Software:Bus Simulator 18
| Bus Simulator 18 | |
|---|---|
 Cover art of Bus Simulator featuring an articulated Mercedes-Benz Citaro bus | |
| Developer(s) | Stillalive Studios |
| Publisher(s) | Astragon Entertainment |
| Series | Bus Simulator |
| Engine | Unreal Engine 4 |
| Platform(s) | |
| Release |
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| Genre(s) | Vehicle simulation |
| Mode(s) | Single-player, multiplayer |
Bus Simulator 18 (also known as Bus Simulator on consoles) is a bus simulator game developed by Stillalive Studios and published by Astragon Entertainment for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One. It is powered by Unreal Engine 4 and was initially available on the 13th of June 2018 worldwide. It is the fifth game in the Bus Simulator franchise and is the direct sequel to Bus Simulator 16. A sequel titled Bus Simulator 21 was released in 2021.[1]
Gameplay
Bus Simulator 18 features a sizable map of fictional modern city Seaside Valley, consisting of twelve districts, which is 2.5 times bigger than Bus Simulator 16.[2] The game allows players to drive eight licensed vehicles from four different bus manufacturers including Iveco, MAN, Mercedes-Benz, and Setra ranging from low-floor buses to articulated buses.[3] Like its predecessor, the game also uses a procedural generation system that requires players to complete different missions to unlock new districts. Management-wise, players are able to create their own bus lines, as well as buying, selling and upgrading buses.[4]
Development and release
An in-game trailer was released in May 2018. In comparison to the Unity-based Bus Simulator 16,[citation needed] Bus Simulator 18 is powered by Unreal Engine 4, which shows considerably improved graphics.[2] It was released to Microsoft Windows in June 2018, with modding and multiplayer mode were featured for the first time in the Bus Simulator series.[5] PlayStation 4 and Xbox One versions were later available in August 2019 titled Bus Simulator.[6] A map expansion downloadable content was released in May 2019.[7]
Reception
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Bus Simulator 18 received "mixed or average" reviews, according to review aggregator Metacritic.[8][9][10]
Chris Jarrard of Shacknews gave a 6 to the game, writing "Bus Simulator 18 is not a game changer and to be honest, it's not the most rewarding experience I've ever had in front of my PC." He had three major issues of the game — a lack of content, multiplayer bugs, and a boring campaign.[12]
Chris O'Connor of Impulse Gamer rated it 4 out of 5. He considered the game to be quite relaxing, but he considered its content not deep enough.[13]
Alec Meer of Rock, Paper, Shotgun enjoyed the atmosphere in the game, which is so great that he even would like to become a bus driver. He says "Bus Simulator 18 leaves me with a deep sympathy for bus drivers and a great terror that I might ever become one."[14]
Andy Kelly of PC Gamer compared the game with the similar-genre video game Euro Truck Simulator 2 of SCS Software, commenting the game maybe not as good as the truck-simulator, but it is full of interaction, which is what the Truck Simulator franchise is missing.[15]
References
- ↑ Watton, Neil (11 August 2020). "Bus Simulator 21 announced for Xbox One, PS4 and PC". TheXboxHub. https://www.thexboxhub.com/bus-simulator-21-announced-for-xbox-one-ps4-and-pc/. Retrieved 12 August 2020.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 DaRipp3r (5 June 2018). "Bus Simulator 18 – New & Improved Features Revealed". http://pixelperfectgaming.com/2018/06/05/bus-simulator-18-new-improved-features-revealed/. Retrieved 13 May 2020.
- ↑ Tuffcub (25 May 2018). "OMG YASS! Bus Simulator 18 Details Revealed!". https://www.thesixthaxis.com/2018/05/25/omg-yass-bus-simulator-18-details-revealed/. Retrieved 13 May 2020.
- ↑ O'Connor, Alice (31 May 2018). "Bus Simulator 18's co-op multiplayer sounds delightful". https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2018/05/31/bus-simulator-18s-cooperative-multiplayer/. Retrieved 13 May 2020.
- ↑ O'Connor, Alice (13 June 2018). "Bus Simulator 18 out now, with mods & multiplayer". https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2018/06/13/bus-simulator-18-released/. Retrieved 13 May 2020.
- ↑ O Donnell, Deirdre (13 June 2018). "Bus Simulator: now for Xbox One and PS4". https://www.notebookcheck.net/Bus-Simulator-now-for-Xbox-One-and-PS4.434952.0.html. Retrieved 13 May 2020.
- ↑ O'Connor, Alice (22 May 2019). "Bus Simulator 18 rolling along new roads in map expansion". https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2019/05/22/bus-simulator-18-map-expansion-released/. Retrieved 13 May 2020.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 "Bus Simulator PC". Metacritic. https://www.metacritic.com/game/bus-simulator-18/critic-reviews/?platform=pc. Retrieved 13 May 2020.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 "Bus Simulator PlayStation 4". Metacritic. https://www.metacritic.com/game/bus-simulator/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-4. Retrieved 13 May 2020.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 "Bus Simulator Xbox One". Metacritic. https://www.metacritic.com/game/bus-simulator/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-one. Retrieved 13 May 2020.
- ↑ Fränkel, Harald (15 June 2018). "Bus Simulator 18 im Test - Geldregen am Bus- und Bettag" (in German). GameStar. https://www.gamestar.de/artikel/bus-simulator-18-geldregen-am-bus-und-bettag,3331190.html. Retrieved 13 May 2020.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 Jarrard, Chris (9 July 2018). "Bus Simulator 18 im Test - Geldregen am Bus- und Bettag" (in German). Shacknews. https://www.shacknews.com/article/106039/bus-simulator-18-review-makin-stops-makin-paper. Retrieved 13 May 2020.
- ↑ O'Connor, Chris (16 June 2018). "Bus Simulator 18 PC Game Review". http://www.impulsegamer.com/bus-simulator-18-pc-game-review/. Retrieved 13 May 2020.
- ↑ Meer, Alec (19 June 2018). "Wot I Think: Bus Simulator 18". https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2018/06/19/bus-simulator-18-review/. Retrieved 13 May 2020.
- ↑ Andy, Andy (19 June 2018). "Bus Simulator 18 is a surprisingly stressful public transport sim". PC Gamer. https://www.pcgamer.com/bus-simulator-18-is-a-surprisingly-stressful-public-transport-sim/. Retrieved 13 May 2020.
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