Developer: Skyhook Games
Publisher: Curve Digital
ReleaseDate: 10th August 2021
Platforms: Xbox Series X/S & Steam
Reviewed on: Xbox Series X
▫️ Review code provided by the publisher ▫️
Let’s not beat around the bush, Skyhook’s Lawn Mowing Simulator is a game of patience and precision and cutting grass that not everyone will be cut out for.
These days there is pretty much a simulation game for every mundane task. Despite this, I must say when I first heard about Lawn Mowing Simulator, it sounded like one of the worst offenders yet. Cutting the grass is often a chore that is put off as long as possible. Heck, here at Pure Dead Gaming HQ we recently got artificial grass in the back garden to bin the whole situation altogether. However, in typical simulator style, it didn’t take long for this one to pull me in.
The game centres around building your lawn mowing business, completing contracts to earn money and scale up until you have a fleet of mowers, employees and stunning yards to be proud of. It may lack the moment to moment excitement you get in many releases these days, but what it does offer is a uniquely laid back experience that is ideal for playing while listening to a podcast.
In an attempt to provide an authentic lawn mowing experience, there are a number of considerations to make when completing each job. Firstly, there are a variety of vehicles to purchase and upgrade with popular brands such as Toro, SCGA and STIGA included. Thankfully you can test drive before you buy to check out each model’s speed, cutting width and ability to manoeuvre. There are plenty of options to upgrade if you want to take your mowing skills to the next level.
A once over to check for obstacles on the lawn is required before you set your cutting height and get to work. How you undertake each job is entirely up to you but obviously doing it systematically is the most efficient. The satisfaction of not missing a spot and creating neat lines of cut grass is perhaps why I found it so therapeutic. There were times when I finished a job and the stats screen at the end informed me that I had been cutting for 40+ minutes. I can honestly say it never once felt that long.
That said, you’ll need to be mindful of time. You can get nice monetary bonuses for making good time but cut too close to obstacles and you risk damage to your mower. Likewise, getting too close to flowers or shrubbery will result in penalties once the job is completed. After all, wee Betty needs compensation to replace those petunia’s you trampled on. I say once the job is complete, but mercifully just over 99% is enough to complete each job – so you don’t need to go over the lawn with a fine toothcomb at the end. It’s also important to keep an eye on fuel levels and grass cuttings which you may have to unload if the collector becomes full.
One disappointing aspect at launch is the performance. Even on Xbox Series X, there are regular frame rate drops as well as pop-in, which you just don’t expect with a game that skipped the Xbox One generation in favour of an Xbox Series exclusive release. Graphically though, the game looks good, with detailed environments and a lot of attention to detail in the mowers.
The achievement list is a challenge too, requiring not only skill but plenty of your time. Complete all expert challenges and driving 100 miles on a mower are just two examples of achievements that you will really need to work for. As I said earlier though, the game is a relaxing and cathartic experience, so I wouldn’t be surprised to see a healthy amount of gamers taking on the challenge and going for the 1000G.
While the management aspect of Lawn Mowing Simulator isn’t as deep as it could be, it serves its purpose of keeping the ball rolling from lawn to lawn, advancing into progressively more complex gardens. If you are looking for a thrill in your gaming, this may not be for you, but if you want a change of pace and something more systematic and chilled, this could be just the ticket.
-Jes 🐧