On February 23 and 24, Focus Home Interactive, publisher of the Farming Simulator series, organized for the privileged that we are, "What's Next", its event dedicated to the presentation of the next games to come on PC and consoles. Among the ten stands set up for the occasion, was our favorite game: Farming Simulator, in version 2017.
Still in the development stage
No question here of taking control of the latest agricultural machinery, the game, still in the development stage, was unveiled by 2 representatives from Giants Software, Marc Schwegler, lead artist, and Martin Rabl, marketing manager. Fifteen minutes will be enough to get an idea of the future Focus Interactive cardboard… Fifteen minutes to stay focused so as not to throw yourself on the Xbox One controller by the developer 🙂 Let's stop beating around the bush, and get down to business of the subject: what's new for this new version?
An upgrade in style
In a “typical Eastern European” setting, you will evolve in a environment roughly similar to Farming Simulator 2015, and will not be too confused. Emphasis was placed on the use of graphics capabilities of consoles and PCs (no Mac version announced) of the latest generations. And the least we can say is that, visually, the game is particularly successful. The models of the machines are breathtaking as the level of detail is high and faithful to reality. Normal when we learn that the constructors themselves provide the 3D models. In cabin interior view, it feels like it!
The external environment is subject to climatic variations. Too the game engine has been revised in terms of lighting to push the realism well beyond the previous version. You only need to see your field of sunflowers pointing towards the sun in real time to realize this.
Regarding the equipment, we are told a renewal of the machine park with the latest equipment available in concession. Either way, if you are familiar with the franchise, you are not unaware that the game is very scalable and that of many "mods" adding new (or old) material regularly land on the publisher's official website. Note however the arrival of a Pickup type car to go for a walk or to make "little wood" with a chainsaw in the forest, one of the new features of the game.
Le multiplayer is always in the spotlight, without being able to know too much. It is obviously still possible to play and manage your operation with others (we will still see a slew of virtual Gaecs being formed). Solo mode is still devoid of campaign, leaving the player completely free of his actions.
Some shadows on the board
During the presentation, and apart from the clearly improved visual aspect, we wondered what the big news were (Remember that the game is not over yet). We would be tempted to say that this 2017 version should have been the 2015 version. The game itself is always reserved for a public of initiates and enthusiasts. Opening up to the general public could be more relevant with the addition of a campaign mode, which would guide the player towards breeding or cultivation “missions”.
As for physics, we are still far from reaching a good level of realism. “Everything is really heavy, it's complicated to manage,” the developer will admit. In short, the release date is set for the end of 2016. It remains to this day the most complete and successful agricultural simulation game. Farming Simulator 2017 still promises (very) long evenings online to harvest!
Read also our test of the Farming Simulator 2015/2017 steering wheel: The Saitek Precision Control Pack
16e best-selling game in 2015!The virtual farm is growing. Who would have thought that Farming Simulator could dethrone licenses such as Batman or Metal Gear Solid in a highly competitive market? It is however done thanks to a community of players (and farmers) strong and faithful to the appointment as the versions follow one another. The Farming license thus ended 2015 at the 16e place of the top 20 best-selling games (physical market) behind the eternal Fifa, GTA and other Call Of Duty. |