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Ready for freakin' Bus Simulator 27?! The latest entry in the popular series has arrived on Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S today following a brief period of early access for Deluxe Edition buyers, and therefore we've already got some reviews and raw Xbox Series X|S footage to analyse.
There are three different game modes on offer in this year's version including Story, Career and Sandbox, and it also features more than 45 officially licensed buses, a large fictional map inspired by Spain and Portugal, dynamic weather, the ability to play as inspectors and passengers, and 4-player cooperative multiplayer crossplay.
Initial reviews for Bus Simulator 27 have been mixed, both on the Steam platform where the rating is literally "Mixed" after around 200 submissions, and on the Xbox Store where the score is 3/5 stars here in the UK as things stand.
The likes of DualShockers and ScreenHype have also been taking a look at it:
DualShockers: "Bus Simulator 27 offers a way to let you customize how you experience the game, giving you the choice between realistic and difficult. While the game has a solid foundation, its current state is flawed in a way that makes it feel like an early access title. With some updates to refine the driver AI in particular, it could become a worthy successor to Bus Simulator 21, and offer a fun way to hang out with friends without the stress that can come with other online gameplay experiences."
ScreenHype: "The game delivers on many aspects fans love about the simulation genre, with a huge map and plenty of content. After my more than 15 hours, I still feel like there’s plenty to do in the story. Felicia Bay is an exceptional locale to drive around, with great attention to detail.... Unfortunately, despite all these praises, Bus Simulator 27 feels like it needs more time in the oven. The issues I’ve outlined in this review are mostly minor, but they quickly add up and sully an otherwise fun experience."
The biggest problem on Xbox (and evidently other platforms) seems to be reports of bugs and crashes, with people otherwise highlighting the "potential" of the game due to its impressive map and decent handling.
We'll leave you to decide whether it's worth the £29.99 / $34.99 asking price at launch, but for now, you can check out some more details on Bus Simulator 27 along with raw Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S footage below.
Look forward to the most comprehensive and advanced bus fleet in the history of the series so far. More than 45 officially licensed buses from 13 world-famous manufacturers, such as Solaris™, Mercedes-Benz, MAN, IVECO BUS, Scania, and Volvo, are waiting for you to drive. Whether you are interested in classic rigid, articulated, and double-decker buses or in new electric buses – Bus Simulator 27 has got you covered. And for the first time ever in the series, you can get behind the wheel of impressive coach buses and enjoy long-distance journeys!
Felicia Bay is the perfect place to work where others go on vacation – a sunny fictive region in Southern Europe inspired by Spain and Portugal. Explore the vibrant twin cities of Alcaztelar and Mequina, featuring 20 unique districts packed with exciting landmarks – all brought to life by dynamic weather, a full day and night cycle, and bustling, crowded streets powered by Unreal® Engine 5. Create and serve routes, manage timetables, hire bus drivers, assign lines, customize buses with wraps and advertisements, and restore faith in public transportation in the local residents and visiting tourists.