Ancient Farm Review (Xbox Series X|S)

There’s something undeniably appealing about taking a familiar genre and placing it in an unusual setting. Ancient Farm swaps modern tractors and automated equipment for the sands and rivers of ancient Egypt, challenging players to build a prosperous agricultural settlement from practically nothing. Developed by A2 Softworks and published by Ultimate Games S.A., the game focuses on manual labour, gradual progression, and the satisfaction of watching a small patch of land grow into a thriving community.

Rather than throwing endless systems and conveniences at the player from the outset, Ancient Farm embraces a slower, more deliberate pace. You begin with little more than basic tools and a stretch of empty land. Every field must be prepared, every crop planted, and every building constructed through your own efforts. It's a design philosophy that prioritises hands-on involvement, and for players who enjoy methodical simulation games, that can be surprisingly rewarding.

The farming mechanics are straightforward but engaging. Crops require attention throughout their lifecycle, with watering and fertilising playing an important role in maintaining healthy yields. Neglecting your fields can result in lost harvests, making resource management and timing essential. While the mechanics aren't especially complex compared to some of the genre's heavyweights, there's enough depth here to create a satisfying gameplay loop of planting, maintaining, harvesting, and reinvesting profits back into your growing settlement.

What helps distinguish Ancient Farm from other farming simulators is its Egyptian theme. Growing traditional crops is only part of the experience. Players can cultivate riverside plants such as papyrus and sugar cane while also establishing orchards for longer-term production. The setting provides a fresh visual identity and helps the game stand out amongst a crowded field of farming-focused releases.

Animal husbandry also plays a major role in progression. Raising cows, sheep, pigs, and chickens provides valuable resources, while oxen can assist with fieldwork and improve efficiency. As your farm expands, the game gradually introduces additional production chains, allowing harvested resources to be transformed into crafted goods and prepared meals. This progression gives purpose to your agricultural efforts and creates a steady sense of growth throughout the experience.

Building and expansion are equally important. Beyond simple storage buildings and barns, players can unlock workshops and even temples as their settlement develops. Seeing new structures emerge across the landscape provides a tangible sense of accomplishment and reinforces the game's theme of building a civilisation from humble beginnings.

The environments effectively capture the atmosphere of an ancient settlement, but this is clearly a game focused on systems and progression rather than cutting-edge presentation. The interface is generally easy to navigate, although some players may find routine tasks becoming repetitive during longer play sessions. Fortunately, fans of the genre will likely view that repetition as part of the relaxing appeal.

The biggest hurdle for some players will be the game's intentionally manual nature. The lack of automation means many activities require direct involvement throughout the entire experience. While this creates a strong sense of ownership over your farm, it can occasionally feel slow, particularly for players accustomed to faster-paced management sims. The game is also pretty short, clocking in around 5-7 hours to see everything the game has to offer.

Pros

• Unique ancient Egyptian farming setting

• Satisfying sense of progression and growth

• Varied crops, livestock, and production systems

• Relaxing gameplay loop for simulation fans

• Building your settlement feels rewarding

Cons

• Slow pace may not appeal to everyone

• Repetitive tasks can emerge during long sessions

• Visuals are serviceable rather than impressive

• Limited automation options

Ancient Farm doesn't reinvent the farming simulator formula, but its ancient Egyptian backdrop and commitment to hands-on gameplay give it a distinct personality. Players who enjoy slowly building an operation from the ground up and don't mind a more methodical pace will find plenty to appreciate here. It may lack the polish and scale of bigger farming franchises, but the journey from a barren patch of land to a flourishing riverside settlement remains consistently satisfying.

XPN Rating: 3 out of 5 (SILVER)

Ancient Farm is available now!