Game Review: Bully

Game: Bully
Console: Sony Playstation 2
Developer: Rockstar
Release Date: 17th October 2006

Despite a name change for PAL audiences, to Canis Canem Edit (literally Dog Eat Dog in Latin), and numerous other attempts to get the game banned, Bully was released in 2006 in all regions except Brazil where it was successfully banned. Although its title might suggest copious amounts of unprovoked violence or other negative behaviours by players, just as with GTA games, there's no requirement to play in a particular style outside of missions; players are free to act peacefully or not as they wish.

The story follows 15 year old Jimmy Hopkins, who has recently been enrolled at Bullworth Academy and faces the challenge of interacting with, and ultimately uniting several school cliques. Ranging from bullies and jocks to preppies and nerds, each of the cliques have expectations of Jimmy which manifest themselves as missions for him to complete. Gaining enough respect within a group will cause them to greet Jimmy and act in a generally friendly manner towards him.

Outside of the storyline there's also classes for Jimmy to attend, which if completed will improve many of his abilities such as kissing, weapon accuracy and making stink bombs etc. It's not compulsory to complete any of the classes, although the rewards can be helpful towards completing the game as a whole. Other activities include helping strangers with various menial tasks and collecting various sets of objects which appear around the map such as rubber bands, pumpkins, and radio transistors.

There's no real time limit in which players must complete the game; the season changes depending on the missions that are currently available, and days will pass whether or not missions are being completed. Free roaming is somewhat limited to the school ground and surrounding town areas, but there's some fun to be had in causing mischief and annoying both students and residents.

One of the best features of Bully is its expansive roster of characters who make up the school's student body. There's at least 2 or 3 characters from each clique who stand out as having deeper character traits and mannerisms than simple supporting characters might do in other games. The game's central characters certainly have interesting and well developed lines of dialogue in cutscenes and general gameplay.

Another impressive feature is the game's "trouble meter" which fills as Jimmy breaks school rules, and sometimes actual laws. Depending on the severity of the infraction the trouble meter will rise, and be maintained at the same level until Jimmy is out of sight from the pursuing authority figure, at which point it will slowly decrease. Once empty, players have got away with whatever misbehaviour filled the meter in the first place.

Graphically Bully isn't anything special for PS2, and it definitely shows its age when played today. Despite this, the game's unique style and charm give it an air of timelessness, and set it apart from being judged against 2006's releases. The soundtrack to the game can be somewhat repetitive at times, but the standard of composition is good. In terms of other sound, the game really shines in the voice acting department, as there are stellar performances all round from the game's cast.

Overall although Bully isn't as violent or expansive as other Rockstar sandbox games, it offers a glimpse into a smaller world, with a more personal touch to interaction and the storyline as a whole. Missions are generally fun and light hearted, and compliment the overtones of mischief. Players are free to tackle the game at any pace they wish, and there's many side missions and collectibles for those who find that aspect of gaming fun. Whether you're looking to relive your schooldays or rewrite them, Bully is a complete gaming experience that reinvents the sandbox genre in a compact setting.

Rating: 90/100
Grade: A