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PowerWash simulator is no stranger to exotic locations, but this latest addition takes the cake. In a free upcoming DLC, PowerWash enthusiasts can now clean Croft Manor – a reminiscent location from the classic Tomb Raider series.
Square Enix Collective and FuturLab team up in an unexpected move to bring the Tomb Raider Special Pack to PowerWash Simulator. The DLC, which comes out on January 31, is free and allows you to return to a version of Croft Manor reminiscent of the PS1 days. The DLC comes out on the same day PowerWash Simulator releases on PS5 and PS4 and is a celebration of the game’s debut on Sony’s consoles.
As you might imagine, the Old Vicarage has had a major overhaul since the early Tomb Raider games. FuturLab has provided the estate with modern graphics, so say goodbye to those old blocky polygons from Tomb Raider’s past. However, Croft Manor has become absolutely filthy in recent years. That’s where you come in, armed with your blue suit and pressure washer at the ready.
Cleaning house
Croft Manor is not just any building; it holds a special place in Tomb Raider history. As far back as Tomb Raider 2, the mansion became a fully explorable location filled with Easter eggs and environmental stories.
Whether you played Tomb Raider 2 on a PS1 or a school PC, you should be able to explore the treasure room in the basement, the ballroom of the mansion, the training ground, the kitchen, and Lara’s bedroom. It was early days, but the immersive 3D environment did a lot to flesh out and contextualize Lara’s story and her place in the wider story.
Croft Manor is also known for its many Easter eggs, many of which relate to Lara’s long-suffering butler, Winston. In Tomb Raider 2, players could trick him into venturing into the freezer in the basement before locking him up. In Tomb Raider 3, the poor soul volunteered to be target practice in Lara’s firing range. While we don’t know if Winston will appear in the DLC, FuturLab has promised in one blog post (opens in new tab) that there will be plenty of “secrets hidden in the dirt” for fans to find on their cleaning adventures.
It is a pleasure to return to this classic location, albeit in a completely different way. This unexpected but not unwelcome DLC got me thinking about all the other ways new perspectives can bring classic video game locations to life.
What if Peach’s castle from Mario 64 featured in a skate game? Imagine all the sick tricks you could pull using the ingenious verticality of the hub world. What if XCOM’s underground base was turned from an anti-alien base into a rave space for a dance game? Think of all the cool, futuristic lighting.
A DLC where you can clean Croft Manor with a power washer is pretty left-handed, but it reminds me how cool it can be to enjoy a much-loved set piece in a completely different way. It makes for an experience that, in addition to providing sultry nostalgia, also offers something truly new and exciting for players