Farming Simulator 25 in the test – really “Big in Japan”?

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• More than 400 machines and vehicles from more than 150 brands such as Claas, Deutz-Fahr, Fendt, John Deere, New Holland and more
• 25 plants with the newcomers rice (wet and dry), spinach, peas, green beans and several greenhouse plants
• New animals: water buffalo, goats including lambs
• Dynamic shadows, improved cloud display
• Distance fog for more realistic representation of the environment
• Vehicle paintwork improved
• Ground deformation optimized
• More realistic water simulation
• Improved terrain rendering

This is how you get into the “LS 25”

Photo: Giants

In addition to the North American and European maps, Giants offers a completely new environment for virtual farmers with Hutan Pantai. With two varieties of rice, special equipment for growing and harvesting, and water buffalo grazing through the enclosure strips, the newly revealed map is an ideal playground to introduce this new type of fruit into the game. Traditional environmental influences meet modern technology in Hutan Pantai: players explore a bustling harbor overlooking the sea, enjoy a mountain backdrop with snow-capped peaks in the distance, drive winding roads from a city with tall buildings to a small village, or visit a remote temple with hoarded collectibles. A trip into the city is particularly casual – high on the green car. And the tractor driver is amazed at impressive illuminated advertising, funny ideas (“The Farmfathers” is in the cinema) or streets that are much too narrow and that he shouldn’t actually drive over with a tractor and a long trailer.

After rice and spinach, GIANTS Software is now integrating two more crops into “Farming Simulator 25”: peas and green beans. Delicious, right? From now on, virtual farmers can grow a total of 25 crops in their fields. Different types of trees and vegetables in greenhouses ensure even more agricultural diversity – the number of crops only coincidentally corresponds to the game title, according to the publisher and developer. Peas and beans: At the beginning of the year in March, the farmer sows peas – a month before green beans. In addition to the usual measures to increase yields, the peas need four months to mature. Huge machines like the OXBO EPD540E, a self-propelled pea harvester, guarantee a fun harvest season between July and October; green beans a little later between August and December.

Rice & spinach with special requirements

New details make Rice and Spinach even more attractive to play with for those excited about crops that require special attention: Rice and long-grain rice have individual requirements for water management and machinery for sowing and harvesting. Cultivation takes place in special rice fields that are deepened to store water. Spinach allows a double harvest: The leafy vegetable grows back immediately after harvesting. Provided that the first sowing occurs early enough in the year. In addition, you have to hurry with the harvest, as spinach does not have to be stored, but rather sold fresh or processed before it withers in the field.

Farming Simulator 25 played

Photo: Giants

Animals are now cuter, more diverse and the weather becomes more challenging. There are also two new animal species: water buffalo and goats. And the weather may not get better, but hurricanes and hail bring new challenges. If virtual farmers also see dark clouds in the sky, it could be a sign of a serious storm. In anticipation of hail falling in some areas or even a minor hurricane, precautionary measures are recommended – balls not stored should be kept safe. The skies may brighten again after these new weather events, but there is always the possibility that they will destroy some of the fields and forests. The impairment of crops can be deactivated in the options. At least it rained the first time we played – that’s impressive.

Animal husbandry upgrade

New animal species such as water buffalo and goats fill the stables and produce new types of milk. You should process these into cheese. In addition, the farm animals now have offspring and thus increase the cuteness factor. While they are initially unsteady on their little legs, the keepers watch them grow into farm animals.

New production chains for the production of buffalo mozzarella, goat cheese and other products bring you new income opportunities. Farmers expect new building options such as farmhouses and barns. Local manufacturers of historic horse-drawn carriages and a playground builder need supplies of wood. Farmers can even help build monuments, such as Asian temple complexes or historic granaries.

“Farming Simulator 25” is now available for PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S. Astragon Entertainment is once again a sales partner in Germany. At the same time as the digital release, “Farming Simulator 25” will be released in boxed versions for PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S in retail stores. All physical versions include the “MacDon Pack” as a bonus. The Day One Edition is available exclusively at Amazon in Germany and also includes the New Holland CR11 Gold Edition combine harvester. The Collector’s Edition, which comes with numerous extras, is available exclusively for PC.