TML Studio puts in our hands its latest bus simulation title, simply titled "The Bus". The game invites you to roam the streets of Berlin, a city recreated for the occasion on a 1: 1 scale. A bluffing job, which inherits an interface directly borrowed from Fernbus Simulator. Still in early access status, the gameplay is closer to Bus Simulator, with future management of multiplayer, mods, and company finances. A rather surprising title, to follow ...
Powered by the Unreal Engine
Graphically, we have to admit that The Bus is the simulation that catches my eye the most at the moment. Far from the flashy colors of the future Bus Simulator 21 or even an FS 19, the lighting of the unreal engine brings Berlin buildings and vehicles to life. The reflections on the asphalt, the windows, or the bodywork are among what is being done best at the moment. In the same genre, Train Sim World 2, also exploiting the engine of Epic Games, offers a similar rendering on the paintings of the locomotives.
The weather is also very well managed. Driving during the day, at night, in the rain, or in the snow, the weather and the lighting will vary according to the seasons (and therefore the date of departure) and the time.
For artificial intelligence, it is not said whether the developers have used the Unreal Engine, but we must admit that we are, once again, a cut above the competition. The traffic is dense, intelligent, makes decisions about overtaking, and obeys the rules of the road to the letter. I must admit that, spending most of my time on Farming Simulator, I can only be surprised and thrilled by such a degree of realism from AI. NPCs, on the other hand, are (too) simple, both aesthetically and in their behavior.
Berlin in 1: 1 scale
Far from Fernbus and other Euro Truck Simulator, The Bus only allows you to drive in a city, like Bus Simulator. The developers chose the German capital: Berlin. The whole city is not modeled, but the work already done is strikingly realistic. Berliners may be surprised. For the moment at early access stage, the game should reach its final stage in 3 phases:
- Phase 1 corresponds to the DL on Steam, the March 25, 2021, of the version tested here. It only offers a simple experience, solo, with 2 buses (12m and 18m articulated), and the possibility of taking passengers.
- Phase 2 will bring a multiplayer mode, bus modification tools for the Unreal Engine 4 game editor, new bus lines with different routes, two new bus variants, AI for computer-driven buses, and controller support XBox and PS4.
- Finally phase 3 will drive the point home by adding a complete economy mode where the player will have to manage his fleet, his staff, repairs. A new bus line will also be in the game.
In short, key points that risk damaging the title edited by Astragon. But whether for Bus Simulator 21, or the phase 2 and phase 3 updates, no date is announced. The Bus is available from March 25 in early access for all on Steam only, for around 25 euros.