Never a fan of RockStar Games, but this is different...As a female gamer, the hardcore violence and sexual appeal of RockStar's hit games like the Grand Theft Auto series has seriously put me off with its games. 'Bully', having the same concept whatsoever, has been able to capture my attention otherwise, why is that so?First off, Bully is not as hardcore as the GTA series, but how can RockStar be able to come up with a college background scenario with the RockStar GTA trademark "similarities"? Bully is set on one of the weirdest and most interesting scenario a game can be set on. Playing as a not-so-bad teenager, well, i'm not sure, if Jimmy Hopkins is a good or bad teenager. For once, this isn't the normal good vs evil plot. It's about a boy wanting to prove himself useful, using underhanded, or legal, means to build a 'better' study environment. The storyline, with an interesting scenario, canNOT be linear, nor uninteresting, at all. One downpoint on the story is that, each chapter seems repetitive and expected. Sure, every chapter, you deal with higher-difficulty challenges, but the linear storyline for each chapter isn't able to draw out the essence deeper or stronger. Each chapter, however, is packed with extremely unique and the weirdest missions you have to go through. As linear as the storyline gets, the interesting missions prove to be entertaining.The soundtrack, for once, is extremely appealing. Without the use of modern rock or pop songs, unlike the GTA series, this game is still able to stand out with its amazing soundtrack. Voice acting, speech dialogues, and music tracks are all mastered to a point of extreme quality. Music is absolutely original, and unique to its own purpose in the game.Gameplay, as original as it can get, with the constant choice of whether you want to hit or shake hands with your mates, with the choice of bullying or just KO-ing your foes, and the extra numbers of side-quests and exploration opportunities, i can think of only a perfect score to give. As much praise have i given to the unique missions you get to play in each chapter, the amount of exploring opportunities in the game allows much more to give. Of course, as usual, collection of special items like "Rubber Bands" can also be allowed as soon as the game is started, just that there are certain areas still locked in the beginning. And yet, unlocking areas only in the later chapters allow newer exploring opportunities, and such that exploring itself can be made a chore, and not just some dumb walking-around just to bump into some blue Rubber band. The controller's scheme is absolutely easy to adapt to as well. There were many combinations for different attacks, but they are extremely easy to remember and utilize. However, the player may tend to rely a lot on the weapons and some button-mashing to get rid of the "retarded" AI enemies. Some stages are not extremely easy to get through, but neither of them requires much strategy whatsoever. There IS some srategy involved, but it doesn't really require THAT much of it. That's probably the only down-point in the game. I would still gladly give a 9.5 for gameplay, if that was actually allowed.To me, i'd think the graphics in the game can be greatly improved. As the PS2-generation nears its end, I would admit that seeing graphics like this is rather disconcerting. The rough edges of objects, the common "lap-over" graphics, and bad lip-synchronisation for the characters, is a little too much for me to accomodate and accept. Besides that, the in-game illustration is great. The extreme little detail on every floor tile and walls, is yet another thing to exclaim my praise for. Changeable graphics like the characters' tattoo designs, hairstyles and clothing is another great customizeable feature for the player.Of course, after the game, replay value? Nope. But there is an Endless Summer for you to complete all side-quests, all exploration and as much free roam as you want to do. Wouldn't have what you call replay-value, but this game will be able to make do for people who just can't get enough of the student-bashing, car smashing activites you can do without risking a Game Over and starting on the previous save point. This game, having a totally original setting, and totally unique missions to accompany with, only one word can describe it - "Ambitious". Besides that, this is one ambitious attempt that has gone surprisingly well.
Most of us out there will not ever have to play Bully, the newest offering from Rockstar Games. there is nothing new here in content for anyone over the age of 17 anywhere, and I'm not talking about similarities to the G... Read Full Review
Bully is the debut title from developer Rockstar Vancouver (formerly Barking Dog Studios known mostly for Homeworld: Cataclysm) which has endured hardships most games won't ever be able to comprehend. But now that Bully ... Read Full Review
