Box cover

Bully: Scholarship Edition is a “GTA” style game from the same makers; Rockstar. Instead of setting the main character as a hardened street criminal, you are a troublesome teen by the name of Jimmy Hopkins, trying to establish yourself at a new school.

Apart from a different setting, the premise of the game is pretty much the same. Work your way through various missions offered from various groups/gangs. Throw in some side missions and extra content that weren’t in the original Bully, and you have yourself a new edition available for the next generation consoles.

Having never played the original for the PS2, I certainly heard about it a few years ago when it was the latest video game that stirred up media attention for sexual, violent content. I have to say, it’s not as bad as it’s made out to be. Whether it be the media or certain social groups that find content in these games controversial, I think video games are often the default scapegoats of certain social issues.

On the back of the box, Rockstar proudly announces “enhanced graphics, enhanced game-play”.
New features include 8 new missions, 4 new classes, 4 new characters, 2 player mini games and new rewards.

As you start the game, first impressions are quite positive. Graphics are ok, pretty much identical to the PS2. Standing in the courtyard of your new school, bullies immediately start interacting with you (well, they start beating you up). As you begin accepting missions and attending classes, you feel settled into the role of Jimmy Hopkins fairly quickly.

I couldn’t find anything wrong with the controls system. Some sections of the game require you to point the wii-mote accurately at the screen; and as long as you’re sitting up properly, you shouldn’t have too much trouble. Sometimes the camera angle goes into a “spasm”, forcing you to readjust where you’re standing to rectify the problem but overall, not too bad.

The menu screens are displayed quite clearly and easy to follow. If you’re interested in an array of stats showing your activity in the game then you won’t be disappointed.

As you progress further into the game, you realise that there’s not that much variation in terms of game-play. Some of the missions are kind of fun I suppose, with cut-scenes being quite amusing but ultimately, the missions are unvaried. You don’t have to stick with the missions though. School classes are by far more challenging in the long term.

I thought the way they designed the different classes was spot on. Biology utilises the wii-mote’s motion control to dissect various lab animals. The result is a test of hand to eye coordination, speed and accuracy. English requires you to make as many words out of a base-word as possible. Most of the classes are relatively simple but by far the most difficult is Geography; where you have to successfully identify various countries and US states. Some of the upgrades you get from passing classes are rewarding but then there are a few that are just a waste.

Side missions are there to earn extra money which you can spend on clothing, games/rides at the carnival and various in-game items. Personally, I would like to have been able to do more with the cash I earned. Rarely did I have to buy food to replenish health and in general, the whole monetary system just seemed like a bit of a let down.
The map is divided into five sections which you have to unlock, town by town. You’re not restricted to just walking about too. A skateboard is available, as well as several bikes and even a go-kart. The whole gaming area is big enough for the missions/quests that the game offers but it is by no means massive. I feel that the map in Godfather is considerably larger.

After completing the game and doing all the remaining missions and classes, there’s not a whole lot to keep you coming back. All the money I had left unspent went towards buying all the items of clothing in every shop I could find; only because it adds to the game completion percentage. Still haven’t got that 100% rating yet but I don’t think I can be bothered anymore.

Although a fun game, it was way too easy. As much as I appreciate the extra content that this edition of Bully has, it is essentially an old game; re-released for a new audience. However, it does deserve credit for introducing itself to new gamers who’ve never played the original. Although I only bought it recently because it was under £10, I would never had paid £20-25 for it when it first came out in February.
This game probably has an average game time of about 27 hours. Not bad, but most people will be able to coast through it with no problems.

It boasts “2 player mini games” but not once have I done this but neither do I want to. It sounds very arbitrary and I can’t imagine I’m missing out on too much fun.
The graphics are nice enough but bear in mind; this is a PS2 port so it’s not exactly testing the Wii’s capabilities. The sound is satisfactory. Appropriately mischievous background music together with voice acting that isn’t laughable makes the audio of this game more than suitable.

If you can find a copy of this game relatively cheap, it’s worth it. Just don’t expect a great deal of replay value after completion.

+ New missions, classes etc
+ The alternation of attending class and missions
+ Concept of the game

- Too easy to complete
- Not enough variation in missions/quests
- Not much replay value after completion

Score 7.5 / 10