by Rainier Wong

Created on: July 30, 2008   Last Updated: June 26, 2011

Name of Game: Virtual Farm
Producer: Alawar Entertainment
Price: $19.99
Ratings: 3/5

If you wish to experience farm life without getting off from your seat, you can, at least in the virtual sense with Virtual Farm. In this game, you play the role of a farmer who sells grass, and other crops. Up to six different types of crops can be sold in this game.

Game Play (3/5):

In this game, there were plots of grass that I must mow, and then transfer to the store house. Once, the store house was full, I had to transfer my produce to the market to sell.

Although, it was my first time playing this game, I did not have to worry too much as I was given step by step instructions during the first stages of the game. To make sure I did the right thing, there were indications to show me if I needed to water, mow or harvest the plot. If the store house was full, there would a message telling to bring my produce to the market. At the market, I could set the price for each type of crop that I could sell. I had the choice of transferring everything or a portion of it to sell. There were also indications on whether the price set was favorable, and the demand for a particular crop.

One thing that I found to be misleading in this game was that harvesting of any crops was done with the mower. This, of course, you don't do in real life. Do you mow your tomatoes? Thinking that the mower was only for the grass, I used other instruments that destroyed some of my tomatoes. Only when I read the help screen, I realized my mistake.

All one stage of the game, I was prompted to buy a process plant but half way through, I could not find the icon that I was told to click on. As a result, I had to restart the game. While playing, a player could be awarded for various form of achievements.

Game Control(5/5):

If you can use the mouse, you can easily play this game. All you need is to click on the right image or icon.

Graphics (4/5):

The graphics were colorful with good animation especially on the farm. However, although the animation at the market place was not that realistic, it didn't matter to me as it would be better to return to the farm to complete any remaining tasks while the transaction was taking place to save time.

Sound (3/5):

The background music was quite alright. The most realistic sound was the mower. The watering sound was not so realistic.

Creativity and Innovation (1/5):

I couldn't find any much creativity, and innovation in this game except for the fact that a farmer's life was being virtually represented in a computer game.

After experiencing the game, I gave it an overall rating of three out of five.

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