The Bottom Line
Bully is an above average game for the PS2 that has hit in the system’s twilight. It's also one of the more controversial games to come out since San Andreas. However, this isn’t the kid-on-kid kill-fest people want you to think it is. Instead, Rockstar delivered a light hearted mischievous romp that never takes itself too seriously. Is it schoolyard GTA? Maybe. However, this doesn’t change the fact the game is shockingly fun to play.
Pros
- Light-hearted tone
- Excellent soundtrack
- Clever humor
- Almost too much to do
- Good art direction
Cons
- Dated graphics
- Recycled game play from GTA series
Description
- Graphics: 3.5 Vintage art style makes up for the PS2's dated graphics engine.
- Sound: 5 Bully sports one of my favorite game scores since Monkey Island.
- Control: 4 Bully's basic controls seem to work well for what the game offers.
- Difficulty: 2 Bully is quite an easy game, and I rarely failed any mission on my first try.
- Gameplay: 4 GTA was pretty fun, so Bully is pretty fun. There are tons of minigames to enjoy.
- Multiplayer: 0 Strait up single player.
- Online: 0 I said strait up single player! Also, no online downloads.
- Documentation: 5 The manual is thorough, it features a “how to play game” section, and even a comic.
- Rated: Teen It’s like GTA, but for kids! Literally!
- All scores are out of 5. The overall rating is not an average of the above scores
Guide Review - Bully Review (PS2)
Bully is an imaginative take on the sandbox style of gameplay Rockstar popularized with Grand Theft Auto. Bully's controls are nearly identical to the GTA games, and they're not the only similarities. Much that has appeared in the GTA franchise appears in Bully in some way. Instead of the Yakuza and Mafia, you’ll be working for the Nerds or the Greasers. Check out your stats to see how you’re fairing with each gang. I mean clique. Instead of doing taxi missions to earn some extra cash on the side, you’ll be getting a paper route. Instead of picking up hookers for health, you’ll need to kiss girls for that boost you’re looking for. In the end, if it was in GTA, it is most likely in Bully, only kid-a-fied.
But that shouldn’t deter people however, as I can say I actually like Bully more than any of the GTA games. That’s right, I said it. I liked Bully more than GTA. Bully really is very light-hearted. Instead of getting some sick thrill out of running over 200 people, I would much rather get my kicks out of hiding in the trees and shooting the football players with my sling shot, or throwing some itching powder on the fat girl.
Bully, despite being a GTA clone, is a fun game, and will also last you hours upon hours. If you felt that GTA perhaps took it too far but liked the gameplay, or are just looking for a mischievous romp through boyhood, I say go out and pick up Bully. But if you’re sick of the GTA formula, steer clear.
