I enjoyed Farmville just as much as the next person when it first came out. This concept of planting crops and decorating my little plot of virtual farmland, was, for some reason, really appealing.
Maybe it was because, for a brief moment, I had that satisfaction of doing something... without all the hard work that's really involved in planting and harvesting vegetables.
I enjoy a game too, now and then, that doesn't require my full attention, that allows me to sit and watch a show or relax and "watch" Josh play whatever first-person shooter game he's addicted to at the moment. Although I recall that when Farmville came out, Josh was the one who would run to his computer in the morning and plant his crops... and then he'd come home from work and immediately harvest them... he was definitely addicted.
When I first saw Farm Up, I had hoped it was a time management farm game, because I still adore that concept of planting and harvesting... just at a much faster pace than what Farmville could provide. I quickly burned out on waiting for 8 hours for a virtual crop to ripen. Really? I have to wait that long and I can't even EAT IT? I don't get it. I might as well go outside and plant a few seeds and see what grows.
But, I didn't want to prejudge, so I gave Farm Up a chance... it was free after all.
My initial reaction to it was "Oh, this looks cute." I loved the old-time graphics that they used in all the storefronts and for the characters. That Rosie the Riveter/Norman Rockwell, feel-good illustration style that makes you want to go eat apple pie and bleed red, white, and blue.... There's just something very charming and nostalgic about it.
The graphics of the farm itself were OK, nothing super special, but nicely detailed. I could see the tiny cobblestones in the garden and little individual shingles on the house and barn. Overall, pretty to look at and it sparked a desire in me to make it look nicer.
The music was jaunty, but extremely relaxing. A blues-grassy country feel with deliberate plucking and strumming of the guitar and a sweet brassy harmonica to accompany it. It made me want to get a glass of wine and go sit out on the porch with my feet up.
The gameplay was simple enough, and anyone who's ever played a Facebook game should have no problem catching on. You have certain tasks that are assigned to you, and, once you complete those tasks, you're rewarded with coins and experience points.
You begin on a small farm, and your mission is to grow vegetables, repair the buildings, and generally clean up and beautify the grounds. Each task involves a certain amount of energy that you will spend completing it. Crops cost money to buy the seeds. And decorations or various tools you need will cost either silver coins or the much rarer gold coins.
Crops take time to grow. Depending on the type of crop, they can take a few minutes or they can take hours or days to finally ripen. Once they do ripen, you have a certain time frame before the crops will wither and die and therefore become useless to you.
Of course, all this waiting can be overcome with just a few clicks and a credit card when you tap into the in-game purchase system - the real cost of the game. You have the option to purchase gold and silver coins that can help you speed up game time as well as purchase more desirable items for your farm like a huge gazebo or a shimmering fountain.
The prices ranged from $.99 for 30 gold or 3,000 silver all the way up to $49.99 for 2500 gold or 200,000 silver. Overall, not an awful deal if you stick to your $.99 purchases.
Now, I'm always leery of games that have this feature, mainly because I don't trust myself since I have a habit of wanting to do everything there possibly is to do in a game, but Farm Up was so laid back and relaxing that I didn't really feel the need to purchase everything. I could easily see enjoying the game without having to resort to cash... IF... you enjoy this style of gameplay.
If you're OK with waiting hours for crops to grow, and just meandering around decorating and caring for your farm, then Farm Up is a great game that you can enjoy for little to no money.
If, however, you are looking for things to happen NOW.... for crops to grow NOW... you might want to stay away from this one... the temptation could be too much for your wallet.
Overall, I think Farm Up is a great game to hold in your back pocket for days when you just want to chill for awhile and not think too hard. There's always something you can work on and the worst that could happen if you leave it for a little bit is your virtual vegetables will wither and die... but don't worry... you can always just plant more with just a click of the mouse! I wish real life was that easy!