What is Farming Simulator 15?

That's right, Farming Simulator 2013 has had a MASSIVE presence on YouTube and the rest of the web. But never ones to rest on their laurels, Giants Software have been eagerly beavering away on the sequel to perhaps the worlds greatest Farming Sim.

For those not in the know, but whose interest may have been ever so slightly piqued, FS2013 allows you to run a farm, buy fields, hire workers or even do the bally lot yourself, ploughing, fertilizing and seeding to your heart's content. It is available on PC, Xbox 360 and PS3.

You can check out my earlier review to FS2013 in this link

But enough with the old and in with the new!

Oh my, where do we start?

Ok, the new map, Bjornholm is vast! And what's more, it's full of trees. Trees are good because of something some of us have been waiting for. Forestry! That's right. Take up your mighty Chainsaw of Doom and cut down trees with realistic physics, load them onto a wagon and sell them for gratuitous profit! This aspect really is great fun.

The graphics engine has had a complete overhaul, and looks fantastic. Animation are smooth, frame rates high and some nice looking particle effects are in place.

What's more, there is a massively improved physics system that needs to experienced to be believed. The tractors actually feel like they have some weight to them finally, addressing one of my biggest complaints about FS2013

Oh yes! Multi-player straight out of the box and it's great fun! You only have to check out Twitch to see some great fun MP action! This gives the game so much more depth, as instead of using the AI workers you can hire, you can instead have a handful of friends come into the game and help you out!

Oh, and if you have up to15 friends, go for it as they can all join in!!

You still get access to the GIGANTIC America map from the FS 2013 Titanium Edition, the new economic branch of Forestry that goes hand in hand with the brand new vehicles plus everything that made FS 2013 so much fun to play. I for one am loving the new map, and the latest and greatest tractors and attachments really do look amazing! Oh, did I mention that the vehicles and trailers get dirty now? In real time? Now you can buy a jet wash to clean the dirt off to reveal your shiny tractor once more! Actually, I am not so sure that washing cars / tractors counts as game-play or fun?!?

This is a game that will take up huge swathes of your time but demand so little in return, and it truly is a relaxing experience to play. No stress, no idiots shouting obscenities at you and no gunfire to duck and dodge.

Well, there were a lot of bugs at launch. Looking at Amazons reviews a fair few peeps had issues running the game and received poor customer service in response. Both are unacceptable in this day and age with a relatively simple bit of software.

Whilst the physics are dramatically improved, they still are not really up to par with most modern games. Pop in with the graphics is pretty dire, especially with trees even on maximum viewing distance and mod support is almost non existent at time of writing, but the final point will certainly improve as the community get to grips with the new engine.

AI drivers and pedestrians are still extremely poor, but the big question is, does any of this even matter? Are you looking for a non violent game that rewards perseverance, that for the most part looks brilliant, is relaxing and is even a bit educational?

If the answer is yes, look no further.

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