It’s been a few years since the latest release of the Farming Simulator franchise but Giants Software is back this year with Farming Simulator 25 focusing on console and PC rather than mobile as it did with Farming Simulator 23.
Entering the game, you are presented with a fairly robust character creator to create your digital farmer. There are an array of faces, clothing, hats, gloves, boots, beards and more to initially select for your character. Fortunately you are not locked into your attire and can change it at any time by accessing the Wardrobe page.
Once your farmer is rocking your favorite look, it’s time to get to work. The game allows you to choose from 3 “levels,” but they are essentially the same except for the number of starting resources. You meet Walter, your grandfather, and he lets you know he’s happy that you are around to help with the farm. The tutorial goes over the basics of the farming steps along with simple instructions on how to use a few of the machines and how AI workers can help you.
The various regions where you can start a farm are North America, Central Europe, and East Asia, each with unique crops to harvest. Visually, Farming Simulator 25 has taken a step up with improved visuals including higher resolution textures, fog effects and a new weather system. However, the graphics are not currently optimized resulting in stuttering. Hopefully, this will be addressed in an upcoming patch.
Sounds in Farming Simulator 25 are well done. Machines have their own unique sounds and give you a good sense of the power in the engine. Additionally, ambient sounds such as birds chirping only seem to enhance the farming experience.
The gameplay in Farming Simulator 25 remains relatively the same and includes 400+ machines from 150+ agricultural brands. Cultivating, sowing, harvesting and transporting crops takes a little time to learn but once mastered it can be relaxing. Feel free to set up AI workers on your farms to help work several plots simultaneously. Animal husbandry and forestry are a couple of other areas on your farm that will also need to be maintained.
Farming Simulator 25 Review Final Thoughts:
Overall, while not a revolutionary step up, Farming Simulator 25 remains true to itself in providing the player a fun simulation of working on a farm.