Farming Simulator 25 is a realistic farming sim where players manage farms with authentic vehicles and crop cycles. Read our review to see what it did well, what it didn't do well, and if it's worth buying.

Farming Simulator 25 Review Overview

What is Farming Simulator 25?

Farming Simulator 25 brings players into the world of agricultural management with a focus on realistic machinery, crop cycles, and land management. The game offers players the experience of running their own farm, from planting and harvesting crops to managing livestock, with a broad selection of vehicles and equipment. The latest edition introduces improvements in AI functionality, lighting, and atmospheric weather effects, adding both depth and visual appeal to the experience. It’s a simulator for those who enjoy meticulously planning and operating a farm in an ever-evolving virtual environment.

Farming Simulator 25 features:
　⚫︎　Enhanced AI For More Reliable Automated Tasks
　⚫︎　New Vehicles and Crop Options
　⚫︎　Atmospheric Weather Effects
　⚫︎　New Geographical Settings
　⚫︎　Multiplayer Options Allowing Cooperative Farm Management
　⚫︎　Realistic Financial and Crop Management Systems

For more gameplay details, read everything we know about Farming Simulator 25's gameplay and story.

Digital Storefronts
Steam		Epic Games		PlayStation		Xbox
$49.99				$59.99

Farming Simulator 25 Pros & Cons

Pros	Cons
Improved AI Handling Enhanced Atmospheric Effects Expanded Crop and Animal Variety	High Learning Curve for Beginners Clunky Menu Navigation Lacks NPC Interactivity and Substance

Farming Simulator 25 Overall Score - 68/100

Farming Simulator 25 offers a solid farming experience for dedicated fans of the series, featuring improved AI, an expanded vehicle roster, and atmospheric weather effects that enhance the feel of working the land. These additions, while appreciated, don’t bring significant innovation or depth that make the game feel truly groundbreaking. The gameplay is polished, with reliable AI that handles automated tasks effectively, which is a welcome quality-of-life improvement. However, the high learning curve, lack of a beginner-friendly tutorial, and some complicated menu navigation create barriers for newcomers.

Farming Simulator 25 Story - 6/10

While story elements are minimal, as expected in simulators, the lack of depth in NPCs makes the game world feel a bit hollow. It could benefit from more meaningful interactions, even if subtle, to enrich the overall farming experience. Without substantial narratives or engaging character moments, the setting can occasionally feel like a background stage rather than an interactive environment, which slightly detracts from immersion.

Farming Simulator 25 Gameplay - 8/10

The gameplay is refined with smoother AI and a solid variety of vehicles and crops, especially with the addition of rice farming and water buffalo. However, the steep learning curve for new players remains an issue, and the lack of tutorials could frustrate newcomers. For experienced players, these gameplay enhancements do add depth, yet the core mechanics haven’t shifted enough to provide a fundamentally fresh experience.

Farming Simulator 25 Visuals - 7/10

The improved lighting effects, morning fog, and severe weather events create a more immersive environment. However, while certain areas are visually enhanced, some elements still feel basic, lacking the polish one might expect in a 2024 title. These visual upgrades bring a more realistic touch to farming, but there are inconsistencies where textures and designs appear dated, which can detract from the otherwise beautiful scenery.

Farming Simulator 25 Audio - 6/10

Though there have been some improvements, the audio experience is still underwhelming. Driving sounds only include throttle and braking but miss cues for other interactions, such as collisions. Background noises in certain areas also lack the consistency and immersion needed for a truly realistic ambiance. The sound design has its moments, but its overall sparseness leaves certain actions feeling detached from the visual experience, which hinders immersion.

Farming Simulator 25 Value for Money - 7/10

At $49.99 for PC and $59.99 for consoles, Farming Simulator 25 offers worthwhile content for dedicated fans, but the updates don’t quite justify the full price for all players. It’s best for those wanting the latest edition rather than newcomers, and waiting for a sale might be wise. The cost feels steep for incremental changes, making it difficult to recommend at full price for anyone but the most passionate franchise followers.

Farming Simulator 25 Review: A Harvest of Minor Enhancements

When I first started Farming Simulator 25, I quickly remembered how much detail and strategy goes into the series. Coming from a limited experience with Farming Simulator 22, I’d forgotten quite a bit, and it felt like I was starting fresh. For any new players, the lack of a solid tutorial is going to be a tough hurdle. Without a guided introduction, learning how to manage crop rotations, animal husbandry, and land optimization becomes an hours-long challenge. The game leaves a lot to trial and error, which for seasoned fans might feel familiar but for beginners, could be a deterrent.

The steep learning curve goes beyond just understanding basic controls; it demands a deep dive into the nuances of farming operations. From understanding crop seasonality to choosing the right machinery, new players can expect to dedicate a considerable amount of time before they feel any semblance of mastery. It’s rewarding, but that reward feels delayed when you’re left to figure out systems on your own. A tutorial or even an improved onboarding system would’ve made a huge difference, especially for people who are dipping their toes into the farming genre for the first time.

Once you do get the hang of it, however, the gameplay loop becomes an engaging cycle of strategy and execution. There’s something satisfying about managing every step of the farming process and watching your work pay off, even if it requires a lot of initial patience. For returning players, it’s not so much about re-learning the basics as it is about refreshing on some of the newer mechanics. However, if you’re not familiar with the series, you’re going to have a bit of a climb ahead of you, and without any hand-holding, the payoff might not feel worth it right away.

In my experience, this iteration of Farming Simulator doubles down on player autonomy, but at the cost of accessibility. It’s a shame because the simulation depth here is impressive, but the lack of guidance might alienate those who aren’t already familiar with the franchise. I found myself wishing for a tutorial every time I encountered a new mechanic or an upgraded feature that wasn’t immediately intuitive.

AI and Automation Systems

One of the more pleasant surprises in Farming Simulator 25 was the improvement in AI systems. In previous versions, especially Farming Simulator 22, the AI could feel a little unreliable—getting stuck, failing to recognize plot boundaries, and generally requiring too much supervision. Here, though, the AI system has seen some real upgrades, and it’s one of the highlights of the gameplay. When you assign the AI to handle tasks like harvesting, it actually recognizes the specific plot of land and doesn’t get caught up on obstacles, making the process seamless.

I noticed that the AI even stops work once a job is done, which is a small but incredibly helpful detail. Gone are the days when you’d return to check on a task only to find the AI halfway across the map doing who-knows-what. The ability to delegate tasks effectively adds a layer of realism and convenience that makes running a large-scale farm more manageable. It’s still not perfect, but it’s reliable enough that you can confidently assign workers without feeling like you need to babysit every move they make.

That said, while the AI improvements are noticeable, they’re not groundbreaking. There are still instances where you might catch the AI making inefficient decisions or missing small sections of a field. While these issues aren’t deal-breakers, they remind you that the automation isn’t entirely foolproof. However, the fact that it generally performs without issue when handling large tasks does make it a standout feature in this installment.

In essence, the AI in Farming Simulator 25 is an upgrade that longtime players will appreciate. It makes the day-to-day operations smoother, allowing players to focus on planning and strategy rather than micromanagement. It’s these kinds of quality-of-life improvements that show the series’ evolution, even if they don’t reinvent the wheel entirely. This AI shift contributes to a more polished experience, even if it’s a bit rough around the edges at times.

New Map and Setting

The addition of new maps in Farming Simulator 25 provides a fresh take on farm life, with environments that are impressively diverse and engaging. One of the most interesting new maps is set in an Asian-inspired region, complete with rice paddies and some architecture that gives a nod to the traditional style. On paper, this sounds fantastic, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that the execution fell just short. The rice cultivation itself is a fascinating new element, especially with the mechanics of flooding fields to grow wet rice, but the rest of the Asian ambiance felt a bit superficial.

There’s also a lot to love about the graphical improvements in these maps. The lighting enhancements, especially at night, create a beautifully immersive experience, and the addition of fog settling over fields in the early morning is a nice touch. Weather effects have also received an upgrade, with hail, tornadoes, and other severe conditions that can impact your crops and ultimately affect your farm’s economy. These visual elements give each map a sense of life and movement, even if some areas, like the Asian-inspired town, lack that extra level of detail that would’ve made them truly special.

I was particularly impressed by the water buffalo addition, another element of the Asian-inspired theme. They bring a unique farming element to the table, as they produce buffalo milk, which can be a profitable venture if managed well. It’s details like these that make Farming Simulator 25 feel rich and varied, even if the aesthetic elements sometimes miss the mark. This attempt at diversity in farming regions shows the developers’ commitment to keeping the series fresh, even if the visual flair isn’t as consistent across all maps.

Overall, while the new maps bring some much-needed variety, they don’t redefine the experience. They add new layers, sure, but they won’t feel groundbreaking to returning players. For fans who enjoy exploring new environments and managing different types of crops, though, these maps offer a welcome change, even if they feel a bit cosmetic at times.

Vehicle and Equipment Variety

One area where Farming Simulator 25 truly shines is its expanded range of vehicles and equipment. The roster is bigger and better, with machines tailored for everything from basic plowing to specialized rice planting. The addition of rice-specific equipment, for instance, is a unique twist that aligns with the new maps and adds a layer of authenticity to the rice-growing experience. For a game that leans so heavily into realism, these kinds of additions are valuable, as they allow players to experience farming in ways that weren’t possible in past versions.

As someone who appreciates the machinery side of Farming Simulator, I found this expansion exciting. There’s a certain satisfaction in selecting the right tool for each job, and with the new options, the game delivers on that front. It feels like there’s a machine for every possible scenario now, which gives you the freedom to experiment with various approaches to farming. However, as impressive as the selection is, the upgrades don’t introduce any groundbreaking new mechanics—they’re more about enhancing what’s already there.

Despite the expanded selection, navigating the store to find what you need can be frustrating. The interface feels clunky and could use an overhaul. Compared to Farming Simulator 22, which was far more intuitive, this setup feels like a step back. It’s disappointing, especially considering how much variety there is now; browsing through it all shouldn’t feel like a chore.

All in all, the new equipment options add depth and versatility to the gameplay. There’s something for everyone, whether you’re focused on crop cultivation or animal management. For fans of the franchise, these options will likely feel like the next natural step in the series, even if they don’t radically change the gameplay. They add to the sense of immersion and offer more ways to tackle farming, which in a simulation game, is exactly what you’d want.

User Experience and Interface

One of the more noticeable downsides in Farming Simulator 25 is its user interface, particularly in the store and menus. Compared to earlier editions like Farming Simulator 22, this version’s menu system feels more unintuitive. The store layout, which should ideally streamline your purchasing experience, is anything but user-friendly. You find yourself spending more time than necessary sifting through equipment options, and it can be quite frustrating when you’re just trying to get back to your farm tasks.

It feels like the interface was an afterthought in an otherwise well-developed game. The icons and layout don’t guide you as seamlessly as they should, especially given the sheer volume of equipment and supplies available. For returning players, this might just be a mild inconvenience, but for newcomers who are already facing a steep learning curve, this added complexity could be off-putting. A more intuitive design would have gone a long way in making the experience feel polished.

The interface issues extend beyond just the store; the general menus also suffer from clunky design choices. It’s not impossible to work around, but the experience feels needlessly complicated. Managing your farm operations through these menus could have been a smoother experience, and it’s surprising that the developers didn’t improve upon this aspect, considering it’s a core part of gameplay.

Ultimately, the user experience in Farming Simulator 25 feels like a missed opportunity. A well-designed interface can elevate a game, and here, it feels like it detracts slightly from the enjoyment. For a game that tries so hard to immerse players in the realism of farming, the interface design feels like it’s a few steps behind the rest of the package.

Is Farming Simulator 25 Worth It?

Only If You Want the Latest Edition

Farming Simulator 25 brings some appealing enhancements to the franchise, particularly with improved AI systems, new vehicle options, and an expanded variety of maps that add to the farming experience. However, these upgrades are incremental, not revolutionary. If you’ve played Farming Simulator 22, you may find that while the new additions are nice, they don’t fundamentally change the core gameplay loop. For a franchise as established as this one, I’d expected some bolder advancements to warrant the "next-generation" label, but this iteration feels more like a polished extension of the previous version.

At full price, I’d hesitate to call this a must-have. For those who already own Farming Simulator 22, the differences may not be substantial enough to justify an immediate upgrade. It’s a solid game that adds some nice touches to the farming simulation genre, but I’d recommend waiting for a sale unless you’re someone who absolutely wants the latest edition. For most players, the enhancements don’t quite make up for the lack of beginner-friendly guidance or the somewhat clunky interface.

In the end, Farming Simulator 25 is worth it for series enthusiasts who want to keep up with every incremental addition. For everyone else, patience will be rewarded when it goes on sale.

Digital Storefronts
Steam		Epic Games		PlayStation		Xbox
$49.99				$59.99

Farming Simulator 25 FAQ

Does Farming Simulator 25 Support Mods?

Yes, Farming Simulator 25 supports mods, though the selection is currently limited since the game has only recently launched. You can browse mods on trusted sites or visit the official Farming Simulator Mod Hub.

What Are The System Requirements for Farming Simulator 25.

Below are the system requirements for Farming Simulator 25:

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Farming Simulator 25 Product Information

Title	FARMING SIMULATOR 25
Release Date	November 12, 2024
Developer	Giants Software
Publisher	Giants Software
Supported Platforms	PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC (Steam, Epic Games)
Genre	Simulation
Number of Players	1-16 Online and Local Co-op Multiplayer
ESRB Rating	E (Everyone)
Official Website	Farming Simulator 25 Website

Allisandra Reyes

I find joy in the adrenaline rush of horror games, but my thrill-seeking doesn't stop there. Beyond the digital realm, I like to take on the role of designated GM in TTRPGs.