Skip to content

PowerWash Simulator VR Review: A Relaxing Port, But No Clean Sweep

PowerWash Simulator VR review screenshot

PowerWash Simulator VR brings the cleaning sensation to Quest headsets, but not without some compromises. Here’s our full review.

PowerWash Simulator VR is a casual cleaning game that asks players to become the ultimate dirt aficionado, building up local clientele and pulling off increasingly impressive (and eventually, strange) odd jobs. Establishing yourself in the fictional town of Muckingham takes considerable effort and many hours spent with tools in hand. However, you’ll always be rewarded with some tasty tidbits of town gossip and the Pavlovian ‘ding’ that arrives when you achieve the 100% clean threshold on any object. Based on Futurlab’s indie flatscreen sensation of the same name, PowerWash Simulator VR mimics the original game wholesale, for better and for worse, letting players adopt a more physical role in their budding business.

PowerWash Simulator VR Review – The Facts

Platforms: Quest headsets (Review conducted on Quest 2)
Release Date: Out now
Developer: FuturLab
Price: $24.99

Nozzles and Soaps

Thankfully, before you can muck into an actual mess, PowerWash Simulator VR serves up a simple kennel cleaning tutorial to give players an idea of how its control scheme has been transposed into an immersive medium. Players will learn how to equip nozzles, change equipment, get around levels and highlight specific areas of filth. Veterans of the nozzle will be pleased to hear that it’s pretty much 1:1 with the original game, with some clever adaptive changes. Text messages from prospective clients arrive on a wrist-mounted display, which you can check by turning your wrist to your face. Strangely, it makes PowerWash Simulator VR feel a lot like a competent VR shooter in some respects – dirt-denying gun in one hand, stats and story info on the other. 

Another addition to the VR port is a handyman’s tool belt that keeps all your valuable equipment within reach, from special soap types to your most precious nozzle extenders, which can be combined to attack different mucky obstacles. If you’re feeling especially silly, you can attempt to draw your tools with haste like a regular cleaning cowboy. I didn’t have the chance to test the game’s co-op multiplayer mode, but I can see how the little playful aspects of PowerWash Sim VR would be enhanced when playing with a friend in tow. For those keen on multiplayer though, the VR release remains available on Quest headsets only – for now at least. That said, we’re hopeful there might be releases on other platforms like PSVR 2 to come, though there’s been no word from FuturLab or nDreams yet.

Outside of using your own two feet, you’ll also be able to gain better vantage points on your dirty subjects with ladders or stepladders. They’re easy to set up, allowing you to scale roofs and get the drop on an evasive piece of grime, which is always satisfying. While I was nervous about the height element of climbing in VR, the ladders felt surprisingly sturdy. When you place one down, it becomes firmly locked in place, allowing you to teleport up its rungs and locking your position. If you are afraid of heights, there are nonetheless a few daunting vertical levels that you’ll need to take on to progress, so it might be worth considering your comfort levels.

Screenshot provided by nDreams.

A Quiet Place

Unfortunately, you’ll find no music to back up your dirt-removing exploits in PowerWash Simulator VR – a strange choice that gives the world an eerie atmosphere. Only the sound of the high-powered washer and the squelch of mud will keep you company. Some of the environments benefit from this liminal vibe, as it complements the intentionally spooky text messages. Still, the majority would have benefitted from a toolbelt radio or some form of accompanying music to keep you engaged. I often found myself popping on an album, audiobook or podcast just to make things feel a little more normal.

When I did add my own custom soundtrack, I was able to lean into the methodical swing of cleaning, swiping my gun to the beat. In these more mindful moments, it felt as though the ambitions of the original release were being realized and improved in the VR format. Reaching into tighter areas with the freedom of physical movement was not just a relief but a much more rewarding experience. I even ended up blazing past some hard-to-get items that plagued me in the original flatscreen game. 

The signature ‘ding’ feels even more earned after bracing your controllers in the air for hours and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t sore the morning after my initial hours-long session. But even with the specter of pain, I was consistently compelled by the next job and the promise of more nozzles to unlock. Completing levels earns you cold, hard cash as well as stars. The money will help you to buy supplies and gear, while the stars act as gatekeepers to greater tools for the trade. 

Captured by UploadVR on Quest 2.

Curious Worldbuilding

Muckingham’s mood in PowerWash Simulator VR reminds me a lot of the curious worldbuilding in The Sims 2’s Strangetown. Everyone knows something is wrong, and yet no one seems to do anything about it. Even as tensions rise with a volatile volcano, extraterrestrial visitors, and mayoral mayhem, Muckingham seems to be in an unnatural stupor, with only the power-washing protagonists aware enough to help. While the overarching story plays on, individual levels have their own unique stories to tell, tonally flipping between fiction and the explainable, often at random. It’s an uncanny storytelling method that kept me on the hook throughout.

Alongside the main story, players can methodically wipe away the dirt from a variety of other buildings, vehicles and miscellaneous items in the Free Play and timed Challenge modes. These modes feature the same bite-sized chunks of environmental storytelling as the campaign, such the Mars Rover level, which teases you with peculiar alien imprints and ominous messages mid-clean. It’s nice to have the ability to keep cleaning post-story, especially if I want to find something new to take on while tuning out to a podcast.  

During a few of the larger, more intricately set levels, I did notice some framerate issues rearing their head. If I turned a little too fast or sprayed a wild pattern in the dirt, PowerWash Simulator VR struggled to keep up on Quest 2. While the issues weren’t too frequent, they were nonetheless notable.

A Dirty Business

As we’ve established, Muckingham is brimming with mystery, and yet the in-game world itself looks flat and lifeless, as though every level was experiencing a Lāhainā Noon. For a game that is so wonderfully simple in premise, the underwhelming visuals were a huge pain point. Shadows are pretty much non-existent, and textures are low-res and jaggy across the board, as demonstrated in the photo below, captured by UploadVR on Quest 2. 

Captured by UploadVR on Quest 2.

PowerWash Simulator relies heavily on environmental storytelling through things like footprints or graffiti, so when things don’t look right, it feels like a real blow to the overall worldbuilding. I longed for the streaming sun rays and appropriately-sized hints of the original PC release. 

I also noticed texture pop-in on certain levels. Bushes would suddenly flash in the distance if I briefly turned past them, for example – a startling experience not helped by the complete silence of the world around me. I was relieved to find that the metallic textures did polish up well though, and brought some reflective life back to the more intimate jobs. I only wish this reclamation of cleanliness looked as good on other textures like wood and plastic. 

Editor’s note, updated Nov. 7: This review was conducted on Quest 2, but we reached out to nDreams to inquire about whether the game features any performance improvements or visual enhancements on Quest 3.

nDreams advised that there are currently no specific Quest 3 optimizations in the game, but "Quest 3 users may notice a slight uplift due to the higher resolution and increased power of the hardware." nDreams also noted that FuturLab are working on Quest 3 improvements for the game, but have no date to share in regards to their arrival.

PowerWash Simulator VR – Comfort

PowerWash Simulator VR can be played in either left or right-handed mode and seated or standing position. Movement can be toggled between teleport or smooth artificial locomotion, with the latter based on either head or hand direction. You can also choose between fluid and incremental turning, with increments options for the latter.

PowerWash Simulator VR Review: Final Verdict

From the methodical, mindful freedom of cleaning to the impressively strange world-building, PowerWash Simulator VR successfully ports a lot of the brilliance that made the original game stand out. Unfortunately, there are existential issues that stand in the way of its widespread success: the visuals are a huge letdown, and the soundless ambience of levels doesn’t complement this new medium.

I’m hopeful that the team at Futurlab and nDreams invest further in the VR version, but even with its many problems, it’s hard to deny PowerWash Simulator VR still has its charms. Even with the sincere graphical gulf, I’m still drawn to pick up the gun and get cleaning in VR with a playlist on in the background.


UploadVR uses a 5-Star rating system for our game reviews – you can read a breakdown of each star rating in our review guidelines.

Community Discussion

Weekly Newsletter

See More
universo-virtual.com
buytrendz.net
thisforall.net
benchpressgains.com
qthzb.com
mindhunter9.com
dwjqp1.com
secure-signup.net
ahaayy.com
soxtry.com
tressesindia.com
puresybian.com
krpano-chs.com
cre8workshop.com
hdkino.org
peixun021.com
qz786.com
utahperformingartscenter.org
maw-pr.com
zaaksen.com
ypxsptbfd7.com
worldqrmconference.com
shangyuwh.com
eejssdfsdfdfjsd.com
playminecraftfreeonline.com
trekvietnamtour.com
your-business-articles.com
essaywritingservice10.com
hindusamaaj.com
joggingvideo.com
wandercoups.com
onlinenewsofindia.com
worldgraphic-team.com
bnsrz.com
wormblaster.net
tongchengchuyange0004.com
internetknowing.com
breachurch.com
peachesnginburlesque.com
dataarchitectoo.com
clientfunnelformula.com
30pps.com
cherylroll.com
ks2252.com
webmanicura.com
osostore.com
softsmob.com
sofietsshotel.com
facetorch.com
nylawyerreview.com
apapromotions.com
shareparelli.com
goeaglepointe.com
thegreenmanpubphuket.com
karotorossian.com
publicsensor.com
taiwandefence.com
epcsur.com
odskc.com
inzziln.info
leaiiln.info
cq-oa.com
dqtianshun.com
southstills.com
tvtv98.com
thewellington-hotel.com
bccaipiao.com
colectoresindustrialesgs.com
shenanddcg.com
capriartfilmfestival.com
replicabreitlingsale.com
thaiamarinnewtoncorner.com
gkmcww.com
mbnkbj.com
andrewbrennandesign.com
cod54.com
luobinzhang.com
bartoysdirect.com
taquerialoscompadresdc.com
aaoodln.info
amcckln.info
drvrnln.info
dwabmln.info
fcsjoln.info
hlonxln.info
kcmeiln.info
kplrrln.info
fatcatoons.com
91guoys.com
signupforfreehosting.com
faithfirst.net
zjyc28.com
tongchengjinyeyouyue0004.com
nhuan6.com
oldgardensflowers.com
lightupthefloor.com
bahamamamas-stjohns.com
ly2818.com
905onthebay.com
fonemenu.com
notanothermovie.com
ukrainehighclassescort.com
meincmagazine.com
av-5858.com
yallerdawg.com
donkeythemovie.com
corporatehospitalitygroup.com
boboyy88.com
miteinander-lernen.com
dannayconsulting.com
officialtomsshoesoutletstore.com
forsale-amoxil-amoxicillin.net
generictadalafil-canada.net
guitarlessonseastlondon.com
lesliesrestaurants.com
mattyno9.com
nri-homeloans.com
rtgvisas-qatar.com
salbutamolventolinonline.net
sportsinjuries.info
topsedu.xyz
xmxm7.com
x332.xyz
sportstrainingblog.com
autopartspares.com
readguy.net
soniasegreto.com
bobbygdavis.com
wedsna.com
rgkntk.com
bkkmarketplace.com
zxqcwx.com
breakupprogram.com
boxcardc.com
unblockyoutubeindonesia.com
fabulousbookmark.com
beat-the.com
guatemala-sailfishing-vacations-charters.com
magie-marketing.com
kingstonliteracy.com
guitaraffinity.com
eurelookinggoodapparel.com
howtolosecheekfat.net
marioncma.org
oliviadavismusic.com
shantelcampbellrealestate.com
shopleborn13.com
topindiafree.com
v-visitors.net
qazwsxedcokmijn.com
parabis.net
terriesandelin.com
luxuryhomme.com
studyexpanse.com
ronoom.com
djjky.com
053hh.com
originbluei.com
baucishotel.com
33kkn.com
intrinsiqresearch.com
mariaescort-kiev.com
mymaguk.com
sponsored4u.com
crimsonclass.com
bataillenavale.com
searchtile.com
ze-stribrnych-struh.com
zenithalhype.com
modalpkv.com
bouisset-lafforgue.com
useupload.com
37r.net
autoankauf-muenster.com
bantinbongda.net
bilgius.com
brabustermagazine.com
indigrow.org
miicrosofts.net
mysmiletravel.com
selinasims.com
spellcubesapp.com
usa-faction.com
snn01.com
hope-kelley.com
bancodeprofissionais.com
zjccp99.com
liturgycreator.com
weedsmj.com
majorelenco.com
colcollect.com
androidnews-jp.com
hypoallergenicdogsnames.com
dailyupdatez.com
foodphotographyreviews.com
cricutcom-setup.com
chprowebdesign.com
katyrealty-kanepa.com
tasramar.com
bilgipinari.org
four-am.com
indiarepublicday.com
inquick-enbooks.com
iracmpi.com
kakaschoenen.com
lsm99flash.com
nana1255.com
ngen-niagara.com
technwzs.com
virtualonlinecasino1345.com
wallpapertop.net
nova-click.com
abeautifulcrazylife.com
diggmobile.com
denochemexicana.com
eventhalfkg.com
medcon-taiwan.com
life-himawari.com
myriamshomes.com
nightmarevue.com
allstarsru.com
bestofthebuckeyestate.com
bestofthefirststate.com
bestwireless7.com
declarationintermittent.com
findhereall.com
jingyou888.com
lsm99deal.com
lsm99galaxy.com
moozatech.com
nuagh.com
patliyo.com
philomenamagikz.net
rckouba.net
saturnunipessoallda.com
tallahasseefrolics.com
thematurehardcore.net
totalenvironment-inthatquietearth.com
velislavakaymakanova.com
vermontenergetic.com
sizam-design.com
kakakpintar.com
begorgeouslady.com
1800birks4u.com
2wheelstogo.com
6strip4you.com
bigdata-world.net
emailandco.net
gacapal.com
jharpost.com
krishnaastro.com
lsm99credit.com
mascalzonicampani.com
sitemapxml.org
thecityslums.net
topagh.com
flairnetwebdesign.com
bangkaeair.com
beneventocoupon.com
noternet.org
oqtive.com
smilebrightrx.com
decollage-etiquette.com
1millionbestdownloads.com
7658.info
bidbass.com
devlopworldtech.com
digitalmarketingrajkot.com
fluginfo.net
naqlafshk.com
passion-decouverte.com
playsirius.com
spacceleratorintl.com
stikyballs.com
top10way.com
yokidsyogurt.com
zszyhl.com
16firthcrescent.com
abogadolaboralistamd.com
apk2wap.com
aromacremeria.com
banparacard.com
bosmanraws.com
businessproviderblog.com
caltonosa.com
calvaryrevivalchurch.org
chastenedsoulwithabrokenheart.com
cheminotsgardcevennes.com
cooksspot.com
cqxzpt.com
deesywig.com
deltacartoonmaps.com
despixelsetdeshommes.com
duocoracaobrasileiro.com
fareshopbd.com
goodpainspills.com
kobisitecdn.com
makaigoods.com
mgs1454.com
piccadillyresidences.com
radiolaondafresca.com
rubendorf.com
searchengineimprov.com
sellmyhrvahome.com
shugahouseessentials.com
sonihullquad.com
subtractkilos.com
valeriekelmansky.com
vipasdigitalmarketing.com
voolivrerj.com
zeelonggroup.com
1015southrockhill.com
10x10b.com
111-online-casinos.com
191cb.com
3665arpentunitd.com
aitesonics.com
bag-shokunin.com
brightotech.com
communication-digitale-services.com
covoakland.org
dariaprimapack.com
freefortniteaccountss.com
gatebizglobal.com
global1entertainmentnews.com
greatytene.com
hiroshiwakita.com
iktodaypk.com
jahatsakong.com
meadowbrookgolfgroup.com
newsbharati.net
platinumstudiosdesign.com
slotxogamesplay.com
strikestaruk.com
trucosdefortnite.com
ufabetrune.com
weddedtowhitmore.com
12940brycecanyonunitb.com
1311dietrichoaks.com
2monarchtraceunit303.com
601legendhill.com
850elaine.com
adieusolasomade.com
andora-ke.com
bestslotxogames.com
cannagomcallen.com
endlesslyhot.com
iestpjva.com
ouqprint.com
pwmaplefest.com
qtylmr.com
rb88betting.com
buscadogues.com
1007macfm.com
born-wild.com
growthinvests.com
promocode-casino.com
proyectogalgoargentina.com
wbthompson-art.com
whitemountainwheels.com
7thavehvl.com
developmethis.com
funkydogbowties.com
travelodgegrandjunction.com
gao-town.com
globalmarketsuite.com
blogshippo.com
hdbka.com
proboards67.com
outletonline-michaelkors.com
kalkis-research.com
thuthuatit.net
buckcash.com
hollistercanada.com
docterror.com
asadart.com
vmayke.org
erwincomputers.com
dirimart.org
okkii.com
loteriasdecehegin.com
mountanalog.com
healingtaobritain.com
ttxmonitor.com
bamthemes.com
nwordpress.com
11bolabonanza.com
avgo.top