GIANTS Software released Farming Simulator 22 on November 22, 2021, bringing with it new gameplay elements and the latest farm vehicles and equipment. There are solo and multiplayer modes, while you can also enjoy mods made by the gaming community.
If you’re ready to cultivate lands and harvest crops, let’s show you how to play Farming Simulator 22 so you can learn the basics.
What is Farming Simulator 22?
Farming Simulator 22 is an open-world farming simulation game where you have land to sow seeds and harvest crops. It also has animals for you to provide different products, such as milk and wool. There are contracts you can accept to work on other farms, but you’ll have the opportunity to buy the land and develop it for more profit.
What’s the point of Farming Simulator?
The primary objective of Farming Simulator 22 is to grow and sell crops and products to make as many in-game funds as possible. You’ll have several tools and equipment at your disposal, each one equipped for a specific purpose. Ultimately, you want to own as much land as possible for the best financial bottom line.
How to play Farming Simulator 22
Learning how to play Farming Simulator 22 is easy if you’ve tried the previous games in the franchise. Most of the game mechanics are the same, with a few exceptions. If you’re new to the series, here are a few basic tips for getting started.
How do you start off in Farming Simulator?
To play Farming Simulator 22, you need to buy, download and install it. You’ll need at least 35 GB of space on your PC with 8GB RAM. It only works on Windows 10 and higher.
When you start a new game, it will ask you which mode you’d like to play. They rank as easy, medium, and hard and will affect how much money you begin with as well as some economic factors. There are also three maps in different countries.
As soon as you’ve selected a difficulty, you can create a character. The choices started with gender, but you can browse clothing and physical attributes after that. Give your new character a name, and you’ll enter the farming world.
What are the steps?
On the easier modes, you’ll have one piece of land you can start with. It’s best that you look around at the buildings and equipment you have to see what you have to work with. When you’re ready to get your virtual hands dirty in Farming Simulator 2, these are the steps you’ll need to follow:
- Plow: You’ll need to prepare the land the first time you plan on using it. It’s best if you check the crop requirements to see whether you should use a plow or a subsoiler.
- Cultivate: After you harvest crops, you’ll need to cultivate the soil to prepare it for sowing. It’s usually considered the first step, depending on if plowing is necessary.
- Sow/plant: To grow crops, you need to sow the seeds into the cultivated land first. When you attach a sower to a tractor, you can select which type you want to plant.
- Fertilize: If you want better yield and improved crops, you should fertilize the soil with nutrients. There are various types of fertilizers from which you can choose.
- De-weed: Weeds will appear between your crops now and again, so you’ll need to remove them. If the crops are still young, you can use a de-weeding attachment. Otherwise, you’ll need to perform some chemical spraying.
- Lime: After harvesting crops a few times, the soil starts to lose its natural resources, and normal fertilizer isn’t as effective. You’ll need to spray some lime over the soil to assist.
- Harvest: With your crops ready, you can now harvest them. Make sure there’s a trailer nearby to transport them when the harvester is full.
- Sell or store: You’ll have two options
- Remove withered crops: If you’re too late in harvesting, your crops will wither and become unusable. You’ll need to cultivate the land to remove the waste.
Different vehicles, equipment, crops, and animals
Another step in learning how to play Farming Simulator 22 is getting to know your resources. Pause the game and take some time to work through the vehicles and equipment. There’s even a guide on what each of them does, which will help you in the long run.
You should also pay attention to the details and prices of the different types of crops. For instance, you can collect straw after harvesting wheat and oats that you’ll feed to some of your animals. There’s also a profit from mowing grass and baling them into hay or silage blocks.
Finally, pay attention to the requirements of various animals. While they’ll provide a steady income, you’ll need to supply them with food, straw, and water to keep them happy. If you don’t have these in stock, you’ll have to buy some.
Purchasing land
As soon as you have a hang of things and your money is doing well, consider purchasing more land. You’ll be able to grow and harvest more crops and thereby derive a greater income. Start with the most affordable ones and work your way up.
Farming Simulator 22: tips and tricks
You now have the foundation of how to play Farming Simulator 22. Once you have the hang of it, you may want to look at some advanced techniques. Here are some tips to consider.
Use workers carefully
When farming lands, you have the option to have a worker do it for you. You’ll pay them wages, depending on the activity. You’ll need to see if you’ll still make a profit; otherwise, you might as well just do it yourself. Quick tasks like fertilizing and cultivating generally take up more money and won’t yield a decent return on investment if you outsource them.
Sell what you don’t need
As soon as you start playing Farming Simulator 22, look at which buildings and equipment on your land you don’t need. You can make some extra money by selling them, which you can use for decent vehicles and improvements. When you earn more income, consider selling old tractors for better ones.
Accepting contracts
You’ll notice on the dashboard that there’s a tab for contracts. If you want to make some dough quickly (pun intended), accept one and complete the task as quickly as possible. We usually start the day dealing with our own lands before spending the rest of it on contracts. It’s an excellent way to maximize profits.
Check the market before selling
We know you’re eager to make some money, but have a look at the market for your crops and animal products. It will work in your favor to find the stores that will pay the most for them at that time. Remember, the rates change based on demand, so always ensure you head back to see the current buying price.
Cut some trees
If you have trees on your land, you can cut them down and sell the wood. You’ll need some forestry equipment, which you’ll be able to afford later in the game. In the beginning, consider spending some time chopping them down to size with a chainsaw and placing it in the back of your trailer.
Watch the seasons
A new feature introduced in Farming Simulator 22 is the seasonal cycle. The weather and climate will change over time, and it will have a massive impact on your crops and when you can harvest. Make sure you have everything in place for when the snows of winter arrive!
Look at the mods
Game modders love producing new content for Farming Simulator games. You won’t need to install them separately, as you can access them in the game itself. Have a look at which features you’d like to add to your farm.
Cross-play multiplayer
No matter which platform you choose to play Farming Simulator 22 on, you’ll be able to join your friends online. You have the choice to compete for the most income and land, or join forces and manage the farms together. All you need to do is connect with your friends or join a server to play with others.
Let’s get farming!
As you can see, Farming Simulator 22 is more than just a casual game. There’s plenty to do, and it just depends on how much time you have to do it in. You can get lost for hours growing and harvesting on your farm. There are even social channels dedicated to online competitions!
