Bus Driver is a premium driving simulation by SCS Software, a Czech Republic-based game development company behind the simulators American Truck Simulator and Euro Truck Simulator 2. Released in 2007, this game features 12 detailed buses, a dynamic day and weather system, and smart traffic to deliver maximum immersion to the player.

With 36 routes, or missions, to cruise on—each with its own day and weather—every driving experience will be different. Unlike frenetic, high-octane racing games, Bus Driver is much more relaxing to play. Most importantly, it doesn’t feature violence or inappropriate content, making it kid-friendly. 

A defensive driver in the making

The premise of Bus Driver is to pick up and drive passengers to their destination. Just like in real life, players must follow traffic rules—such as stopping when the traffic light turns red or slowing down at a yellow light—thus rewarding you with points. Conversely, colliding with a lamp post or getting involved in an accident results in a deduction. When driving passengers, keeping them comfortable and happy is your job, and successfully doing so will net you points. 

However, slamming the brakes is a bad idea as this will irk your passengers, leaving them dissatisfied with your driving. Simply put, the game rewards patience and responsible driving. Furthermore, the challenge the title brings to players ensures that the gameplay stays fresh and exciting even after several missions—each one having six tiers. Speaking of missions, it’s important to highlight that some routes will take more time to complete than others.

Routes are set in different locations, from cities to snowy mountains. The game also shows a brief description of the mission’s objectives. Depending on the route, the player may be asked to drive children to the Sports Center, or bring passengers to a location under a particular weather condition. Upon completing a mission, the game will calculate your score based on the number of transported passengers, penalties incurred, and other metrics.

The locations feel alive

Although Bus Driver has dated graphics, the environments of the missions don’t feel empty at all. For example—when you’re driving in a city—there are bound to be different kinds of vehicles on the road, from buses to trucks. If there are trees, you’ll most likely see leaves drifting in the air while you’re driving. However, the humans in the game are completely lifeless as they don’t have a dedicated animation for boarding or leaving the bus. 

In fact, the passengers will just vanish as soon as you pick them up from the bus stop, or drop them off at their destination. That being said, the game could use some work in animating the human models to help maintain immersion. Furthermore, the addition of police officers who issue traffic tickets for road violations will surely heighten the title’s realism. The game could also benefit from a free roam mode to ensure gameplay variety.

Close to perfect

Bus Driver may have a simple premise, but don’t let its simplicity lull you into thinking that it’s a walk in the park. Frankly, this game is a lot more complex and nuanced than it appears to be. Requiring careful driving, players must not only follow traffic regulations, but also keep their passengers comfortable. However—despite the dated visuals—this title remains an excellent choice for any driving simulator fan.