FuturLab is officially wrapping up PowerWash Simulator with its final free update. After four years, six expansions, and over 17 million players, the original game is closing its doors with a celebratory content drop and a promise of a sequel. But with PowerWash Simulator 2 already in development, one question lingers: when is a game actually complete and when should it keep going?
A Thoughtful Goodbye
The final update, dubbed the “Muckingham Line”, adds a new mini-campaign that includes cleaning subway carriages and a massive sculpture park. The Sculpture Park introduces Darcy d’Arcy, a sculptor who guides players through interactive art pieces. The subway includes the satisfying challenge of deep-cleaning grime-covered public transit.
The patch also rolls out a list of bug fixes: localization improvements, visual polish (like fixing LOD issues in Wallace & Gromit’s house), and platform-specific stability tweaks. It’s a strong, polished way to cap off a successful and beloved game.
Enter: PowerWash Simulator 2
The sequel is currently in development and expected to launch in 2025. FuturLab promises improved gameplay and a fresh experience. PowerWash Simulator 2 will be available on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC, and possibly the next-generation Nintendo Switch.
But there’s no release date yet. Just a wishlist prompt and a promise of more details. Probably coming during the summer showcase season.
So Why Don’t I Feel Excited?
FuturLab deserves credit for sticking the landing, but I find myself asking: why don’t I feel inspired to dive back in or even buy the rest of the expansions?
Maybe it’s burnout. Not with the core gameplay, I still enjoy it, but with the loop. The need to start from scratch, the grind to unlock the best power washers again, and the occasional pixel-hunting bug that stalls level completion. It feels less like content and more like repetition.
And this isn’t just a PowerWash problem. It’s a larger issue in gaming: when does “supporting a game” become artificially extending it? I think of Baldur’s Gate 3. A massive, critically acclaimed RPG. Fans begged for more, but Larian Studios made it clear: their story was told. It was done. They’re moving on.
There’s something deeply respectful about that.
Are We Just Paying Forever?
That brings us back to PowerWash Simulator 2. Will it be a clean slate, or just more of the same in a new engine? FuturLab said they chose to make a sequel due to significant engine changes. Fair enough. But as a player, I’m asking: what’s the long-term vision here?
With all current expansions, PowerWash Simulator now costs close to $75. That’s not outrageous for the value offered, and no, you don’t need to buy every expansion. But it raises a fair consumer question: if I buy into the sequel, how much am I really signing up for?
Will this become a cycle of infinite DLCs and sequel resets? Or will the sequel offer a more sustainable structure with meaningful progression and a clear sense of completion?
Games like American Truck Simulator can justify endless DLCs. It’s tied to real-world geography. But with PowerWash Simulator, where exactly does it end?
The Power of a Finished Game
FuturLab has accomplished something impressive: they built a hit from scratch, supported it for years, and earned millions of fans. But as the sequel approaches, it’s time to think bigger. Not just about what’s next, but why.
When a game keeps going forever, players start asking: Is this still fun, or just familiar? Am I buying content or buying time? A good game respects your time. A great one knows when to end.
I’ll be watching PowerWash Simulator 2 closely. But this time, I’m not just looking for content. I want answers.
