Welcome back to high school.
The main character is a 15 y/o boy named Jimmy Hopkins a son of a mom who basically can't keep a husband. On his first day at Bullworth Academy, he meets a charismatic, ambitious, and yet somewhat maniacal and cruel boy of roughly the same age named Gary Smith. I liken Gary to a more sinister and crazy version of Zach Morris. He basically wants to run the school and has the teachers, students, and even the principal in the palm of his hand.
Jimmy on the other hand is basically a tough outlaw kid, who gets all the girls, but has a bit of a softer side and sometimes helps people out. He also has a good wit about him and often sneaks in amusing put downs when he gets in the mood. On the other hand, he tends to be too trusting and susceptible to trickery by more cunning individuals.
Other notable characters in this game are:
- Russell, the chief bully who often uses pro wrestling maneuvers on his opponents, and looks like he should be an offensive lineman on the school football team. He's basically what you'd get if you put teenage Biff Tannen, Kubiak (from Parker Lewis Can't Lose), and your typical giant pro wrestler in a blender.
- Christy, the valley girl "airhead" that can be seen with about every boy on campus. She is the school gossip, and mostly interested in superficial princess issues. Since there are only so many girls on campus, she is also on the cheerleading squad.
- Algernon, on of the many "nerds" on campus, who plays Grottos and Gremlins (a spoof on Dungeons and Dragons), and is in the Astronomy Club. Like all other nerds, he practically lives in the library, observatory and the basement of the comic shop. He has a bladder problem, and can easily be spotted with his chronically unzipped fly (except during winter). Also a mama's boy, this guy never stops mentioning his mommy. He also looks related to the owner of the comic shop.
- Damon, the toughest "jock" on campus. He can be overheard expressing aloud his desire to fight gorillas, and wondering if a gorilla is tougher than a bear in a fight. That is, if he isn't charging you and trying to tackle you into the ground. He also aspires to be a big-money pro athlete after his schooling is finished.
These are just a handful of the many detailed and unique characters in the game. Very few characters are "generic", and almost all have a special role of some sort in the game.
As far as the gameplay, Bully is basically a combination of many action games. You have the "hijack and drive" element from GTA, as well as the shooting element. Of course, no automobiles can be driven outside the go-cart and moped, and guns are replaced with slingshots, spud cannons and bottle rockets. You can also do advanced hand-to-hand moves, most of which are taught by a hobo just off campus.
Additionally, you can play arcade-type games, box, play carnival games, do school class mini-games, and some blacktop "gambling" games like keep-ups and peg.
The main story doesn't really hit much outside the campus, student body. A few stories affect the town of Bullworth itself, but mostly it's centered around the school. The grand finale involves the main characters and the clique leaders, and you literally find who's "on top of the school".
Overall, a very refreshing spin on what you can make a good action game about. Nothing crime (well, no serious crimes...) or military-related, just a kid trying to make it in a tough school.