Bus Simulator 18

About

"Bus Simulator 18" is a detailed simulation game that allows players to operate and manage their own bus company in a realistic European city. Customize your buses, create your own routes, and ensure safe and punctual service while dealing with various challenges such as traffic, weather, and passenger needs. The game features an open world environment, a variety of bus models, and a realistic physics engine for an immersive experience.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

79%

Audience ScoreBased on 2,703 reviews

graphics145 positive mentions

story14 negative mentions

graphics
397 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
37%
54%
10%
The graphics in "Bus Simulator 18" receive mixed reviews, with many players appreciating the decent visuals and attention to detail, particularly in bus models and city environments. However, some users criticize the game for its outdated graphics, occasional glitches, and performance issues, especially on lower-end systems. Overall, while the graphics are generally considered good for a simulator of its time, they fall short compared to newer titles in the genre.
- “The graphics are great, the buses are very detailed and the ability to get out of the cab and actually check tickets etc. is a great addition to the game.”
- “This is a really great game with awesome graphics, I love playing it almost every day!”
- “By far the best bus game to date I have ever played, excellent graphics and atmosphere.”
- “The graphics are terrible even on high settings and the controls are a mess. Hopefully, it is sorted out in future updates.”
- “Graphics are very low quality for the price of the game; weather effects are sadly just visual and don't do anything with physics.”
- “The graphics are lacking, but impressive looks aren't vital for a good game.”
gameplay
175 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
27%
63%
10%
The gameplay of the bus simulator has received mixed reviews, with many praising the solid driving mechanics and immersive experience, while others criticize the repetitive nature and bugs that detract from the overall enjoyment. Players appreciate the variety of routes and customization options, but express frustration over AI issues and a lack of depth in gameplay mechanics. Overall, while the game offers a decent simulation experience, it suffers from technical problems and a need for more engaging content.
- “The driving mechanics are solid—smooth, immersive, and just tricky enough to make you feel like you're really earning your paycheck.”
- “Bus Simulator 18 offers an immersive and enjoyable experience for both solo players and friends seeking cooperative gameplay.”
- “The mechanics and physics of the buses are particularly well-executed, providing a realistic and satisfying driving experience that fans of the genre will appreciate.”
- “We do the same thing over and over again... while the mechanics are friendly and approachable, the buses feel almost flimsy, lacking a sense of durability.”
- “Not only that, this game is a buggy, disappointing mess with only its driving mechanics serving as a mild saving grace.”
- “Gameplay-wise, it's lacking and it's not easy to progress.”
story
143 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
9%
81%
10%
The game's story is largely considered minimal or non-existent, with many players noting that it primarily consists of repetitive missions and a tutorial-like structure. While some appreciate the quest mode for its potential to enhance gameplay, others find the missions tedious and lacking in immersion, often leading to frustration due to bugs and poorly executed dialogue. Overall, the narrative aspect is seen as a weak point, with many players preferring a more engaging or optional storyline.
- “The quests were fun, but some could be buggy and made me very sad. Also, the dialogue is truly incredible, and whoever wrote it deserves to go to heaven.”
- “Every district has its own look and feel, and unlocking each of them by doing missions feels like a good reward.”
- “The game looks so good even on lower graphical settings, the mechanics and the story are excellent if you are into this kind of game.”
- “The graphics are okay, the story is tedious, the voice acting horrid, the passenger dialog grows old very quickly.”
- “The missions are the same thing over and over.”
- “Story: not really any, apart from cringey voice acting with the people who are helping you run the company.”
optimization
125 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
24%
56%
20%
The game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting significant performance issues, including frequent stutters, crashes, and low frame rates even on high-end systems. While some users noted improvements following updates, the overall consensus is that the game requires further optimization to enhance stability and performance, particularly for lower-end devices. Despite its graphical appeal, the lack of effective optimization detracts from the overall experience, leading to frustration among players.
- “Chill vibes and optimized performance, lesgooo.”
- “I absolutely love this game, graphics are amazing, performance is outstanding, love it!!”
- “They have managed to perfectly match technical performance with visual quality.”
- “The game is poorly optimized, and while driving around, there are several negative spikes in the game's performance which can lead to you uncontrollably crashing the bus.”
- “I find it funny how my specs are well beyond the recommended specifications for this game yet this game lags in the low 10s and even below that when I put on a route with over 6 stations... the devs need to get this performance issue fixed.”
- “As much as I would love to recommend this game, I can't, because of its poor optimization.”
stability
80 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's stability is widely criticized, with numerous users reporting frequent bugs, glitches, and crashes that significantly detract from the overall experience. Many players have experienced issues such as freezing, unresponsive controls, and AI problems, particularly in multiplayer modes. While some acknowledge that the game has potential and enjoyable elements, the pervasive instability leads to a consensus that it remains frustratingly unpolished.
- “This game lets you do this and more, by creating routes and managing a company, even if in a very buggy and frustrating way.”
- “I and my friend played on our save for about 10 hours and now we lost everything because of stupid glitches. If the game didn't have so many bugs, I would have given it an 8/10, but because of these bugs that completely ruin the game, I'm giving it a 2/10.”
- “The game is incredibly buggy in multiplayer; if you are not the host, you will pay fines for crashing into nothing, for example, just by exiting the garage.”
music
49 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
12%
80%
8%
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some players enjoying the chill vibes and quality tracks that enhance the relaxing gameplay experience, while others find the loud music from passengers annoying and disruptive. Many appreciate the immersive details, such as the ability to address noisy passengers, but some feel that the overall music presence is minimal during gameplay, focusing more on the driving experience. Overall, the soundtrack is seen as fitting for the game, though it can be overshadowed by the chaotic interactions with passengers.
- “Whether you are well-traveled in games like this or just want a chill vibe (with cute music to boot), then give this one a go!”
- “Great game, love the high-quality realistic simulation, bus interiors look great, nice environment and cool soundtracks, and lots of different customization options - it's definitely worth purchasing.”
- “Loving listening to the multitude of free tracks they provide; I like house and chill-out music, so I was rather surprised when I still found new songs 20 hours in.”
- “There is no music in this game.”
- “Annoying music.”
- “Music is annoying; I couldn't change keyboard bindings as well.”
grinding
36 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
8%
44%
47%
The reviews indicate that grinding in the game is a significant aspect, often described as tedious and repetitive, with players feeling it requires an excessive time commitment. While some find the core gameplay enjoyable in short bursts, many express frustration with the monotonous nature of tasks and missions, leading to a sense of boredom over extended play sessions. Overall, the grinding experience is seen as a drawback that detracts from the game's enjoyment.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “A bit grindy sometimes.”
- “Branching storyline/gear grinding.”
- “An overall good game, it's a bit of a grind and can be tedious at times.”
- “The most annoying part of the game is how you unlock the map and city parts; it is boring, long, buggy, and grindy.”
- “Missions get boring and tedious the further into the game.”
humor
26 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is a mixed bag, with many players enjoying the funny NPC dialogues and amusing multiplayer interactions that enhance the experience. While some find the repetitive jokes and certain bugs amusing, others feel that some humor falls flat or becomes tiresome. Overall, the game's lighthearted approach and quirky passenger comments contribute to its charm, making it a fun and entertaining experience despite some inconsistencies.
- “Multiplayer mode is the cherry on top, letting you and your friends create a transport empire while laughing at each other’s driving skills (or lack thereof).”
- “It's also sometimes funny hearing what the passengers say while they are on your bus haha.”
- “The little details, funny stories of passengers and the multiplayer make this game stand out from all the other simulations.”
monetization
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
10%
90%
The monetization strategy of the game has been criticized for feeling like a cash grab, with essential content locked behind paid DLCs, which detracts from the overall value of the base game priced at 30€. Players also note that while there are opportunities to earn in-game revenue through advertising on buses, the overall execution and graphics do not meet expectations, leading to disappointment in the game's quality and value proposition.
- “Including only obscure ones in the base game and making commonly used buses available via DLCs only (O530K and A37 are default buses, the regular O530 and A21/A23 are not) seems like a cheap cash grab and not worthy of a 30€ game.”
- “I have a weakness which is buying and trying various simulators, many of them are made without effort as cash grabs.”
- “Yep it's in a cheap cash grab category.”
replayability
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
33%
33%
The game's replayability is mixed; while some players find it infinitely replayable due to its modding potential and multiplayer features, others feel that the replay value is limited, particularly when spending excessive time in menus. Overall, those who enjoy driving buses may find enough content to keep them engaged.
- “This is a solid bus game with a lot of modding potential and replayability.”
- “Replay value is definitely there, especially with the multiplayer feature.”
- “I haven't tried multiplayer yet, but I look forward to it and suspect it will be the primary way to get replay value out of this game.”
- “You will spend a while in menus and the replay value is non-existent.”
- “Replay value: well if you like driving buses then I say this game is worth it.”
- “I haven't tried multiplayer yet but look forward to it and I suspect it will be the primary way to get replay value out of this game currently.”
emotional
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game evokes frustration and realism, as players grapple with the seemingly disproportionate penalties for minor infractions, such as lightly touching a pedestrian versus more severe accidents. This creates a sense of immersion, allowing players to feel like real transit operators while navigating the complexities of their responsibilities. Additionally, the social interactions observed during gameplay add a layer of humor and connection, enhancing the overall emotional experience.
- “It truly made me feel like a RTD bus operator (that's the transit system in my area).”
- “12,000 dollar fine for crashing into a pole when going 50 mph on a highway to a dead stop, whiplashing everyone in the bus... but a 20,000 fine for touching a pedestrian with the bus on the sidewalk at 1 mph...”
atmosphere
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The atmosphere of the game is highly praised, with users highlighting the excellent graphics and attention to detail that contribute to an immersive experience. Many consider it the best in its genre, attributing its success to the small elements that enhance the overall ambiance.
- “It's small things like that which can set such a great atmosphere.”
- “By far the best bus game to date I have ever played, excellent graphics and atmosphere.”