Bus Simulator 21 Next Stop Reviews

good game

there is a to play as a school bus driver you just need to buy the school bus DLC

i like the game its relaxing and busy at the same time

Bus Simulator 21 Next Stop offers a robust and immersive experience for fans of transport simulations, delivering a detailed representation of the daily life of a professional bus driver. The game emphasizes realism to a high degree—requiring players to follow strict traffic laws, manage a schedule, and maintain smooth operations across sprawling city environments. Driving through urban and rural roads, stopping to pick up passengers, managing onboard ticket sales, and deploying accessibility features like wheelchair ramps all contribute to the sense that you're not just playing a game, but running a real public transportation service. However, this level of realism comes at a cost—repetition sets in quickly for some, and the daily grind of route management may not appeal to every player. Visually, the game impresses with two detailed maps: Angel Shores, a fictional American-inspired metropolis, and Seaside Valley, returning from the previous entry but revamped with better lighting and expanded areas. The environments are rich with detail, offering everything from busy downtown intersections to forest-lined roads and rural backstreets. While the scenery often looks sharp, character animations and traffic AI can break the immersion, with vehicles behaving erratically or pedestrians stepping into the road unexpectedly. Unfortunately, collisions caused by poor AI behavior are still penalized as if the player were at fault, which can lead to frustration during longer play sessions. The vehicle variety is one of the game’s highlights. There are over 30 licensed buses available from major manufacturers like Volvo, MAN, IVECO, and Blue Bird, including electric, articulated, and double-decker models. This wide selection gives players plenty of freedom to build and customize their fleet. Career mode merges the traditional campaign with sandbox elements, allowing immediate access to all buses and routes. This mode encourages a flexible approach to management and expansion, letting players focus on driving or on planning the most efficient routes, depending on their play style. Despite its ambitious scope, the game struggles with polish. Numerous bugs and inconsistencies persist, especially related to DLC content like the tram and school bus expansions. Players have reported everything from game crashes to issues with tracking progress toward trophies or completing seasonal objectives. While patches have improved some aspects, others remain persistent, leaving the experience feeling uneven. The AI behavior is another sticking point—it often disrupts traffic flow or causes accidents, which are then unfairly blamed on the player. For a simulation game that demands precision and attentiveness, this lack of reliability undermines the experience. Still, there is a certain charm to the game’s slow-paced and methodical gameplay. For those who enjoy zoning out with a repetitive but calming routine, Bus Simulator 21 Next Stop can become strangely addictive. The hum of the engine, ambient city noises, and the rhythm of stops and starts create a meditative loop that some players find deeply satisfying. It’s not without flaws, but for dedicated simulation enthusiasts who can overlook technical hiccups and AI frustrations, the game provides a detailed and rewarding sandbox of public transit operations. For more casual players, however, the experience might feel more chore than challenge. Rating: 7/10

Game only has the option to look left and right with either a mouse or eye tracker. Both very inconvenient... unlike bus simulator 18 where you could configure the D-Pad to look left and right.

Its a great game for driving a bus . its so easy to setup the steering wheel and buttons but it has a LOT of lag but i still recomend it .

The residents are for some reason very suicidal and they keep running in front of the buses, they also think about tram seats quite often while on a bus

Absolutely love this game! My racing wheels don't have enough buttons for all the required commands so I have to use my computer keyboard + a controller and the racing wheels but when you get the hang of it, it's all worth it. The scenery is also amazing!

at the beginning the game is perfect, but at the story mode, there is a chllenge to connect 2 rutes ant the game does NOT tell you how to do it. So enjoy the game till that point and then just close it to avoid getting a heart attack from stress! Worst game I have ever purchased!!!!! :(

Driving physics feels like a toy. The config for Logitech G29 is also a mess. Mappings change on every mission load which causes the wheel to not work half of the time. Spent an hour just for troubleshooting my wheel.