Life in FS22 is one of hard work

Farming Simulator 22 is a simulation video game wherein you can raise crops and farm animals to earn a living. Developed by Giants Software, this 3D photo-realistic farming simulation game is part of the Farming Simulator game series and is the sequel to Farming Simulator 19.

Similar to Ranch Simulator and Farm Manager 2018, Farming Simulator 22 offers realistic farming mechanics for its gameplay — from maintaining the entire life cycle of crops to yielding a good harvest. It adds various features to the franchise, like the all-new seasonal cycle, new crops, improved machines, and new maps.

The FS22 goodies can simulate real life

Farming Simulator is a farming sim video game series that first came out in 2008. Its accurate portrayal of a farmer’s work process made it a successful simulator game franchise like Euro Truck Simulator and American Truck Simulator. Here, you play as a modern farmer who has to earn money for a living. The basic tasks are planting crops, raising farm animals, and cutting down trees to sell products.

Then, using your money, you can improve your equipment and farm to maximize production. These things are still found here in Farming Simulator 22, but now you get additional content. There are three new crops, several new machines, as well as 34 real-life brands added to the shop’s roster. There are also three new maps available. However, the biggest update is the seasonal cycle, which gives even greater gameplay variety.

If you’re finding it hard to manage your farm, you can always play with friends using the co-op multiplayer mode. You can also add the supported free mods to add other content. However, in terms of this, it pales in comparison to FS19’s capabilities. Fortunately, the numerous updates on the graphics, audio and other features still make FS22 a worthwhile investment.

Does Farming Simulator 22 have John Deere?

One of the best aspects of the game is its inclusion of real-life item brands — and in FS22’s case, it’s the vehicles and machines. Here, you can find popular manufacturers such as John Deere, CLAAS, Case IH, New Holland, Fendt, Massey Ferguson, and Valtra, amongst others. Notably, the vehicles here now have gear shifting for a more realistic driving simulation. There’s even a new tire brand called Continental.

Aside from this, tractors, harvesters, and Heavy Goods Vehicles are available for purchase and manual operation. These come with automatic header tilt and height controls, as well as new ground working tools for easier gameplay. These are all on top of the cool and efficient production chains you can set up once you’ve got enough money and equipment ready to expand production further.

Three additional maps

Farming Simulator 22 introduces fresh additions to its farming map list — Elm Creek, Haut-Beyleron, and Erlengrat — offering players a wider selection of maps to play and enjoy. Every map presents its own distinctive terrain, climate, and detailed environment. Each also requires varying levels of farming expertise and provides a unique gaming experience. There will also be differences in the crops to be cultivated and the livestock to be bred in each farming environment. 

• Elm Creek: Located in the US, this map is particularly suitable for beginners, as its topography consists predominantly of flatland with only minor inclines. As a player, you will start from the middle of the map, where you can build your farmhouse, barn, and all other agricultural structures you need to sustain your farmland.
• Haut-Beyleron: This French farmland map features a more elevated terrain, as it’s situated in the hilly countryside. With a moderately warm climate, it makes for ideal land to grow exotic crops like olives and grapes. The most flexible of maps, it is suitable for beginner farmers and experienced farmers alike.
• Erlengrat: Situated at the heart of the Swiss alps, this farm map is for the most skillful farmers. It features mountainous terrain and a colder climate, making it more challenging to prepare the crops in graduated steps of the slopes.

List of crops to grow

• Wheat: This is one of the quintessential crops you would expect in a farming game. The planting season starts from September to October and takes up to 10 months to cultivate.
• Barley: This is another grain crop with the same planting season as wheat. It has a shorter cultivation period of nine months.
• Oat: This crop is collected with a combine harvester and a grain header. The planting season is from March and April, and it takes four months to harvest.
• Canola: It has the longest cultivation season of 11 months. It can be planted from August to September.
• Sorghum: This crop has the shortest growing period of four months. It can be planted between April and May.
• Grapes: This fruit crop can be planted using mechanical means. It requires six months of cultivation season.
• Olives: One of the most profitable crops available, this can be grown and harvested within four months.
• Sunflowers: A versatile crop, sunflowers take half a year to grow.
• Corn: A basic crop commodity, corn is one of the easiest crops to grow. It takes six months to cultivate
• Potatoes: The most profitable crops in this farming game, potatoes don’t require high agricultural maintenance. It takes six months for a full harvest.
• Sugar Beet: Another versatile crop, sugar beet can be used to produce sugar or be extracted as a biogas plant. It covers a seven-month cultivation period.
• Sugar Cane: It yields the same end-product as sugar beet. They also have a similar farming period.
• Cotton: Cultivated for its use in textile production, cotton is an essential farming crop that yields considerable returns.
• Oilseed Radish: This is one of the most flexible and manageable crops to grow. It can be planted all year round.

New multiplayer modes

Coming in Farming Simulator’s patch 1.10 update are multiplayer modes in which you can battle things out with fellow players. There are two games available under the Esports tab — Bale Stacking Mode and Arena Mode. The former can be played by up to six players, with each trying to stack bales of hay onto a trailer under exciting time pressure. On the other hand,  the latter offers a more tactical approach by having two teams with three players each harvesting wheat and delivering pressed bales of them to the barn.

Can still be improved

Overall, Farming Simulator 22 is a nice little farming sim for anyone interested in realistic farming simulation mechanics. While its mod support and scope aren’t the best — especially if you’ve played the previous game — it still adds great content that makes the gameplay much more dynamic and engaging. Plus, you can always team up with other players to make the best farm ever.