PowerWash Simulator 2: Star Wars Pack Review (Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5 & PC)

The true heroes of the galaxy aren’t those who wage wars across the Outer Rim; it’s those who go beneath the radar to squeegee the Millennium Falcon on their day off. Or, so I’ve been told. At this point, I’m just not sure if I’m being lied to, or if I’ve become so blinded by PowerWash Simulator that I believe even the most prestigious of Jedi Masters are mere pawns in a much, much bigger game. I could be out scrubbing the far reaches of the galaxy aboard an X-wing, embarking on perilous expeditions across the cosmos. But instead, it seems that my place is here, in the cockpit, with a power washing machine and a block of soap.

I’ve launched enough star-bound voyages to last me a lifetime. But, what I haven’t done is taken a step back from the fleeting beams and intergalactic warfare to experience life on “the other side” for a little while. To that end, PowerWash Simulator 2’s Star Wars Pack feels like a breath of fresh air. It isn’t quite the daring experience that I would have opted to take, given that Star Wars has enough content to steer me toward a slightly more action-oriented game. Although, I can see the appeal here, if only just.

The Star Wars Pack isn’t all that different from the other DLC in the PowerWash Simulator catalog. True to the point of the game and its long arm of themed expansions, it once again sees you joining the ragtag bang of unsung heroes in a world that harbors more grime, more oily freckles, and more grease slicks than a roadside diner. The only difference between this and the Adventure Time or Shrek Pack, of course, is the setting. The swamps are out, and the Death Star is in.

With six locations to scrub through across the cosmos, the Star Wars Pack invites you to strap on your trusty power washing machine and wage a new kind of star-crossed battle. The Stormtroopers and the Jedis might be hosting their own feudal wars on the outer banks, but that isn’t something that you need to fret about, nor is it something that you’ll ever be a part of. The only thing that you need to worry about is the grease-smothered AT-AT that lankily stands in the distance, far, far away. Sorry.

As the saying goes, if you’ve played one PowerWash Simulator DLC, then you’ve probably played ‘em all. Unsurprisingly, the Star Wars Pack isn’t all that different. From a gameplay standpoint, it features a similar set of mechanics and objectives. With a nozzle, a to-do list, and a collection of traversable items that you can manipulate to reach trickier spots, the goal before you is a simple one: to eradicate dirt, and to gradually make each object gleam and sparkle. And yes, this does stretch out to the Millennium Falcon.

Given the scale and complexity of Star Wars’ biomes and vessels, you definitely have your work cut out for you in this DLC. But then, that bodes well with the PowerWash formula; if it isn’t gargantuan in size and packing enough grime, then it isn’t a worthy add-on for the rolling anthology. Star Wars, thankfully, has that depth and sizable impact, meaning it makes for a much bigger expansion than Shrek’s Far Far Away.

The core gameplay loop remains identical to previous PowerWash expansions: you alternate between nozzle attachments, and then vertically or horizontally scrub across large sections of dirt. As you complete one area, another opens up, allowing you to gradually improve the buttery complexion of the biome. One section of the room sparkles, and another demands that you tackle it with the same soapy treatment. It’s simple, honest work that doesn’t do much to get your heart racing, but it’s also satisfying work that rewards patience and legwork.

The good news is, you don’t need to be a Jedi Master to forcefully defend the world from grime. With as little as a washing tool and an eye for dirty surfaces, you can quite easily wash away the plaque with one arm tied behind your back here. In some cases, you may need to think outside of the box to reach a certain area. An AT-AT, for example, is a heck of a lot bigger than a teapot house, which means that you’ll either need to adopt a motion that allows you to traverse the grounds at lightning speeds or manipulate the world so that you can knuckle in on tougher components.

For a standalone DLC that keeps to a lot of the same basic principles, the Star Wars Pack brings a good amount of content to the table. In addition to its six biomes, it also includes a few familiar faces, a theme-appropriate collection of gadgets, and a score that frames the franchise perfectly. Oh, it’s still the same old PowerWash Simulator, but with a faithful sci-go twist that compliments the source material. And so, if you are a fan of both Star Wars and the PowerWash universe, then it’s likely that you’ll enjoy plodding through the Millennium Falcon for a handful of hours.

Verdict

PowerWash Simulator 2’s Star Wars Pack boards the Millennium Falcon with the intent to harmonize with the unsung heroes—the drones that tirelessly pour their heart and robotic souls into the act of scrubbing the nooks and crannies with more than just soap. Like the DLC that has come before it, the sci-fi pack frames a time and theme-appropriate campaign that brings all of the usual legwork to the table. It’s still the same thing, only bigger, bolder, and more intergalactically complex.

If you’re a die-hard fan of either of the two franchises, then this ought to feel like an easy way to scratch an itch for several hours. If, however, you’re looking for a true Star Wars game that goes beyond mere cleaning duties, then you might want to consider piloting your X-wing to an alternate planet, for this is a rather niche gig that, frankly, isn’t likely to appeal to everyone. For lovers of the PowerWash Simulator saga, however, it’s a real treat that plays into Star Wars’ strengths incredibly well.