Sometimes the best bus route isn’t the one that gets you through town the fastest. Bus Bound is taking things at a considerably more leisurely pace with Old Town Roads, a new expansion that swaps busy urban streets for country lanes, gravel roads and scenic lakeside routes.
The third and final DLC for the bus simulator is available now on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5 and PC, priced at £5.99. It also introduces a new minibus designed specifically for tackling the more rugged parts of the map.
At A Glance
- DLC: Bus Bound – Old Town Roads
- Price: £5.99
- Platforms: Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, PC
- Developer: stillalive studios
- Publisher: Saber Interactive
Leave The City In The Rear-View Mirror
Old Town Roads takes Bus Bound beyond its established city limits and into two new districts – Farelane and Lake Firefly.
The countryside brings a rather different kind of driving challenge. Routes take passengers around the Farelane Mines, along the waterfront and old pier, and towards a picturesque resort beside Lake Firefly.
It sounds like a relaxing change of pace, but the roads themselves aren’t always quite so forgiving. Narrow routes, gravel surfaces, uneven terrain and obstacles such as fallen trees and broken-down farm equipment mean that drivers will need to pay considerably more attention to what’s ahead. Picking the right bus for each journey could prove just as important as knowing the route.
Meet The Horizon “Chamois”
Thankfully, Old Town Roads comes with some suitable new wheels.
The Horizon “Chamois” Minibus is included with the expansion and has been designed specifically for the demands of the countryside. Its raised suspension and compact size make it better suited to the tighter, rougher roads found beyond the city.
It’s a nice change from simply adding another large bus to the existing fleet, particularly when the new districts are designed around more challenging driving conditions.
Open Up Bus Bound With A Free Update
Old Town Roads isn’t arriving alone. A free update is also available to all Bus Bound players, introducing a new Open Map mode.
There’s a little work required before you can access it, as players need to complete the New Heights Celebration tour first. Once unlocked, starting a new game in Open Map mode allows you to choose which buses, perks, customisation options and modifiers you want to unlock for that particular playthrough.
It’s a useful addition for those who want a little more freedom over how they approach a new game rather than following the usual progression.
One Last Trip For Bus Bound
We gave Bus Bound 3.5/5 in our review, describing it as a cosy bus experience that strips away much of the complexity found in more detailed simulators. We enjoyed its city driving, although we felt the repetitive nature of the core loop could eventually test the patience of less dedicated bus drivers.
Old Town Roads provides a welcome change of scenery for those who have already spent plenty of time behind the wheel. Its rural routes and new minibus offer something different to the urban driving that forms the heart of the base game, while the free Open Map update gives everyone another reason to fire up the engine.
Bus Bound – Old Town Roads is available now for £5.99 on Xbox Series X|S through the Xbox Store, PlayStation 5 and PC. It’s also available in the Deluxe Edition. As the game’s third and final DLC, it’s a fitting opportunity to leave the city behind and explore somewhere a little quieter. Just don’t expect those dirt roads, tight corners and fallen trees to let you enjoy the scenery for too long.
The scenic route awaits – and there’s a minibus with your name on it.
