Review - Farming Simulator 26

Nikolas Tolgyesi
Jun 16
4 min read

Developer: GIANTS Software

Publisher: GIANTS Software

Platform: Nintendo Switch, Mobile (iOS, Android)

Reviewed on: Nintendo Switch

Farming Simulator 26 is quickly feeling like a misunderstood release. There is a loyal fan base that includes me, but the love for this latest installment has not surfaced yet. Don’t get me wrong, I have my critiques to share, but overall, I see absolutely nothing wrong with the game and thoroughly enjoy my time in-game. It provides the key experience that fits in your pocket.

My intention for this review is to primarily compare Farming Simulator 26 to Farming Simulator 23, also available on Switch and mobile devices. The reason for this is that the Nintendo Switch and mobile are significantly weaker in terms of power compared to the Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5. It would not be a fair fight.

Rolling in the Green

One of the biggest improvements I want to start with is contracts and challenges, now available in Farming Simulator 26. Until this point, farmers were incredibly limited on Switch and Mobile in terms of additional income. You could tend your fields, but short of waiting until the next harvest, there were few opportunities to increase your bankroll. Contracts provide a reliable source of income and an opportunity to sharpen one’s farming skills in all areas. You are able to perform all major tasks such as cultivating, plowing, seeding, harvesting, and baling, providing a nice variety for everyone.

Another new feature is challenges. Both similar to and different from contracts, these milestone objectives will harbor much larger rewards. Challenges include items such as harvesting a certain amount of crops or collecting income on consecutive days, for example. The important part of this new twist is that players would be harvesting or performing jobs regardless; to get some income out of their work is a great bonus.

Shrinkflation on the Fields

First off, I want to talk about the fields available in Farming Simulator 26. Going as far back as I can recall, the cost of new fields has always been reasonable in terms of acreage. In Farming Simulator 26, a 4-acre field is going to run you a whopping $900,000. When we look at Farming Simulator Signature Edition as a momentary sidestep, a 3.5-acre pasture will run you less than $250,000. I don’t want to believe shrinkflation has hit virtual farmers, but it is hard to argue with the numbers. I understand reworking prices may be outside the realm of possibility at the moment, so a new farm with reduced prices or increased starting balance would save the hay, I mean, day.

Getting it Done

This point is one that slowly but surely eats away at all seasoned farmhands. At the beginning of any new game, you want to complete as many items from your list as quickly as possible so the earnings can begin. Let me be clear, this does not mean having the most expensive equipment available from the get-go. However, when a tractor can barely achieve 5 miles per hour, cultivating changes from a sweet dream to a dreaded chore. In Farming Simulator 26, the default tractor and harvester have significantly more horsepower packed under the hood, seeing field maintenance become the sweetest of treats. At 15 miles per hour, you can hit your stride and get those crops taken care of in no time at all.

Bugs in the Fields

The newest Farming Simulator has seen a few insects in the crops. I am hoping that by highlighting them here, we can reduce the need for harsh chemicals on the farmland. There is a visual glitch I experienced while working on a baling contract that sees freshly rolled bales of hay colliding with the baling machine. Rather than the baling vehicle driving over the top of the bale, it will drive through, causing the item to disappear from view.

The second glitch I have encountered is related to harvesting contracts. With the abundance of owners needing help, I was happy to step up and lend a helping hand. During a barley mission, the tasks of harvesting and transporting the grain ran like clockwork. The owner had specified a selling point to deliver the crop to, designated with a red circle that flashes over the location. Upon arriving with the crop, a message appeared stating the crop was not accepted at the location, meaning the contract could not be completed. This also meant I was on the hook for roughly $7,000.

Nothing Beats the Fresh Farm Air

Anytime I am getting ready for a game, I will gather as much information as possible to establish a starting point. One of the items I saw creeping up was the visuals in Farming Simulator 26. Some were feeling as if the scenery was choppy and boxy, rather than polished and stunning. In my experience, not only was this title sharp, but the detail in the atmosphere was done extremely well, considering the processing power available on a mobile device and Nintendo Switch.

My Tractor is Weeping

My battle for cruise control rages on in the latest installment. Historically, Farming Simulator has done a great job of including the cruise control feature. In the last few Switch editions, my beloved feature has been shelved, leaving me with a heavy heart. The current button layout causes discomfort while trying to reach the gas button located on the right trigger. Even with my best efforts and a chronic need to run a top-tier production, frequent breaks are needed to combat the strain. Once again, I am asking with all the sweetness I can muster: please put cruise control back in the Switch edition of Farming Simulator 26.

Your Farm Doesn’t Have to Suffer

Farming Simulator 26 was designed as a lightweight game that is able to run smoothly on both a previous-generation official handheld and the mobile device you carry with you on your day-to-day journey. There are limitations, yes, but those are what make the farming experience available to you anywhere you go.