Even before the game was first released in the middle of October 2006, people around the world were already united in declaring The Bully a serious affront to the sensibilities of descent folk. So much so, that when it was released in the UK two weeks later the name was changed to Canis Canem Edit (which is Latin for ‘Dog eat dog’). Now, I’ll admit that this is not exactly wholesome family entertainment, but I can assure you that, in most cases, this criticism is most decidedly undeserved.

Despite what many have surmised, as is so oft the case, by judging from the cover, The Bully in fact carries quite a strong anti-bullying message. Much the previous Rockstar titles, however, this fact has been overlooked simply because of the name.

Speaking as a parent I, personally, do not feel that The Bully in any way promotes nor condones bullying in any way. Quite the opposite in fact, as a large amount of the multitude of tasks and quests you embark upon throughout the course of the games six chapters involve dealing with one of Bullworth Academy’s various cliques, culminating in a showdown with their respective leaders.

All in an attempt to stop the bullying which is rife when you first arrive. Rather, I would argue that anyone who complains about the negative influence this game may have on children should look a little closer to home before pointing fingers.

Having said that, I would still advise a certain amount of discretion. This is most decidedly not a game for children, as proven by the T rating the title was given in America, and 15 in the UK. However, the fact that now, two years later, the game has been reworked for both the X-Box 360 and Wii should go some way to proving the overall content is perhaps not so harsh as it may first appear.

Censors are a notoriously fickle bunch and are not prone to allowing unsuitable material into the public domain. It must also be considered that, whilst the focus of the game is on ridding Bullworth of its bullies, both student and teacher alike, the necessary tools are still in place to wreak some serious havoc with the other pupils.

This latter issue has been addressed somewhat by the presence of ever vigilant Prefects within the school grounds, and not just Police, but any adult once you are able to leave. However, due to the use of the skateboard, or simply by running for long enough, it is rarely any real threat as you can almost always find some way to evade capture.

Either by hiding in a bin, in a school locker, or just by tiring out your pursuers and causing them to lose interest in catching you. And even should you be caught, you can usually break free by waving the Wii remote back and forth. Though this is not guaranteed, it seems to work more than sixty percent of the time.

I’ll admit, before starting Bully I was apprehensive. Now, in the past I’ve been a staunch support of the Rockstar lable, having played a number of their previous titles and seeing the way that their negative aspects have been highlighted whilst completely missing the underlying theme of the games (Grand Theft Auto anyone?).

However, having been told something about the game by a friend of mine I was beginning to wonder if, this time, the critics were right. Being phoned three or four times a day to have a grown man laughing and telling me “lolz, I got in detention again” seemed like a strong argument for being dubious. Even to the point that when he lent the original Playstation 2 release to me after he had finished with it, I played through only a couple of missions.

Now, however, almost two years later, I decided it was time to give it another try. And was thankfully proven to be correct in my early reticence. As I’ve previously said, Bully is not for children, even though if does revolve around them.

Many of the themes covered in the game are of a decidedly adult nature. Including, but not limited to alcoholism and improprieties between teachers and pupils. But, of course, Jimmy Hopkins, our erstwhile protagonist, is a fifteen year old, hormone fuelled boy.

Not to put too fine a point on it, but sex is an increasingly important part of your life during those years. And whilst I may not be entirely happy with the way Jimmy is allowed to throw his affections around willy nilly, a quick kiss in the school hallways is hardly going to qualify as a major taste and decency faux pas.

Now, to the meat of the issue. Putting aside all the parental concerns, Rockstar have, once again, delivered a strong, expertly written game about the trials and tribulations which are an inevitable part of coming of age. Bullworth is an unforgiving place, with corruption running all the way from the student cliques to the Head Teacher (not Principal interestingly enough, even though the game is set in an American school) himself. Our young Jimmy certainly has his work cut out for him.

The story focuses around Jimmy’s efforts to combat the bullying and clean up the school as a whole. As well as helping an old, drunken hobo find half a dozen transistors so that he c an build a radio to call for an alien spaceship to abduct him. Possibly the most bizarre mission of any Rockstar title to date. The hobo, in return, teaches Jimmy some fighting techniques he learned whilst fighting in the Korean war in the early half of the 1950’s.
I would say that the greatest strength of the game comes in the form of the classroom mini-games. Especially with the four new ones that were added for Scholarship edition (biology, math, music and geography). The most useful of these clearly being geography.

After successfully completing each of the five maps you are awarded with an upgrade to your in game map. Showing the locations of various odds and ends like the rubber band collection and gnomes. None of which have any significant impact on the plot, but are nonetheless a great boon for those of use who are not satisfied until we reach that mythical 100% completion.

Art is another useful class. Each successive lesson enabling young Jimmy to earn greater benefits, in the way of a health increase, from kissing one of the various female pupils you will come into contact with on the school grounds.

And, of course, the bicycles you can earn from shop class are useful for later missions outside of school and for the various bike races dotted throughout the game. On top of all that, each of the lessons is very simple and easy to get to grips with. And you just might learn something along the way as well.

All in all, The Bully was a solid game, that was only enhanced by it’s Next Gen revamp. Each of the unique characters has been given a more fleshed out personality, as well as adding a few new characters and eight new missions.

And as if that wasn’t enough, the script has also been tweaked in some places, there is an entire plethora of new items and clothing to unlock. There’s now a two player aspect which consists of competing against a friend in between three and nine of the in game classes. It doesn’t really add overly much to the game as a whole, but it makes good practice and opens up another set of party games to choose from when you have a few friends round.

It’s a real shame that Bully received such negative press, though I will admit that it’s not entirely without grounding. Don’t let this put you off, however. It takes only a moment to look past the misleading façade and see that there is a real sense of morality to the game which cannot be so easily ignored.

The only real friend that Jimmy has is a small, quite young man named Petey. Who, inspite of some ribbing, Jimmy genuinely seems to care for. Even going so far as to have him elected Head Boy at the end of the game.

In closing, The Bully proves that old adage once again. Looks really can be deceiving.

Graphics 8/10
Gameplay 9/10
Audio/music 9/10
Plot/Scripting 9/10
Overall 8.5/10