The seminal Car-Wash-Em-Up series returns for its third installment. But does it leave your gaming experince looking like a newly washed and polished Porsche, or more like a clapped out old Metro with more rust than paint? I've been priming my sponges and filling my bucket with hot soapy water in anticipation, and now here's the definitive review!


o/~ Talkin' 'Bout The Car Wash... o/~

The first thing that hits you is the licensed soundtrack, a new and welcome feature replacing the old 'in-house' music that played over the first two games, and that can be attirbuted to the game being taken under the wing of DA Games, using their influence in the media world to get access to some big-name music.

So, as the title screen fades into view, we are greeted by the 70's disco sound of Rose Royce with "Car Wash". Other such recognisable songs are included in the soundtrack, spanning 30 tracks and bands in all, but one has to consider the wisdom of including the old hit "When I'm Cleaning Windows" by George Formby. Perhaps an attempt to attract the older gaming crowd?

Either way, the soundtrack is very good, for the most part, and sucks you right into the game. Ready to wash some cars? Grab your squeegees and follow me!


One Part Liquid To Five Parts Water

The mechanics of the basic game are more or less the same as in previous incarnations. Wash as many cars as you can, as fast as you can. The developers have modelled a large number of different car wash locations over three continents, with different levels of what they call wash-tech (the equipment you use to clear the cars), and over several different time periods - something that becomes important in the newly added 'Chronicles Mode'. More on that later.

You begin with a car, covered in grime and filth. The dirtiness of the car is defined a pre-determined difficulty level. You control your trusty sponge-wielding hero, and have to attack the dirt by holding down the sponge button and using the analogue stick to control the path of the sponge. The only problem is, a rival cleaner, or cleaners, is doing the same thing and aiming to score more points by cleaning more of the grime than you.

As you clean, the power of your sponge decreases, the sponge picking up dirt and drying out, which is now visible graphically, a nice touch, though not often noticeable in the frenzy of gameplay! The sponge can be refreshed at any time, simply by dunking it in the bucket and rinsing it out. But that takes time, and your opponent is accumulting more points as you replenish your sponge. Also, to help you, you have your bottle of 'S-wash', a super cleaning agent that you can spray on with your sponge to given you super washing power, but your supply is limited. More can be gained by completing certain 'Extreme Cleaning Goals', such as polishing off a whole headlamp yourself, or shining a hubcap, your S-wash bottle magically refilling as you complete the objectives.


WIPEDOWN!!

The subtitle of the game - Wipedown - refers to the major new game mechanic that has been introduced. Wipedowns have always been available before, as the rinsing of the car at the end of the washing phase, but never have they been known by this name. The reason for the renaming and branding is because of the more important role they play in this new version.

The old versions of Washout saw you wipedown each completed car for a pre-set bonus score automatically once all the dirt was gone. No more, however. As you complete the washing of the car, anyone working on that car will go into Wipedown Mode, accompanied by a fanfare and transition into 'Bullet Time' style slow-motion. Now, using a series of stick movements and buton presses, you can execute a series of special tactical moves, essentially performing stunts in a Tony Hawk's stylee. These have the effect of adding points to your total, multiplying the score you gained for that car, or interfering with your opponents efforts. Interfering is particularly rewarding, as a succenssful interference increases the capacity of your S-wash bottle and fills it up! Bonus!

Plus, nothing can beat the feeling of pulling off a "Triple Spin to Spray Blast-Sponge Twirl 50-50 Trip x2". Sweet.


On A Glorious Summer Day

The level of graphical acheivement in this game is also astoudning. If you have a moment to take your mind off the blistering gameplay, you might be able to appreciate the finely tuned eye candy. The car wash locations are detailed, with crowds gathering in full 3-D to watch the S-wash fuelled washage.

The cars are still not from licensed manufacturers, as in the other games, and given generic names like "Turbo Coupe" and "Compact Sports". They are fully liveried up, though, with advertising straight off the race tracks and rally circuits of the world, and really look the part, metallic bodies gleaming in the bright sunlight. Variable weather can also find you washing in rain, storms, fog, or even snow, where you haev to keep your sponge rinsed to stop it from freezing, and reduced traction makes your Wipedowns ever more hazardous.

Water spray reflects sunlight into rainbow showers dripping down, and wet patches on the ground during sunny stages gradually dry up as time passes. It's these little touches that you will never really notice which show the real polish put on the game. You can tell the developers cared about the details, and the quality oozes from every pore.


Variations on a Theme

There are also variations on the basic game type, giving you a number of different scenarios to play with. There's the basic mode of washing a car as fast as possible, then against an opponent, or against multiple opponents across a range of cars, creating a rush to get to the most expensive models and score more points, while simultaneously using Wipedowns to stop the other competitors. Using this mode in four-player multiplayer is the most hilarious split-screen experience, and has to be seen to believed, as the car wash becomes a frenzy of player controlled S-Wash and soap spray.

A new game section, Chronicle Mode, sees you leaning cars from across history, from Cadillac's in the car lots of the 60's, right up to future concept cars and sci-fi 'Aeromobiles', with victories unlocking more events and awards.

Special stages can be unlocked in the World Wash Tour - the main part of the game consisting of 180 events across all the global locations available and with a comprehensive mix of the above game types and styles. Special stages unlock new and interesing vehicles to wash, such as the Tanker Truck and Fire Engine. These high-value vehicles are tricky, but rewarding to clean, offering the best Wipedown scores and effects, and once unlocked they are also available in multiplayer modes for some extra special fun. Watch out for the ultimate unlockable Special Event - a trip to Cape Canaveral to wash the Space Shuttle!


All Washed Up

This game is a complete car washing experience, guaranteed to keep old hands happy, while bringing new fans into the fold. There's really no excuse to not own this - the main mode will keep you going for ages, with that essential 'just one more go' factor, and the multiplayer experience is frenetic and extreme fun with four players! Possibly the best game out so far this year. Buy it now!!

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