Diving Into The World Of Pool Cleaning
The rise of the swimming pool really comes from two places. There is the public pool, which started to become popular in the mid-19th century, giving people a collective place to swim and hang out. Then there are the private ones in the backyards of families who really want to keep up with the Joneses. They have long been a status symbol of wealth here in the UK, but they can also be tricky things to maintain, as owners will testify.
Pool Cleaning Simulator is all about maintaining and cleaning those pools, no matter what the shape or size. Are you ready to get your sponge out?
PowerWash Simulator has proven to the world that people like cleaning things in games. Probably more than they want to clean things in real life, in fact. Those who have jumped in find it to be calming, rewarding, and addictive. Now we have those same vibes in the world of pool cleaning.
Getting Started With The Cleaning
Pool Cleaning Simulator starts in the pool cleaning lock-up, where you have all the things you need and a truck ready to be packed for delivery. Who you are and why you wanted to dedicate your life to cleaning pools is a mystery, yet it doesn’t really matter, as getting involved with the cleaning is the main draw. This starts with a tutorial, giving the opportunity to learn the mechanics by picking things up and putting them in the bin. At first, this mechanic didn’t work for me and I had to restart, but after that, it seemed fine.
Then you learn about power washing; the bit which involves pointing a hose at the dirt and cleaning it away while a percentage bar ticks down. You also learn how to use your tablet, which provides emails about jobs and allows you to visit the shop. Here, you can buy the extra equipment needed for each job, like a sponge or chlorine tablets to put in the water. Strangely, the game then delivers the box straight away to your unit, and you have to unpack it on a special desk. It feels like a weird amount of busywork.
The Satisfaction Of A Spotless Pool
When you get your first job, that’s where the game comes into its own, hoping to ensnare you with the mechanics of cleaning. The locations you visit are varied, from small suburban houses with pools for the kids, to posher residences with larger places to swim, and even an aquarium. Each job has a series of objectives that you have to complete in order.
The first task might be draining a dirty pool, which means finding the lever nearby to do so. Then you can get into the pool and pick out any debris you might find. Then, of course, comes the cleaning part. Using a power washer is your first point of call. You aim, fire the water at the dirt, and away you go. The problem is that some dirt needs more precise cleaning, and you have to get every last percentage of it before you can move on to the next task. If you have played any game of this type previously, you’ll know how that can annoy, especially when the last bit is so hard to find. I always appreciated House Flipper, and the mechanics in that, which gave the option to finish a job early, in exchange for less money. Here, having to reach full completion, and that can become a bit frustrating.
There are other tasks to do around the pool that help keep things interesting, like fixing pool filters or making sure the water is at the right temperature. There are pH tablets to help with the build-up of algae and lots of little bonus bits to action, like collecting rubber ducks around a level.
Water Effects And Rough Edges
Visually, Pool Cleaning Simulator looks good, especially in terms of its water effects. It’s satisfying to go from the murky green depths of a swimming pool to the clean blue water you finish with. The same goes for cleaning the green scum away to reveal fresh, sparkling tiles underneath. I think the different environments and levels you visit are great, from the smallest backyard pools to the big public ones. The menus work well too, as does the shop, but sometimes the control system feels a bit awkward and not as simple as it should be. And don’t expect any audio to blow your mind – the sound is very basic, with cleaning noises and water effects rather than a compelling soundtrack to aid your cleaning.
Pool Cleaning Simulator Has Its Moments
There is plenty to like about Pool Cleaning Simulator, especially in its visuals and gameplay loop; clearing away dirt and making everything shine again. When everything clicks, there is something pretty relaxing about watching a filthy pool slowly return to its former glory. The problem is that this satisfaction can quickly turn into frustration when you are hunting for the final tiny percentage of dirt needed. Add in a UI and control system that can occasionally feel a little rough around the edges, and the experience isn’t always as smooth as it could be.
There is definitely some enjoyment to be found in Pool Cleaning Simulator, but I don’t think I’ll be giving up my day job to become a pool cleaner anytime soon.
Important Links
Pool Cleaning Simulator Makes A Splash On Xbox – https://www.thexboxhub.com/pool-cleaning-simulator-makes-a-splash-on-xbox/
Buy from the Xbox Store – https://www.xbox.com/en-gb/games/store/pool-cleaning-simulator/9mzx7rdfbbdn
