Three important things have happened in the history of mankind. We climbed out of the trees. We formed modern society, and now, finally, the ultimate epoch has been reached. Like the black rectangle thing out of 'a space odyssey', like the cure to smallpox, like the second coming of Christ himself, Bus simulator has landed.
Bus simulator should come with those warnings you see at Alton towers for people with heart conditions. You will be in white knuckle, exciting, beautiful joy as you slowely trundle your diesal monstrosity around town, chewing a ham sandwich and reading the local rag as you drive. Why bother with boring old racing games when you can reach a heady 50mph in your bus, and only have to stop and start 3 times per minute?
Oh how you'll laugh at the loser car owners as you pile down the bus-lanes. Oh how you'll wince as Mrs Miggins has an accident on seat 3 and you have to clean it up (most fun on the Wii version). Will your bus be on time? Well, just like real life, probably not -- and god help the customer that complains.
There are a few additions I'd have liked to see in bus simulator. Perhaps a USB 'Oyster card reader' wouldn't have gone amiss. And when I tap my keypad it would have been nice for a little 'beep' sound followed by 'Barnsley? £1.10 mate' grumpily said through the speakers. Pressing C short-changes your customers -- will you get away with it? If so -- bonus points ..
Also there should have been 'scrote' mode. This is when a group of lads rush the bus without paying. By pressing the 's' key as fast as possible, you should be able to run up and down the bus screaming 'Get off the bus you little scrotes'. Perhaps a possibility for the expansion eh guys?
Finally I would suggest for multiplayer mode you can't actually get more then 20 metres away from any of the other player's buses -- adding to the simulation feeling as you all arrive at the stop at the same blimin' time. Full points for compulsorarily blocking the whole high street for 3 minutes so you can have a chat with Graham from the bus going the other way about the Chelsea game ...
Still, altogether Bus simulator delivers. And collects. Until 'Turnip grower 2008' is finally released, I suggest giving this little beauty a go .. you'd be CARazy to miss it, as another one won't be along for ages.