Bully Review

Also, while the game does contain some sexual situations, such as a panty raid mission, and the ability to make out with various girls, it's pretty tame. It isn't getting a hooker into your car and then killing her afterwards, it's talking a girl up, giving her flowers and then she might make out with you if you're wearing the right clothes. Rockstar even managed to throw in at least one boy that you can chat up and kiss as well, if that's your sort of thing. While some people might be offended by this, personally, I'm not. It's a fifteen year old who is experimenting with a friend, not a graphic depiction of sodomy. (Dear God, where did that come from? - Ed) There's also only one gay boy, which means you have to hunt for it, as opposed to having the option with anyone. This is fairly progressive on Bully's part, even when homophobic pundits like Jack Thompson want to slay the game already.

Daydreaming about penis.

'Sopranos' is over that way, mister!

Bully also looks pretty good for the system it runs on, and it runs fairly well as well. While there aren't a lot of advanced graphics features, you don't have to deal with huge load times as you run around the city, although the game can load fairly slowly when you're first starting. The game looks as good as it needs to, and it runs well enough to make it enjoyable. From a technological standpoint, the game is well polished, and certainly, I can't imagine anyone complaining about that.

Bully also manages to have a fantastic sound design. As you're not stealing cars, you don't get to have a radio, instead, there's simply mood music. The music reminds me a bit of the tunes from Fable; however, it manages to fit much better. It's creepy when it needs to be, and not annoying in the least. Rockstar gets extra kudos for good sound design. The effects sound spot on as well, as they're fairly realistic for what's going on. As I've said before, the game is well-polished, and the way it sounds certainly is as well.

I admire what Rockstar has done with Bully. They've taken the same formula they've made millions of dollars with, and they've refined it so that it fits a totally different setting. If there is anything that can be learned from Bully, it is how a good RPG should be designed. It captures an atmosphere, gives you characters you can approach with some emotion, and manages to contain itself, while not limiting itself, to a point where the game is acceptable for kids. I know most parents probably don't want to encourage violence, but anyone with a superego is going to be well adjusted enough to play this game and not go punch their friends in the mouth afterwards. Bravo, Rockstar, you've filled an untapped niche brilliantly, and in the way that only your studio could.