The Farming Simulator 25 Highland Fishing DLC realizes my most idyllic dreams, but the NPCs could be a challenge

I feel like it's common knowledge by this point that Farming Simulator 25 has a hardcore, and immensely fun, esports tournament system. Players optimize their route to agricultural domination, zooming through production lines and working as a team to speedrun through the farming game in record time. It's a surprisingly great watch, even if it's the opposite of how I play the game: a relaxed affair where my only worry is the inevitable changing of the seasons. My experience is about to get a whole lot more chilled out, though, as the Highland Fishing expansion adds a whole aquacultural minigame to proceedings.

To be honest, calling this a minigame feels simplistic. The Farming Simulator 25 Highlands Fishing expansion adds a whole new map, boat-based fishing and fishery management mechanics, four new vehicle brands, and onions. Yep, those layered vegetables that you might have heard of from Scotland's most famous celebrity, Shrek.

This is a serious expansion to what is already a top pick on our list of the best simulation games. First things first, let's take in the striking majesty of the new map, Kinclaig. Set in the beautiful landscapes of Scotland, highland cattle peer at you through their ginger fringes as you plow the soil and renovate centuries-old castles. Sorry if that all sounds a bit twee, my boss is Scottish so I'm not allowed to make any jokes about deep fried accents or whatever.

It's the fisheries that really sell this DLC, though. Whether you're breeding fish on land (yes, that's a thing, ever heard of a tank?) or casting your rod off a boat on an idyllic loch, fishing is going to be big business soon enough.

Salmon and rainbow trout can be caught on the waters of Kinlaig, but new vehicles from Monosem, Can-Am, Agri-Spread, and GT Bunning drive on the land. You can also grow onions now, which isn't particularly Scottish but is a nice gameplay addition.

I know I'm going to spend hours sat by the water, rod in hand, but there's plenty here for those wanting an efficient farm set-up, as well. You just might have a problem understanding some of the NPCs, as even our two Scottish editors had no idea what "Food yir doos" means. Apparently it's an Aberdeen thing.

The Farming Simulator 25 Highlands Fishing expansion is available now for $29.99 / £24.99. You can download it on Steam here, or grab it in a bundle with the base game for $49.78 / £42.31.

If this has got you in the mood to till the land, check out our list of the best co-op games to play while the DLC downloads. If you've got a better internet speed than me, why not install some of the best Farming Simulator 25 mods, too? All that's left to do now is see how the esports pros optimizes the heck out of gaming's most relaxing pleasure.