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Fernbus Simulator

Fernbus Simulator Game Cover
67%Game Brain Score
graphics, gameplay
optimization, stability
67% User Score Based on 3,612 reviews

Platforms

Xbox Series X|SPCPlaystation 5Xbox OneXboxWindowsPlayStation
Fernbus Simulator Game Cover

About

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

"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.

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67%
Audience ScoreBased on 3,612 reviews
graphics352 positive mentions
optimization164 negative mentions

  • The game features realistic graphics and detailed bus models, providing an immersive driving experience.
  • The gameplay allows for interaction with passengers, including checking tickets and managing bus amenities, which adds depth to the simulation.
  • The developers are actively updating the game, addressing bugs, and adding new content, showing commitment to improving the overall experience.
  • The game suffers from poor optimization, resulting in low frame rates and performance issues even on high-end PCs.
  • AI traffic behavior is often unrealistic, leading to frustrating driving experiences with cars blocking intersections and causing accidents.
  • The game lacks a comprehensive career mode or economic system, making gameplay feel repetitive and lacking long-term goals.
  • graphics
    874 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics in the game receive mixed reviews, with many praising their high quality and detail, particularly in environments and weather effects, while others criticize the poor optimization and performance issues that hinder gameplay. Users note that a powerful graphics card is essential to achieve satisfactory performance, and many experience graphical glitches and inconsistencies. Overall, while the visuals can be stunning under the right conditions, the game's optimization and graphical fidelity often fall short of expectations, especially compared to competitors like Euro Truck Simulator 2.

    • “Amazing graphics and physics!”
    • “The graphics are outstanding, gameplay is smooth and it doesn't demand too much space.”
    • “The graphics are really great (but you need a good computer with a good video card to play on high settings).”
    • “The game's graphics are awful; it has no career mode, it has hundreds and hundreds of bugs, but the developers don't care.”
    • “The graphics are poor for the Unreal Engine; you can't read road signs until you are literally on top of them!”
    • “I have better specs than what is recommended on the Steam page, but even on low graphic settings, it was still unplayable.”
  • optimization
    428 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's optimization has received overwhelmingly negative feedback, with many players reporting severe performance issues, including low frame rates and frequent stuttering, even on high-end systems. While some updates have improved performance slightly, the overall consensus is that the game remains poorly optimized, requiring significant hardware and configuration adjustments to run smoothly. Many reviewers express frustration over the lack of consistent optimization and the game's demanding requirements, suggesting that it is not yet ready for a broad audience.

    • “Performance has been excellent for me.”
    • “Specially after the recent updates, the optimization is really good.”
    • “The developers have actually improved performance significantly!”
    • “The game is very unoptimized, fps is low, and I have a high-end PC.”
    • “Optimization is rubbish; they have lied about recommended specs to get more people to buy the game unless they are as oblivious to the specs as they are to the simple mechanics of a so-called sim. My PC is 4x as powerful as recommended specs and still drops to 17 fps.”
    • “The game is just poorly optimized.”
  • gameplay
    246 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of the game is a mixed bag, with some players appreciating its self-directed, sandbox nature that allows for creative roleplaying and exploration, while others criticize the driving mechanics, AI behavior, and overall optimization. Many reviews highlight the potential for enjoyable gameplay, especially for simulation fans, but also point out significant bugs and a lack of intuitive controls that detract from the experience. Overall, while the graphics and immersive elements are praised, the gameplay often feels repetitive and marred by technical issues.

    • “The gameplay is delightfully self-directed and sandbox; it lends itself well to creative solo roleplaying and setting one's own goals.”
    • “TML Studios consistently releases high-quality DLCs that add new dimensions to the game, keeping it fresh and exciting even after hours of gameplay.”
    • “This level of detail extends to the game's mechanics – the way the bus handles, the response of the controls, and the environmental effects, all feel authentic and well-researched.”
    • “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 mechanics are nowhere close to being intuitive.”
    • “The NPC drivers drive horribly and they will crash into you sometimes, making you go to the mechanic, but even when you have to go to the mechanic, it is near impossible to get to because of the NPC drivers.”
  • stability
    158 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's stability is a significant concern among users, with many reporting frequent bugs, graphical glitches, and performance issues such as frame rate drops and freezes, even on capable hardware. While some players find enjoyment in the gameplay, the overall experience is marred by the game's unfinished state and lack of optimization, leading to frustration and disappointment. Despite the potential for improvement, many reviewers suggest waiting for further updates before investing in the game.

    • “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. It 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, 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.”
  • story
    62 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The consensus among users is that the game lacks a meaningful story, with many reviews explicitly stating "no story" or expressing disappointment over the absence of a narrative. Some players appreciated the freedom from a structured storyline, while others wished for a more engaging plot or mission-based gameplay. Overall, the game's storytelling aspect is seen as minimal or non-existent.

    • “ epic story”
    • “ like playing temple runners for the story”
    • “For a change of pace, it felt good not having a story to follow or missions to complete.”
    • “✅ this game has 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.”
    • “- expensive DLCs, no story builder like in Tourist Bus Simulator”
  • music
    38 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music aspect of the game receives mixed reviews, with players appreciating the variety of options, including German radio and the ability to add personal playlists, although some criticize the quality of the default tracks. While the menu soundtrack and background music enhance the experience, there are complaints about certain songs being annoying and the inability to play music offline. Overall, music adds a relaxing element to the gameplay, but improvements are desired in terms of song selection and offline functionality.

    • “And Flashbass radio makes the game better with songs from Belinda Carlisle, 'Turn the Lights On', Sam Fox, 'Touch Me', etc. It makes the game and driving experience even better.”
    • “It's lovely to put on some music and drive for a bit, or to work your way up the leaderboard.”
    • “The choice of music is great.”
    • “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.”
    • “Some of the music really doesn't belong in a bus simulator.”
  • grinding
    28 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The reviews indicate that grinding in the game is a significant aspect, with many players feeling it requires an excessive time commitment, often humorously suggesting that one would need "a second life" to manage it. While some appreciate the game's graphics and potential, the repetitive tasks, such as tedious passenger check-ins, detract from the overall experience, leading to mixed feelings about the game's early release and current state.

    • “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 5 times.”
    • “The game has potential; however, it was released too early. The controls on an Xbox 360 controller are pretty bad, and it's such a pain and so tedious to set up.”
  • humor
    22 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is often highlighted as a key feature, with players finding it particularly amusing during chaotic moments, especially when friends are involved. Many reviews note the game's ability to elicit laughter, though some suggest that the humor can be situational and may depend on the player's experience. Overall, it is described as funny, with a mix of lighthearted moments and occasional frustrations.

    • “Funny international coach rides, allowing country-to-country travel (unlike most other bus games).”
    • “Several of them have made me laugh out loud.”
    • “This game is kinda funny if your friends are playing it and they kept crashing into things, but if you are playing it, you might not expect it when you crash into things. Still a good game and you can get mods as well.”
  • atmosphere
    20 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's atmosphere is widely praised for its immersive and pleasant qualities, enhanced by top-notch graphics and a detailed road network. While it captures a relaxing ambiance with seasonal elements and small details, some players note that the simplified cities detract from authenticity, leading to moments of boredom typical of bus simulators. Overall, it offers a visually appealing and engaging environment for players.

    • “The graphics are top-notch, contributing to the overall immersive atmosphere of the game.”
    • “More complex than comparable long-distance vehicle sims, for instance there is a very detailed road network, there are 4 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).”
    • “All in all... you can now enjoy driving through Germany (Austria, 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 also not a very authentic experience due to the hugely simplified cities and, I suppose, also the roads.”
  • monetization
    8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The monetization strategy of the game has drawn criticism for its intrusive pop-up advertisements and perceived cash grabs through DLC content, particularly the buses. Players express concern over the prevalence of promotional content, including ads from YouTubers, which detracts from the overall experience and raises questions about the game's development priorities.

    • “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 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. Go figure.).”
  • replayability
    8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game is considered infinitely replayable, offering diverse vehicle options beyond trucks and maintaining good graphics even on medium settings. However, players feel there is still potential for enhancements to further increase its replayability.

    • “Infinitely replayable.”
    • “Good for different rides than trucks. The graphics are impressive even on medium settings, and there's a lot to enhance the replayability.”
    • “Replayability is a key feature.”
    • “Good for different rides than trucks. Good graphics even on medium, but has a lot to add to replayability.”
    • “Replayability - a**”
  • emotional
    4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players express strong emotional reactions to the game, with one user noting it made them feel physically unwell, highlighting a profound impact on their experience. Additionally, the game's mechanics, such as cars floating rather than making contact with the road, contribute to this unsettling feeling.

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14h Median play time
36h Average play time
7-45h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 32 analyzed playthroughs
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Frequently Asked Questions

Fernbus Simulator is a casual racing game.

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

On average players spend around 36 hours playing Fernbus Simulator.

Fernbus Simulator was released on February 28, 2023.

Fernbus Simulator was developed by TML Studio.

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

Fernbus Simulator is a single player game.

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