Farming Simulator 25 Review – Rustic Charm with Some Minor Bugs

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The Farming Simulator series isn’t the kind of game where you finish it within a certain number of hours and move on. Instead, I would describe it as a virtual lifestyle experience that demands your attention for months, if not years. While some might turn it on briefly to play farmer, they rarely stick around. Much like other intricate simulators, this is a game meant for those who can immerse themselves completely in their passion – in this case, agriculture.

Likely, each edition of Farming Simulator represents a minor advancement from its predecessor. To a novice player, these updates might be few, but for dedicated fans, there’s an array of subtle improvements and adjustments they can spot meticulously. Frequently, new elements are drawn from the most popular community-created mods, enhancing the overall gaming experience.

In essence, Farming Simulator 25 is an enhanced version of its predecessor, FS19, but remains somewhat challenging for beginners. You’ll find slightly improved graphics, new visual effects, fresh crops and machinery, along with a few incorporated mods, and numerous minor enhancements. This time around, the central theme revolves around Asia, with a new map in this region, though various smaller adjustments may overshadow it somewhat.

Asian background for rice cultivation

In the conventional sense, Farming Simulator 25 offers you the role of a farmer across three distinct maps. The first, Riverbend Springs, transports us to the United States, while the second, Zielonka, is in Poland and was previously featured as a DLC for FS19. Lastly, there’s Hutan Pantai, which has been extensively advertised and is located in Asia. Notably, the primary innovation in Riverbend Springs lies in the river running through the map, whereas Zielonka underwent minimal changes – the main excitement here is the Asian map, Hutan Pantai.

To me, it appeared that this was primarily a decorative feature, serving as a backdrop for a more substantial attraction – rice cultivation, highly anticipated by visitors. In addition, you could see two types of rice, specialized equipment for planting and harvesting, and even the option to flood the rice field with water to grow “wet” rice. However, the rest of the Asian setting, such as the architecture or the abandoned city center adorned with towering high-rises bathed in neon lights, seemed less vibrant and meticulously designed.

A fresh characteristic in Asia is the water buffalo, a recent expansion to our collection of farm animals. Its most significant asset is its ability to produce buffalo milk, opening up opportunities for creating high-profit Mozzarella from it. This introduction serves as a brief overview before delving into more details about additional enhancements and upgrades.

Deformation of the soil in the fog

The most apparent upgrade is in the graphics department, noticeably with better lighting, particularly at night, and the introduction of fog effects that settle over fields, bodies of water, and low-lying areas during mornings. This update also incorporates severe weather conditions like hailstorms or tornadoes, which may damage crops and consequently influence the farm’s economy. Additionally, the rain and the mud splatter on machines as they traverse the field, adding a touch of realism to the gameplay experience.

The novelty of this graphic depiction is enhanced by the long-awaited 3D terrain, which is more intricate than it initially appeared in the trailer. This complex deformation mechanism results in furrows and tractor tire marks being formed on the ground as we traverse it with different vehicles. The depth of these grooves depends on the soil’s softness, and interestingly enough, they impact the physics of objects within the scene. For instance, attempting to speed across a plowed field using a tractor causes it to shake and bounce significantly. However, I didn’t manage to get stuck in the ground by bucking the wheels – perhaps this feature will be added later on.

These alterations not just appeal aesthetically, but primarily, they enhance the sense of reality and deepen engagement. They carry greater significance than introducing new plants or creating new maps.

GG – Goats and GPS

Beyond improvements in graphics and soil dynamics, I found a couple of other exciting updates as well. One of them is the introduction of animal offspring and foldable landscapes. Now, the game simulates different stages of animal maturity, from young goats frolicking around to mature buffaloes. The adorable young goats, a new addition to the farm after the buffaloes, can bring smiles even after extensive field damage. This isn’t just an aesthetic improvement as animals can now reproduce, meaning our livestock population will naturally grow if we create suitable conditions. It’s unfortunate that there is no option to choose the gender when purchasing animals. Another useful feature is the ability to freely customize the pasture fence or even remove it entirely. This flexibility allows for more strategic gameplay and farm management options.

As a farm enthusiast, I’m thrilled about the latest advancement – the integration of GPS modules in our vehicles. This innovation has significantly streamlined our field cultivation process. Instead of wrestling with tractor steering, I can now trust the machine to maintain a straight line, and it’s easier to guide it after turns, which used to be a task I handled myself.

In Farming Simulator 25, enhancements have been made to include new buildings and structures that offer flexibility. You can either nurture your self-contained environment or, conversely, broaden the scope of your town on the map. In addition to erecting massive processing facilities with hefty price tags, it’s now possible to set up small mills, spinning mills, and similar establishments on the periphery of your mini-farm. Afterward, you can put up a roadside stand to sell your goods. The game also offers an option to build your own house, although customization is currently not available. Scattered across the map are public facilities that, with regular deliveries of necessary materials, will transform into churches, museums, or playgrounds over time.

Government subsidies didn’t help

The game offers an extensive expansion of its features, featuring a TPP camera outside the machinery, spinach, peas, and beans among the farm produce, and more. However, it’s not perfect; there are still areas for improvement. For instance, the physics of object collisions is still problematic, making it difficult to load pallets. Additionally, vehicles often become stuck or attached to other objects, and streetcars once stopped are immovable, requiring frequent use of the “reset” option to free your vehicle which then teleports it back to the starting point instead of the blockade, wasting time as you navigate back. The game has its fair share of annoyances and minor bugs.

A significant letdown were the non-player characters you can interact with – they don’t offer much to enhance the gameplay experience. While they theoretically could assist us and provide guidance, their dialogue is as unclear as the instructions on a menu. Furthermore, the game continues to lack comprehensive tutorials across all aspects. The initial introduction only explains the basic farming mechanics, but figuring out more complex tasks like preparing feed for cows or using GPS for work requires self-discovery.

Sometimes an abundance, sometimes a disaster

Any statement about Farming Simulator 25, whether it’s just a slightly improved version of the old game with a few mods or it introduces significant changes and new features that effectively motivate players to switch to the latest installment, will be true. After all, it all depends on your expectations and how big a fan of running a virtual farm you are. Compared to the previous installments, this is definitely the best one, but a similar opinion was true for Farming 22 and FS19. Farming Simulator 25 is a bit like the latest iPhones – no extravagance, no revolution, a slightly improved, familiar product for regular customers. If you are one of them, you surely already have a pre-order. And if not – there is something to complain about. That’s how it is on the farm – either an abundance, or drought, or frost.

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2024-11-12 12:32