When I write these words, the Aachen DLC for OMSI 2 is almost celebrating its ninth birthday, making it one of the oldest DLCs for the second iteration of OMSI. And although it is old – very old, by OMSI standards—I still think it remains, at least visually, one of the best DLCs for the game we adore.
Of course, taste plays a role here, as it does in so many things in life. Still, especially in the city center, everything feels well placed and coherent. The environment seems reliable, the traffic flows naturally, and while there are a few minor hiccups here and there, the map as a whole runs smoothly and quietly.
It’s also an easy map to drive, though ironically it can be a little difficult to drive slowly enough to stay on schedule without arriving at stops too early. The buses included with the DLC are comfortable to handle and easy to navigate, and there’s a decent selection of exterior repaints available for third-party buses, which helps bring variety to the streets.
Another great strength of this map is the sheer number of AI lines running through the city. They give Aachen a lively, vibrant atmosphere and make it feel like a living place rather than a static backdrop. I’ve never been to Aachen myself, and I can’t judge how accurate the map is to reality, but the feeling is convincing – and that matters.
Yet this same abundance of AI traffic is also a source of frustration for me. Very much so. Just like on the original OMSI map, where you also encounter numerous AI-only lines, I constantly find myself wondering where all these buses are going. In Spandau, there are at least some answers in the form of free maps and community mods. Aachen, unfortunately, has none of that – which is a real shame.
I would be genuinely happy if the original creator, even after all these years – and with the official price still sitting above $20 – added two or three more drivable lines to what is effectively only one and a half. I would also be happy if the rights holder released the map for free expansion by independent developers, though that is unlikely to ever happen. Until then, I’ll probably remain mildly frustrated every time I drop in for a quick visit.