Spotless

A very solid game as if from the golden era of the Game Boy but will really come through after some QoL patches. (++) top-notch gameboy title feel on point: visuals, sounds, music, gameplay, story (+) solid rogue-lite gameplay loop (+) fun setting: cleaning haunted establishments (+) casual gameplay done right (++) amazing on Steam Deck (--) game is very difficult to read (and thus to play properly): animations, hit zones, collisions, objects, controls (-) UI issues: In main menu the highlighted items are the hovered-over ones, in other menus it's the other way around. The skip button for dialogues is the same button for 'proceed'. (-) weird design decisions: You cannot choose the items you unlocked, they seem to be appointed to you at random with every run. (-) The difficulty is all over the place: Some runs you cut short after 10 maps because you're bored, others start with an advanced enemy in every corner from map one. (-) a few annoying bugs (but happen often), e.g. get stuck in an object on a map.

Cute game with a charming aesthetic, but early game isn't really clear. The intro cutscene seems to imply you can leave a job early if you don't think you'll finish in time, but there didn't seem to be an option to do that, just to eat the huge dissatisfaction hit from timing out. Maybe it's a skill issue or something, but the timer seems way too tight for early game if they intend for you to actually finish your first couple maps. A shame.

Its a fun and enjoyable game :D it has a very retro feel and its super nostalgic. the music is wonderful and the characters are pretty cute too!

Spotless is a rogue-lite game where you are a cleaner who works overnights, cleaning sites to the desires of the client. While doing so, you'll encounter various creatures from dust bunnies, smelly fish, among other things and you'll need to take care of them while cleaning within the time limit. After clearing a site, you can continue on or end your run, collecting your earnings. You can then use these earnings to improve your character by purchasing shoes to improve speed, new cleaning tools that can improve cleaning up either the sites or the enemies you'll encounter, and other tools to make your nights better and more efficient. Satisfying client demands will also generate silver sponges that can be spent on healing, buffs or other tools that can improve your night. While progressing and improving yourself, you'll uncover a story involving your employers and coworkers where the circumstances behind the job position you're filling in is not of the ordinary. At first, you start with a brush, a simple tool that's fast to use but has low range. It is efficient for cleaning, but it's short range and low damage can make it more difficult to defeat enemies, especially the more difficult types you'll find later in the game. It may be difficult to full leave a place spotless early on, until you learn the different sites and how to navigate them, obtain new cleaning tools, purchase sneakers to improve your movement speed (my first purchase), and unlock other underhanded ways to earn money while on the job. There are many different enemies to defeat, and while early on you may encounter simple enemies like dust bunnies, more difficult enemies also lurk in various sites, and some can carry various ailments that can gravely affect your character in a run. Getting sick will drain your life, falling to despair can prevent your healing, and stink acts as a cleanliness degen, meaning you'll need to clean even harder to counter it. These can be run ending, and while you have a chance to be able to trade sponges for cures to these ailments between stages, it is best to learn each of the enemy types and how best to fight them to avoid the ailments to begin with. If you enjoy roguelites and/or are interested in something different from your usual roguelites, give Spotless a try.

Spotless is an interesting take on a shooter. You use your brush to kill dust bunnies, but also to clean. Time is short so you have to be efficient. Get good and you'll unlock upgrades for better runs”. I don't know what I was expecting going into Spotless but it wasn't this. It's a rush to clean each level but the dust attacks back. Also, you only have (very!) limited time and will likely need upgrades to do it. Requests/demands add risk/reward & interest. For more niche curation, follow me at: https://store.steampowered.com/curator/27440015-CSH-Picone/

A kind of review video: https://youtu.be/Okdu5J6RJlU I enjoy cleaning games. Something about them is just super chill and relaxing. I wasn't sure what to expect when I loaded this up. Can you really make a game that's about cleaning, and looks like it'd fit at home on the Gameboy? Well, hot dang you sure can. The gameplay loop is incredibly satisfying. You'll run around levels cleaning cobwebs, dust, spills, and various objects that are dirty. But you'll also attack dust bunnies and dust sharks, dust ghosts, and dust bees. Lots of dusty critters basically. And it's so seamless, enjoyable, and rewarding. There are lots of upgrades for you to unlock as you play, which encourage you to do one more run. The game does an exquisite job in convincing you to play more and more. The graphics are detailed and excellent, managing to feel modern and capture the nostalgia of a simpler time. The music is a fantastic collection of chiptunes that pull off the addictive loop that made game music from the 80s and 90s so memorable. This is one of my favorite games of the year. And in a year that had games like Space Marine 2, this game is just as deserving of your time. Also it's better than cleaning in real life :)

I find myself becoming more and more invested in this game. I see myself making progress and getting so close to unlocking new upgrades to complete each section more efficiently than last time. I think I'm officially hooked on this game and I'm not much of a cozy gamer. If you like cozy games with an added challenge and cute music, this game is for you. Little by little I'm learning how all the upgrades and items work, and I'm excited to make it to the end!

Very fun spooky and retro cleaning sim that takes players back to the days of the Game Boy! The game has improved quite well with the recent updates the past few months, so if you have not had a chance to play it then I recommend picking up this title. With a high array of cleaning tools and stat unlockables to be unleashed, this game leaves plenty of encourage for multiple play sessions. Show Ghostie Games some love on their socials and look out for their next game, Mobs 'N Monsters!

Spotless is a slow-burning psychological horror game that transforms routine cleaning tasks into a deeply unsettling experience filled with paranoia, emotional decay, and creeping dread. Developed and published by Ghostie Games, the game takes a simple concept and gradually twists it into something disturbing by blending environmental storytelling, oppressive atmosphere, and repetitive domestic work into a horror experience that relies far more on tension and discomfort than traditional jump scares. What begins as an ordinary cleanup job slowly becomes a descent into psychological collapse where every room hides traces of something terrible beneath the dirt and silence. At first glance, the gameplay appears calm and almost therapeutic. Players are assigned to clean abandoned or damaged environments, scrubbing stains, organizing objects, collecting garbage, and restoring rooms back to perfect condition. The mechanics themselves are straightforward and repetitive by design, creating a steady rhythm that initially feels relaxing. However, the longer players spend inside these environments, the more unsettling the atmosphere becomes. Small details begin changing subtly. Strange sounds echo through empty hallways, objects appear displaced, and the environments slowly develop an overwhelming sense of unease. One of the game’s greatest strengths is how effectively it uses repetition as part of the horror itself. Cleaning becomes more than just a gameplay mechanic. The constant cycle of restoring order creates a false sense of security that slowly deteriorates as disturbing details emerge beneath the surface. Players become absorbed in mundane tasks while the world around them subtly shifts into something far more sinister. Instead of overwhelming the player with nonstop scares, the game carefully builds anxiety through quiet moments, forcing players to question whether the environments are truly empty or if something unseen is watching from the shadows. The environmental storytelling is especially effective throughout the experience. Every room feels like the aftermath of a tragedy waiting to be interpreted by the player. Bloodstains hidden beneath grime, damaged furniture, abandoned personal belongings, and strange visual clues all hint at horrifying events without directly explaining everything. The game avoids excessive exposition and instead relies on visual details to slowly reveal fragments of the story. This approach creates a far more immersive atmosphere because players are left piecing together the truth themselves rather than being handed clear answers. Visually, Spotless creates an oppressive and claustrophobic world despite operating on a relatively modest indie scale. The environments are dark, dirty, and filled with subtle visual distortions that become increasingly noticeable as the psychological horror intensifies. Flickering lights, shadow-filled corridors, and decaying interiors constantly create tension even during quiet moments. The contrast between filthy rooms and their cleaned versions also becomes strangely satisfying, reinforcing the game’s themes of trying to erase something horrifying hidden beneath the surface. The sound design plays a massive role in maintaining tension. Rather than relying on loud horror stingers constantly, the game focuses on subtle audio details that make players uncomfortable over time. Distant footsteps, unexplained whispers, creaking walls, and faint background noises create the constant feeling that the player is never truly alone. Silence itself becomes one of the game’s most powerful tools. Quiet moments often feel more terrifying than direct horror sequences because players are left anticipating something terrible that may or may not happen. The cleaning mechanics remain simple throughout the experience, but they are immersive enough to keep players engaged. Using tools to remove stains and restore environments piece by piece creates a strangely satisfying gameplay loop that contrasts sharply with the horror atmosphere surrounding it. The act of cleaning becomes psychologically meaningful because players are not simply tidying rooms; they are uncovering evidence of trauma and violence hidden beneath layers of decay. Pacing is another area where the game performs well. Spotless understands the value of restraint and rarely rushes its horror elements. The experience alternates carefully between calm cleaning sections and moments of psychological discomfort, allowing the tension to build naturally over time. This measured structure prevents the horror from becoming repetitive too quickly and helps maintain immersion throughout the game. However, the slow pacing may also alienate some players. Those expecting constant danger, combat mechanics, or fast-paced horror encounters may find the early portions too quiet or repetitive. Much of the experience depends entirely on atmosphere and subtle storytelling rather than direct action. Players who fail to connect with the psychological tone may struggle to remain invested during the slower sections. The gameplay systems themselves also remain fairly limited. Although the cleaning mechanics are satisfying initially, they evolve very little as the game progresses. Most of the variety comes from changing environments and narrative atmosphere rather than introducing new gameplay ideas. Some players may eventually notice the repetitive structure during longer sessions, especially since the core tasks remain largely unchanged throughout the experience. Technical limitations are visible in several areas as well. Certain animations feel rough, object interactions can occasionally appear stiff, and the overall presentation lacks the polish of larger horror productions. However, the oppressive atmosphere and strong environmental design help compensate for many of these shortcomings. The game succeeds more through emotional tension and psychological immersion than through technical sophistication. What ultimately makes Spotless memorable is its ability to turn ordinary domestic routines into something deeply disturbing. Cleaning, an activity normally associated with comfort and order, becomes tied directly to fear, trauma, and emotional decay. The game understands that psychological horror often works best when grounded in familiar activities and believable environments rather than excessive supernatural spectacle. Spotless is not a horror game built around combat or constant action. It is a slower and far more atmospheric experience focused on tension, isolation, and environmental storytelling. Its repetitive gameplay and restrained pacing will not appeal to everyone, but players who appreciate psychological horror driven by immersion and creeping dread will likely find it extremely effective. Beneath its simple cleaning mechanics lies a surprisingly unsettling experience that lingers in the mind long after the final room has been restored. Rating: 6/10

Achievements are broken for both PC Windows 10 and Steam Deck. Refund, unfortunately.