PowerWash Simulator 2 arrives on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox on PC and Game Pass today, the anticipated sequel to the extremely satisfying PowerWash Simulator.
The first game tickled a very specific part of our brains, giving free reign to blitz a wealth of dirt and grime from colorful environments, while an odd, endearing narrative unfurled across each level. The sequel promises more of what we loved, plus some extra surprises along the way.
Ahead of launch, we sat down with the team at Futurlab to learn what’s new, and uncover what makes PowerWash Simulator 2 is bigger, wetter, and better.
The first PowerWash Simulator game is a tough act to follow, and the team at Futurlab knew it had to pull out the big supersoakers, so to speak. PowerWash Simulator 2 has made a host of improvements to the cleaning mechanics, adding Soap and a new Surface Cleaner for new ways to tackle the toughest dirt, and a more intuitive experience.
“We’ve authored an entirely new set of dirt-types with an increased emphasis on realism, supported by the ambient occlusion to give their appearance more depth,” explains Nick McCarthy, Lead Game Designer. “While blasting the dirt away players will see a range of dirt particles that correspond with that dirt’s texture/ colour – this really helps with the washing gameplay to give feedback on whether dirt still remains on the surface currently being washed.
“We also have more flexibility with our dirt application on the backend so we’re able to stack and apply tough/easy layers of dirt in ways not previously possible in the first game to produce even better (or worse depending on how you look at it) looking levels. As always, our Design team works closely with the Art team to make sure the perfect dirts are placed for the most satisfying contrast dirty to clean while also accounting for context, lore and story telling.”
All of this can be tried and tested inside 38 new Career Job missions, complete with new buildings to hose, environments to explore, and a brand-new story to unravel, according McCarthy.
“This is where I think players will feel the biggest improvements,” McCarthy adds. “With a range of visual upgrades, added details and complexities with the dirt, design considerations into curating a selection of unique vehicles, buildings and locations to go to that expand on our world while also ensuring they make use of our new and improved features. The jobs really are the heart of the game and I can’t wait to for everyone to experience them!”
Traversal is another element that the FuturLab team wanted to iterate upon – with bigger spaces to explore, it was crucial to give players all the tools they need to reach every area with ease.
Adding these tools also allowed the team to design new Jobs and environments that expand upon the levels in the first game, and really make use of the traversl mechanics. With the new Scissor Lift and abseiling mechanics, you’ll be able to reach even the most inconveniently placed ledges and scale large walls with ease.
Another big feature in PowerWash Simulator 2 is the Home Base – a central hub that you can decorate with furniture and items discovered during main missions, and use to assemble friends before setting out on a co-op cleaning adventure. It’ll also become your hall of achievement, where you’ll be able to showcase collectibles earned from completing Jobs.
“The Home Base is like an onion – it has layers,” McCarthy adds. “Firstly, the base is what it seems on the tin. A place to gather with your friends and decorate to show off. But, it is also a great way to level-up the lore/world building, with trinkets, map and clues style pinboard in the back. The other big thing is allowing us to add a lot of smaller cleanable items in the form of furniture, which gives players a growing library of mini-jobs to clean. We also see it evolving and being added to post launch.”
PowerWash Simulator 2 also introduces couch co-op to the series for the first time – you’ll be able to enjoy side-by-side two player cleaning action, as well as online play that supports up to four players.
“The experience of power washing and chatting together is a great chilled out experience online, and we felt the sequel was a brilliant opportunity allow the same in a local setting,” adds Dan Chequer, Game Director. “As players can only ever help and never hinder, split screen is a perfect way to let anyone of any age or experience level to drop in and contribute to the clean as much or little as they can in a fun and collaborative way.”
PowerWash Simulator 2 launches October 23, and will be available on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox on PC, and via Xbox Game Pass.
PowerWash Simulator 2
FuturLab Limited
Dust off your power washer and relax into pure feel-good fun. Blast away every last speck, smear and splatter of filth to restore Muckingham (and beyond 
) to gleaming glory.
Craving more to Clean?
The jobs and water keep flowing in PowerWash Simulator 2. Play through a fresh new campaign, uncovering more of Muckingham’s mysteries. Plus, venture even further out to brand-new grime-coated locations like Sponge Valley, Power Falls and Lubri City.
Alongside new locations and jobs, you’ll also find a new job type. Multi-stage jobs will unlock different areas of a job – from vehicle interiors to entirely different rooms, your to-do list keeps growing.
Tools of the Trade
Reach new heights of power washing professionalism with a range of new tools to help you achieve a spectacular sparkle, high and low. Realise even your loftiest cleaning ambitions with the help of an all-new abseiling rig and cherry picker or stay grounded with a grime busting surface cleaner for large areas.
No Place like your Home-base
Kick back and relax in your home-base after a hard-days-cleaning. Make the place yours by collecting furniture and trinkets to spruce it up along the way, then invite your power wash pals over to check out your pad.
You didn’t think we’d leave your furry friends in the van, did you? Your pretty kitties are the purr-fect distraction for when you’ve pressed paws on work for the day.
Soap-erior Washing
Watch your worries melt away with each swipe of your power washer. Cleaning feels even better in PowerWash Simulator 2, with enhanced soap that clings to stubborn stains and annihilates dirt.
Clean in Split-screen!
Satisfaction on the double! Share campaign progression online together for the first time. In addition to online play, split-screen co-op has entered the chat. Team up and take on the dirt with twice the wash-power, from the convenience of one screen.
The post PowerWash Simulator 2: How FuturLab Built A Sparking Sequel appeared first on Xbox Wire.
