So what is Bully? Well, first, it's NOT a Columbine Simulator...
So what is Bully? Well, first, it's NOT a Columbine Simulator. There's no blood, no guns and most importantly, no dying. Second, it is NOT a game that promotes school violence. The game is not Grand Theft Auto inside a high school. But enough about what Bully isn't. Let's talk about what Bully is: A damn fine game.
You assume the role of Jimmy Hopkins, a boy trying to survive at Bullworth Academy. Despite the title of the game, Jimmy is not the bully. He's basically your run of the mill student. Your task inside the school is the same as they are for just about every student in high school. Pass your classes and stay out of trouble. Going to class actually is enforced for a time. Your classes are mini-games that you'll play. You're allowed to try and ditch class but there are consequences for not going. However, in this game you'll want to go to class just because participating in said class is actually fun, and can improve your skills. The mini games are fun and addictive. After a while it's no longer enforced, which I actually found rather sad. The aspect of going to class doesn't get nearly enough attention, but the mechanic works.
Outside of class, however, is where the game really begins to shine. If you're familiar with the gameplay of Grand Theft Auto, then you'll easily adapt to Bully. For starters, each and every student at Bullworth Academy has a unique personality. You'll make friends and you'll make enemies. You also have points to maintain with certain groups (the nerds, bullies, preps, etc.). Helping one group raises the respect that group has for you. Helping one group might also consequently lower the respect another group has for you. It's quite interesting to mess around with. The missions are fun and quite an experience. The game is original. Even better, the story sequences are filled to the brim with humor, quite simply it's one of the funniest games I've played.
In addition, you can also venture outside of the school. Jimmy can get a job to help him buy food and other things, and he's able to help people around town do some of their errands and chores as well. You'll also be able to date, go play some arcade games and plenty more. All the things most high school students do. There are moments when the camera is not all that great, though. Mostly, this is when you're in small areas where the camera needs to be up close, but this isn't a huge problem that occurs often.
Jimmy isn't without a mischief. He's got firecrackers (which you can't kill anyone with--think Bart Simpson), a slingshot, a bat and a few other things he can use. None of these can be used in lethal ways. In fact, they all break or run out of ammunition eventually. So if you're thinking you can go up to someone and beat them to death with a baseball bat you're wrong. After a while the bat breaks. The game won't let you get away with beating up kids for the hell of it anyway. You'll get in trouble by administrators. Besides, part of the point of the game is actually to make friends, not enemies, so it's probably best that you don't beat anyone up.
There is hand to hand combat as well, and it's very fluent. Again, you can't just go and beat someone up because you feel like it. Most missions won't have you fighting hand to hand, but you'll be involved in some fist fights anyhow (such as taking on a bully). It's a fun aspect of the game and just like everything else, there's no way you could pummel a student to death.
The game also takes on a more realistic feel. There's a clock in the corner that shows you what time it is. If you're caught wandering around the school after hours there are consequences. If you stay out too late, you'll actually get tired and pass out. Even more interesting is the game recognizes the seasons. The game actually does shift between fall, winter, spring and summer. The environments change accordingly and it'll observe the holidays.
The game looks and sounds brilliant. Fantastic voice acting really brings the story to life. The game also has some great visuals. The school and environments look astonishing.
The game may be just a bit too easy for the hardcore gamer, though, at least when you compare it to the likes of Grand Theft Auto. Luckily, though, the game is a lot of fun to compensate for its ease, and it's huge. There's plenty of stuff to do that'll keep you busy for a while
Bully is so big that this review couldn't possibly go into detail on everything. Let's just say the game is everything we weren't expecting. It's huge, and the vast majority of the game is played by doing good rather than bad. Its brilliantly executed and highly innovative. In reality, this game contains none of what hasn't already been seen your average teenage TV show. I assure you, Bully is clean and quite an experience.
The Good
+Fantastic presentation and interface
+A wide array of missions and things to do
+A huge supporting cast each with their own personality
+There is no blood, and there are no guns and no death in the game at all
+Great voice acting and storyline
+Great sense of humor
+This may sound silly, but the game enforces rules and discipline... you can't get away with everything, no matter how hard you try
The Bad
-The game is a little on the easy side
-The camera can be a pain