Home Gaming Farming Simulator 17 review
Farming Simulator 17 review
By James Lenoir
There's something strangely soothing (and satisfying) about Giants Software's latest agricultural sandbox adventure. It could have been the country tunes that gently wafted out of my tractor's radio, or maybe it was the soft droning sound my harvester made as I collected my crops. I didn't even mind that my first farm was a massive commercial failure, or that I made the rookie mistake of trying to expand my farming operations far too early. There was something about Farming Simulator 17 that resonated with me.
You may mock the idea of a game about the fine art of farming, but one thing that's undeniable is that Farming Simulator 17 is a serious simulator. Don't get me wrong, the game isn't perfect; it's an acquired taste. You could think of it as a thick slice of surströmming (fermented herring) on a thin slice of crispy bread. It may sound repulsive, but a few slices later, you're in gastronomic heaven.
This year's edition doesn't re-invent the wheel but it improves on what came before by delivering a competent upgrade to the franchise. It's still not the best-looking game on the consoles, but it's certainly a vast improvement on the last one. The various farm equipment (from vehicles, buildings to animals) show an impressive amount of detail, whereas the environment may seem a little lacking in some areas. There are two locations in the game: a sunny rural American town outfitted with diners and white picket fences, and a thoroughly depressing Russian obschchina (farming commune) – complete with rusty abandoned factories.
The core game can be played solo or with a friend (in co-op) mode. The game play remains unchanged from previous games. It boils down to a simple premise; it's all about maximising your time, surviving the economy, turning a profit through agricultural wizardry and repaying your bank loans. Sadly, the core gameplay doesn't change much between the two different locales. I was hoping that your chosen setting would have an impact on what you could grow or sell, or whether the local economy would dictate your choice of farm.
There isn't a story to play through, instead –in pure sandbox fashion- you make of the game what you will. Do you want to start a wheat farm? Go forth and cultivate your fields! Do you want to farm with cows or more to the point, do you want a dairy farm or are you merely providing meat to the local abattoir? You're the author of your own farming story.
This year's version sees several new additions. For instance, you can finally play as a female farmer, grow sunflowers and soya beans or try your hand at pig farming. Obviously, you'll need to keep your pigs fed, keep their pens clean, make sure they have water and bedding, and only once you fulfil all their needs, you'll reap the returns from the sows. After all, you reap what you sow!
There's very little (if any) hand-holding in Farming Simulator 17. It's the one part of the game that may confuse newcomers to the genre. The tutorials cover some facets of the game mechanics, but much of the game depends on trial-and-error. It is the one aspect of the franchise that I love, but I recognise that it's something that could be improved on.
Another addition to the franchise (especially for my fellow farming brethren and sistren on consoles) is mod support. At the time of writing, only the developer has uploaded downloadable add-ons, but the hope is that in time contributions from the game's wider community will add to the game.
Farming Simulator 17 is the best version to date, and if you've ever been curious about what the genre is all about, now's the best time to experiment with something a little different. However, it's not a title that will appeal to everyone. This is after all a game about watching digital grass grow.
Farming Simulator 2017 was reviewed on PlayStation 4
James Lenoir
One Large Banana
Ottokie
Can't wait to play this!
http://i.imgur.com/SZovZm8.jpg
Admiral Chief
all the lolz
Wrap it in foil and terrify some kid on Easter…….
Another question. Can we actually enter the farm house this time? xD
Hammersteyn_hates_Raid0
Nice review, hope you had fun plowing
Can you farm bananas?
"Another addition to the franchise (especially for my fellow farming brethren and sistren on consoles) is mod support"
Marijuana farm mod in 3 …. 2 ….
Then you get raided by the cops and suddenly it becomes GTA.
Country music replaced by Cypress Hill
oooo then sizzlean screens must be an in-game item
Andre Fourie
This must be boring AF.
Geoffrey Tim
the word is "Zen"
Like drinking bleach?
If by drinking bleach you can achieve a higher state of consciousness the yes
Only plowing and planting or do you like milk Bessie and shit.
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/4eea714423ae1e440c359a6d389c8d39cf4cfa38c5311b416535e5530388883f.jpg
When Lagz first told us about this game, I thought Matty was going to review it and give us a glowing read about the benefits of cabbage farming.
amira bhatti
Farming Simulator is a farming simulation video game series developed by Giants Software. The locations are based on American and European environments. Players are able to farm, breed livestock, grow crops and sell all assets created from farming. The game has sold over four million copies.
In career mode, the player takes on the role of a farmer. Their task is to expand on their "dated" farm and machinery. The main goal of the player is to harvest their crops and sell them in order to expand their farming enterprise (e.g. machines, fields, animals and buildings). The player is free to explore, grow from their choice of several crop types, and invest their money in additional fields and equipment. Livestock may be purchased, and then it is up to the player to care for the animals.
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trololol…nice try
Banned with my farm hammer!
VampyreSquirrel
"only once you fulfil all their needs, you'll reap the returns from the sows. After all, you reap what you sow!" God dammit Banana!
Awesome review though man, I'm sure @ottokie:disqus will play the hell out of it.
eigafan
"The core game can be played solo or with a friend (in co-op) mode." There's no local co-op for this game, it is online multiplayer which requires a PS Plus subscription. That's why online play is optional. It's too bad that they haven't added this option, I can see parents playing the game with their young children, and friends playing alongside each other. They actually disabled the new mission system for multiplayer, so it only works on single-player.
Farming Simulator 17 has sold one million copies
Farming Simulator 17 has done well. Focus Home Interactive have announced that it has sol…