In this generation of video games, the simulation genre has never been more popular! Now Bus Bound arrives. Can this realistic sim capture the attention of fans of the genre? Or are you left at the last bus stop?
Hail To The Bus Driver
The older I get, the more my gaming tastes shift, in unexpected ways. Over the past few years I have become enamoured with games like the brilliant Powerwash Simulator series. More recently, I have enjoyed the excellent Docked. So my interest was immediately peaked when developers stillalive studios and publisher Saber Interactive announced Bus Bound. Thankfully, my excitement has not been dampened! Whilst there are some minor issues, for the most part Bus Bound is a fantastic simulation experience.
When it comes to story and narrative in this genre, it is important to get your expectations right before you play. Simulation games aim to put you in the life of an everyday worker; this game is no different. The developers have ample experience with the Bus Simulator franchise but with Bus Bound I really feel like they’ve made a concerted attempt to have a cohesive, if not basic, narrative. The game takes place in the fictional American city of Emberville. This beautiful city is in need of renovations and updates. This is where you, the bus driver, come into play.
Adding A Human Element
In the game, you drive across the seven different districts. The more shifts you complete means you upgrade and update the city. It’s a simple narrative of playing to upgrade. Furthermore, stillalive studios have done a masterful job in adding a human element to the simulation. As a district gets upgraded there is a small cutscene of social media posts. These show the latest renovations to the city; this really makes you feel like you’re changing the city for the good. At its core, Bus Bound remains focused on the gameplay. However, it’s a nice touch to see the developers add an emotional element. I really enjoyed seeing the work I had put in come to fruition with the new upgrades to the city!
Run, Run Those Lines
Without a doubt, gameplay in simulation games is the most important aspect. In this, Bus Bound succeeds spectacularly – for the most part. As mentioned, the game is set across seven districts in the city of Emberville. The goal as a driver is to unlock and upgrade each district. You do this by gaining likes from passengers aboard your bus. Driving safely, legally and competently all affect the passengers’ satisfaction and dissatisfaction. The like system works as a multiplier: drive safely and securely and the multiplier will go up, increasing your likes. Gaining the required amount of likes for that certain bus stop gives you new stops. Different perks and modifiers can then be enabled to increase the multipliers. It’s a fantastic, robust system that feels so satisfying as you drive along; it really felt like I was making a difference.
Driving feels smooth and satisfying. There are a vast amount of options to use to help your journey feel smoother. Whether it’s a speed limiter, retarder, full beams or window wipers, everything feels realistic and that’s the biggest compliment a simulation game can get! Driving the bus can also be a test of patience as you have a timer to get to each stop. Of course, it’s rewarding when you achieve your goals. At launch, there are 17 different buses which vary in size and engines, whilst also offering different modifiers to help or test your skills. Each bus requires different angles and manoeuvres to be made, thus adding decision-making to your process.
Plan Accordingly
Along with driving, there is also the process of planning the routes. Before you set out on your shift, you can plan your route. You create different bus lines which stop at the bus stops you want to upgrade or improve. Planning these routes felt rewarding and thought-provoking for me; I had to make sure that I had a line that went to the maximum amount of passengers and places. The importance of routes are amplified in co-op. You and three other players can drive routes at the same time, making it vital to have varying routes which don’t get in each other’s way. I thoroughly enjoyed my time running the routes solo and with a friend; it’s relaxing and serene.
Houston, We Have A Bus Problem
Whilst Bus Bound succeeds in most areas, it’s not without its issues. For instance, there are quite a few bugs and glitches which appear during your time driving around the city. Passengers can sink into the floor; cars can randomly disappear. Unfortunately I’ve also had a few instances where the game has frozen and crashed. Hopefully this is all easily patched out. However, the main issue I have is with the game’s approval and disapproval system.
This is because the system works but it also misses some blatant offences. I am nit-picking here but having tested the limits to speed and running red lights, the game can be awfully lenient. It can take you out of the moment when you can get away with offences like this. I think there should have been more emphasis placed on dangerous overtaking (amongst other things); perhaps the developers could patch this in at a later date. These are all minor issues but they affect the main goal of the game – to make you feel like an everyday bus driver.
Emberville Intrigue
In terms of visual presentation, Bus Bound is a beautifully crafted game. Everywhere you drive in the city of Emberville looks stunning, with fine details in buildings and environments. This is magnified the more you upgrade and unlock. Areas which started small and run down are brought back to life with markets, theme parks, football pitches and more. The weather system is also superb, whether it is night or day. Driving in third person or first person with the rain effects is amazing. It’s oddly satisfying to see the rain wiped away from the camera, particularly in third person. Sunrise and sunset also highlight the game’s strong lighting systems. Alas, it’s just a shame the civilians of the city look bland and are animated poorly; they look and walk very robotically. Still, this is a strong visual effort from the team at stillalive.
Similarly, the sound design in Bus Bound is stellar. Every bus sounds authentic and different, whether it’s a petrol based or electrical engine. Indicator lights tick satisfyingly, horns blare when needed and the bus doors sound exactly as you’d imagine when they open. In a game that is judged on how well it simulates reality, they have achieved exactly that. Conversely, the radio plays generic music which repeats itself very quickly, eventually resulting in me turning it off to listen to my own music. The passengers’ voice overs are also very wooden and stiff; they made me laugh at times when they shouldn’t. Overall though, a strong effort in visual and audio presentation.
Verdict
The developers at stillalive studios have achieved their best iteration of a simulation game with the release of Bus Bound. Strong gameplay, great variety in vehicles, a brilliant weather system and a thin, if not endearing, narrative help propel this genre into new heights. I do have some problems with bugs, animations and some lenient gameplay decisions, but overall, this is a great simulator game in a genre that I am rapidly falling in love with. I’m going back to the routes!
