Join the hustle and bustle of bus driving
Bus Simulator 21 Next Stop is a multiplayer realistic simulation video game wherein you get to enjoy an even more immersive experience as a bus driver. Developed by stillalive studios, this 3D bus simulator game is part of the Bus Simulator series and is the sequel to Bus Simulator 18.
Similar to other vehicle simulator games, Bus Simulator 21 Next Stop features numerous real-life bus models and brands, as well as the ability to fully customize your vehicle. This time, you can explore two huge open-world maps, meticulously manage your bus company, and play with two new bus types.
Experience another enhanced bus simulator experience
When it comes to performance and graphics, the Bus Simulator franchise is still one of the best due to the power of Unreal Engine 4. The 3D models are hyper-realistic—and in Bus Simulator 21 Next Stop, this is heightened even more by the new dynamic weather, day-night cycle, and revised traffic and pedestrian AI. However, the real catches to this installment are the two open-world maps and the two new bus types.
Here, you can now drive double-decker buses and electric buses or e-buses. Plus, a fleet of 30 officially licensed buses by well-known international manufacturers—Blue Bird, Grande West, Alexander Dennis, BYD, IVECO BUS, MAN, Mercedes-Benz, Scania, Setra, and Volvo—are now available in the game. The first map is a new fictional American city called Angel Shores, while the second map is the revamped version of the European Seaside Valley map from the previous game.
Aside from driving the buses yourself, you can handle your bus management elements yourself—such as creating timetables and planning efficient routes during peak passenger hours. You can also simply automate this and just enjoy driving, which is much faster now with fast travel. The choice between single and multiplayer modes returns here, as well as the Modding Kit, although the game can run pretty slow due to the high graphics performance.
Offers enhanced features and can be played for free on Epic Games
Moreover, with the Next Stop update, the game added more enhanced features like the passenger dialogues in English and German language to players making their experience more interactive and fun. Also, its new character creator allows you to choose from thousands of design options to personalize your bus driver’s body shape, clothes, skin color, and hair, even your bus appearance. The Next Stop update provides players with popular steering wheels and gamepads too, as well as Tobii Eye Tracking and TrackIR.
On the other hand, this year, Epic Games is continuing its tradition of promoting a game for free as its own way of countdown to the new year. This is called the “Free Mystery Game Promotion” wherein Epic Games surprises players with its free game offerings. This event usually starts in the middle of December. This 2024, this game is on the lineup of Epic Games free-to-play games. Players can experience this bus simulator experience for free starting today until December 12.
A visually stunning bus simulator
All in all, Bus Simulator 21 Next Stop is an exciting improvement over Bus Simulator 18. This game gives players new models and brands of buses for more customization options, expands the explorable world, and breathes new life into the visuals and AI to make things more immersive. While it still retains the series’ problems with running smoothly on lower-end PCs, it’s still a highly realistic bus game.
