Score
Gameplay:	8
Graphics:	6
Sound:	6
FunFactor:	8
PlasmaFactor:	8
Overall:	7.2

Bus Driver Review
December 31, 1969

The wheels on the bus go round and round in Meridian 4 and SCS Software's Bus Driver. Bus Driver is a bus driving simulation game that may interest new drivers or those who are absolutely crazy. So hop in your bus and let's get some passengers.

Hit the Road

Bus Driver is a bus simulation game that does exactly that, simulate driving a bus. The basic controls of the game are a little hard to get used to, but after you get the hang of it you will find yourself enjoying your time playing this game. This, of course, includes moving passengers from station to station or just wreaking havoc with them inside. No matter what course you choose you will find this title to be useful and fun.

Bus Driver's controls are done all through keyboard, even the in-game menus are controlled with the keyboard. This helps make the game easily accessible to a large variety of gamers, whether they are old or young. However, driving the bus seemed to be very unresponsive at times. This could be attributed to the fact that driving a bus is no easy task, but it may deter you from even picking up the game if you don't have a lot of patience. Once you get acclimated to the controls in Bus Driver you will find yourself exploring this open world in any manner you choose to.

The purpose of Bus Driver is to get from point A to point B by following all the rules of traffic and in a timely manner. Obviously if a stoplight is red, you must stop the bus before proceeding. Should you want to change lanes, you even have to put your turn signal on to change lanes or risk losing points. To pick passengers up at a bus stop, it is as simple as pushing the enter key and allowing them to enter or exit the bus. How happy you keep the passengers when they are on the bus is entirely up to you.

The overall happiness of your passengers is dependent on how fast you get them to their destination or how well you drive. Should you decide to drive like a drunken maniac and hit cars, this will highly upset your passengers and will result in a lower score for you. Of course, some of us are used to violent games. This may result in us getting a thrill from hearing the passengers scream as you hit an oncoming car or running a red light.

Bus Driver does a great job of being a bus driving simulation. There have been many times throughout my gaming career that I have wished that it would be possible to use turn signals and have to obey traffic signs. Bus Driver does an excellent job of recognizing when you break the rules of traffic, except in some noticeable instances.

There were times where the game would not recognize that I was hitting a curb or swerving like I had just finished a drinking session at a pub. This should definitely be recognized by the game. If SCS had included police into the game and given them the ability to give you a ticket for your crazy driving, it would have made the overall experience better and more realistic. Hopefully this is something that they can release in a future patch.

Ow, My Eyes

The graphics in Bus Driver are mediocre at best. Even with all the settings on maximum, the game lacked enough pizazz to bring even an entry level PC to its knees. This works out well for gamers who may have older systems, but it will leave some wanting more.

Crickets

There is no very much sound in Bus Driver. The intro guitar solo sounded amazing, but quickly led to a very generic melody. The intro definitely helped to open the game and bring a level of excitement to the game. However, this excitement quickly wears off once you realize there is no in-game music.

Another noticeable problem with the sound was the lack of commotion on the bus. The only time the passengers would make any type of noise is when you hit an object or hit the brakes too hard. Once again this took from the overall realism of the game, since not very many buses are silent.

PlasmaFactor

Bus Driver would be a great tool to help teach a young driver the proper rules of driving. Although the game lacks recognition of many traffic laws, it would still teach a teenager some of these laws. For example, it can show them them when to use a turn signal or teach them not to hit the breaks too hard. This may be a long shot for some teenagers, but for a younger child it may be a great way to get them started.

Conclusion

Bus Driver was a fun game to play and stuck to the idea of being a simulator. However, the unresponsive controls took away from the overall experience of trying to guide the bus in and out of lanes. Graphically, it will disappoint gamers used to the latest and greatest graphics. Younger gamers will probably not notice this and will focus more on the gameplay. This is a tool that some parents may find effective in teaching their young ones the proper rules of the road. Bus Driver definitely appeals to a very small group, but some gamers may find fun in following the rules of the road for a change.