Published: Wednesday, 16th April, 2008 12:00
Bully
By Narin Bahar
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IF all you've heard about Bully is the frothing at the mouth brouhaha which heralded the game's release on PS2 last year, then you probably think you know what you're going to get.
After all, it's made by the people that made Grand Theft Auto. And it's called Bully. So it's bound to be a game which encourages our children into lawlessness and violence, right?
Don't believe the hype. Bully is actually a surprisingly sweet, very engaging game well worth whiling away the hours and this Scholarship Edition, which gives Wii and 360 gamers more to play than the original release boasts a cracking script and a lot of humour.
You play Jimmy Hopkins, who has been shipped to a new school while his mum and new step dad go on a year-long honeymoon around the world. You must adapt to the new environment, get through classes unscathed and work your way through the social mire of life at high school.
The gameplay is straightforward and does show the GTA heritage of developers Rockstar. It's an open world with lots of missions including the obligatory fetch and protect jobs, but all woven seamlessly into the narrative. To begin with you can't explore too far and wide as you have lessons to attend and if you get caught bunking or missing curfew then either the prefects or (if you're in town) the local police will be on your case. But as you make the effort and pass your classes you'll get more free time, which is great as there's lots of things to do and explore.
Don't think lessons are a grind though - you're definitely going to want to put the time in at your ten different classes. The minigames are surprisingly fun and help you get through the rest of your time at school - if you excel at English then your new found gift of the gab will help you get out of difficulties, while gym class makes you a more effective fighter.
Ah, yes. The fighing. Don't let the controversy - and the name - put you off. You actually get into trouble for causing trouble and the bullies in the game are the baddies who you have to try and get the better of. Once again playing this on the Wii is most fun as the fighting element involves swinging your nunchuck and remote to throw or dodgy punches - although another reason to give peace a chance is if you are too punch happy you're going to end up a bit tired.
Overall this is a great mission-based game with a really funny (if a bit twisted) script. The graphics let it down a smidgen, but that's a minor quibble and doesn't do much to impact on what is one of the best Wii games you'll see for ages. They say that school days are the best days of your life. On the basis of this game that just might be the truth.
Five stars.
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