Farming Simulator 25 builds on the franchise’s legacy, combining detailed farming mechanics with gameplay that’s easy to jump into. Developed by GIANTS Software, this latest iteration introduces new features that both long-time fans and newcomers will enjoy. You’ll immerse yourself in the world of virtual farming, growing crops, managing livestock, and even dealing with unpredictable weather conditions that impact your crops and daily tasks.
Three maps—Riverbend Springs, Zielonka, and Hutan Pantai—offer unique challenges and crops, including rice on the Asian-inspired map. Farming Simulator 25 also brings improved graphics, more detailed machinery, and updated gameplay mechanics that offer a more immersive experience. Whether you’re plowing fields in a tractor or managing a farm with AI workers, the game provides numerous ways to engage with the farming process.
However, while Farming Simulator 25 introduces fresh content, it still struggles with a steep learning curve and repetitive gameplay that might be a turn off for some. In this review, we’ll explore how the game balances realism, gameplay depth, and accessibility, and whether it appeals to both new and experienced farmers.
Farming Simulator 25 details
Platform(s): PC, Xbox Series X and PS5
Developer(s): GIANTS Software
Publisher(s): GIANTS Software
Genre: Farming simulator
Modes: Single-player, multiplayer
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)
Farming at your own pace
Farming Simulator 25 refines its mechanics, offering enjoyable playstyles like hands-on farming or managing workers with AI. This flexibility lets you focus on the aspects of farming that interest you the most. You begin with a choice of three difficulty settings—New Farmer, Farm Manager, and Start From Scratch—so you can tailor the experience to your liking. If you’re new, the game’s tutorials and helpful tips offer a solid foundation. However, mastering more complex farming tasks still comes with a steep learning curve.
A major new feature is rice farming, introduced with the Hutan Pantai map. This Asian-inspired map brings new crops, machinery, and floodable rice fields. It also introduces livestock like water buffalo, which provide milk for mozzarella, expanding farming options. One feature that really stood out for me was the rice farming on this new map. At first, I struggled with the right water levels for the rice fields. The crops started wilting, and I had to experiment with the irrigation system. After some trial and error, I finally got it right, and watching the rice plants grow felt incredibly rewarding. It really showed how satisfying and detailed the farming process can be when everything falls into place.
The game’s equipment and vehicles offer tools to manage your farm, but the complexity can be overwhelming. Mastering machinery, managing finances, and ensuring timely crop harvests is no small feat. If you enjoy detailed simulations, Farming Simulator 25 delivers. However, if you’re looking for a more casual experience, the gameplay can feel repetitive. Overall, the game offers a solid balance between depth and accessibility. It offers enough variety to keep both long-time fans and newcomers busy.
Realism with room for growth
Farming Simulator 25 looks great, for the most part, creating realistic environments that capture farm life. From snow-covered fields to sunny farmlands, the attention to detail makes the experience feel more authentic. The game uses advanced lighting to capture realistic weather patterns, giving each day on the farm its own unique feel.
The new Hutan Pantai map, stands out for its beautiful landscapes. The flooded rice fields, with water reflecting off of the crops, are impressive. The Asian-inspired setting adds a fresh perspective to the series, giving you a different kind of farming experience. The soundtrack fits the atmosphere with relaxing background music, complementing the game’s slow, laid-back pace.
Farming Simulator 25 performs well overall, but frame rate drops occur during rainstorms or in crowded areas, even on high-end PCs. While the game’s graphics look good, there’s room for improvement. Some textures feel rough, and occasional pop-ins happen. For example, buildings or fields can look blurry from a distance. While the animations add to the game’s feel, the movement of characters and animals can sometimes look stiff. Even so, it’s still enjoyable to watch the animals graze and see the crops grow over time.
Loading times, though not excessive, can feel longer when moving between areas or starting the game. Glitches don’t occur often, but sometimes vehicles get stuck or show strange physics behaviour. These technical setbacks can be annoying but aren’t game-breaking. With regular updates addressing some of these issues, the game shows promise for further improvement.
The fun of farming and replayable adventures
Farming Simulator 25 offers a relaxing yet rewarding farming experience, blending simulation with enjoyable, casual gameplay. The game allows you to manage your farm, grow crops, and raise livestock. Whether you’re planting potatoes or managing workers, there’s always something to do. Multiplayer adds to the fun, allowing you to farm alongside friends or other players. You can work together or trade resources. The co-op mode keeps things interesting, offering new ways to approach farming tasks. Multiplayer is a great option if you want to make the farming experience a shared adventure.
Playing multiplayer with friends added a fun twist. We split roles, from planting crops to managing livestock, for smooth teamwork. One of my favourite moments was working together to harvest a huge field of wheat, racing against time before a storm hit. The cooperative aspect made the farming experience feel more dynamic, and it was satisfying to see our farm grow together. It’s definitely an enjoyable way to spend time with others while working on the farm.
As you progress, the game presents plenty of challenges and activities. You can try new crops, expand your farm, or explore different farming styles. Each day offers new opportunities, keeping the gameplay fresh. Despite the game’s repetitive nature, the satisfaction of seeing your farm grow makes all your hard work worth it. The sense of accomplishment from completing tasks creates a rewarding cycle. Replayability comes from the freedom to choose how you want to farm. You can always try new maps or farming approaches. These elements provide a reason to return and explore new aspects of farming.
Final thoughts
Farming Simulator 25 brings a lot to the table, offering a satisfying and immersive farming experience that’s both relaxing and rewarding. The game looks good, and the introduction of new features like rice farming adds an exciting twist to gameplay. Managing crops, livestock, and even new challenges like weather-related issues makes for a dynamic experience. I especially enjoyed the cooperative multiplayer mode, which makes farming tasks into a shared adventure with friends. Working together to tackle big fields or racing against a storm to finish a harvest was an experience that brought a unique level of fun to the game.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| An immersive and realistic farming experience with detailed environments. | The steep learning curve can be difficult for those new to the game to overcome. |
| Multiplayer mode allows for fun cooperative gameplay with friends and other players. | Animations, especially for characters and animals, can sometimes appear stiff. |
| Plenty of farming tasks and challenges to keep you busy for a long time. | Glitches and occasional vehicle physics issues can disrupt the flow of gameplay. |
| New features like rice farming and new livestock, adding variety. |
However, as with any farming sim, there’s a certain level of repetitiveness that can sneak in over time. While I appreciated the relaxing nature of the gameplay, the steep learning curve can be a big barrier to overcome for some. Rare technical glitches, like vehicles getting stuck or terrain issues, were annoying, but they didn’t take away from my overall enjoyment. It’s clear that Farming Simulator 25 has the potential to grow even more. The promise of new maps, farming tools, and mechanics keeps the experience fresh and makes me excited to see what’s next.
Overall assessment of Farming Simulator 25
Gameplay: 3.5/5
Graphics: 3.5/5
Sound: 4/5
Lasting appeal/Replayability: 4/5
Overall rating: 3.8/5 (76%)
Ultimately, Farming Simulator 25 strikes a nice balance between depth and accessibility. It’s perfect for those who enjoy slow-paced, methodical games where you see the rewards of your labour over time. Whether you’re a long-time farming simulator player or new to the series, there’s plenty to enjoy here. Just be prepared to spend some time learning the ropes if you’re new to the genre. If you’re into farm management games and looking for a relaxing, immersive experience with plenty of room to explore, Farming Simulator 25 is definitely worth the time.
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