This November 14 sees a new extension land in the Steam catalog of Farming Simulator. It offers its share of new materials and especially a new map which radically changes the 2 original maps.
So here we are at the helm of the newly installed Farming Simulator 17 Platinum expansion. First start, the game sports a new logo on its main page. If you already had a game in progress, you can activate the Platinum expansion to benefit from the new sugar cane crop and new materials. Otherwise, and it's still nicer, start a new game on the South American map which is added to the 2 old maps.
An orange land as far as the eye can see
Radical change of scenery. Here we are planted in the middle of South America to start the cultivation of sugar cane. The first characteristic that jumps out at you is the disproportionate size of the map. The illusion of grandeur is amplified by the relief of the terrain: the almost absolute flatness. No relief, little road, and the possibility, via the plow field creation mode, to have XXL fields. Estancia Lapacho, it is her small name, also allows the breeding of a local breed of cow, less productive than the previous dairy ones.
If, like me, you are not used to playing the different modhub cards, then you risk taking full advantage of the warm orange colors. As always with Giants maps, several points of interest are on the map: a small town center where you will meet a few pedestrians
A well-equipped farm
As with any start-up, you start with a capital of € 20000… it's not really certain, but take a look at the garage: there is everything you need !!!
CASE IH 1455XL, loader, bucket, pallet lifters, trailers, pick-ups, combine harvesters, MF 4709, Stara ST MAX 105, 2 seeders, and finally all the equipment to cultivate sugar cane, namely planter, lifting and silage trailer. Everything is done so that you can discover the new culture directly.
Sugar cane
If you are well equipped, you still do not have the latest equipment, exit the XXL gear for high work rates. Here room for small, almost artisanal work. To plant your sugar canes, you have every interest in calling on a worker. For 2 reasons: the first is that you have to go really straight because you are planting in 1 or 2 rows and the slightest gap is visible. The second is that by planting precisely in 1 or 2 rows… it takes time… a lot of time (the multi takes its place here).
Once this long work is done, we will have to wait (again) for it to grow. And again the sugar cane takes longer to grow than the other crops available in the game. And when you see how high the plant is capable of growing ... And to top it off, it does not sell very expensive (€ 6000 per trailer on average). On the other hand, it grows back once cut, no need to replant it.
Small flat on this culture and its harvest by the workers. If, like me, you use the "crop destruction" mod, the harvest being done on the right side of the tractor, your worker and his forage harvester will crush the plants during his round trips in the plot… not great.
A mixed record
If like me, you are a player who uses very little the mods and extensions of the game, then this extension will bring a welcome little touch of freshness while waiting for Farming Simulator 19. On the other hand, several players have told me only Apart from sugar cane, this DLC did not bring them any big news, and that the posted price was suddenly too high.
The DLC made in Giants Software nevertheless remains the most qualitative, whether for graphic consistency or for overall integration into the game.
Verdict
I find it worth ...
Clément would rather give him ...
En3rgie5 leans for ...
A mixed record
If aficionados and other mod freaks of Farming Simulator 17 will find little interest in the new equipment and the new map, this expansion remains a must have for anyone who discovers the title (purchase of the complete game + expansion pack). Without offering a second youth to the series, it will still provide many hours of play while waiting for the arrival of the new version.