Have you ever dreamed of becoming a taxi driver? Nah, me neither. Yet, here I am looking at Taxi Life: A City Driving Simulator! This simple but interesting title scratches that sim itch as well as allowing you to take in some lovely sights. On top of this, there is a small progression system as well as the chance to manage a small business. Consequently, it attempts to fit plenty of depth into a rather niche endeavour.
This simulation title was developed by Simteract and published by Nacon. This solo experience asks you to drive across a vast sprawling city whilst making plenty of money in the process. Additionally, you must explore each nook and cranny and discover landmarks and plenty of street art. Though much of the action follows tried and tested mechanics, I enjoyed the relaxing and realistic approach.
Taxi Life: A City Driving Simulator allows you to write your own tale.
I often have people question my desire for a story when playing a sim game. Now, I know hobbyists adore the realism and the lack of adventure. However, I like a bit more depth to my games and often enjoy the smallest of plots. Thankfully, there is a minor backstory to the action and this was enough to keep me happy. Yet, I would have enjoyed a bit of rivalry or a love interest. Sadly, these things never materialised.
Taxi Life: A City Driving Simulator focuses on your ability to navigate the streets of Barcelona. Additionally, you must expand your business and complete an array of special jobs. However, the main gameplay loop revolves around everyday people and their desire to move from point A to point B. This rudimentary mechanic should have been mundane. Instead, it was fascinating to follow the laws of the road and explore the vast city streets.
A lowly taxi driver.
At the start, you have one small car and little experience. Yet, with time and effort, you expand your business, improve your skills, and have the ability to own a fleet of luxury cars. Moreover, you can pick from an array of jobs and test your skills with special events. However, no matter what you do, you must abide by the rules of the road and maintain each vehicle you drive.
It is the maintenance element of the gameplay that adds depth to the realism. If you misuse your brakes or your speed, your car will slowly crumble. Moreover, crashing into other vehicles or buildings is detrimental to your life, car, and your earning potential. As such, you must keep on top of your fleet of cars if you wish to run the best business around.
If you tire of taking punters to their desired destinations, you can drive to your heart’s content. As you explore the bustling streets, you can observe graffiti or an array of museums, sculptures, and landmarks. This minor addition to the gameplay breaks up the repetitive nature of each job whilst adding XP to your character.
XP.
The XP and progression system are essential if you wish to streamline your business. You can choose to improve your earning potential or your driving abilities. Alternatively, maybe you’ll focus your time and money on your workforce and their cars. Either way, your main goal is to explore as much of Barcelona as you can whilst making a healthy profit at the same time.
If you wish to see everything on offer, you must complete an array of tasks to improve your standing. Whether you take on normal driving tasks or undertake unique events, it is up to you. I loved the latter option as it was more challenging to speed to a set location or remain calm and abide by every law of the road. Whichever you choose, make sure to do it to the best of your ability. The better you do, the more money you earn, and the quicker your business expands.
Taxi Life: A City Driving Simulator is pleasant to look at.
The developers have done a great job with Taxi Life: A City Driving Simulator. Visually, the city is impressive to witness. On top of this, the cars are realistic and I liked the basic damage elements. Whether you choose to drive from the seat of your car or enjoy an external viewpoint, the gameplay is just as good. What’s more, the attention to detail and the rendering distance ensure that you won’t tire of what you see, and the action is wonderfully immersive.
As you’d expect, there is an array of radio stations to pick from. However, I was unable to make any work. Now, this may be a glitch or user error, but no matter how hard I tried, I never heard a peep. Subsequently, I focused my attention on the vast array of sound effects. The excellent ambient sounds were impressive. Moreover, I liked the engine noises and the horrific sound of every crash. Accordingly, the developers have created a realistic title.
Excellent controls.
Thanks to the thorough tutorial, you will learn the fundamentals in no time. Additionally, the excellent UI and wonderful button layout help you to navigate the tight streets of Barcelona. Though I wasn’t a fan of the first-person viewpoint, I liked the realistic nature of the controls and how responsive every element felt.
The world map is huge! Consequently, there is plenty to see and loads of streets to explore. Moreover, you will discover landmarks and graffiti for hours on end. Alongside this, the character progression system and the business management layers keep you coming back for more. Therefore, this has both replay value and longevity.
Taxi Life: A City Driving Simulator is a fun sim title.
Becoming a virtual taxi driver wasn’t on the cards. Yet, I enjoyed my time with Taxi Life: A City Driving Simulator. This realistic endeavour will grab your attention from the off. Additionally, the simple-to-learn mechanics enable you to lose hours of your life without thinking about it. If I was critical, the action can be considered repetitive, and I’d like the developers to add a greater variety of quests and special events. These shortcomings to one side, I loved this game and I recommend buying it here! Can you learn the knowledge? Jump in your car, pick up each punter, and make a fortune in the process.
