Taxi Life: A City Driving Simulator

62%
Game Brain Score Based on 757 reviews
  • graphics
  • optimization
  • gameplay
Taxi Life: A City Driving Simulator Game Cover
Taxi Life: A City Driving Simulator is an incredibly authentic game that is only held back by some mild performance issues.
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"Taxi Life: A City Driving Simulator" is a driving game that puts you in the role of a taxi driver in Barcelona. With your car and a dream, build up your transport empire by navigating the city's busy streets, transporting customers to their destinations while dealing with road rules, changing weather conditions, and traffic. The game is compatible with popular steering wheel peripherals and game controllers.

  • PC
  • Play​station 5
  • Windows
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

62%
Audience ScoreBased on 757 reviews
graphics58 positive mentions
optimization20 negative mentions
  • The graphics are beautiful and the recreation of Barcelona is impressive.
  • The game offers a relaxing driving experience with engaging passenger interactions.
  • The car customization options and the ability to manage a taxi company add depth to the gameplay.
  • The AI for both traffic and pedestrians is poorly designed, often leading to frustrating collisions and unpredictable behavior.
  • The controls, especially for steering wheels, are inconsistent and can be unresponsive, making the driving experience less enjoyable.
  • The game feels unfinished with numerous bugs and performance issues, leading to a lack of immersion and enjoyment.
  • graphics127 mentions

    The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with some players praising the immersive environments and realistic car models, while others criticize the poor optimization, grainy textures, and frequent frame drops. Many users report that even high-end graphics cards struggle to maintain smooth performance, leading to a frustrating experience despite the game's aesthetic potential. Overall, while the visuals can be appealing, significant technical issues detract from the overall graphical quality.

    • “The graphics are brilliant and so detailed.”
    • “Let me tell you, this game is absolutely beautiful to play, especially on a steering wheel with my gearbox and pedals. It's a really realistic game with such amazing graphics of the cars and the city. Great job on that!”
    • “Graphics: 9/10 (stunning but as to be expected on a 2024 title)”
    • “Graphics are at max a 6/10 even on the highest settings.”
    • “Horribly blurry graphics, bad optimization and the game runs poorly on a steering wheel.”
    • “The graphics seem outdated, akin to those from 2010.”
  • optimization73 mentions

    The game's optimization has received widespread criticism, with many players reporting severe performance issues, including frame drops, stuttering, and poor graphics quality. While some users with high-end PCs have managed to achieve decent performance, the overall consensus is that the game requires significant improvements and bug fixes to enhance the gaming experience. Many players express hope for future updates to address these optimization concerns.

    • “However, I will hopefully rebuy the game once it's better optimized or I get a better PC.”
    • “Unfortunately, I think this is still the best taxi driving game right now, but it definitely could use a lot of bug fixes and optimizations.”
    • “After two patches, I can happily report the traffic problems and performance have been greatly improved.”
    • “One issue I have with the game is that it feels poorly optimized.”
    • “The game has severe frame drops in certain areas, and optimization is mediocre!”
    • “This game is far from being optimized and feels like it has never been playtested before.”
  • gameplay61 mentions

    The gameplay of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players praising the driving mechanics and realism, particularly for those using steering wheels, while others criticize the overall experience as repetitive and lacking depth. Issues such as clunky controls, AI glitches, and a narrow map detract from the enjoyment, leading some to feel that the game prioritizes graphics over engaging gameplay. Despite its potential, many players find the gameplay unpolished and hope for future updates to enhance the experience.

    • “The driving mechanics are great.”
    • “With its realistic cityscape, challenging traffic system, and diverse NPCs, it provides an immersive gameplay experience that will keep you coming back for more.”
    • “The amount of detail and realism here in the gameplay, mechanics, and the look is ridiculous.”
    • “I like the idea and the option to roam in a city; unfortunately, this game focuses on graphics way more than gameplay.”
    • “The AI is from the Stone Age, the NPCs on foot glitch, and you are forced to hit them. The map has way too narrow roads, and you get bored after 30 minutes because you drive the same road. They spent more time on the graphics than the mechanics, and all that waste of money needs improvement.”
    • “The overall presentation feels outdated and uninspired, further detracting from the already lackluster gameplay experience.”
  • stability34 mentions

    The game's stability has been widely criticized, with players reporting numerous bugs, glitches, and AI issues that detract from the overall experience. While some users find the gameplay enjoyable despite these problems, many express frustration over game-breaking glitches and poor optimization, leading to freezes and erratic AI behavior. Overall, the game feels unfinished, and while there is hope for improvements in future updates, the current state may not justify its price for many players.

    • “Game runs great, not one car hit me and not one pedestrian walked in front of the taxi.”
    • “I wouldn't mind that it's got an arcade style driving type, and I think a full-on sim driving mode would be great. I've only done the arcade driving, which is a bit jerky using keyboard and mouse. Not sure if controls and wheels are supported. The scenery is very beautiful, the town is expansive and beautifully rendered. Railroad tracks and speed bumps make your car's suspension act in a predictable and smooth way. I have no glitches or known bugs that I have found as of yet.”
    • “If you like chill driving games and aren't expecting a bug-free experience, it's worth the price tag.”
    • “The game feels unfinished; the pedestrian AI and car AI are all so buggy.”
    • “Honestly, if the glitches weren't game-breaking, or if the price was decreased, I could say it was worth it. However, to pay $35 for game-breaking glitches, then it is a scam!”
    • “You would think this game launched in early access today with how buggy and featureless it is, but no, this is a full release asking for $30 of your hard-earned dollars.”
  • story28 mentions

    The game's story aspect is largely criticized for its lack of depth and engagement, with many players noting that it feels more like a tutorial than a fully developed narrative. While some appreciate the realistic mission structure and feedback, the repetitive nature of tasks and absence of a compelling storyline leave players wanting more. Overall, the game is seen as a sandbox experience focused on driving mechanics rather than a rich, story-driven adventure.

    • “Epic story.”
    • “Conceptually sound, decent story progression and development, and a lot of things to keep the gameplay flowing.”
    • “While not crucial for the simulation experience, it's always nice to have some added story to the game.”
    • “This game has no story unless you count the tutorial :)”
    • “The missions feel repetitive, and there's a noticeable absence of depth or engaging content to keep players invested in the long term.”
    • “There isn't much of a storyline; it is more of a sandbox game where you pick up passengers and can develop a small company later on.”
  • music20 mentions

    The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many players noting a limited selection of only a few tracks, leading to a repetitive listening experience. While some enjoy the electronic and rock metal tracks available, others express a strong desire for the ability to add custom music, similar to other games like GTA. Overall, the music is seen as a weak point, detracting from the immersive experience of the game.

    • “The music rocks as well, especially the electronic and rock metal ones (station 1 and 3, I think).”
    • “It can be immersive with features like turning on the A/C and choosing a temperature. You can turn on the radio (although it has really few songs, but okay) and passengers will often ask to turn on or off the A/C or lower the temperature, or ask to turn on or off the radio. I really enjoyed this part.”
    • “This is basically Euro Truck Simulator 2 (ETS2) with taxis - a casual driving game perfect to chill out while listening to your favorite songs or podcast.”
    • “There is a radio in the game where you can listen to music as you drive, but I think there are only about 6 tracks, and I am not sure if you can add your own music like you can in something like GTA.”
    • “The radio only plays the same song that's from the main menu, and I hate it with a passion.”
    • “The music feels like it's on loop; there's not much variation, and I've already had repeat conversations.”
  • humor7 mentions

    Overall, the humor in the game is appreciated, with players finding amusement in the chaotic and often glitchy behavior of NPCs and vehicles. While some aspects are entertaining, there are notable shortcomings that detract from the experience, suggesting that the humor could be enhanced with further polish and fixes.

    • “There are still some things that need to be fixed, but overall it's a funny game.”
    • “For now, I'm just changing it to recommended; the gameplay was really funny.”
    • “After a short period of getting used to the game, it's actually funny.”
    • “Not funny, not pretty, not polished enough.”
  • atmosphere6 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game receives mixed feedback; while some players appreciate the effort to recreate Barcelona's vibrant cityscape and find it immersive, others feel it lacks depth and immersion. The graphics are praised, and the game's relaxing nature is highlighted, particularly in areas with narrow streets that enhance the overall ambiance. However, technical issues like AI quirks and collisions detract from the experience, suggesting that improvements could elevate the atmospheric quality further.

    • “And that atmosphere is exactly why this game got my attention.”
    • “Graphics are fantastic, AI has quirks that will likely be resolved, but overall it's a good delivery of atmosphere.”
    • “I have now played for over 2 hours and am having a great time; transporting passengers is relaxing, the city is really beautiful and vibrant, especially the part with the narrow streets which has a lot of atmosphere.”
    • “Could do with some atmosphere.”
    • “I didn't feel as if I was too immersed in the Barcelona cityscape, although I commend the effort to recreate the city's atmosphere, and the scale at which this is achieved is admirable.”
  • grinding5 mentions

    Reviews indicate that while some players find the grinding aspect of the game tedious due to occasional frame drops affecting gameplay, others appreciate the balance of XP and money rewards that keep the experience engaging. The grind is seen as fair and enjoyable, particularly in the context of unlocking new vehicles and cosmetics without excessive effort.

    • “The 'grindy' nature of being a taxi driver is there; it seems fair in terms of the XP and money that is granted, and it keeps you wanting to play to earn those newer vehicles and cosmetics for your current ride.”
    • “It's containing FPS issues (possibly due to shadows) and is in a playable state worthy of being a game, but it becomes tedious when it suddenly starts dropping frames after a while, causing you to lose some control over the car while driving.”
    • “Until then, I will keep grinding away and enjoy this game.”
  • replayability2 mentions

    Users highlight the game's replayability as exceptionally high, with many describing it as "infinitely replayable," indicating a strong incentive to revisit the game multiple times.

    • “The game is infinitely replayable, offering new experiences with each playthrough.”
    • “Every decision you make leads to different outcomes, making it a game you can return to time and again.”
    • “With multiple story paths and character choices, the replayability factor is off the charts!”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

54% average critic score

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Play time

4hMedian play time
5hAverage play time
2-7hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 10 analyzed playthroughs

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