Cardinal Points

Issue date: 11/17/06 Section: Life

Just as Rockstar games seemed like it was playing the Grand Theft Auto card to death and creating doubt about their creative talent they release a game like "Bully" which would make any gamer ashamed of the same doubt.

"Bully" tells the story of 15-year-old Jimmy Hopkins who is being sent to Bullworth Academy by his recently remarried mother and new stepfather, so they may go on a year long vacation.

You soon learn that the prestigious Bullworth Academy is comprised of a worthless administration, a community of social groups and seems to be the complete opposite of what Hopkins' parents had in mind for him.

What unfolds from these circumstances is another homerun from Rockstar.

"Bully" offers gaming aspects that are enough to please any gamer. Whether you are after a visually pleasing game, one that is involving with extensive game play or find enjoyment in complex cut scenes and colorful voice acting, "Bully" will prove satisfying.

The controls of "Bully" are comparable to that of many other Rockstar games, namely those of the Grand Theft Auto series. Controlling Hopkins throughout all of his endeavors at Bullworth will be a seemingly easy task overall. Most tasks are executed with the simple press of a single button.

This allows the player to focus more on developing the storyline and less about throwing the controller out the window.

The open-ended mission-based game play is another strong aspect that goes further to strengthen the game.

As in other games created by Rockstar, the missions are there to further the storyline and introduce new characters to the game. This continues to be a strong practice in "Bully" and gives guidance to players who may be unsure of where to go next.

As far as the open-ended style of "Bully", it is much stronger in this game than any other Rockstar game before.

While you do have the freedom to roam the academy grounds at your leisure, exploring as you see fit, you are still forced to adhere to a class schedule because this is, after all, a school you are in.

While it seems as though this could slow down game play, it just serves as a supplement to the main storyline.

Each class presents the player with a specific task. It could be finding words in a word scramble during English class or mixing chemicals in science class but each of these classes better prepare Hopkins for the world of Bullworth Academy.

For example, science class allows the player to create firecrackers to have at their disposal throughout the game.

Never before has a game focused so deeply on the life of a high school age character and made it seem so interesting.

Rockstar has created another instant classic and is worthy of and immediate purchase.

Four stars out of five.

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