Lawn Mowing Simulator 2 Review (Xbox Series X|S)

When the original Lawn Mowing Simulator arrived, it seemed destined to become little more than a novelty. After all, how much enjoyment could there really be in spending hours pushing a mower across virtual lawns? As it turned out, quite a lot. Beneath the unusual premise was a deeply satisfying simulator that transformed mundane garden maintenance into a strangely therapeutic experience.

Lawn Mowing Simulator 2 doesn't try to reinvent that formula. Instead, it does something arguably smarter: it takes nearly every aspect of the original and expands it. The result is a sequel that feels less like a fresh start and more like the fully realised version of the first game's vision. The move to an American setting introduces a variety of new locations, ranging from suburban gardens to larger commercial and municipal contracts, while a broader selection of equipment from manufacturers including Kubota, SCAG and STIGA helps deepen the simulation.

The core appeal remains largely unchanged. You arrive at a property, survey the terrain, carefully plan your mowing route and gradually transform an overgrown mess into a perfectly striped masterpiece. Few games capture that satisfying "before and after" feeling quite as effectively. Watching long grass disappear beneath the mower remains immensely rewarding, and the improved grass technology makes every freshly cut lawn look better than ever.

Where the sequel truly distinguishes itself is in the additional responsibilities. The first game was almost entirely focused on mowing, which worked surprisingly well but could become repetitive after dozens of contracts. This time you're not just cutting grass. Leaf blowing, weed clearance, string trimming and debris management add welcome variety to each job. Even better, gardens can evolve between visits, meaning repeat contracts often present new obstacles and layouts rather than feeling identical every time.

Career progression has also received significant attention. The original game's business systems often felt functional rather than engaging. In Lawn Mowing Simulator 2, you're building a lawn-care company with a fully explorable headquarters, expanded customisation options and a greater sense of ownership over your growing business. Every completed job contributes towards something larger, giving long-term players a stronger incentive to keep expanding their operation.

Not every addition is universally beneficial. Part of the original game's charm was its simplicity. You accepted a contract, climbed into a mower and got to work. The sequel's added tasks make for a richer simulation, but some players may find the extra chores detract slightly from the relaxing purity of simply cutting grass. If you adored the original specifically because it offered a laid-back escape from complexity, some of these management and maintenance systems may feel like unnecessary clutter.

Still, that's a relatively minor criticism of a sequel that improves upon its predecessor in almost every measurable way. There are more locations, more tools, more tasks, deeper progression systems and greater variety across the board. Most importantly, it never loses sight of the calming, methodical nature that made the first game so unexpectedly compelling.

Much like tending a real lawn, Lawn Mowing Simulator 2 succeeds through patience and attention to detail. It won't win over players who never understood the appeal of mowing virtual grass in the first place, but for simulator fans it's a remarkably polished and satisfying experience that builds intelligently on the foundations of the original.

Pros

• More varied gameplay with leaf blowing and weed removal

• Improved business management and progression systems

• Excellent visual improvements to grass and landscaping

• Dynamic properties help reduce repetition

• Large selection of authentic licensed equipment

Cons

• Core gameplay remains niche by design

• Extra maintenance tasks won't appeal to everyone

• Some contracts can still feel repetitive during long sessions

The original Lawn Mowing Simulator was a surprisingly enjoyable simulator built around an absurdly mundane task. Lawn Mowing Simulator 2 refines, expands and improves almost every aspect of that formula without sacrificing its relaxing appeal. It may not be revolutionary, but it's exactly the kind of thoughtful sequel fans were hoping for.

XPN Rating: 4 out of 5 (GOLD)

Lawn Mowing Simulator 2 is available now!