Most farming games on the market are relaxing clicking and relationship simulators, but one franchise takes the farming aspect seriously: Farming Simulator. The Farming Simulator series leans into the hard work of farming, without any magic or cute graphics involved. Players can learn if they have what it really takes to make it as a farmer by tackling the business side of the profession.
Farming Simulator is a series developed by Giants Software. So far, the games have sold over 25 million copies worldwide. The first Farming Simulator game was released in 2008 for PC. Now there are versions for all platforms, including Farming Simulator 20, which is available on Nintendo Switch.
According to the game's official website, in Farming Simulator 20 players can use heavy machinery and vehicles recreated from brands like John Deere — the largest agriculture machinery company in the world. Players can enjoy farming activities like raising livestock, planting crops, and exploring the land around their farm. Farming Simulator 20 also has a new North American farming environment, in addition to the two American and European options offered in a previous version of the game.
How Farming Simulator Is Different To Harvest Moon
Farming is a modern business in these Farming Simulator games. Players spend time managing balance sheets for the year before deciding what equipment to purchase, what crops will populate their farms, and what livestock to buy. They can use the equipment themselves or hire farm hands to work for them on their farm in the form of both NPCs or real-life friends.
Games like Stardew Valley, Harvest Moon, or Ooblets are often called farming simulators, and they do have some similarities to the traditional farming experience. Players plant and water crops, they harvest them when they're done growing, and they sell the excess crops or animals for profits. Players also have to worry about the relationship aspects of the game, or any magical aspects that may help or harm their crops.
With Farming Simulator, however, there is only the full immersive experience of being a farmer. Players are reliant on their crops for money to make their farm more productive, and spending time getting to know the land, the crops, and the animals is important. It's the best option for players who want to get into the real-life business of farming, by letting players experience the less-glamorous aspects of the job like number crunching, making budgets, working with farm hands, and buying machinery and vehicles to automate the farming process. It's a tough job, but Farming Simulator games make both it fun and realistic.