Although there now seems to be a simulator game for every kind of activity under the sun, the recently updated Stardew Valley, with Farming Simulator 22 providing a realistic experience for home console and PC players. Farming Simulator 23, however, takes the franchise to players on the go.

Releasing for Nintendo Switch and mobile devices, Farming Simulator 23 is the first Farming Simulator game for portable devices since 2019. It brings with it the same farming gameplay dynamic as the rest of the series, with two maps, 14 crops, farmyard animals to tend, and production chains to build. However, it is worth nothing that this version does not quite have the same depth as the home releases.

Slow-Burn Good Fun

Much like the other Farming Simulator games, there's a real sense of satisfaction to be found from Farming Simulator 23. There's something comforting to see the player's farm grow over time, from a handful of fields of crops through to something far more substantial, all the while getting to grips with different machinery. The introduction of AI helpers definitely assists this overall atmosphere, watching automated friends harvest while the player drives off to make another delivery.

The variety of different options here certainly helps. Different kinds of crops require a different approach, such as whether it's grain like wheat or a root like potatoes, while there's also the ability to take on animals as well. Reaching the threshold to be able to afford to start a cattle farm, for instance, opens up a new world of opportunities, and with each expansion to the player's reach there's more and more to be done.

Farming Simulator 23 is at its best when the player gets to grips with creating their own production chains, which helps with the overall variety. This could mean grinding their wheat into flour to sell, getting beyond the simple one-and-done approach of harvesting a crop and immediately taking it for sale. The game's internal economy adds to this, with the player able to check on what local prices are for the most effective time and place to sell.

A Fertile Ground For Replayability

This variety does mean that there's enough here for players to want to test out all sorts of different options. It certainly helps that Farming Simulator 23 has two farms to choose from, so can have career modes running in tandem where they test out different farming options to see what they find fun and what they find most effective to help grow their empire the quickest. And as a bit of on-the-go fun that's a solid enough template.

However, there are limits, and beyond the sense of replayability that often comes with idle games there's perhaps a lack of depth here. People who have some knowledge about farming might find some of its elements a little weak, particularly when it comes to things like weeding - which is here in a basic form - and sustainability. Perhaps this is something that could come with a future update, but the lack of emphasis on things like soil health outside of pesticides and fertilizer means those after a deeper look at farming practices could be left feeling a little empty.

As such, it’s not long before those after a deep farming experience may get a little restless. A lot of the changes introduced here, such as the implementation of a seasons system for things like the impact of weather on successful crop harvesting, don't do much to the overall gameplay loop. And when compared to what the home console and PC releases of the franchise cover, it does feel a little like a step down.

Farmyard Repairs Needed

This is also noticeable when it comes to the game's performance. Farming Simulator as a franchise isn’t exactly a series that requires top tier graphics or impeccable frame rates, instead gaining interest through its use of real-world farming equipment and its ability to give s something a little bit different from anything that competitors can provide. As such, Farming Simulator 23 does have enough here to do what it needs to do.

That said, Farming Simulator 23 does look like a little bit of a downgrade from Farming Simulator 22, thanks to its move to portable platforms in the Switch and mobile devices. It's not a deal-breaker, as function over form is the name of the game here, but things like flat objects and basic textures do mean that Farming Simulator 23 isn't the most awe-inspiring of games. Given how there are some visually stunning Nintendo Switch games, it's a shame that it doesn't push the boat out any further.

Perhaps a bigger challenge comes in the form of some other technical limitations. Players might notice that load times are a little on the long side, both when loading the game and going into things like map and purchase menus. As well as this, there are occasional physics issues, such as getting vehicles stuck on fences or barriers if the player isn't too careful.

Our Review Score & Final Thoughts

Overall, Farming Simulator 23 scratches the same sort of itch as previous games in the series, but it's maybe not as effective has the more substantial home releases. There's enough here for a player to initially sink their teeth into, particularly when the game's portable focus is considered, but that depth does disappear relatively quickly. Even so, there's still something deeply satisfying about its farming gameplay loop, and those after a relaxing experience will find one here.

Source: Farming Simulator/YouTube

Farming Simulator 23 releases May 23, 2023 for Nintendo Switch and mobile devices. Screen Rant was provided with a Switch code for the purposes of this review.