite question: "what's up with you?" "Why, I played the power washer simulator until four in the morning," I respond, and everyone burst out laughing. I already have a strong opinion of a person who likes this type of games. During my corporate online courses, I usually mow the lawns in House Flipper, and when having dinner in the office I passionately watch cleaning service footage. He, who knows me better, also knows that Instagram's algorithm, based on content I consume, consists of three main components: manicure inspirations, brutalist architecture and carpet cleaning. For a long time now, apart from carpets, I also get more of cleaning cars and apartments.
I watch this sort of footage with full commitment. Why? I do not dare to answer. What once was dirty becomes clean. Can you wish for anything else? Subsequent clean, dry surface bands, often combined with ASMR or relaxing music, soothe my nerves, abused by everyday stress and over-stimulation, giving me a quiet escape, calming my brain. Repetitive, boring tasks in cleaning simulators work in quite the same way. I know there are people who would find spending their time like this abhorrent – swaying the cursor left and right for 5 hours?! Meanwhile, I can't stop.
What's dirty needs cleaning.
Do you remember Marie Kondo? She used to host TV shows about metamorphoses of humans and interiors. The idea that cleaning homes and beautifying people can attract viewers who feel burned out, tired of work and chores isn't new at all, but it was only after the release of House Flipper that it was firmly established as a concept in video games. Make no mistake, marketing experts know perfectly well that in these complicated and uncertain times, the mesmerizing activities of cleaning, organizing and refurbishing (often seasoned with ASMR) is able to keep the audience pinned fast to the screen. In its description tab, PowerWash Simulator clearly explains that everything we will do in it, including listening to the noise of the washer, is supposed to relax. I expect more simulators like this in the future. Will I play them? Sure thing. Will each of them get me hooked for at least a dozen hours? No two ways about it. Will I enjoy the bliss of uncomplicated life and clean surfaces? Hell yeah.
I am not a psychologist, and I will not tell you why cleaning a wall, line by line, relaxes me and seems to whisper: "don't stop." I only but one conclusion. Look for people in your life who will tell you: Game Pass has a game for you.
