The farm life is a rewarding one in FS22
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.
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Similar to Ranch Simulator and Farm Manager 2018, Farming Simulator 22 delivers realistic farming mechanics throughout its gameplay, from managing the full life cycle of crops to producing a successful harvest. It introduces several new features to the franchise, including an all-new seasonal cycle, additional crops, enhanced machinery, and brand-new maps to explore.
The farming saga continues with FS22
Farming Simulator is a farming sim video game series first developed by Giants Software and published by Focus Home Interactive back in 2008. In it, you play as a farmer who must earn money to fix up their farmhouse and various machinery to sustain their living expenses. You primarily do so by harvesting crops and selling them, but you can also raise livestock and even dabble in forestry.
In Farming Simulator 22, the core gameplay and tools available are still mostly the same as with the previous titles. However, there are three new crops here, as well as new machines and 34 real-life brands added to the game. The biggest update is the seasonal cycle, where you can plant different crops and plan for the coming season, maximizing your profits. There are even three new maps available.
Just like in the previous games, you can do co-op multiplayer on a farm with your friends. The game even supports free community-created mods to elevate your gaming experience. It is beyond the numerous graphical and gameplay overhaul updates. However, if you’re an old fan of the series, FS22 is not too impressive when compared to FS19 — most especially when it comes to mod content.
What vehicles are going to be in FS 22?
As mentioned, FS22 comes with a variety of machines and vehicles that you can control — and most of them are from real-life farming equipment brands. For vehicles, there are various truck models, including the Lector Crystal HD, Case Magnum AFS Connect Series, and Fendt Katana 650. It also includes new brands, such as Mack Trucks, Versatile, and McCormick. These now have gear shifting for a more realistic driving simulation.
Aside from vehicles, you can also buy tractors and harvesters, as well as Heavy Goods Vehicles for transporting your products. There’s even a new tire brand, automatic header tilt and height controls, and new ground-working tools for your machines. These additions expand your gameplay opportunities alongside the ability to set up production chains for a more seamless farming experience.
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. It is the most flexible map, making it suitable for new and experienced farmers.
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 on 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 runs between September and 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 runs from March to April, and the harvest takes place four months later.
Canola: This 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 the 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: A versatile crop that can be used to produce sugar or extract 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 throughout the year.
New multiplayer modes
Coming in Farming Simulator’s patch 1.10 update are multiplayer modes in which you can battle it 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 it to the barn.
What’s in the Platinum Expansion
Farming Simulator 22’s Platinum Expansion shifts the action to Silverrun Forest, a map inspired by the Pacific Northwest, focusing the gameplay on heavy-duty forestry. Instead of just harvesting crops, you manage timber production chains and utilize a new tree-marking mechanic to organize your work. You can even supply resources to build boats at the local shipyard. The game includes specific, long-term projects to complete within the new wooded environment.
In addition, this update finally introduces Volvo to the franchise, adding over 40 new vehicles and tools to the equipment roster. You get access to specialized logging machinery from brands like Komatsu and John Deere, which are designed to handle the terrain of the new map. These machines are built for high-capacity tasks, from transporting massive logs with Schwarzmüller trailers to using advanced harvesters. The added hardware enables expanded forestry mechanics, including logging and planting trees with greater efficiency.
Well-rounded agricultural title
Farming Simulator 22 proves that farm life can be both challenging and deeply satisfying. With its seasonal planning, diverse crops, detailed machinery, and expansive maps, it offers a well-rounded agricultural experience. Whether managing livestock, mastering production chains, exploring forestry in the Platinum Expansion, or competing in multiplayer modes, FS22 provides steady progression and long-term enjoyment for dedicated virtual farmers.
