Farming Simulator 25’s Highlands Fishing Expansion Brings Aquaculture and Scottish Vibes

Highlands Fishing: Why This Expansion Actually Matters

When GIANTS Software dropped the trailer for Farming Simulator 25: Highlands Fishing during gamescom, my first response was, “Finally, something genuinely new for the series!” Let’s be honest – as a longtime Farming Sim player, the yearly cycle of modest feature updates and DLC packs has always felt a bit too predictable. This expansion, though, caught my attention for its ambitious attempt to blend traditional farming with a whole new gameplay layer: aquaculture.

• Introducing fish farming finally moves the franchise beyond standard crops and livestock.
• Kinlaig’s new Scottish Highlands-inspired map promises a distinct vibe and environmental challenges.
• Expansion includes specialty equipment, more immersive activities, and a new crop (onions).
• Bundled with the Season Pass, but is it worth the price for veteran fans?

Fishing Simulator or Farming Simulator?

Let’s start with the headline feature: aquaculture. If you’ve played FS since the days when “livestock” meant lazily watching cows meander across a flat paddock, you’ll understand why adding full fish farming is a big deal. The expansion lets you breed, raise, and harvest fish – a massive shift from wheat and tractors. And yes, it’s taken GIANTS Software over a decade to get to this point.

I’ve always loved the meditative pace of FS, but there’s a point where even the diehards crave something fresh. Previously, “innovation” meant a new combine harvester or another European region. Adding an entire aquafarming cycle – not just catching fish, but managing a biologically distinct resource — opens the door for genuinely new gameplay loops. If GIANTS gets this right, we could see Farming Simulator become something closer to the complete rural experience.

Kinlaig: More Than Just a Pretty Backdrop?

The new Kinlaig map looks gorgeous in the trailer — think misty hills, ancient stone walls, highland cattle, and just enough bleakness to feel authentic. But we’ve been burned before by pretty screenshots that don’t translate into memorable gameplay. What makes this different, so far, is the way GIANTS is tying map features directly to new mechanics. Harsh weather looks set to matter (hello, overcast Scottish skies!) and traditional farming collides with aquaculture, demanding players adapt their routines.

I’m skeptical that map variety alone will keep players hooked, but when combined with the new activity set, it could finally move the franchise away from its copy-paste European formula. Still, I’ll believe it when I’m spending hours building a self-sufficient farm that actually feels different from my last FS save.

The Gamer’s Perspective: Price, Variety, and Long-Term Value

Here’s where it gets sticky: Farming Simulator expansions aren’t cheap, and the Season Pass model is designed to lock you in early. Highlands Fishing launches November 4th and is included with the Year 1 Season Pass. On paper, that saves “up to 25%.” But if you’re already deep into FS 25, are you getting value — or just paying for features that should be free updates?

The new equipment roster (Monosem, Can-Am, Agri-Spread, GT Bunning) looks solid, but let’s not kid ourselves: new tractors and spreaders are table stakes. The hook is fish farming, and the question is whether GIANTS will flesh this out, or if it’ll feel tacked-on like previous “innovations.” Player modding continues to be a highlight, but that’s carried more by the community than by the devs themselves, year after year.

Is This the Fresh Start Farming Sim Needs?

After over 15 years and 40 million+ sales, Farming Simulator doesn’t change easily. GIANTS Software could have stopped at prettier graphics and more tractors. Instead, Highlands Fishing gives a taste of what’s possible when the studio tries to expand its grasp of rural life. The potential for a seriously new gameplay loop is exciting — but as always, the devil is in the detail.

Until I can run my own salmon operation and see if it meshes with my virtual barley harvest, I’m keeping my hopes realistic. But credit where it’s due: this is the most interesting and potentially game-changing add-on the series has had in years. Now, GIANTS just needs to prove it’s not just set dressing.

TL;DR

Highlands Fishing is Farming Simulator 25’s boldest expansion yet, promising fish farming, new Scottish-inspired landscapes, and more depth than we’ve seen in years. If it delivers, it could finally shake up the series — but longtime fans should wait to see if this is evolution or just clever marketing with a few extra tractors thrown in.