Bus Simulator 16
{{short description|2016 vehicle simulation video game}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = Bus Simulator 16
| image = Bus-simulator-16-cover.jpg
| caption = Cover art of Bus Simulator 16 featuring an articulated MAN Lion's City bus
| developer = Stillalive Studios
| publisher = Astragon Entertainment
| series = Bus Simulator
| engine = Unity
| platforms = {{ubl|Microsoft Windows|macOS}}
| released = {{vg release|WW|3 March 2016}}
| genre = Vehicle simulation
| modes = Single-player, multiplayer
}}
Bus Simulator 16 is a bus simulator game developed by stillalive studios and published by Astragon Entertainment for Microsoft Windows and macOS. It is powered by Unity and was available on 3 March 2016 worldwide. It is the fourth game in the Bus Simulator series. A sequel titled Bus Simulator 18 was released in 2018.
Gameplay
File:Bus sim 16 screenshot.jpg.]]
Bus Simulator 16 has licensed the vehicles of MAN.{{cite web|first=Graham|last=Smith|url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2015/07/13/bus-simulator-16-announced/|title=Bus Simulator 16 Will Let You Manage The Buses|work=Rock, Paper, Shotgun|date=13 July 2015|accessdate=24 June 2020}} In addition to the buses of the German bus maker, the game features a total of six buses that allow players to drive across five districts.{{cite web|first=John|last=Walker|url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2016/02/22/bus-simulator-16-release-date/|title=Bus Simulator 16 Launch Trailer Arrives Early, Leaves Without Waiting For You|work=Rock, Paper, Shotgun|date=22 February 2016|accessdate=24 June 2020}} The game also provides a route manager for players to create their own bus lines. A multiplayer mode is available in the game as well.{{cite web|first=Dustin|last=Bailey|url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2018/05/31/bus-simulator-18s-cooperative-multiplayer/|title=Waiting on Bus Simulator 16 in the rain, in the rain|work=GameWatcher|date=22 February 2016|accessdate=24 June 2020}}
Development and release
Bus Simulator 16 was announced July 2015. It is the first game in the series developed by Austrian video game developer stillalive Studios.{{cite web|first=Kevin|last=Dooley|url=http://www.teamvvv.com/news/drive-a-bus-and-keep-your-passengers-happy-in-bus-simulator-16/|title=Drive a bus and keep your passengers happy in Bus Simulator 16|website=teamvvv.com|date=13 July 2015|accessdate=24 June 2020}} The game was scheduled to release on 20 January 2016 for Microsoft Windows and macOS,{{cite web|first=Kevin|last=Dooley|url=http://www.teamvvv.com/news/bus-simulator-16-releasing-on-january-20/|title=Bus Simulator 16 releasing on January 20|website=teamvvv.com|date=8 January 2016|accessdate=24 June 2020}} but it was postponed to 3 March 2016 due to technical issues.{{cite web|first=Philippa|last=Warr|url=http://www.teamvvv.com/news/drive-a-bus-and-keep-your-passengers-happy-in-bus-simulator-16/|title=Bus Simulator 16 Delayed, Stuck In Traffic|work=Rock, Paper, Shotgun|date=14 January 2016|accessdate=24 June 2020}} A bus downloadable content featuring three licensed Mercedes-Benz buses, including an 18-meter long Citaro G articulated bus, were available on 25 January 2017.{{cite web|first=Mc|last=Bride|url=http://sknr.net/2017/01/17/bus-simulator-16-mercedes-benz-citaro-dlc-trailer/|title=Bus Simulator 16: Mercedes Benz Citaro DLC Trailer|website=sknr.net|date=17 January 2017|accessdate=24 June 2020}}
Reception
{{Video game reviews
| align = right
| MC = 46/100{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/bus-simulator-16/critic-reviews/?platform=pc|title=Bus Simulator 16 PC|work=Metacritic|accessdate=24 June 2020}}
| GStar = 45/100{{cite web|first1=Benjamin|last1=Schäfer|first2=Heiko|last2=Klinge|url=https://www.gamestar.de/artikel/bus_simulator_16,3269622.html|title=Bus-Simulator 16 im Test - Beruflicher Erfolg garantiert!|language=German|work=GameStar|date=19 March 2016|accessdate=2 June 2020}}
}}
Bus Simulator 16 received "mixed or average" reviews, according to review aggregator Metacritic.
Richard Allen of Invision Community rated a seven to the game. He wrote that the handlings of the game were quite similar with the American Truck Simulator of SCS Software, which was published in the same period.{{cite web|first=Richard|last=Allen|url=https://invisioncommunity.co.uk/bus-simulator-16-review/|title=Bus Simulator 16|work=Invision Community|date=16 March 2016|accessdate=24 June 2020}}
James Graham of Dark Station gave it three stars out of five. He praised the game's interesting ideas, but criticised its tiny in-game map and a lack of in-depth content.{{cite web|first=James|last=Graham|url=https://www.darkstation.com/reviews/bus-simulator-16/|title=Bus Simulator 16|website=darkstation.com|date=14 April 2016|accessdate=24 June 2020|archive-date=28 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200628190022/https://www.darkstation.com/reviews/bus-simulator-16|url-status=dead}}
Brash Games only rated the game a poor three points out of ten. The writer commented, "Bus Simulator 16 is a lifeless, soulless lie of a simulator; and I use the term ‘simulator’ in the loosest possible way."{{cite web|url=http://www.brashgames.co.uk/2016/04/04/bus-simulator-16-review/|title=Bus Simulator 16 Review|website=darkstation.com|date=4 April 2016|accessdate=24 June 2020}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{portal|video games}}
- {{official website|https://www.bussimulator.com/en/bus16.php}} {{in lang|en}}
Category:Bus simulation video games
Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games