Farlands takes one of the most familiar premises in gaming – a run-down farm waiting to be restored – and gives it a refreshing science fiction twist. Rather than inheriting a patch of countryside, we purchase an entire neglected planet on the edge of a forgotten solar system, complete with a battered spaceship and an equally worn-down assistance droid. Unsurprisingly, such a bargain comes with hidden complications, and what initially feels like a relaxing fresh start gradually unfolds into a larger conflict that threatens every inhabited world in the system. While the overarching story never overwhelms the cosy farming experience, it provides enough purpose to make expanding the farm and exploring new planets feel like part of a meaningful journey rather than an endless routine.
At its core, Farlands remains comfortably familiar. We clear debris, till fields, plant seasonal crops, water them, craft equipment and steadily improve both our home and our tools. The difference is that progression rarely stays confined to one location. Travelling between planets becomes an essential part of gathering rare materials, discovering new crops, meeting alien residents and filling an interstellar archive with plants, minerals, fish, insects and other discoveries. This museum-style collection system gives exploration a satisfying sense of progression, while the gradual expansion of the solar system encourages us to keep venturing further from home. The pace can be leisurely, particularly during the opening hours, but the steady stream of unlocks and upgrades makes it difficult to resist playing “just one more day.”
The interplanetary travel system is easily Farlands’ defining feature. Fuel management, travel time and spaceship upgrades add an extra strategic layer rarely seen in farming simulators, forcing us to think ahead before setting off for another world. Deciding when to leave crops unattended, ensuring enough fuel remains for the return trip and investing in ship improvements all become important considerations. Unfortunately, these mechanics are also responsible for some of the game’s biggest frustrations. Early exploration can feel overly restrictive before meaningful upgrades become available, while the limited guidance surrounding several systems occasionally leaves us experimenting through trial and error instead of learning naturally. A lack of convenient reference tools, such as an accessible calendar or clearer tutorials, makes the opening hours less welcoming than they could have been.
Beyond farming, there’s an impressive amount of content to occupy our time. Fishing, bug catching, mining, raising unusual livestock, decorating our property, pursuing relationships with residents and attending seasonal festivals all help flesh out daily life. We especially appreciated how each planet develops its own identity through distinct environments, inhabitants and local traditions rather than simply serving as another biome to harvest resources from. Although some festivals amount to little more than conversations and short scenes instead of interactive activities, they still help build the world’s personality. Likewise, the colorful cast of alien characters and the game’s light-hearted humor prevent the isolated setting from ever feeling lonely.
The presentation complements the relaxed atmosphere well. Its pixel art embraces bright purples, pinks and other vibrant colours that immediately distinguish Farlands from the more traditional greens and browns of many farming sims. Every planet feels visually distinct, giving exploration genuine appeal, while the soundtrack remains pleasantly understated throughout lengthy play sessions. On PlayStation 5, controls are generally intuitive and well suited to the game’s many activities, although some interface elements could communicate mechanics more clearly. Inventory management is refreshingly efficient thanks to generous storage and sensible organisation, helping minimise the micromanagement that often slows down games in this genre.
Farlands doesn’t completely reinvent the farming simulator formula, but it doesn’t need to. Its greatest strength lies in taking a well-established gameplay loop and successfully relocating it into a charming science fiction setting that consistently encourages exploration. At times we wished the game did more to establish its own identity beyond the excellent space theme, and the slow early progression, occasional lack of direction and a few quality-of-life omissions hold it back from reaching the very top tier of the genre. Even so, the satisfying progression, varied activities and distinctive planetary setting make it an easy recommendation for players looking for a cosy farming adventure with a refreshing interstellar flavor. It may borrow heavily from genre favourites, but its spaceship-powered approach gives it enough personality to stand comfortably among them.
Score: 7.0/10