Fernbus Simulator

About

Fernbus Simulator is a single player open world racing game. It was developed by TML-Studios and was released on February 28, 2023. It received mostly positive reviews from players.

The Fernbus Coach Simulator is the first simulation of the very popular intercity buses. Thanks to the cooperation with FlixBus the Fernbus Coach simulator shows the daily life of a coach driver on the German Autobahn, highways and in more than 40 cities in great detail.

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65%

Audience ScoreBased on 1,925 reviews

graphics181 positive mentions

optimization87 negative mentions

Realistic and detailed bus models with interactive features enhancing immersion.
Large and diverse map with many cities including DLC expansions, offering hours of gameplay.
Improving optimization and frequent updates from developers aiming to enhance the game experience.

Poor AI behavior causing traffic jams, accidents, and unpredictable driving which negatively impacts gameplay.
Game performance issues including stuttering and low FPS even on capable PCs.
High price and expensive DLCs with limited free content and lack of features like full career mode or economy system.

graphics
459 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
39%
51%
10%
The game's graphics receive mixed reviews, with many praising its realistic and detailed visuals enhanced by the Unreal engine, especially the bus models, weather effects, and cityscapes. However, major criticisms focus on poor optimization, frequent bugs, inconsistent graphical quality, and very high hardware demands that cause lag and low frame rates even on powerful PCs. While the graphics have potential and look impressive under the right settings, many users feel they fall short compared to similar simulators like ETS2, and improvements in performance and visual polish are needed.
- “The graphics are top-notch, contributing to the overall immersive atmosphere of the game.”
- “Graphically, the game shines with its lifelike representation of various German cities and landscapes.”
- “The graphics are beautiful and the attention to detail in the coach (bus) itself is second to none.”
- “Even with the lowest graphic settings it's so screwed up.”
- “The game has bad graphic performance optimization.”
- “I have better specs than what is recommended on the Steam page, but even on low graphic settings it was still unplayable.”
optimization
230 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
15%
47%
38%
Optimization for the game is widely criticized for poor performance, frequent stuttering, and low FPS even on high-end PCs, with significant drops in busy areas and inconsistent frame rates causing frustrating gameplay. While some recent updates have marginally improved performance and stability, the optimization remains problematic, and many players find it inferior compared to similar simulators. Developers continue to work on performance fixes, but the current state demands strong hardware and compromises on settings to achieve playable frame rates.
- “As for the technical execution, the graphics are decent, and the optimization is solid.”
- “Specially after the recent updates the optimization is really good.”
- “The developers have actually improved performance significantly!”
- “Some parts of the game are horribly optimized, as certain roads will drop you to 20 FPS.”
- “Optimization is rubbish; they lied about recommended specs to get more people to buy the game. My PC is 4 times as powerful as the recommended specs and still drops to 17 FPS.”
- “This game is 4 years old and still has such terrible optimization; it is totally a disaster!”
gameplay
137 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
24%
71%
5%
Gameplay opinions are mixed, with praise for the detailed bus mechanics, passenger interaction, and sandbox-style route planning providing a chill, immersive experience. However, many users criticize frequent bugs, poor AI traffic behavior, lack of manual control features, limited gameplay depth, and optimization issues that detract from smooth and engaging play. While the simulator shows potential for long hours of play, technical problems and shallow core gameplay often limit enjoyment.
- “The gameplay is delightfully self-directed and sandbox; it lends itself well to creative solo roleplaying and setting one's own goals.”
- “The gameplay is awesome and everything looks great.”
- “The gameplay is a really chill experience and it's one of the few coach-deriving experiences on Steam that actually brings a well-enough made gameplay.”
- “Don't even get me started on the gameplay... AI traffic is like idiots on the road, just swirling around causing crashes with your vehicle, forcing you to suffer damage!”
- “Bugs are everywhere, most settings and gameplay are broken and completely unplayable.”
- “Moving on to gameplay: game is borderline unplayable with a wheel, no proper shifter support, just simple sequential, and dodgy at that.”
stability
86 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game is widely criticized for persistent bugs, glitches, poor AI behavior, crashes, freezes, and subpar optimization, leading to frequent frame drops and lag even on high-end systems. Despite potential and enjoyment reported by some, many users find it unfinished, clunky, and unstable, with slow or insufficient developer support for fixes and improvements. Overall, stability remains a major issue negatively impacting the experience and value.
- “It's almost been 10 years in development, and it's still a buggy, boring mess.”
- “Game keeps crashing; my PC meets more than the requirements and even with low graphics it still freezes and I have to force close it with Task Manager. Shame because it looks like a good game.”
- “Currently I wouldn't recommend this to anyone; it's buggy, clunky, 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.”
story
27 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
11%
63%
26%
The game lacks a structured story or missions, with most users noting it has no narrative or career mode. Some appreciate the absence of a story for a change of pace, while others suggest adding missions or career elements to enhance engagement. Overall, the story aspect is minimal or nonexistent.
- “Epic story”
- “For a change of pace, it felt good not having a story to follow or missions to complete.”
- “Implement a career with missions and the opportunity to earn money, not points, just like you have football mode.”
- “☑ no story”
- “☑ this game has no story”
- “- expensive DLCs, no story builder like in Tourist Bus Simulator”
- “ like playing Temple Runners for the story”
music
21 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
29%
57%
14%
The game's music and radio feature are generally praised for enhancing the driving experience, offering a good variety of German radio stations and catchy soundtracks that add immersion. However, some users find certain tracks, like the Scania retarder sound, annoying, and there's criticism about requiring payment to add custom music compared to other simulators. Offline music playback is also a common request for improvement.
- “If you want to purely enjoy driving around while listening to radio/music, then Fernbus would be perfect for you.”
- “Flashbass radio makes the game better with songs from Belinda Carlisle 'Turn the Lights On,' Samantha Fox 'Touch Me,' etc. It enhances the game and driving experience.”
- “It's lovely to put on some music and drive for a bit, or to work your way up the leaderboard.”
- “The retarder song of Scania is too noisy and annoying.”
- “The radio DLC makes you pay to put your own songs in the game, a feature that ETS2 offered 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, but some of the music really doesn't belong in a bus simulator.”
humor
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The game's humor is generally appreciated for its quirky AI, amusing international coach rides, and unexpected crash moments that often provoke laughter, especially during multiplayer sessions. It is described as funny and entertaining, with some users noting its unique brand of humor reminiscent of German comedy. However, a few mention that the humor can feel sad or subtle, making it hit or miss depending on the player.
- “The AI lacks the 'I' but that makes it somehow funny.”
- “Funny international coach rides, allowing country-to-country travel (unlike most other bus games).”
- “Several of them have made me laugh out loud.”
grinding
12 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
Grinding in the game is noted as quite time-consuming and repetitive, especially with tasks like passenger check-ins feeling tedious after multiple attempts. While some users find it mildly grindy, others emphasize the need for a significant time investment due to repetitive gameplay loops. Overall, grinding may detract from the experience unless future updates address these issues.
- “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.”
- “A bit grindy sometimes.”
atmosphere
11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
73%
18%
9%
The game features a visually impressive and immersive atmosphere, with detailed environments, dynamic weather, and seasonal changes enhancing the overall experience. While the cities and roads may be simplified, the pleasant and authentic ambiance, complemented by thoughtful details like decorations and ambient sounds, creates a relaxing and engaging simulator. Overall, the atmosphere is praised for its quality and contributes significantly to player immersion.
- “Overall look and feel of the game is pretty nice; detailed materials and surfaces, nice timecycle and weather noticeably change the atmosphere throughout the days, rain particles and droplets on glass look astonishing, bus and traffic models look great and make a cool experience behind the wheel.”
- “More complex than comparable long-distance vehicle sims: there is a very detailed road network, four seasons, and many little things that make the game immersive and atmospheric (for example, December features Christmas decorations in the cities, and passing through a village at a fixed hour lets you hear church bells).”
- “All in all, you can enjoy driving through Germany (Austria and Switzerland with DLCs) with a realistic feeling, very good graphics, and a good atmosphere.”
- “It does capture the atmosphere here and there, but it's not a very authentic experience due to the hugely simplified cities and roads.”
monetization
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Monetization in the game is criticized for intrusive pop-up ads within menus and DLC buses perceived as cash grabs. The pervasive presence of a particular YouTuber's ads raises concerns about marketing tactics, and some feel the beta was misused to generate ad revenue rather than gather meaningful feedback from knowledgeable players.
- “Pop-up advertising in the menus now.”
- “DLC buses are nice too but they’re only a cash grab.”
- “I bought it because it didn't seem so bad in one of the YouTuber's videos, although it's really odd that his ads are everywhere in the game - I've never seen something like that before and it kind of makes you think.”
replayability
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
75%
Users find the game highly replayable, praising its variety and good graphics, though some feel there is room for improvement to enhance replay value further.
- “Infinitely replayable.”
- “Good for different rides than trucks, good graphics even on medium settings, and has a lot to add to replayability.”
- “Good for different rides than trucks. Good graphics even on medium settings, but needs a lot to improve replayability.”
- “Replayability is very poor.”
- “Replayability aspect is lacking and requires significant improvement.”
emotional
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional impact described is negative, with the game causing unexpected motion sickness in a player, which detracts from their experience.

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15h Median play time

38h Average play time

7-45h Spent by most gamers

*Based on 15 analyzed playthroughs

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Frequently Asked Questions

Fernbus Simulator is a open world racing game.

Fernbus Simulator is available on Xbox Series X|S, PC, PlayStation 5, Virtual Reality and others.

On average players spend around 38 hours playing Fernbus Simulator.

Fernbus Simulator was released on February 28, 2023.

Fernbus Simulator was developed by TML-Studios.

Fernbus Simulator has received mostly positive reviews from players. Most players liked Fernbus Simulator for its graphics but disliked it for its optimization.

Fernbus Simulator is a single player game with local co-op support.

Similar games include The Bus, Bus Simulator 18, Bus Simulator 21 Next Stop, Tourist Bus Simulator, Bus Simulator 16 and others.

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