PLAYSTATION 2
COURTESY OF ROCKSTAR GAMES
One of the practical jokes Jimmy can do is place a "kick me" sign on others in the game.
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‘Bully’ is bloodless fun
Take an early 1980s television after-school special. Place it in a rough British co-ed boarding school called Bullworth Academy. Add clueless headmaster Mr. Crabblesnitch, his slinky assistant Miss Danvers, wacko teachers, and a plethora of socially inept classmates.
"Bully"
For the PlayStation 2
Rated T for Teen
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Make the lead character a tough 15-year-old juvenile delinquent named Jimmy Hopkins. His mother and stepfather have tossed him into the academy to get him out of the way during their yearlong honeymoon cruise.
And what you've got is Rockstar Games' latest and greatest action video game brainchild, "Bully."
It appears the game's name is so inflammatory that it'll be renamed "Canis Canem Edit" (Dog Eat Dog) overseas.
You might think you play a bully. The opposite is true. Jimmy, your character, is just trying to survive a demented school. You could attack your classmates, but you don't get any points. The game's story definitely makes you a good guy.
In fact, "You moron!" is about as bad as the name-calling gets.
Maybe this reduces Bully's cool factor, but I never had any desire to play through "Grand Theft Auto" because of its overt lawlessness. Bully's premise allows you to enjoy the geeky fantasy fulfillment of becoming a tough guy who aces his classes too.
You get solid incentives for doing well in English, art, photography, chemistry, shop and gym. Each class consists of a simple mini game.
For instance, unveiling a painting in art class via a Qix-like game increases health regeneration when you kiss girls. Kissing ranges from a chaste peck on the cheek to a slightly steamier smooch.
True to Rockstar's incorrigible spirit, you might want to try kissing boys, too.
COURTESY OF ROCKSTAR GAMES
Jimmy can leap over walls and if gamers complete missions, rewards include a skateboard and bicycle.
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FIGHTING IS definitely part of the entertainment. It reminds me of old 2D side scrolling beat-em-ups like "Double Dragon." Vanquished foes drop cans of restorative cola.
As befitting the game's "T for Teens: 13+" rating, weapons lean towards items like slingshots, itching powder, baseball bats and marbles. There is nothing overtly lethal and violence is bloodless.
But watch out. Authority figures such as Bullworth Academy's prefects or the local police around town are always on the lookout. You'll get busted if they catch you fighting, teasing girls, playing hooky or breaking curfew.
Missions such as "Defend Bucky" and "This is Your School" may require you to do all of the above. You get additional skills like "hobo fighting moves" and cool items like a skateboard or slingshot for succeeding, of course.
Generally, you'll be defending weaker people or helping them out. At worst, you'll be taking justifiable revenge or causing harmless mischief.
I do have some complaints about the game's accessibility to the casual gamer.
The camera following Jimmy tends to settle in unhelpful positions. It's especially disorienting during fights.
One problem is that the left analog controller stick (L3) both moves Jimmy and allows you to look behind him. If you're being attacked, panicking and running, you might find yourself suddenly viewing your aggressors instead of your goal.
Other than that, the controls and interface are well arranged.
COURTESY OF ROCKSTAR GAMES
Four cliques rule Bullworth Academy -- the Greasers (left), Nerds (center), Preppies (right) and Jocks.
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Polygon collision is a little iffy. You must be precisely placed on lighted floor icons to initiate actions like opening doors or picking locks. And if by chance you are getting beat on in a corner by Miss Danvers, there is no sliding around her.
Loading areas and events takes forever. This was a deal killer for a friend of mine. I got used to it.
Once a task is started, you can't save your game or do anything else until it's completed.
Also, no matter where Jimmy is, he'll pass out from exhaustion at the stroke of 2 a.m. He'll awaken at 8 a.m. the next day in the same spot. Luckily, missions can usually be completed in the evenings after class if you hurry.
Finally, the high learning curve is a turnoff. There are a number of controls to remember and finesse is needed. I imagine you'll have an advantage if you're familiar with "Grand Theft Auto," but I spent about four hours getting comfortable with "Bully."
Despite all this, the developers have done a good job in keeping the game fun and relatively clean. There is a ton of meaty content and areas to explore, accompanied by terrific animations, sound, story and gameplay.
Personally, I'd feel all right giving the game to a mature 13-year-old, but the realistic graphics and some subject matter seem better suited for ages 15 and up.
And fear not, if you're well into your reunion years. Relive your youth doing everything you ever wished you'd done before but were too chicken to try, without fear of being tossed into juvie hall. In "Bully," high school can be really fun the second time around.