Fernbus Simulator

About

"Fernbus Simulator" is a realistic bus simulation game that allows you to drive a modern MAN Lion’s Coach bus on Germany's Autobahn and motorways. Experience the daily life of a coach bus driver, navigating a complex network of roads and staying in contact with the control center. With approximately 20,000 km of the German FlixBus route network recreated, you'll pick up passengers and drive carefully in various weather conditions at a scale of 1:10. The buses are equipped with licensed original cockpits and passengers can board with valid tickets or purchase from the driver.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

+24

66%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,289 reviews

graphics122 positive mentions

optimization45 negative mentions

The graphics are beautiful and the attention to detail in the buses is impressive.
The game offers a unique check-in system for passengers, adding a layer of realism.
The developers are actively working on updates and improvements based on community feedback.

The AI traffic is poorly designed, often causing accidents and traffic jams.
The game suffers from performance issues, with frequent frame rate drops even on high-end PCs.
There is a lack of force feedback support for steering wheels, making the driving experience less immersive.

graphics
295 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
41%
49%
10%
The graphics of the game are generally praised for their beauty and detail, particularly in environments and bus models, showcasing the capabilities of Unreal Engine. However, many users report significant optimization issues, requiring high-end hardware to run smoothly, and experience various graphical glitches and performance drops even on powerful systems. Overall, while the visuals can be stunning, the inconsistent performance and demanding requirements detract from the experience for many players.
- “The graphics are outstanding, gameplay is smooth and it doesn't demand too much space.”
- “The graphics are beautiful and the attention to detail in the coach (bus) itself is second to none, however I get the feeling that it's still not quite finished.”
- “The map and graphics are stunning, complemented by the well-detailed bus.”
- “I have better specs than what is recommended on the Steam page, but even on low graphic settings it was still unplayable.”
- “The graphics are terrible; it takes ages to load, and there are many graphical glitches.”
- “Do not buy this game; what a load of rubbish it is. The graphics you see in the pictures are nothing like the graphics in the game, so they are selling this game on a lot of lies by using false advertisement.”
optimization
130 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
18%
48%
35%
Overall, the game's optimization has received significant criticism, with many players reporting poor performance, frequent stuttering, and low frame rates even on high-end PCs. While some updates have improved optimization slightly, issues persist, particularly in busy areas and with certain graphical settings. Many users recommend waiting for further optimizations before purchasing, as the current state is deemed unsatisfactory for a smooth gaming experience.
- “Especially after the recent updates, the optimization is really good.”
- “Update 1.21 has brought better performance, so you can now play the game nicely and smoothly.”
- “The team is currently working on the next updates for both Fernbus Simulator and Tourist Bus Simulator with the main focus on improving performance.”
- “The game is very unoptimized, fps is low, and I have a high-end PC.”
- “Terrible performance even on high-end PC, frames per second all over the place no matter what settings are applied, traffic is just crazy (cars disappear right in front of you and others just pop out of nowhere), really disappointed in this game!”
- “This game is 4 years old and still has such terrible optimization; it is a total disaster!”
gameplay
79 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
29%
67%
4%
The gameplay of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players praising its smooth mechanics and immersive experience, while others criticize the driving AI, bugs, and lack of intuitive controls. Many users noted that the game feels unfinished, with a focus on graphics over core gameplay improvements, leading to frustration, especially for those using specific hardware like racing wheels. Overall, while there are elements of fun and potential, significant issues with gameplay mechanics and AI detract from the overall experience.
- “The graphics are outstanding, gameplay is smooth and it doesn't demand too much space.”
- “Amazing just amazing totally worth it these other negative comments are for very small things that are being fixed by the updates I totally recommend this game if you want a calm and relaxing and satisfying gameplay.”
- “It's fun and the gameplay is really good there are a few bugs but they are hard to notice, overall really good game.”
- “The cities feel lifeless; the driving mechanics need work.”
- “Unfortunately, it looks like the main focus is on making new maps as DLCs and trying to gain as much money as possible, instead of actually focusing on the core gameplay improvements.”
- “The game looks good, but there are too many bugs that spoil the gameplay.”
stability
61 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's stability has been widely criticized, with numerous reports of bugs, glitches, and performance issues such as freezing and frame rate drops. While some players have found enjoyment despite these problems, many express frustration over the game's unfinished state and poor optimization, suggesting that it feels more like an early access title than a polished product. Overall, the consensus indicates that significant improvements are needed to enhance stability and gameplay experience.
- “The worst... the Denuvo is making the framerates abysmally low and the physics are as buggy as a 10-day-old game.”
- “Game keeps crashing; my PC meets more than the requirements, and even with low graphics, it still freezes, forcing me to close it with Task Manager. It's a shame because it looks like a good game.”
- “Currently, I wouldn't recommend this to anyone; it's buggy, clunky, and feels like I'm alpha testing the game at full price without being told I'm testing it. Once fixed, patched, and polished, I'm sure it'll be great, as the potential is there.”
music
16 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
56%
19%
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some players finding the default tracks annoying and others appreciating the option to play their own music through a paid DLC, which contrasts with similar features offered for free in other games. While the menu soundtrack and background music are generally praised for their catchiness, there are complaints about the lack of offline radio functionality and the inappropriateness of some tracks for a bus simulator. Overall, music enhances the gaming experience for many, but improvements are desired in certain areas.
- “It's lovely to put on some music and drive for a bit, or to work your way up the leaderboard.”
- “- a stunning menu soundtrack”
- “- catchy soundtracks”
- “The retarder song of Scania is too noisy and annoying.”
- “The radio DLC requires you to pay to put your own songs in the game, something that ETS2 did for free.”
- “Upon loading the game, you are treated to some nice pictures of in-game scenery, as well as some music playing in the background (some of the music really doesn't belong in a bus simulator).”
story
15 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
13%
67%
20%
The reviews reflect a mixed reception regarding the game's story, with many users noting the absence of a coherent narrative or storyline. Some players appreciated the freedom from a structured story, while others expressed disappointment over the lack of direction and depth, suggesting that the game feels more like an endless runner than a traditional narrative experience. Overall, the consensus leans towards the game having little to no meaningful story.
- “🔲 epic story”
- “For a change of pace, it felt good not having a story to follow or missions to complete.”
- “✅ this game has no story”
- “☑ no story”
- “I did not like the way I had to choose which route; I wish there was a storyline to it in a way.”
atmosphere
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
86%
43%
The atmosphere in the simulator is generally praised for its pleasant and immersive qualities, featuring detailed environments and seasonal changes that enhance the experience. However, some users note that the simplified cities and roads detract from authenticity, leading to moments of boredom despite the overall enjoyable ambiance. The game's graphics and attention to small details, like holiday decorations and ambient sounds, contribute positively to its atmospheric appeal.
- “What I think is the most important in this simulator is a pleasant atmosphere and it's just interesting to be in.”
- “Actually, I love this game graphically; it has a nice, relaxing, and clean atmosphere.”
- “More complex than comparable long-distance vehicle sims, for instance, there is a very detailed road network, there are four seasons, and there are all kinds of little things that make the game immersive and atmospheric (for instance, in December there are Christmas decorations in the cities, and if you pass through a village at a fixed hour, you can hear the church bells).”
- “It does capture the atmosphere here and there, but it's also not a very authentic experience due to the hugely simplified cities and, I suppose, also the roads.”
- “The game tries to create a certain mood, but it often falls flat due to repetitive environments and lack of detail.”
- “While there are moments of immersion, the overall atmosphere feels hollow and lacks the depth needed to truly engage players.”
humor
7 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is largely situational, often stemming from the chaotic interactions between players, particularly when they crash into obstacles. While some find it genuinely amusing, especially in a multiplayer setting, others note that it can lead to frustration. Overall, the game elicits laughter and offers a fun experience, especially with friends, despite some technical issues.
- “This game is kind of funny if your friends are playing it and they keep crashing into things. If you are playing it, you might not expect it when you crash into things, but it's still a good game and you can get mods as well.”
- “Several of them have made me laugh out loud.”
- “It's a funny game, but I got some problems.”
grinding
6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
33%
67%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be excessively tedious, particularly with repetitive tasks like checking in passengers, which can become a chore after multiple attempts. While the game shows promise with its graphics and features, the early release has led to frustrations with controls and asset repetition, prompting some users to consider refunding until improvements are made.
- “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
- “Checking in passengers is tedious, even with express check-in (scanning QR codes), and the NPCs don't look great, making it a chore to do after five times.”
- “The controls on an Xbox 360 controller are pretty bad; it's such a pain and so tedious to set up.”
monetization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The monetization strategy of the game has drawn criticism for its intrusive pop-up advertising and the prevalence of sponsored content from influencers, leading to concerns about the integrity of the beta testing process. Players feel that the focus on generating ad revenue overshadows genuine player feedback and development.
- “Pop-up advertising in the menus now.”
- “I bought it because it didn't seem so bad in one of the YouTuber's videos, although it is really odd that his ads are everywhere in the game. I don't think I've ever seen something like that before, and it kind of makes you think.”
- “The beta should have been issued to people who not only care about the development but have a certain level of technical expertise while offering crucial input, rather than those who just want to make ad revenue from videos and offer nothing but free advertisement for the product.”
replayability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Users highlight the game's "infinitely replayable" nature, indicating that it offers a compelling experience that encourages multiple playthroughs. This aspect is a significant draw for players seeking long-term engagement and varied gameplay experiences.
- “Infinitely replayable.”
- “The game offers a variety of choices that make each playthrough feel unique.”
- “With multiple endings and character paths, you'll find yourself coming back for more.”
emotional
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game elicits strong reactions, with one user expressing feelings of discomfort and sickness, while another criticizes the unrealistic physics of the cars, suggesting a disconnect that may detract from immersion.