Developer: Realore
Price: $2.99
Version Reviewed: 1.0
Device Reviewed On: iPad 2
It’s not quite 2 months since the original Farm Mania hit the iPad and already we find ourselves with the choice of playing a sequel, originally titled Farm Mania 2. This time round, Anna, the protagonist of the first game, has decided to start her own farm rather than rebuild her Grandfather’s as in the original game.
That’s it in terms of differences; I’ve struggled to find any other key differences. This isn’t a complaint by any means as the original was a very enjoyable time management game and exactly what players could want from the genre. It does however mean that Farm Mania 2 doesn’t really offer any innovation. Initially it feels bigger and more involved with more going on in the early stages. Ultimately though, it’s the same game structure.
During the Casual mode, players traverse 60 levels, each requiring careful time balancing and a steady stream of tasks that need completing. Good multi tasking skills are essential here with it not long before players having to water and weed fruit and vegetables while keeping animals happy and content, and also fending off the threat of crows and rabbits too. As the levels progress, processed goods can also be produced such as bread or cheese, adding an extra layer to what needs completing. The possibility of purchasing upgrades and new livestock is still available adding a certain amount of variety to what needs to be done to progress.
It’s not hard to see why then that there’s a solid 10 hours of so of gameplay here, much like with the previous game. The addition of an Arcade mode and also the option of completing levels within a perfect time further extend longevity. It’s not quite frantic gameplay but there is a lot to keep an eye on ensuring the game keeps players interested. A scattering of hidden object games are provided to break up the gameplay a little.
The only curse in Farm Mania 2 being so similar is that those who weren’t taken by the original game, won’t be impressed by this. It’s a different beast to something like Garage Inc or Stand O’Food 3 that focuses on clearing queues. Instead Farm Mania 1 and 2 are more about completing objectives quickly. It’s a solid mix at a decent price but it is ultimately more of the same.