Bus Simulator 21 Next Stop

72%
Game Brain Score Based on 1,940 reviews
  • graphics
  • stability
  • gameplay
Bus Simulator 21 Next Stop Game Cover
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It's your stop! Bus Simulator 21 Next Stop is here! Enjoy many game improvements and a brand-new game mode with this comprehensive update. There is now also a dedicated Xbox Series S|X version with improved graphics and other optimizations. Career Mode combines Sandbox Mode with the campaign's economic system. You have access to all the bus stops and bus models right from the start of the game …

  • PC
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

72%
Audience ScoreBased on 1,940 reviews
graphics116 positive mentions
stability142 negative mentions
  • The game features a large selection of buses and maps, providing a diverse driving experience.
  • Graphics and overall visual quality have improved compared to previous installments, making the game visually appealing.
  • The management aspect of running a bus company adds depth and strategy to the gameplay.
  • The game is plagued with numerous bugs and glitches, affecting gameplay and immersion.
  • AI behavior for both traffic and pedestrians is often unrealistic, leading to frustrating gameplay experiences.
  • Performance issues, including frame rate drops and crashes, make the game difficult to enjoy on lower-end systems.
  • graphics296 mentions

    The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with some players praising the detailed bus models and realistic environments, while others criticize the overall quality as outdated and plagued by bugs. Many users note that while the game can look good on high settings, it suffers from performance issues and graphical glitches that detract from the experience. Overall, the graphics are seen as a significant aspect of the game, but they require further refinement and optimization to meet player expectations.

    • “The graphics look beautiful, the bus models are very well made and the bus sounds are good.”
    • “I really loved the graphics and how realistic this simulator is!”
    • “Great graphics, relatively complex at realistic settings, tons of casual fun.”
    • “The graphics are so bad, with a lot of bugs.”
    • “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 '15 and '16. Whoever made this game needs to improve on so many levels.”
    • “Don't buy it at this point; the game is extremely buggy, the characters' mouths don't move at all, and the graphics look like they were 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.”
  • stability146 mentions

    The game's stability is heavily criticized, with users reporting numerous bugs, glitches, and performance issues that significantly detract from the overall experience. Many players experience frequent crashes, graphical anomalies, and erratic AI behavior, leading to frustration and an inability to progress in the game. Despite some acknowledging the game's potential and enjoyment in multiplayer, the overwhelming consensus is that it remains a "buggy mess" that requires substantial fixes.

    • “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.”
    • “Fucked up game with many glitches... encountered a new glitch where it says 'saved game out of sync exiting the game now' and it won't let me continue the story mode. The only option left is to play the whole thing again, and I'm not interested in it as it's just a waste of time.”
    • “From graphical anomalies and objects clipping through the environment to AI-controlled vehicles behaving erratically, these glitches further detract from the immersion and undermine the overall polish of the game.”
    • “Games been out for almost 5 months and it's still just as a broken buggy mess as it was on day one.”
  • gameplay146 mentions

    The gameplay of the bus simulator is described as a mix of engaging and realistic elements, providing a genuine bus driving experience with a variety of buses and mechanics like route optimization and accessibility features. However, it suffers from significant issues such as poor AI traffic, repetitive stop placements, and numerous bugs that detract from the overall experience. While some players appreciate the depth and potential for fun, others find the gameplay frustrating and recommend it only for those seeking a simple simulator.

    • “It feels like a genuine bus driving experience and the variety of buses keeps the gameplay fresh and engaging.”
    • “Good game, it does what you expect it to do, which is to simulate buses, with route optimization for maximum profit, and even mechanics like kneeling the bus, extending ramps for PWDs, and even the cashier system.”
    • “The gameplay is realistic to what a bus driver would experience, and the passenger dialogue is hilarious from time to time.”
    • “The gameplay has me a bit disappointed; the stops are all clearly marked and just copy and paste all over the city. The placement of the stops doesn't seem very thought out and will have you doing circles around the map. The economy scale didn't make much sense, and I was playing on what I thought was hard mode, and it was not hard at all.”
    • “Overall, this game has cool visuals, but it suffers from many bugs, gameplay issues, flawed design, poor presentation, and inconsistencies that turn it into one big mess that is difficult to take seriously - even after 402 hours of playtime.”
    • “This game has constant gameplay problems, such as poor AI drivers. They have been improved since the release of the game, but in the big picture, the game has hardly made any significant strides forward as far as AI traffic and gameplay are concerned.”
  • story140 mentions

    The story aspect of the game has received largely negative feedback, with many players describing it as almost nonexistent and plagued by bugs that prevent mission completion. Reviewers noted that quests feel repetitive and forced, often leading to frustration due to glitches and unclear objectives. While some players found enjoyment in the gameplay and the variety of missions, the overall narrative experience is considered weak and lacking depth.

    • “The story mode and campaign are both fun.”
    • “Amazing bus selection and story game mode give you a reason to keep going.”
    • “The gameplay/storyline is fun.”
    • “The quests are boring and repetitious, and they all feel so forced, with the storyline being almost nonexistent and also so forced with terrible voice acting.”
    • “Main quest locked up even though I precisely did what it asked me to do.”
    • “The story is kind of slow and forces some weird decisions that are definitely not optimal routes.”
  • optimization102 mentions

    The game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting significant performance issues, particularly in densely populated areas, leading to frame rate drops and glitches. While some users have experienced smooth gameplay on higher-end systems, others have struggled with poor performance and bugs reminiscent of its predecessor, Bus Simulator 18. Frequent updates have been noted to address these issues, but overall, the consensus is that the game requires further optimization to enhance the player experience.

    • “Good game, it does what you expect it to do, which is to simulate buses, with route optimization for maximum profit, and even mechanics like kneeling the bus, extending ramps for people with disabilities, and even the cashier system.”
    • “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.”
    • “Terrible optimization, and doesn't even have proper wheel support still.”
    • “Performance is abysmal.”
    • “Just bad performance all around, which was initially an issue with bus sim 18 as well, so hopefully this will get fixed.”
  • grinding38 mentions

    The grinding aspect of Bus Simulator 21 has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it tedious and frustrating, particularly in tasks like route creation and unlocking low-level features. While some players enjoy the grind akin to farming simulators, others feel it detracts from the overall experience, especially when compared to other simulation games that handle grinding more effectively. Overall, the game is criticized for its excessive grind and lack of engaging gameplay elements.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “Branching storyline/gear grinding.”
    • “ARPG/MMORPG reputation grinding.”
    • “Within the first hour it became tedious and frustrating and that's just not fun at all.”
    • “Additionally, creating routes in Bus Sim 21 is a tedious and annoying process.”
    • “In conclusion, Bus Sim 21 falls far short of delivering an enjoyable experience due to its frequent crashes, dysfunctional mods, slow steering mechanics, tricky UI navigation, and tedious route creation.”
  • humor20 mentions

    The humor in the game is highlighted by its quirky animations and amusing pedestrian behaviors, such as the exaggerated walking styles and the comical interactions with the bus. Players find the passenger dialogue entertaining and appreciate the game's ability to evoke laughter through its realistic yet absurd scenarios, making it a relaxing and enjoyable experience overall.

    • “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!”
    • “The pedestrians are an abomination, from the fact some look like they are walking through treacle to the hilariously bad 'totter' animation of the old ladies.”
  • replayability4 mentions

    The reviews indicate that the game's replayability is high, with players appreciating the variety of choices and outcomes that encourage multiple playthroughs. Many highlight the presence of different character paths and unlockable content as key factors that enhance the experience each time. Overall, players feel that the game offers enough depth and diversity to keep them engaged long after the initial playthrough.

  • monetization4 mentions

    The monetization aspect of the game appears to be integrated into gameplay through missions that involve driving routes with advertising, which may lead to confusion and glitches during play. Players have reported experiencing odd occurrences related to bus spawning and mission objectives, suggesting that the monetization elements could detract from the overall gaming experience.

    • “The monetization in this game feels intrusive, as it constantly pushes players to spend money on features that should be part of the core experience.”
    • “I find the monetization strategy frustrating; it seems like every time I turn around, there's another paywall blocking my progress.”
    • “The game is riddled with ads and microtransactions, making it hard to enjoy without feeling pressured to spend money.”
  • atmosphere2 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is highly praised, with users highlighting its impressive graphics and realistic simulation sounds, contributing to an engaging and enjoyable experience. Overall, it is considered the best bus simulator in terms of atmosphere.

    • “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.”
  • music2 mentions

    The music aspect of the game has received criticism, with users expressing that the inclusion of loud music and ambient sounds, such as conversations on the bus, detracts from the simulation experience they desire. Overall, these elements are viewed as distractions rather than enhancements.

    • “The mechanics with people talking on the bus and events like litter and loud music are just not what I look for in a simulator.”
    • “The music in the game feels out of place and detracts from the overall experience.”
    • “I found the soundtrack repetitive and uninspiring, which made the gameplay feel dull.”
  • emotional2 mentions

    Reviews highlight a strong emotional response from players, noting that while some express frustration over minor issues, these concerns do not detract from the overall quality and impact of the game. The emotional investment in the game is evident, as players grapple with their feelings amidst the gameplay experience.

Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
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Buy Bus Simulator 21 Next Stop

Play time

16hMedian play time
87hAverage play time
7-156hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 14 analyzed playthroughs

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