PC Critic Reviews

Folks, there is so much to this game. There is a time limit given for each bus stop but it's not a problem to meet once you become a proficient bus driver and follow the speed limit. Every aspect of the game from the buses to the bus stops to the districts the stops are in need to be unlocked. You need to plan out your routes and then gain the experience necessary to continue unlocking everything. Each bus and stop needs to be levelled up in order to be able to unlock the perks and modifiers contained in each. The unlocked bus items can be both perks and additional customization possibilities such as colors and designs that can be applied to busses. After saying all of that, the city council will be so happy after each district is levelled up that they will provide you with a new bus to drive along with an opportunity to take a special drive through the newly enhanced district in the new bus. The beautiful and expansive city of Emberville loves the fact that you personally provided great bus service to the cities various districts that the city council beautifies each city district right after it is upgraded. Everything certainly is bound to look beautiful!

Bus Bound is the type of game that you'll love if you love simulators, but you might enjoy how peaceful it feels even if you don't usually play this style of game. It's a polished game that delivers what you expect and more. The world alone is beautiful to look at, and the number of pedestrians and other cars makes it feel alive. Aside from a few issues with handling and passenger feedback, the only complaint I have is that I didn't get to try the game with multiplayer or while using a steering wheel controller.

Strong driving feel with more natural, slightly chaotic traffic systems.

An accessible, pretty and innovative bus simulation for fans of the genre and newcomers alike, that will probably only alienate die-hard realism purists.

I enjoyed my time with Bus Bound, as I was looking forward to becoming a bus driver and this game certainly scratches the itch. It’s not the ultimate simulator, and that’s to its benefit, because it’s more approachable and the larger public can have fun with it. Driving around Emberville is a lot of fun, as the city is detailed, not to mention it brings its fair share of challenges for a bus driver. With that in mind, Bus Bound’s experience becomes repetitive after a while, since the core loop forces you to do the same routes over and over. You know, just like a real bus driver would. If repetition is not a problem for you, then I am sure you will have a ton of fun with Bus Bound. There are many different buses to unlock, plenty of customization options, a good coop experience to be had and a vibrant city to explore. It’s not perfect, but it’s as close as most of us will get to driving a bus in a modern city.

Bus Bound is difficult to review because so many of its features will be shortcomings for some players and selling points to others. Those craving a realistic bus or transport management sim will find the title lacking desirable features. However, players who just want to hop behind the wheel of a bus and get rewarded for exploring a city with simple mechanics will find hours of enjoyment in stillalive Studios’ latest game. Despite the issue I’ve honed in on in this review, Bus Bound remains a game I will revisit long after the review period. It offers a relaxing driving experience with the ability to curate routes and session length to your liking. It also sets solid foundations for any future updates.

Bus Bound is a relatively unassuming game that you wouldn't expect much from, but it manages to pleasantly surprise you. The city looks nice and lively, but the gameplay can get monotonous over time. But it's a game that you can return to after a long time and enjoy it just as much as the first time.

Bus Bound gets the job done, though the gameplay still lacks depth and refinement.

Bus Bound feels like it has a conflicted identity. Presenting us with a somewhat realistic driving simulation, backed up by almost no management or logistics gameplay. Unless you want to drive a familiar path, day in, day out, then Bus Bound isn't the game for you.

Bus Bound delivers some decent driving mechanics with excellent traffic AI, although the game struggles with the nuanced mechanics that make other simulator titles from Saber stand out. There is no career mode, and immersive mechanics are limited, but if you want to drive a bus along a route, you can certainly find a good, albeit short, time here.