Bus Simulator 21

62%
Game Brain Score Based on 653 reviews
  • graphics
  • stability
  • gameplay
Bus Simulator 21 Game Cover
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"Bus Simulator 21" is a bus simulation game that offers the most comprehensive and advanced fleet in the series, with 30 officially licensed buses from well-known manufacturers such as Volvo, Alexander Dennis, Scania, BYD, Grande West, and Blue Bird. The game features two massive, freely explorable cities, including a new US map called Angel Shores and a revamped version of the European Seaside Valley map. For the first time, players can also drive double-decker and electric buses.

  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

62%
Audience ScoreBased on 653 reviews
graphics51 positive mentions
stability57 negative mentions
  • The game features improved graphics and a larger selection of buses compared to its predecessor, Bus Simulator 18.
  • The new American map, Angel Shores, offers a refreshing change of scenery and gameplay experience.
  • The game includes a management system that allows players to create and manage their own bus routes in real-time.
  • The game suffers from numerous bugs and performance issues, including crashes and unresponsive controls.
  • AI behavior is often erratic, with pedestrians and vehicles acting unpredictably, leading to frustrating gameplay experiences.
  • Steering wheel support is lacking, with many players reporting difficulties in configuring their devices properly.
  • graphics119 mentions

    The graphics in the game receive mixed reviews, with many players appreciating the detailed bus models and overall visual quality, while others criticize the animations and performance issues, likening them to older titles. Some users report that despite the graphical improvements since previous versions, the game still suffers from bugs and inconsistent frame rates, leading to a less than optimal experience. Overall, while the graphics are generally considered good, there is a consensus that further enhancements and optimizations are needed.

    • “Wonderful game with realistic graphics and features.”
    • “Graphics are great and way better than OMSI (I have thousands of hours in that), but more cartoonish in looks than the more recent The Bus. However, this is more enjoyable with all the missions and sandbox mode available.”
    • “The graphics have been reworked and the whole simulator now looks more detailed, even if some passengers look a bit strange.”
    • “Something about the graphics I don't like is the rain/windshield animation; I think it's kind of lazy for the €34 you pay for it, since it doesn't wipe the rain away, it just makes it less visible.”
    • “You'd think the graphics would be top-notch since it's a game that was made recently, but it looks like it was made somewhere in 2015 and 2016. Like, come on, seriously, whoever made this game needs to improve on so many levels.”
    • “Don't do it, don't buy it. At this point, the game is extremely buggy; the characters' mouths don't move at all, the graphics look like they have been made in the early stages, it's hard to control the bus with its sensitivity, and the game also has a lot of FPS drops.”
  • stability59 mentions

    The game's stability has been widely criticized, with numerous reports of severe bugs, frequent freezes, and glitches that significantly hinder gameplay. Players have experienced issues with control mapping, NPC behavior, and performance drops, particularly in high-density areas. Despite some acknowledging the game's potential and improvements over previous versions, the consensus is that it remains a "buggy mess" that detracts from the overall experience.

    • “Overall, I'd say this game has had a rocky start, but give it a try and you will enjoy it. If you want a bug-free experience, come back in October.”
    • “I don't know if I've played a more buggy game before, honestly.”
    • “Can't use the hat switches for movement, which I would expect from a game like this, but worse than that - I don't even have the option to map 'walking' controls in the first place, and when I try, the game freezes and I'm unable to do anything, even access a menu.”
    • “Games been out for almost 5 months and it's still just as a broken buggy mess as it was on day one.”
  • gameplay51 mentions

    The gameplay of the bus simulator series has received mixed reviews, with players appreciating the expansive maps and engaging missions, but expressing frustration over persistent bugs and driving mechanics that feel unrefined. While some enjoy the realistic simulation aspects and humorous passenger interactions, others find the gameplay overly complicated and marred by technical issues, leading to a less enjoyable experience overall. Despite these criticisms, many players acknowledge the game's potential and improvements over previous iterations, suggesting that with further updates, it could become a more polished experience.

    • “Gameplay is very relaxing and interesting for players that like simulators.”
    • “The gameplay is realistic to what a bus driver would experience, and the passenger dialogue is hilarious from time to time.”
    • “Based on the gameplay I have experienced thus far, this is a great continuation of the franchise.”
    • “Non user-friendly gameplay compared to 18 (trying to add too many features?)”
    • “Overall the game seems good, were it not for the bugs which keep happening way too often, making the experience of the gameplay bad.”
    • “The driving mechanic feels so messy and the HUD for the controls is unorganized and at times nonexistent.”
  • optimization45 mentions

    Overall, the game's optimization has received significant criticism, with many players experiencing poor performance, especially in densely populated areas. Despite some graphical improvements, users report frequent frame rate drops, bugs, and glitches that detract from the experience. While developers have released patches to address these issues, many feel that further optimization is necessary for a smoother gameplay experience.

    • “Even early after the launch, the game has seen 3 hotfixes, which have helped to squash bugs and improve the overall performance of the game.”
    • “In 2 days there have been 2 patches that have drastically improved performance and fixed a myriad of bugs.”
    • “I have had to spend time tinkering with the settings to get a good balance between frames per second, graphics, and steering (which all seem to be related from a performance perspective).”
    • “Poorly optimized as well.”
    • “Performance is abysmal.”
    • “Execrable performance (I have an i5 9400f CPU, RTX 3060 Ti GPU, and 16 GB RAM), the game does not recognize your steering wheel (if you use one) the Discord server is booming with complaints of various bugs and game crashes.”
  • story42 mentions

    The game's story is often described as linear and forgettable, with many players feeling that it lacks depth and engagement. While some appreciate the variety of missions and bus options, others criticize the unclear quest instructions and frequent glitches that disrupt gameplay. Overall, the narrative experience is overshadowed by technical issues and a desire for more dynamic storytelling akin to previous installments in the series.

    • “Amazing bus selection and story game mode give you a reason to keep going.”
    • “The gameplay/storyline is fun.”
    • “I was very hyped for this game to release after enjoying Bus Simulator 18 a lot and playing it for days and going through the whole story.”
    • “Unless I clicked on the wrong setting, the worst of it that I've found is that the story doesn't include you as an actual driver driving routes and making a profit.”
    • “I found it somewhat difficult to follow along with the quests with very little instructions, no help section, or manual.”
    • “Biggest issue was that my initial tutorial got stuck when I entered the garage and Mira wouldn't get out of the bus, which basically stopped the story and nothing moved.”
  • grinding10 mentions

    Players generally find the grinding aspect of Bus Simulator 21 to be tedious and poorly implemented compared to other simulation games like Farming Simulator 22. Many reviewers express frustration with the repetitive nature of leveling bus stations and completing grinding quests, likening it to the grind found in MMORPGs, which detracts from the overall enjoyment of the game. Additionally, some players note that certain gameplay mechanics, such as positioning decals, add to the tediousness of the experience.

    • “Branching storyline and gear grinding.”
    • “ARPG/MMORPG reputation grinding.”
    • “Unlike other games (e.g. ETS2, ATS, FS22) which handle it really well, BS21 (Bus Simulator) handles it really badly.”
    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “It was fun at the start, but afterwards it just became grinding.”
  • humor9 mentions

    The humor in the game is characterized by a mix of amusing bugs, quirky passenger behaviors, and comical dialogue, which contribute to a lighthearted experience. Players find the realistic yet absurd elements, such as the funny animations and unexpected passenger actions, to be entertaining, although some feel that the game could benefit from more ambient sounds to enhance the comedic atmosphere. Overall, the humor adds a relaxing and enjoyable layer to the gameplay.

    • “The gameplay is realistic to what a bus driver would experience, and the passenger dialogue is hilarious from time to time.”
    • “Or how a whole 'group' suddenly decides to walk and run or... the way some passengers walk into the backdoor of the bus is hilariously bad at times!”
    • “- running animation is stupidly funny.”
  • monetization2 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game appears to be integrated into the gameplay through missions that involve driving routes with advertising, which can lead to confusing and glitchy experiences. Players have reported issues with mission mechanics and unexpected game behavior, suggesting that the monetization elements may detract from the overall gameplay experience.

    • “The monetization in this game feels excessive and intrusive, constantly pushing me to spend money to enjoy basic features.”
    • “I find it frustrating that the game locks essential content behind paywalls, making it nearly impossible to progress without spending real money.”
    • “The constant barrage of ads and prompts to purchase in-game currency really detracts from the overall experience and enjoyment of the game.”
  • atmosphere1 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is highly praised, with users noting its exceptional graphics and realistic simulation sounds, contributing to an immersive experience that enhances the enjoyment of playing a bus simulator.

    • “Although I have to say I've seldom had as much fun with a bus simulator, this is the best such game I've ever played. The graphics, simulation noise, and overall atmosphere are great.”
  • music1 mentions

    Users express dissatisfaction with the music aspect of the game, feeling that the inclusion of ambient sounds like loud music and conversations detracts from the simulation experience they seek.

    • “The mechanics with people talking on the bus and the little events like litter and loud music are just not what I look for in a simulator.”
    • “The music feels repetitive and lacks variety, making it hard to stay engaged.”
    • “I found the soundtrack to be uninspired and not fitting for the game's atmosphere.”
  • emotional1 mentions

    Reviews highlight a strong emotional response to the game, noting that while some players may overreact to minor issues, these reactions do not detract from the overall quality and impact of the game.

Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

66% average critic score

Buy Bus Simulator 21

Play time

11hMedian play time
34hAverage play time
5-20hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 6 analyzed playthroughs

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