Bus Driving Sim 22

Bus Driving Sim 22 is an open-world bus driving simulator that offers realistic physics, next-gen graphics, and a variety of bus models. Players can explore three distinct regions—Rio de Janeiro, Munich, and Los Angeles—while transporting passengers in career, freeride, or online multiplayer modes. The game emphasizes authentic bus driving experiences with multiple bus models and detailed environments.

Bus Driving Sim 22: Review

Introduction

In the sprawling landscape of simulation games, where virtual farmers command tractors and truckers traverse continents, the humble bus driver often occupies a niche yet surprisingly compelling space. Bus Driving Sim 22 arrives from Romanian developer Ovilex Software SRL as a bold attempt to claim the title of “defining bus simulator for PC,” promising an immersive experience across three globally distinct cities. This review will dissect whether the game successfully steers its way into the upper echelons of simulation excellence or remains stalled in the garage, hampered by technical and design flaws. Through an analysis of its development, mechanics, world-building, and reception, we conclude that Bus Driving Sim 22 presents a solid foundation with ambitious scope but ultimately delivers a mixed experience—enjoyable in fleeting moments yet undermined by persistent technical issues, shallow depth, and stiff competition in a crowded genre.

Development History & Context

Ovilex Software SRL, a developer with a portfolio of niche driving simulators (Ship Sim 2020, Taxi Sim 2020, Extreme Trucks Simulator), conceived Bus Driving Sim 22 with a clear vision: to merge global authenticity with accessible realism. Built on the Unity engine for cross-platform compatibility (Windows, macOS, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation), the game entered Early Access on June 3, 2022, before a full release on February 2, 2023. This extended development period aimed to refine core systems and incorporate community feedback, as evidenced by active Steam discussions and a detailed roadmap addressing feature requests.

The 2022 simulation landscape was dominated by established titans like Euro Truck Simulator 2 and Farming Simulator 22, which set high bars for physics, modding, and longevity. Ovilex faced the challenge of competing with these polished giants while leveraging Unity’s flexibility. Their vision emphasized “pure bus driving,” stripping away extraneous mechanics to focus on core transport tasks—passenger routes, schedule adherence, and vehicle mastery. However, Unity’s inherent limitations and the studio’s smaller resources constrained the scope of what could be achieved, particularly in visual fidelity and AI complexity. The decision to feature three cities across continents (Rio de Janeiro, Munich, Los Angeles) was ambitious but resulted in less detailed environments compared to competitors’ sprawling maps. The roadmap’s promises—dynamic weather, bus customization, passenger variety—highlighted a desire for depth, yet slow implementation left these aspirations unrealized at launch.

Narrative & Thematic Deep Dive

As a simulation, Bus Driving Sim 22 deliberately avoids traditional narrative, instead generating emergent storytelling through gameplay. The “plot” is one of professional routine: players navigate timetables, manage passenger flow, and contend with urban traffic across three culturally distinct cities. This absence of scripted story is a genre staple, but the game fails to compensate with meaningful player-driven narratives. Characters are limited to the player’s avatar and silent AI passengers, lacking personality or interaction beyond boarding/alighting animations. Dialogue is nonexistent, replaced by minimalist UI prompts.

Themes emerge implicitly through the cities’ atmospheres and gameplay mechanics. Rio de Janeiro’s vibrant, hilly streets evoke Latin American urban chaos; Munich’s orderly bouvers reflect German efficiency; Los Angeles’ sprawl symbolizes American car culture. The game subtly explores public transport’s societal role—its challenges (traffic jams, tight schedules) and rewards (community connection, mastery). However, shallow implementation undermines these themes. passengers lack variety (no handicapped, elderly, or pet-carriers), and dynamic events (accidents, delays) are absent. Multiplayer introduces competitive/cooperative layers but adds no narrative weight. Ultimately, the game’s “story” is told through the physics of a turning bus, the screech of brakes, and the monotony of a 9-to-5 route—a theme of professional isolation and routine that resonates fleetingly but never deepens.

Gameplay Mechanics & Systems

Bus Driving Sim 22’s core loop is divided into three modes: Career, Freeride, and Multiplayer. Career mode tasks players with completing timed routes to earn money, unlock buses, and access harder assignments. Financial progression funds new vehicles (diesel, electric, school buses) but feels repetitive due to limited route diversity and sparse challenges. Freeride offers a sandbox to explore cities but is underbaked—lacking points of interest or purpose. Multiplayer supports PvP races and co-driving sessions but suffers from connection issues and shallow objectives.

The driving mechanics are the game’s double-edged sword. Physics excel at low speeds, realistically simulating suspension, weight, and road bumps. However, high-speed handling feels floaty and unresponsive. Controls are contentious: official gamepad/steering wheel support is plagued by dead zones and poor calibration, with Steam forums flooded by complaints about Logitech and Thrustmaster compatibility. AI traffic is a critical flaw, with erratic vehicles causing unavoidable collisions and unfair penalties. The UI is functional but clunky, featuring opaque menus and minimal feedback. Innovative elements include mod support for custom buses and TrackIR compatibility for immersion. Yet, promised expansions (hybrids, double-deckers, dynamic weather) were slow to materialize. Core systems like passenger interaction and vehicle maintenance are underdeveloped, reducing the simulation to a repetitive cycle of start-stop driving punctuated by technical frustrations.

World-Building, Art & Sound

The game’s world is its strongest asset, with three cities offering distinct cultural and topographical identities. Rio de Janeiro’s vibrant streets, coastal views, and hilly terrain capture Brazilian energy; Munich’s clean, orderly bouvers and Bavarian architecture evoke European precision; Los Angeles’ sprawl, palm-lined avenues, and iconic landmarks (vaguely represented) reflect American urbanity. Each city includes downtown and outskirts areas, providing varied driving conditions—congested city cores versus open highways—though asset reuse creates visual repetition.

Art direction prioritizes realism, with decent textures, dynamic lighting, and a convincing day/night cycle. Weather effects (rain, fog) enhance immersion but lack intensity. Bus models are detailed, with accurate interiors and exteriors, though the initial lineup (four buses) feels sparse. Sound design is similarly mixed: engine notes vary authentically between bus types, and environmental ambience (city noises, chatter) adds atmosphere. However, audio glitches (volume inconsistencies, silent passengers) and a lack of dynamic music undermine immersion. Despite these flaws, the world remains a pleasant, relaxing space to explore—a digital postcard of global urban life.

Reception & Legacy

Bus Driving Sim 22 received a mixed reception at launch, reflecting its strengths and weaknesses. On Steam, it holds a “Mixed” 59% approval (396 reviews), with players praising the core driving experience and city variety but criticizing technical issues. The Nintendo Switch version scored 75% from Gamer’s Palace, noting its focus on “pure bus driving” made it superior to previous console sims despite content limitations. PlayCritique awarded 6.5/10, calling it “lacking in too many areas” due to janky controls, AI problems, and bugs. Metacritic lists no critic scores, and user reviews there are unavailable, indicating limited mainstream attention.

Commercially, the game found modest success, aided by frequent Steam discounts (e.g., $3.74). Its legacy is still unfolding: it serves as a cautionary tale for niche sim developers, highlighting the gap between ambition and execution. The modding community remains active, extending longevity through custom buses, but slow updates and unaddressed issues (like steering wheel support) hindered its evolution. Influentially, it demonstrates that global scope and accessibility alone cannot overcome technical polish deficits. In a genre dominated by Euro Truck Simulator’s depth, Bus Driving Sim 22 remains a competent also-ran—occasionally enjoyable but never essential.

Conclusion

Bus Driving Sim 22 embodies the promise and peril of mid-tier simulation development. It delivers on its core vision: a globally diverse, accessible bus driving experience with solid physics, charming cities, and modding potential. Yet, it falters under the weight of technical debt—flawed AI, inconsistent controls, and a lack of depth prevent it from transcending its niche. For casual players seeking relaxation, it offers value; for simulation purists, it feels like a missed opportunity. Ovilex’s roadmap hints at improvement, but as of now, the game remains a work in progress. In the pantheon of driving sims, Bus Driving Sim 22 is not a milestone but a waypoint—a competent attempt that reminds us that in simulation, as in real-life driving, the journey matters as much as the destination. Verdict: For patient enthusiasts and genre completists only.