menu
menu

Bus Simulator

2008 Ice Bytes and Avanquest city bus simulation game

6.9

1135 Votes

  • Category Racing games
  • Program license Trial version
  • Version 2008
  • Size 179.54 MB
  • Works under: Windows 2000
  • Program available in English
  • Program by Bussimulatorgame

Bus Simulator 2008 will put the player into the driving seat of an urban bus. Contendo's game is not as simple as the premise sounds, as the player must fulfil all the obligations of a working bus driver, from taking fares and handing out tickets to obeying all the rules of the road. The latter feature is one that is sure to trip up more than a few Grand Theft Auto aficionados who are accustomed to treating the highway code as a vague suggestion rather than law!

There are 9 different routes, divided into three loose categories: three of them with six stops, another three with nine stops, and two, the longest routes, with twelve stops. There are three different difficulty settings, namely daytime, night time and snow/ rain, each setting providing its own unique challenges and issues for the player. The player must work out and follow the correct route with the help of the map feature. This is not as easy as it sounds, especially when the player is trying to keep track of everything else necessary to the game!

The game features a range of different buses, from standard single buses to double-deckers and even articulated buses, again, each being associated with a particular degree of difficulty. More buses are unlocked as completion bonuses are earned, giving the player new challenges as he or she progresses.

The player's task is to live in the bus driver's shoes, working his or her route, taking on passengers and issuing tickets. Any driver that flouts the rules can be 'fired' just like in real life, so it is important to pay attention to traffic signals and lights. Drivers must also stop at every bus stop along the route or risk disciplinary action!

However, Bus Simulator 2008 offers more than a simple bus-driving job. The player must also try to sell and maintain the advertising space on the side of the bus, and work out advertising campaigns to get more people to use the bus. The player can set targets for passenger usage and aim to achieve those targets.

The graphics on the game are good, but nothing exceptional. The bus is relatively simple to control once the player has learned all the ins and outs of bus driving but the physics leave a little to be desired, having unrealistic responses to crashing.

Pros

  • An unusual premise and an original blend of driving simulator and business model
  • Good graphics and backgrounds
  • At first more challenging than it seems

Cons

  • Can become tedious after a while
  • Not the best physics leading to unrealistic 'feel' while playing
Top 6 Bus Simulator Alternatives

Asphalt 8: Airborne for Windows 8

A fun and exhilarating, multiplayer car racing game

Need for Speed  1.5

Popular racing video game published by EA

BeamNG.drive  0.31

Racing simulator with many auto and terrain options

GT Racing 2: The Real Car Experience for Windows 8

Simulation game that feels very true to real-life driving

GT Racing 2: The Real Car Experience for Windows 10

The most recent racing simulation by Gameloft

Asphalt Overdrive for Windows 8  1.0.0.0

An exciting multiplayer racing game that gives players missions