Shannon Hodges

Farming Simulator 25 (FS25) Review: A Disappointing Follow-Up to FS22 I absolutely loved Farming Simulator 22 (FS22). After spending 732 hours on it and purchasing all the season passes, I was hooked. So naturally, when Farming Simulator 25 (FS25) was announced, I was incredibly excited. However, after logging 22 hours into FS25, I find myself disappointed and underwhelmed. Graphics and Presentation One of the first things I noticed was the graphics. Surprisingly, they feel like a step down from FS22. The visuals seem less polished and almost childish in style, which is a strange direction for the series. While FS22's graphics felt immersive and detailed (for what it is), FS25's seem to lack that same charm and realism. Gameplay and AI The AI system in FS25 has some frustrating quirks. For instance, the AI often starts working in the middle of a field, which can cause unnecessary crop destruction if you have that setting enabled and you have to take over. Fixing these AI mistakes can be a hassle and undermines the smooth gameplay experience fans of the series expect. Contract work with AI is also problematic. When I tried to use a worker, the AI failed to recognize the field, forcing me to complete the tasks manually. This was a letdown, especially considering how important contracts are for progressing in the game. Maps and Features Currently, FS25 offers only three maps. While they're decent, they lack the excitement and innovation I was hoping for. FS22 offered a broader range of interesting maps at launch, and the lack of variety here is noticeable. One improvement is that in-game traffic now passes you if you're driving too slowly, which adds a nice touch of realism. However, traffic still has issues, like pulling out in front of you at intersections. While somewhat humorous, it doesn’t feel like a real improvement. Bugs and Issues FS25 feels buggy and unfinished. Equipment sometimes gets stuck in the ground, and when cutting trees, branches will randomly spin around. These issues disrupt immersion and gameplay. While I’m hopeful these bugs will be patched, it’s disappointing to encounter so many at launch. The Good: New Crop Options One bright spot is the addition of new crop options, which adds a bit of variety to farming. However, this alone isn’t enough to justify the purchase, especially considering the other shortcomings. Final Thoughts FS25 doesn’t feel like the upgrade I was expecting after the impressive FS22 experience. The graphics, AI, and bugs make the experience frustrating, and the limited maps don’t offer much excitement. While I might revisit FS25 after some updates, for now, I’m putting it aside and returning to FS22 or exploring other games. If you’re on the fence about FS25, I’d recommend waiting for patches and additional content before purchasing. As it stands, I regret spending money on this game, as it doesn’t deliver the improvements or innovations I was hoping for.