Taxi Life: A City Driving Simulator is the latest addition to the ever-growing driving simulator scene. Handing you the keys to a taxi in Barcelona, the game seamlessly blends a smooth driving experience with the realism you’d expect from a driving sim.
From features and platforms to editions and, of course, the release date, we’ve got everything you need to know about the ultimate taxi simulator right here.
Latest news - First patch addresses performance issues
The first patch for Taxi Life: A City Driving Simulator is out now, addressing the major issues with the game. The framerate stuttering problem is now mostly fixed, providing a smoother ride around Barcelona.
Most importantly though, the AI has had its maniacal tendencies reduced. AI cars no longer ram into you on the streets, and AI pedestrians no longer walk out in front of you as you drive along.
There are even some new features added in the patch to enhance the experience of the ultimate taxi simulator. Driving around Barcelona is definitely better with the first patch now out.
Taxi Life: A City Driving Simulator review
If you're unsure if driving a taxi around Barcelona is for you, our Taxi Life: A City Driving Simulator review should help you decide.
Despite the rough ride, the game shows plenty of promise. As more patches are released, the game will no doubt be as stunning as the city of Barcelona itself.
Start your meter
Developed by Simteract Studio and published by Nacon (the same publisher as the upcoming Test Drive Unlimited: Solar Crown), Taxi Life: A City Driving Simulator puts you in the shoes of a taxi driver in a stunning 1:1 recreation of Barcelona.
All the sights and sounds of the Catalan city are included, from the world-renowned Sagrada Familia cathedral to the all-too-familiar grid-like layout of the streets.
Exploring the city and finding new points of interest reward you with experience points. These points can then be spent on upgrading your skills, increasing your ability as Barcelona’s best taxi driver.
As you’d expect from a taxi simulator, the name of the game is delivering passengers to their destination. It’s also down to you to keep your passengers happy. This can be through turning the radio on or off, changing your driving style, adjusting the temperature of the car, or simply making conversation as you cruise around the streets.
Obstacles may block your path during a journey, with traffic jams and road accidents potentially closing roads at a moment’s notice. Therefore it’s important to study the map between journeys to learn multiple ways around the city. Oh, and don’t be the one causing the accidents, of course! Crazy Taxi, this is not.
Editions
Taxi Life: A City Driving Simulator will be released in two editions. The Standard Editon is just that, although there is a preorder bonus for those who buy early. The Standard Edition is priced at £34.99 (approx $44).
The Supporter Edition of the game comes with a wide range of extra features. Additional dashboard decorations, standout paint designs, and five exclusive car parts are all included with the Supporter Edition. The Supporter Edition is priced at £39.99 (approx $50).
Preordering either edition of the game will unlock a unique convertible taxi for players. Perfect for enjoying the sights of Barcelona.
Platforms
Taxi Life: A City Driving Simulator will be released on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store. Currently, there are no plans to bring the game to the Nintendo Switch, and last-gen consoles are also excluded.
Preorders are open for most platforms, so take advantage of that bonus for buying early while you can.
PC system requirements
Despite being a moderately calm driving simulator, Taxi Life: A City Driving Simulator still needs a hefty PC to run things smoothly.
Recreating Barcelona on a 1:1 scale is no mean feat, never mind simulating a city with dynamic weather, evolving roads, and a full day-night cycle. Therefore it's no surprise to see the recommended system requirements are fairly substantial.
Release date
Taxi Life: A City Driving Simulator was originally due to launch in February 2024, but unfortunately the game got held up in traffic.
Instead, the game will now start the meter on 7 March 2024. At the time of writing, there are no plans for any early access period, even for players who preorder the game.
Check out the launch trailer for Taxi Life: A City Driving Simulator below:
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