25.7 hours played
Written 6 days ago
Farming Simulator 19, developed by Giants Software and released in late 2018, is a robust and surprisingly immersive agricultural simulation that manages to turn the slow-paced, labor-intensive world of modern farming into a richly detailed and meditative gameplay experience. The franchise has long catered to a niche but passionate audience, and FS19 represents one of the series’ most significant leaps forward in terms of visual fidelity, mechanical complexity, and brand authenticity. With over 300 licensed vehicles and machines, two expansive maps, new crops and livestock systems, and mod support, it delivers a comprehensive farming experience that blends realism with rewarding progression. Despite some lingering rough edges and a steep learning curve, Farming Simulator 19 remains one of the most complete and authentic farming games on the market.
From the outset, FS19 impresses with its presentation. The graphical overhaul compared to its predecessor, Farming Simulator 17, is immediately apparent. Lighting is more natural, shadows are softer and dynamic, and textures—especially of crops, terrain, and machinery—are markedly improved. Fields sway with the wind, vehicles kick up dust as they plow through the soil, and the color palette evokes the serene charm of the countryside. The game's two base maps—Ravenport, a picturesque American valley, and Felsbrunn, a European village nestled against the hills—are visually distinct and beautifully laid out, offering varied terrain, field shapes, and layouts that feel authentic to their regions. Both maps are dotted with farms, towns, forestry zones, and biogas plants, encouraging players to specialize or diversify.
Gameplay in Farming Simulator 19 revolves around managing a farm from the ground up, and players can either start with some land and equipment or build entirely from scratch in the more hardcore "Start from Zero" mode. The core loop involves cultivating fields, planting and harvesting crops, tending to animals, managing finances, and reinvesting profits into better tools, land, or production chains. New to FS19 are cotton and oats as crop options, as well as the inclusion of John Deere equipment—a long-requested brand that finally made its debut in the series. The authenticity of machinery is astounding; every vehicle is faithfully modeled, from its physical design to how it handles and sounds. Tractors feel heavy and grounded, while harvesters and sprayers operate with real-world accuracy. There’s an almost reverent attention to detail that fans of farming—and heavy machinery—will deeply appreciate.
The game expands its animal husbandry systems as well. Players can raise cows, pigs, sheep, chickens, and horses. Horses, in particular, are a unique addition—not just for profit, but also for transportation and even care-based gameplay. You can ride them to build stamina and sell them for higher prices, adding a more active and interactive component to livestock management. Each type of animal has specific needs—food, water, shelter—and rewards, such as milk, wool, or manure, that tie into larger production loops. Managing animals becomes a full-fledged endeavor of its own, requiring a balance of effort and resources, which nicely complements the crop-based side of the game.
One of the most notable improvements in FS19 is the enhanced economic and land management system. Players can now purchase individual parcels of land rather than pre-assigned fields, opening up more freedom in how farms are developed. Want to focus on logging instead of plowing fields? Buy a forested lot and dive into forestry. Prefer to raise animals in secluded pastures? Buy a remote piece of land and set up infrastructure from scratch. This added flexibility improves immersion and encourages players to tailor their gameplay to their preferred style. However, this freedom also means that new players can become overwhelmed quickly. Farming Simulator 19 does little to ease players into its complex systems, and tutorials are sparse and often vague, leaving beginners to rely on community guides or trial and error.
Another major addition is the overhauled mission system. Rather than being detached minigames, contracts in FS19 are now more seamlessly integrated into the economy and can be performed with either your own or borrowed equipment. They include tasks like fertilizing, harvesting, and transporting for neighboring farmers, offering an alternative income stream that’s especially useful in the early game. These missions also help teach mechanics in a more hands-on way, providing a bridge between learning and earning. In multiplayer, these contracts also make cooperative play more engaging, allowing players to split duties across a large-scale operation or compete in different regions of the map.
Multiplayer, up to 16 players on PC, continues to be one of FS19’s strongest features. Running a farm with friends adds not only efficiency but enjoyment, transforming what can sometimes be a solitary and methodical experience into something collaborative and dynamic. Whether working in sync during harvest season or assigning roles—one player running logistics while another plants fields—co-op farming is a uniquely satisfying experience that few other games can replicate.
Mod support, long a cornerstone of the franchise, is fully embraced in Farming Simulator 19, with Giants even supporting console mods for PS4 and Xbox One—though with more limitations than on PC. The community has created everything from new vehicles and maps to scripts that add seasons, real-world economic conditions, or advanced crop rotations. The “Seasons” mod, for instance, fundamentally changes the game’s pace by introducing weather effects and growing cycles, forcing players to plan and prepare for long-term farm management. While this level of customization is one of FS19’s biggest assets, it also reflects a core criticism: the vanilla game, while comprehensive, often relies on community-created content to truly shine and reach its full potential.
There are, of course, drawbacks. The AI remains a weak point. Hired workers are prone to getting stuck on field edges, failing to navigate around obstacles, or completing tasks inefficiently. Traffic AI is similarly crude, often causing frustration when vehicles stall behind slow cars on narrow roads. Additionally, while the core loop is rewarding for those who enjoy simulation, others may find it too slow, grindy, or lacking in dynamic goals. There’s no overarching narrative or campaign structure; your farm’s growth is entirely self-driven. While that freedom is ideal for simulation purists, players who prefer structured progression may find the open-endedness a bit too open.
In conclusion, Farming Simulator 19 is a deep, flexible, and faithful farming simulation that captures both the beauty and the challenge of agricultural life. With its expanded crop options, enhanced visuals, improved economy, and wide array of machinery, it successfully builds on the franchise’s strengths while leaving room for modders and players to push its limits even further. It’s not a game that tries to appeal to everyone—it’s slow, methodical, and unapologetically detailed—but for those who resonate with its pace and premise, it offers dozens or even hundreds of hours of rich, rewarding gameplay. Whether you're a hobbyist looking to virtually run a dairy farm or a machinery geek thrilled by precision tractors and harvesters, Farming Simulator 19 is both a technical achievement and a love letter to the modern farmer.
Rating: 9/10
