Powerwash Simulator 2 – Star Wars DLC: Review (Steam)
Summary: Clean six levels of the best Star Wars has to offer, albeit with little change to the formula.
4
The Force is Familiar
The galaxy is certainly a dirty place, and the new Powerwash Simulator 2 DLC dedicated to the Star Wars original trilogy is here to remedy.
For fans of the well-received ASMR title and of legacy sci-fi this affordable add-on is an arguable must buy. Live your best droid life as P‑Zero, washing away six levels featuring Owen Lars’ homestead, Mos Eisley Cantina, an AT‑AT in Hoth, a Star Destroyer interior, an X‑Wing exterior, and finally the ship that beat the Kessel Run in less than 12 parsecs, the famed Millennium Falcon.
As a Star Wars fanboy, there’s so much to like here. Arguably the best level of the lot is Mos Eisley, featuring the famed booth where Han Shot First, the alcove for the Modal Nodes (including their instruments on a rack), and the famous Cantina Bar itself (complete with oodles of odd‑shaped bottles).
The Millennium Falcon makes one appreciate its sheer size and nuance (FuturLab nailed every intricacy of the ship’s dynamics), likewise the surprising sophistication of the X‑Wing’s design (especially when it opens up two‑thirds through the clean). The AT‑AT makes great use of the abseiling kit, a joy to glide up and down the mechanical monstrosity. Finally, Owen’s famously dusty Tatooine casa is all there, from dining to kitchen rooms, and cleaning a droid brings it to life.
Levels range from 20–45 minutes each, with two washers at P‑Zero’s disposal (the circular surface disc and an ultra‑premium washer with all the add‑ons). So expect around five hours of play from this DLC.
Arguably the most fun of the Star Wars DLC is the dialog, which tells a fun C‑3PO‑style droid story of accidentally getting abducted and returned as the Star Wars plot unfolds all around it. All the usuals are featured, including Luke, Leia, Han, and Lando. Cantina bar regulars and high‑ranking Empire officers also make textual appearances (with allusions to Lord Vader, logically).
In execution, there’s nothing really new here. For the most part, levels are well designed and multi‑tiered throughout. All require manipulating climbing and scaling mechanics to complete. Sound effects are given a bit more droid feel, with Star Wars‑type beeps and whooshes omnipresent.
Now on a second DLC, I was hoping for something new and more mid‑level mechanics to unfold. Sadly, bells and whistles are few and far between, and this DLC still suffers from impossible angles to clean, with mid‑level heights always just out of reach. Thankfully, FuturLab further addressed the 99% irritation by noticeably reducing the cleaning amount required to complete a stage portion.
While everything looks and feels Star Wars‑authentic, it does so feeling a bit forced into the PowerWash world. There are no physics or quality‑of‑life improvements, nor are there cosmetic or other upgrades at one’s disposal. Moreover, it would be wonderful if water would more realistically move across surfaces or through mechanisms to emulate actual functioning. For instance, water doesn’t move through fans, but rather just meets dirt and moves on. Soap appears and disappears without ever feeling sufficient. Also, and strangely, the high‑powered adjustable nozzle is underpowered. In contrast, the circular surface disc is the arguable go‑to for endlessly long ship surface areas (interior and exterior), even for ones where it feels inappropriate.
As far as DLC’s go, I would rank Star Wars just below Adventure Time in fun factor but better in immersion. The series really needs something inventive in level design or execution to make any DLC feel truly fresh.
About the Author
Paul Stuart A gamer for over 30 years with 400+ reviews across four sites literally spanning the globe, Paul Stuart has an unhealthy obsession with Assassins Creed, God of War, and all things Lord of the Rings.
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