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Fernbus Simulator

67%Game Brain Score
graphics, gameplay
optimization, stability
67% User Score Based on 1,806 reviews

Platforms

PCPCPlaystation 5Playstation 5WindowsWindowsXbox OneXbox OneXbox Series X|SXbox Series X|SPlayStationPlayStationXboxXbox

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.

Fernbus Simulator screenshot
Fernbus Simulator screenshot
Fernbus Simulator screenshot
Fernbus Simulator screenshot
Fernbus Simulator screenshot
Fernbus Simulator screenshot
Fernbus Simulator screenshot
Fernbus Simulator screenshot
Fernbus Simulator screenshot
Fernbus Simulator screenshot
Fernbus Simulator screenshot
+24

67%
Audience ScoreBased on 1,806 reviews
graphics176 positive mentions
optimization82 negative mentions

  • The game features realistic bus driving mechanics and detailed bus models, providing an immersive experience.
  • The graphics are visually appealing, especially the weather effects and the scenery in various locations.
  • The developers are actively working on updates and improvements, showing commitment to enhancing the game.
  • The game suffers from poor optimization, resulting in low frame rates and performance issues even on high-end PCs.
  • AI traffic behavior is often erratic, leading to frustrating driving experiences with cars blocking intersections and causing accidents.
  • The game lacks sufficient content, with only two buses available in the base game and expensive DLCs for additional vehicles.
  • graphics
    437 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with many praising the high-quality visuals and attention to detail, particularly in bus models and environmental effects. However, numerous users report significant optimization issues, requiring powerful hardware to achieve satisfactory performance, often resulting in low frame rates and graphical glitches. Overall, while the graphics can be stunning under ideal conditions, they are hampered by performance problems and inconsistencies that detract from the experience.

    • “Amazing graphics and physics!”
    • “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.”
    • “The graphics are poor; ETS2, which is a much older game, looks way better than this and runs better too.”
    • “The graphics are terrible; it takes ages to load, and there is no force feedback.”
    • “So yeah… performance is bad, and when you take the poor graphics into consideration, you realize that developers did a lazy job.”
  • optimization
    214 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 stuttering, even on high-end systems. While some updates have improved performance slightly, significant optimization problems persist, leading to frustration among users who feel the game is not adequately optimized for the hardware requirements. Overall, the consensus is that the game needs substantial improvements in optimization to enhance the gameplay experience.

    • “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
    123 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay of the game is a mixed bag, with some players enjoying the 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 game's potential for immersive experiences and hours of play, but also point out significant bugs and a lack of intuitive controls that detract from the overall enjoyment. Despite its stunning graphics and detailed environments, the gameplay often feels repetitive and can be marred by technical issues, leading to a divided reception among players.

    • “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.”
    • “The gameplay is fun and everything looks great.”
    • “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 game looks good, but there are too many bugs which spoil the gameplay.”
  • stability
    79 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's stability is widely criticized, with numerous reports of bugs, graphical glitches, and performance issues such as frame rate drops and freezes, even on capable hardware. Many players express frustration over the game's unfinished state and lack of timely updates, leading to a clunky and often unenjoyable experience. While some acknowledge the game's potential, the overwhelming sentiment is that it currently suffers from significant stability problems that detract from overall enjoyment.

    • “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, 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.”
  • story
    31 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

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

    • “🔲 epic story”
    • “For a change of pace, it felt good not having a story to follow or missions to complete.”
    • “☑ no story”
    • “✅ 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.”
  • music
    19 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music aspect of the game receives mixed reviews, with players appreciating the variety of radio options and the ability to add personal playlists, though some criticize the quality of certain tracks. While the background music enhances the driving experience and adds to the game's atmosphere, there are complaints about specific songs being annoying and the lack of offline music playback. Overall, the soundtrack is seen as a significant element that contributes to the game's enjoyment, despite some inconsistencies.

    • “And flashbass radio makes the game better with songs from Belinda Carlisle, 'Turn the Lights On', Sam Fox, 'Touch Me', etc. It enhances the game and driving experience even more.”
    • “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
    14 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Reviews indicate that grinding in the game can be excessively time-consuming, with many players humorously suggesting that it requires "a second life" to manage. While some appreciate the game's graphics and potential, the repetitive nature of tasks, such as checking in passengers, can make the experience feel tedious. Overall, the grinding aspect is seen as a significant drawback, impacting player enjoyment.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “☐ you'll need a second life for grinding”
    • “☑ a bit grindy sometimes”
    • “- 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”
  • humor
    11 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is generally well-received, with players finding it particularly amusing during chaotic moments, especially when playing with friends. While some moments may lead to frustration, the comedic elements, including quirky situations and the game's unique take on international travel, contribute to an overall entertaining experience. However, opinions vary, with some players noting that the humor can sometimes border on sad or frustrating.

    • “Funny international coach rides, allowing country-to-country travel (unlike most other bus games).”
    • “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.”
    • “Several of them have made me laugh out loud.”
  • atmosphere
    10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive and pleasant qualities, enhanced by top-notch graphics and attention to detail, such as seasonal changes and local features like church bells. While some users note that the simplified cities can detract from authenticity, the overall experience is described as relaxing and engaging, making it a standout in the bus simulator genre.

    • “The graphics are top-notch, contributing to the overall immersive atmosphere of the game.”
    • “Actually, I love this game graphically, having 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 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).”
    • “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
    4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The monetization strategy of the game has drawn criticism for its intrusive pop-up advertising and perceived cash grabs through DLC content, particularly with the addition of buses. Players express concern over the prevalence of ads, including those 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.”
  • replayability
    4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Users generally find the game to be infinitely replayable, particularly due to its variety of vehicles and engaging graphics. However, some feel that there is still room for improvement in enhancing the overall replayability experience.

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

    The emotional aspect of the game elicits strong reactions, with some players feeling intense discomfort, while others note a disconnect due to the unrealistic physics, such as cars floating rather than making contact with the road.

Buy Fernbus Simulator

14h Median play time
36h Average play time
7-45h Spent by most gamers
*Based on 16 analyzed playthroughs

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