"Farming Simulator VR" played: Farming with VR glasses
The "Farming Simulator VR" is intended to put its players right in the middle of the field, albeit in a much slimmed-down version and only with the Meta Quest.
(Image: Giants Software)
Farming Simulator is finally available in virtual reality – but not in the form that some fans would have liked. Instead of providing official VR support for "Farming Simulator 25" (ab 37,99 €) on the PC, developer Giants Software is releasing a standalone VR game exclusively for Meta Quest 2 and 3(S) on February 28. We have already swung ourselves onto the tractor in "Farming Simulator VR" in advance. It quickly became apparent that it is a very reduced experience: You perform typical tasks such as cultivating (digging over), harvesting or watering plants in the greenhouse.
This also includes maintaining and cleaning the machines with power tools and a high-pressure cleaner. In contrast to PC or console, however, there is significantly less content, no open world and very slimmed-down graphics. At around 22 euros, the price is also lower than Farming Simulator 25 on Steam (50 euros). At least in the first few hours of the game, we only had a handful of fields, tractors and agricultural machinery from manufacturers such as Case IH, Fendt and John Deere at our disposal. If you want, you can grow corn, soybeans, eggplants or strawberries.
Savings program in the countryside
We fetched an old swivel stool without armrests from the storeroom, which actually makes us feel like we're sitting on a real tractor or harvesting machine. On a Kubota M8 tractor, for example, we are enthroned above the field with a panoramic view. It is also possible to turn around quickly – to the right to the virtual dashboard or to the rear to the attached "Claas Quadrant 5300 FC" baler.
Farming Simulator VR - Galerie 2 (5 Bilder)
heise online / jpw
)The Quest VR controllers are used to turn the ignition key and the virtual steering wheel and operate various switches. Even beginners can do this without any problems: some of the more complex controls cannot be operated at all. If necessary, you can refer to the quick guide directly above the dashboard. The sim does not yet support hand tracking or special controllers.
High immersion despite sparse scenery
A strong stomach is an advantage in the field. Similar to "MudRunner VR", the small turning circle of the machines quickly gives you a queasy feeling in your stomach – despite convenient functions such as a vignette. After a few hours, however, we had already gotten used to it and were much more hardened.
The scenery is not only depressingly dreary, it also gets in the way of work. When cleaning a harvesting machine soaked in mud, it can be tricky to find the last dirty spots – much more difficult than in "Power Wash Simulator VR". In "Farming Simulator VR", on the other hand, clean spots and metal hardly shine at all. Even when we climb a ladder to inspect hidden corners, we can sometimes barely distinguish the dirt from the brown rust stains. The scenery is miles away from the idyllic PC original with its elaborate lighting. On the Quest 3, the flat trees and dull surfaces look functional at best. At least we didn't experience any stutters or bugs.
As crops such as wheat or lettuce are ready to harvest and earn money after just a few days in the VR offshoot, we experienced rapid progress and quickly earned enough to buy a new field and some machines. However, there are no competitors or a fully-fledged economic simulation. When hiring simple AI helpers, you should make sure you select the right job: In this menu, for once, the game does not automatically select the appropriate next task. After baling the bales, our artificial helper immediately switched to digging instead of collecting the valuable bales for sale.
Interim conclusion
Based on the impression so far, "Farming Simulator VR" is more of a snack that allows Quest users to get a taste of virtual field work. We quickly found the constant driving along field paths to be quite monotonous, especially as you are not even rewarded with an idyllic natural backdrop or detailed, modeled machines. There is not even a story. In principle, however, the principle fits well with virtual reality: after all, you can enjoy a similar all-round view as on a real tractor.
"Farming Simulator VR" was released on Friday, February 28, 2025 exclusively for Meta Quest 2 and 3(S). It costs approx. 22 euros. USK from 0.
(jpw)
