Long before the
game received a release date or was even remotely finished, Bully for the
PlayStation 2 was already being attacked by everyone from parents to members of
Congress. It was labeled many things – none of them good – and, in the end, the
result was a game that was not as controversial as it was made out to be and
actually very charming and fun to play. Really, the only controversy was that
Rockstar cancelled the Xbox version after so many owners of Microsoft’s console
were just itching to hand out “Indian burns.” It took a few years later and a
next-generation console to see Bully: Scholarship Edition on the Xbox 360 but
the waiting was well worth it.
The game’s story
remains relatively the same in the Scholarship Edition. You still assume the
roll of young Jimmy Hopkins who is unceremoniously dropped off in front of
Bullworth Academy by his mother and his new stepfather. A troubled youth with
disciplinary problems, Jimmy finds out that the school and the students on
campus have problems that overshadow his own. Really, this is the story of a
young man trying to fit in as well as try to survive a tough school. It won’t be
easy seeing as the various cliques, stern Prefects, nasty bullies and a very
crabby Principal are but a few of the things that stand in Jimmy’s way.
Like the open
world environment of the Grand Theft Auto games, Bully’s world just doesn’t
revolve around the campus but also a city that comes complete with a small
amusement park complete with a freak show. The missions don’t force you to walk
a linear path and you can pick missions as they appear, skip them to cause
trouble or even be a good little boy and attend classes (which play out in a
series of mini-games). You can chose to shoot hoops with the jocks, join a
boxing club or head over to the local comic book shop and play video games.
There are also a series of side missions that have you delivering newspapers on
a bicycle as well as helping out fellow students that need your help. There are
even boss battles in the game that are actually quite fun.
The beauty of
Bully has always been its wonderfully scripted missions that offer a diverse
number of things to do and see in the game. Each event, mission or class in the
game offers an upgrade for Jimmy’s arsenal (slingshot, potato launcher, etc.) as
well as Jimmy himself (kiss girls for a health boost or learn some powerful
combo punches).
What makes the
Scholarship Edition stand out aside from the next-generation visual treatment is
the fact that there are new additions to the game. For starters, there are new
missions (eight, to be exact) that are actually scattered throughout in order to
make the emptier timeframe between chapters more robust. The Christmas season,
for example, now has a mission that has an interesting holiday twist. Aside from
the missions there are also four new classes to accompany the returning ones
like English, Shop and Art. Here, you’ll get a rhythm mini-game (Music); a Brain
Age-styled arithmetic mini-game (Math), Biology class (one of the best of the
four) and Geography (the weakest one). There’s also a two-player co-op mode with
mini-games.
On the Xbox 360,
the game’s controls can be a tad awkward at times seeing as the targeting system
isn’t as good as the PS2 version. The game also suffers from framerate stutter
and it happens often at all the wrong moments (e.g. a race or boss battle).
Secondly, the load times are a tad longer in this version. This is quite vexing
seeing as the 360 are capable of displaying screens a lot faster than the PS2.
Overall, though, the game’s controls aren’t completely broken and the camera can
easily be fixed manually.
Graphically,
Bully on the Xbox 360 looks really good. The visuals are just sharper and the
textures are crisp compared to the good-looking PS2 version. The character
models alone really stand out and so do the lighting effects that look good
against the lovely backdrop. Still, there are problems aplenty in the graphical
front and there are numerous glitches that really rear its ugly head frequently.
Vehicles, people and building would often pop-up and there are clipping issues
that have limbs disappearing right through the environment of people. Once,
Jimmy’s entire hand went right through a girl he was kissing.
The game’s
wonderful score, sound effects and voice acting also suffer from the framerate
stutter. Still, what is heard in the game is not bad at all. The score, for
instance, is wonderfully unique and fits well with the game’s theme and story.
There’s a solid voice acting cast that makes the great dialogue work well
throughout the game and give personality to each of the characters. Even the
sound effects play a role in giving you the impression that you’re moving about
in a small town and school.
Bully:
Scholarship Edition for the Xbox 360 is not only an interesting and unique game
but also one seriously delightful title that has it all. The new content and
better graphics add more to this already deep and imaginative world rich with
great characters, a solid story and a lot to do. If you already own the game,
you might want to consider buying it again for the new goodies. If you missed
out on it then this one is a Must Buy for sure.
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Gameplay: 8.2
Moving Jimmy
around still feels a bit awkward at times thanks to some funny aiming issues but
other than that this game makes everything from skateboarding to fighting easy
enough. The missions are amusing and fun and so are exploring your surroundings.
This new edition also includes some new classes and co-op mini-games that make
this game a real gem.
Graphics: 8.9
Visually
superior to the PS2 version of the game, the Scholarship Edition still suffers
from a few framerate stutters, some clipping problems and pop-up issues that
have no business being on the Xbox 360. Still, the graphics are crisp and the
character models are just far more detailed.
Sound: 9.0
The game’s
music is actually pretty good despite that most of it repeats itself and the
sound effects are just as detailed as the newly revamped graphics. The voice
acting is still top notch and there are some great lines scattered throughout
the game.
Difficulty:
Medium
Like the Grand
Theft Auto games, Bully has some missions that require players to restart from
the beginning because of a single mistake. Whether it’s fighting a human
bulldozer like Russell or sneaking into a mental institution Sold Snake-style,
you are in for some challenging missions.
Concept: 8.5
Having
cancelled Bully for the original Xbox, Rockstar more than makes up for it by
including new content for Xbox 360 owners. Aside from the Achievements, the new
classes – like the disturbingly enjoyable Biology class – and new missions makes
this a worthwhile package. There’s also multiplayer.
Multiplayer:
7.0
There’s a
2-player co-op mode filled with mini-games worth sharing with a friend offline.
There are some fun shenanigans to be had with a friend in the open environments.
One player assumes the role of Jimmy while the other takes control of the
mean-spirited Gary.
Overall: 8.5
If you missed
it the first time around on the PlayStation 2, Bully: Scholarship Edition for
the Xbox 360 is still an enjoyable and now complete package worth the money.
It’s a very original and unique game that is a rare gaming treat that shouldn’t
be missed by anyone.
