Introduction

When it comes to video games, few things are as intensely relaxing and simultaneously bewildering as the 'Farming Simulator' series. In 'Farming Simulator 20' for the Nintendo Switch, players are invited to live out their most pastoral fantasies, as they grapple with the intricacies of plowing fields and milking cows, all while trying to make their farm the envy of the virtual countryside. It’s the paternal enterprise you never knew you needed, and yet, here we are—hi-ho, hi-ho, off to farm we go!

Gameplay

Gameplay begins in career mode where you are thrust into the overly complicated world of farming—apparently, there’s more to it than just rolling up your sleeves and shouting "yeehaw!" For starters, players will find themselves navigating a variety of missions, managing crops, and dealing with livestock like it's some sort of demanding real-life job, only without the actual paycheck. Sure, you get to harvest corn, but spoiler alert: that corn isn’t paying your rent. There are dynamically generated missions involving mowing grass, fertilizing fields, and delivering cargo that scream thrilling excitement, or at least as much excitement as one can safely get from a spreadsheet. Completing these missions rewards you with in-game money which you can use to buy better equipment, because nothing says “living the dream” quite like a shiny new tractor!

Graphics

Graphics won't win any beauty pageants, but they tend to do their part. Expect the pixels to look roughly as good as a 2005 gaming console—let's just say the cows are chubby, but not exactly photorealistic. That said, the varied terrain does offer some nice vagueness that helps distract from the fact that you’re basically playing a simulation of doing chores. And really, who needs high-definition resolution when you have the existential dread of tenancy fees? Also, the game runs smoothly on the Switch, so you can take your farming escapades on the go, which is a double-edged sword if you have to explain to your grandma why you're playing "Farming Simulator" on the train instead of "Call of Duty" like a normal person.

Conclusion

In the great arcade of life, 'Farming Simulator 20' is a compelling 7/10. It’s not the flashiest game out there, nor does it encourage a social life, but it does make a convincing case for ditching the modern whims of fast-paced gaming for the slow, meditative embrace of agriculture. It's comforting and deceptively complex in a way only simulation games can be, which may leave you wondering just how far you’ll go to create your own digital farming empire. So grab a joystick, steer clear of the virtual livestock poop, and embark on the milking mission of a lifetime—just don’t forget to hit ‘save’ before you clock out for the day.

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