The controversy surrounding this game turned out to be hilarious. The media, anti-gaming advocates, ‘experts’ (people who never played a video game since Pac-Man), and everyone’s favorite disbarred lawyer decried this game as being everything from an entertainment medium that glorified bullying to a Columbine-simulator. The finished product actually ended up having more in common with Revenge of the Nerds than Virginia Tech. Instead of a gruesome Columbine fantasy, Bully actually ends up being a hilarious (and T-Rated) look at high school antics in the tradition of Porky’s.

Bully casts players in the role of Jimmy Hopkins, a boy who is dropped off at fictional Bullworth Academy, in the town of Bullworth (which takes place in the same universe as Grand Theft Auto and Manhunt). After being shown the ropes, Jimmy involves himself with the school’s factions, and has to keep his grades up while fitting into the school’s social structure. By going to the various classes, you learn new skills which can be used in the game. For instance, excelling in chemistry class earns you new weapons to use while excelling in English allows you to use new social interactions a’la Fable. There is also a selection of vehicles to use, mainly Jimmy’s bike and skateboard. Unlike GTA, you can’t simply be a menace and harass other students, otherwise the prefects (older students), teachers, and other adults will come down on you with the quickness. And you can’t skip classes either.

The Wii, and Xbox 360 versions contain new classes, minigames, and area, and with the Wii version, you get new wii motion activities. Regardless of what system you choose, Bully is a game you must try out. Not only does it have Rockstar’s signature brand of humor and style, it’s also pretty educational.

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