Andrew Newton reviews Farming Simulator: 16-Bit Edition…
If you’ve ever thought, “What if Farming Simulator had been made for the Sega Mega Drive (or Genesis to our American chums)?” well, Farming Simulator: 16-Bit Edition from Giants Software and Strictly Limited Games answers that question in the best possible way.
You start with the basics: a small farm, a clunky little tractor, harvester etc, and plenty of land to plough, sow and harvest. You’ll plant wheat, sell your crops,visit the various buildings scattered around the farmland and slowly work your way toward being able to afford a bigger farm. It’s the same gameplay fans of the series will recognise but stripped down to fit an isometric environment that will remind the veteran gamers amongst you of the likes of Desert Strike/Jungle Strike etc.
Each farm comes fully equipped with the essentials to keep things running smoothly. There’s a refueling station for your tractors, a seed depot where you can buy different crops, and a marketplace to sell your hard-earned produce. Upgrading your machinery is also part of the loop, and the in-game shop offers plenty of options to make your work more efficient—with familiar names like John Deere and New Holland making an appearance.
There are many gamers who may think it sounds like it should be boring. There are no dynamic weather systems, no complex supply chains, no ultra-detailed 3D models. You’re basically ploughing and harvesting… repeatedly. And yet, the charm sneaks up on you. Maybe it’s the 16bit engine sounds that attract, or the way your tractor moves in that quirky little fashion. Or maybe it’s just the pleasure of seeing a modern game squeezed into a format that until recent years was considered obsolete.
The game is beautifully done, the isometric 16bit graphics provide that nostalgia overload and although modern gamers may find it gets repetitive quite quickly, it nonetheless remains completely faithful to the core series. There’s definitely a sense that this is one for the retro gaming enthusiasts. If, like me, you love seeing new games ported onto old hardware just because it can be done, or if the idea of unlocking a new combine harvester (think of the famous song by The Wurzels) on a Sega cartridge makes you smile, then you’ll get a kick out of this.
This might not be the most exciting version of Farming Simulator, but it might be the most interesting. Whether you see it as a novelty, a collectable, or just a strangely relaxing retro farming trip, it’s a unique little gem worth checking out.
If you want to experience that nostalgia hit, visit here to get your copy of the game.
Score: 8.5/10
Andrew Newton
