When Rockstar Games announced that Bully was being remade for the Xbox 360 and Nintendo Wii back in July 07′, I was extremely excited at the thought of a ‘next-gen’ version of one of my favourite PS2 games. I wondered what new content Rockstar would put into it and the thought of multiplayer also was a pleasant thought [Though, I was hoping for online multiplayer but never-mind]. So is this ‘Scholarship Edition’ worth buying? Let’s find out!
When
I first started playing Bully: SE, what stood out the most was just how
dated the graphics look now, back in 2006 on the PlayStation 2, they
graphics were fine; actually, they were pretty good. It had a certain
‘look’ to it. But now, it seems that compared to the new heavy-weights
such as Call of Duty 4, Assassins Creed and Devil May Cry 4, it looks
mediocre. Yes, Rockstar have updated the graphics with prettier
textures and better shadows, but it still doesn’t stop it from looking
like a PS2 game none the less. Cut-scenes are probably the worst
looking part of the game, the characters still have a rectangular look
to them, and facial animation look dated too. But all this doesn’t stop
Bully: SE from being a good game, because it is actually a brilliant
game.
Bully: Scholarship Edition excels at gameplay; a great story, great
setting and a huge range of fun and diverse missions, and to top it
off, loads of side-missions and stuff to do around the school and town
of Bullsworth, which keeps bringing you back for more.
The basic story is; Jimmy Hopkins, a 15 year old rebel who is dropped off at the worst school in the country by his mother 
and
newly wedded step-father as they bugger off on their honey moon. Your
left to fend off bullies, misfits, teachers and more, who are all out
to give young Jimmy a hard time. Some people may think the game only
takes place in the school, but not only do you have the entire school
you explore, but also the grounds, and later in the game; an entire
town with it’s very own beach and carnival to visit! It’s pretty big.
But not only is it big, but there’s loads to do as well. Apart from the
main story missions, there’s also classes to complete [Same as PS2 plus
an additional 3], tons of side-missions which earn you stuff such as
money ect, races to compete in, places to visit [i.e. carnival] and
even just messing about is great fun too.
Missions are varied which will mean you never get bored - trust me, some missions are so fun, you may wann replay them. Missions range from sneaking into the girls dorm and taking pictures to using your slingshot to attack Jocks from a tree. Rockstar definitely did well with this. The Scholarship Edition now features extra missions too, so that’s a bonus.
Bully
[Canis Canem Edit] was a brilliant game on the PS2 and this re-vamped
edition is no different. But just know, don’t expect a game with the
same polish and flair as top Xbox 360 games, as you won’t be getting
it. If you never played the original, then I would definitely recommend
this, especially with 8 new missions, new classes [Maths, Biology,
Music]updated graphics, a new multiplayer mode [Not online though] and
don’t forget achievements. If you have played the original then it is
up to you; I mean, Bully: Scholarship Edition is only $49.99 [£30] but
if you own/owned the first one, is it worth paying that much for a few
new missions and updated graphics? Personally, I have had both, and I
don’t regret it.