Tattoo Removal Simulator Review (PC)

Tattoo Removal Simulator makes an attempt to prove every grandma and their elderly neighbor right with a sim that purposely embodies the timeless saying of, “you’ll regret that later, sonny.” With a removal tool, a badly inked vessel, and a fistful of bad memories, it leans into the notion that, if you made your bed, then you might as well lie in it. Or at least, until you can afford to change the bedsheets, at which point you have every right to erase the stains—the memories, the long-lost romances, and the abysmal patterns that once had great potential on paper, but became a sore subject after finding a canvas to reflect on.

Initially, I expected Tattoo Removal Simulator to be a bit like a typical PowerWash Simulator clone, with a simple zig-zagging scrub-and-soak routine, and a job that, with all due respect to those in the profession, anyone could do. But, there was a little more to it than that. Alas, it wasn’t just about scrubbing old ink from a forearm and removing faded tattoos from the skin; it was about juggling pain tolerance with a firm hand, as well as figuring out how to remove former memories without damaging any future prospects. It was also about establishing a business, upgrading tools to reach vast technological heights, and building a network that would enable future clients to use their past mistakes to unlock new creative possibilities.

I’d hate to dress Tattoo Removal Simulator up as a brilliant game, because at the end of the day, it still holds on to a lot of the wishy-washy trimmings that comprise most business simulation games of its kind. Similar to those that have bled out of the needle in the past, it hones in on a niche concept—an idea that, unless you’re a fan of it, probably won’t appeal to you. And in the case of Tattoo Removal Simulator, what you see is what you get: a simple game that allows you to, well, remove tattoos. Clients stroll in from the sidewalk, and you, being at the heart of the laser tool, take the time to eradicate old memories in exchange for pocket change and an opportunity to flesh out further business plans.

Of course, if the experience was just about tracing over lines and pocketing a bit of cash, then there wouldn’t be much of a game here. Thankfully, though, the ink runs a lot deeper here. For example, each of your clients have a pain tolerance that, if you fail to recognize, can turn an otherwise simple procedure into an exhausting situation that can also result in a loss of confidence and funding. To that end, you not only have the client to consider, but also the pressure that you can place on the skin, naturally. And so, while the idea is simple, the process can be awfully complex. Well, sort of.

The game itself is broken up into two main chunks, with one portion being made up of career-based acts—building, maintaining, and evolving a business, for example—and another being a slower-paced Casual Mode, which serves as an easier alternative. For the most part, though, the gameplay follows a similar routine, with each of the in-game jobs requiring you to manually chisel out old ink blemishes, and using whatever cash you have in your back pocket to invest in additional upgrades, like non-conventional plasma lasers, for example.

All in all there’s a simple yet satisfying gameplay hook to sink your laser beam into here. With a lofty portion of jobs to onboard and a fluid, albeit hands-on laser-based tool to handle, you shouldn’t find an issue with simply sitting down to enjoy the graft for what it is. It might not be as thrilling or as dramatic as your average inky escapade, but it is a relatively relaxing one that, under the right circumstances, can feel oddly rewarding. It can be humorous, ridiculous, or even a little dull. But that’s all part of the tattoo removal business. It isn’t glamorous, but it is surprisingly fun, believe it or not.

I have to give credit where it’s due and say that, for a relatively small indie business sim that doesn’t go beyond the basics or categorically reinvent the wheel, Tattoo Removal Simulator does offer a good amount of bang for your buck. The gameplay might lack the artistic flair and creative edge of a traditional sim, but for where it lacks in visual fidelity and depth, it makes up for in various other aspects. The clients who you meet, for example, each have their own stories to share with you, not so much in their own words, but in their choices of tattoos. Some are bizarre, and some are oddly charming. Mostly, though, they’re just bad.

Suffice it to say that, if you do enjoy chore core sims like PowerWash Simulator, or at least, business simulation games that favor a niche area of expertise, then you’ll probably enjoy whittling through the inky blotches in Tattoo Removal Simulator. Again, it might not go beyond its comfort zone as a by-the-numbers shopkeeping sim, but, to give it the credit it deserves, it does make what would be a rather mundane procedure an oddly therapeutic affair. It also does a pretty fantastic job of illustrating the fact that some folks will get anything tattooed on their skin — so there’s that.

Verdict

To give credit where it’s due, Tattoo Removal Simulator carves a lot deeper into the skin than I initially expected it would. At first glance, I expected it to be a slow, almost painful procedure without a pulse or an incentive for me to latch onto for the long haul. Surprisingly, though, it had a little more to give, with a good selection of clients to work with, a trove of questionably bad tattoos to obliterate, and a host of game modes to keep me mindlessly entertained. The vast tool upgrades and side stories, too, added a well-needed layer to an otherwise on-rails business experience — which counted for a lot.

Truth be told, it’s best not to expect anything more than what Tattoo Removal Simulator openly wears on its sleeve. Don’t get me wrong, it’s great for a quick spot of digital therapy. However, I wouldn’t say that it delivers much more than that. But, that’s a business simulation game for you, in a nutshell. If you don’t enjoy the product, then you probably won’t find comfort in sitting behind the counter to sell it.