Summary
- The Midgar Special Pack is available today for free for all PowerWash Simulator players.
- It includes five new levels based on iconic vehicles and locations from the world of Final Fantasy.
- I went hands-on to tell you about every new addition.
When PowerWash Simulator launched in July of 2022, I initially dismissed it as just another sim game. When it began topping the charts, trending on social media, and skyrocketing in popularity, I decided to give it a shot — and was immediately hooked. After I completed the campaign and cleaned up nearly every achievement, I wound up having a conversation with a fellow fan about the endless collaboration opportunities available to the game, and potential expansions I hoped to see.
Fast forward to present day and my PowerWash Simulator dreams are coming true, as FuturLab and Square Enix have brilliantly partnered to bring some of the biggest brands in the gaming industry for future power washing opportunities. January delivered us the Tomb Raider Special Pack, and today, we’re being treated to one of the most unforgettable episodes in the Final Fantasy series. What’s even more amazing is both packs are available as free add-ons to the base game, which is also included with Game Pass.
The PowerWash Simulator Midgar Special Pack features five new levels, including the Hardy Daytona and Shinra Hauler, Scorpion Sentinel, Seventh Heaven, Mako Energy Exhibit, and the Airbuster.
Final Fantasy fans will appreciate some of the subtle details paying tribute to the original games, but even if you’re not a hardcore fan, you’re still likely to recognize a few items symbolic of the series. When I discovered one of these items in the Seventh Heaven level, I didn’t even recognize it right away since it was completely covered in debris and bio-residue (one of the new types of dirt you will encounter). Once I did, I shut my power washer off and just gawked at it for a minute, as if I had just discovered some long-lost treasure. I was not expecting PowerWash Simulator to invoke such a surreal moment.
TIP: Different equipment configurations (power washers, extensions, and nozzles) work better on the various types of dirt, and sometimes your best option is a soap nozzle and one of the cleaning liquids for a specific surface type.
Most of the items you power wash in the game are static models, but with this add-on, the developers added small animations and interactive elements. It’s a little detail, but a nice touch that adds to immersion and realism.
Power washing the Scorpion Sentinel was a little unsettling. A giant mechanical scorpion armed with all sorts of deadly weaponry and better known for being a boss battle in Final Fantasy VII Remake now sits in a Shinra Warehouse waiting for you to restore it to a shiny, like-new condition. It’s “eye” scanner darts back and forth, and left me wondering if it was viewing me as its next target.
In a different part of the warehouse rests the Airbuster, a massive and fearsome machine that is another boss battle from the game. It’s a pretty simple task, but the Airbuster’s spinning Waist Gears are one of the neatest things you’ll clean. You’ll also have to open its chest door plates and big bomber cannon covers to get to those hard-to-reach crevices.
TIP: If you’re struggling to complete a job and can’t find the remaining areas needing cleaned, bring up the job details page in your tablet (Menu Button) and it will show you the status of each item. If you select a specific item and close the tablet, the corresponding item will flash on the object, identifying its location.
These are now some of my favorite levels from the game and expansions. They’re not the largest, but they are some of the most detailed, with each model containing numerous parts, articulated joints, and complex weapons systems. The Scorpion Sentinel and Airbuster undergo a significant transformation after you finish scrubbing all the muck off them. It’s like discovering the plastic protective film on your new gaming monitor you never removed and then peeling it off and feeling like its brand new again.
You’ll also get to communicate with recognizable characters from the world of Final Fantasy, including Heidegger, Tifa Lockhart, and Reeve Tuesti. Their stories will be shared via incoming text messages in similar format used throughout the base game, and you’ll discover what led to each of these locations and objects getting mired in muck.
The Midgar Special Pack add-on introduces Bio Residue, Mako Residue, and Battle Damage dirt-types unique to this expansion. In a game where all dirt is the enemy and must be eliminated, this isn’t a major change, but it does add a toxic sludge appearance to some of the levels – a more befitting look than some of the traditional dirt types like moss and mold.
TIP: You can easily identify soiled areas using the “show dirt” feature by pressing right on the D-Pad. This will illuminate the affected spots, so you’ll know where to focus your power washer.
Whether you’re jumping into PowerWash Simulator for the first time or a returning player looking for something new to clean, the Midgar Special Pack is some of the best content available for the game and it’s available today as a free add-on.
PowerWash Simulator is available for PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S, plus it’s included with Xbox Game Pass, PC Game Pass, and Cloud Gaming.
PowerWash Simulator Midgar Special Pack
Square Enix Ltd.
It takes a lot of power to clean the mess left behind by Midgar’s usual suspects – Don Corneo’s lackeys, Professor Hojo’s specimens and Heidegger’s tech. Tackle new dirt types, such as bio-residue, as you clean up iconic locations, vehicles and mechs muddied by events you couldn’t dream of happening back home in Muckingham…
Magic, monsters, mako – evidence of this world’s strife is everywhere. Frontline in the fight against dirt, it falls to you to restore Midgar’s metropolis back to its shining former glory, accepting commissions from all that request your power washing prowess – from Shinra’s big shots to Avalanche’s most loyal members. Discover their stories through text messages as you power wash to a sparkling finish.
Wash and explore five new levels, including:
– The iconic Hardy Daytona & Shinra Hauler
– The mighty Scorpion Sentinel
– The charming Seventh Heaven
– The breathtaking Mako Energy Exhibit
– The formidable Airbuster
PowerWash Simulator
Square Enix Ltd.
$24.99
$19.99
TIME TO CLEAN UP THE NEIGHBOURHOOD
Build up your business in Career Mode and complete a variety of dirty jobs across the dusty town of Muckingham. There’s no right or wrong; no time pressure or final score, just you and the tools you need to soak away your stress. Want a clean start? Chill out and replay your favourite jobs in Free Play.
POWERWASH AND CHILL
Relax, unwind, and play with friends in Online Co-Op! Lend a helping hand to your closest pal in Career Mode, or up to 6 friends can splash around in Free Play, tackling any job the host has already completed.
KEEP IT CLEAN
For those looking for a little more pressure, beat your best scores in Challenge Mode! Fight grime in different scenarios; wash against the clock in Time Challenge or test your accuracy by using as little water as possible in Water Challenge.
GOOD CLEAN FUN
Graffiti, grime, moss, and mould, no dirt is too tough for your range of washers, nozzles, cleaners, and extensions. Different dirt types have different levels of toughness, so make sure you’re getting tactical with your equipment. Feeling fancy? Then customise your look with washer skins and gloves!
RELAXATION, SATISFACTION GUARANTEED
From casual, clean freaks to players looking to get into the nitty-gritty, everyone can pick up and play to feel immersed. Absorb the relaxing atmosphere and stress-free pace as you strip dirt from patios, pavements, vehicles, and public parks. Stress gets to us all, so sit back, relax, and wash your worries down the drain.
THE WORLD IS YOUR CANVAS
Create art by cleaning the way you want. Your nozzles are your brushes; the neighbourhood is your canvas. Unleash your creative talents and transform ordinary dirt into exceptional artwork. Share your techniques and showcase your power-washing prowess and mud-caked masterpieces!
Related:
Xbox Insider Release Notes – Omega (2303.230227-2217)
Xbox Insider Release Notes – Delta (2303.230227-2217)
Xbox Insider Release Notes – Beta (2303.230227-2217)
Source: Xbox Blog
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