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I recently got the opportunity to test out Saber Interactive and Stillalive Studios' newest simulator title, Bus Bound. From my four-hour preview of the game's demo, I can honestly say that the game had me hooked from the beginning. Although the game has it fair share of issues, it still was an all-around enjoyable experience for me.
Now, before I begin, let me put something out there. I am not a major fan of driving simulator titles due to the emphasis on realistic driving mechanics and features. However, Bus Bound managed to make the simulation a lot more enjoyable than I expected, partly for its leaned-back focus on the realistic approach.
The demo I got the opportunity to try it out, and it took me straight to the basics by taking me through a detailed tutorial mission. The tutorial gives you a complete look at everything you need to understand to navigate the city and complete objectives once you get acquainted with the game.
Bus Bound puts you in the shoes of a bus driver in the city of Emberville. Emberville is a bustling city with a high volume of traffic and a population roaming around the streets. The game assigns you a trip route every time you head out, and you have to stop at bus stations to pick up your passengers and take them to their destinations.
The economy system in the game works in a rather fascinating way. While you would expect your passengers to pay for their trips, which in turn will be the money you earn, Stillalive Studios has opted for a more laid-back approach where the satisfaction meter of your passengers dictates how much money you earn after finishing a trip around the assigned route.
Bus Bound brings licensed American buses to life with great detail and vehicle physics. From the moment I started playing the demo, it felt like I was actually driving a bus with visible weight. Aside from detailed buses, the game also features a customisation feature that gives you the chance to revamp the bus to your own taste. Due to the game being a demo build, I got the opportunity to test out three buses overall, each featuring their own distinct styles.
The one thing that really caught my attention in the game is the ever-changing and evolving world of Emberville. As you plan your route and take your bus out through the city to complete objectives, the map changes around you. Once you finish a route, it changes dramatically for your next trip. I took the same route twice to test out this feature, and surprisingly, there were construction sites changing how an establishment looked, garbage trucks stopping me at busy avenues, and much more. This feature makes every trip unique, as the roads never stay the same.
The game's AI behaviour really threw me off at times. For instance, while approaching a busy intersection after waiting for my light to go green, an NPC car straight up drove into my bus at full speed. Meanwhile, other cars around me were all waiting for their light to turn green. I noticed many NPCs ignoring their red light stops and just flooring it. While I understand the game's early access state and the hilarity of the situation, it still shattered the layer of immersion for me.
Visually, I think Bus Bound needs a little more work. The graphics and fidelity of the game are not something you would expect to see in a 2025 title. Moreover, there are a few optimisation issues here and there, which might get fixed with the game's official release.
Overall, my experience with Bus Bound was quite positive, with a few hiccups here and there. However, in all honesty, I think Stillalive Studios and Saber Interactive have a potentially great simulator title in their hands if they manage to improve the game visually while fixing the few issues mentioned in my preview. I am eager to try out the game once the game is officially out on platforms.
