Happy 10th Birthday to Rockstar’s Bully

October 14, 2016
Mr Game
Rants
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Fall of 2016 is here in full force with land altering weather from the changing seasons, pumpkin spiced sneakers, and one of the strangest elections we’ve seen in modern history. However this year’s holiday release schedule of games seems oddly lacking (provided you’re not following the VR hype train yet like most gamers). We plan to spend the upcoming holidays leveling up our characters in Vermintide and finally beating Metal Gear Solid 5 (seriously that game is a beast).

This weekend however marks a special occasion as it was 10 years ago on October 16^th that Rockstar broke away from the GTA franchise to launch an original game with an original story, Bully. Bully told the year long story of troubled 15 year old “Jimmy” Hopkins’ experience at the private boarding school Bullworth Academy. Despite inheriting the control scheme of a GTA game only without the cars (i.e. the most awkward part of GTA), Bully did so many things right that it still stands out as arguably Rockstar’s best game along with Red Dead Redemption.

You think it’s a big game before you even realize there’s a town to explore too

Out of the gate the story has a great hook casting you in the role of the titular bully who is dumped on the school steps by his apathetic mom who is in a rush to begin her honeymoon with a new husband. You literally have that familiar first day of school experience in this virtual space where you can get away with way more than you probably did growing up. You’ll make friends that stab you in the back, deal with cliques that affect you in the hallways, and race the clock to make it to class in time – sound familiar? Yes, this is the story of Jimmy Hopkins but the oh-so familiar world and challenges are designed so well that you have a tremendous sense of agency playing this game. I’m going to beat up these preppies. I’m going to romance this girl (or guy). I’m going to steal this bike to make it back to class. I’m not running over cop cars in my tank or jumping between freighters in space to catch a bomb. Bully’s story is relatable, Jimmy redeemable, and the world believable enough to pull you in.

Yes, Bully took us back to our days in school, though admittedly we were more like some of Jimmy’s friends

Bully’s world also reflects the changes that occur in a given school year. The city’s houses get decorated for Halloween. Snow will build up on the sidewalks over Christmas. Bully gets a lot of mileage out of the changing seasons not only in looks but also crafting missions that coincide with the holidays. This may seem like a small detail but it’s honestly hard for us to name many other games that have a concept of time like this. Fable, perhaps. Destiny with this Halloween festivities from last year. Maybe Arkham City’s Calendar Man who at least changes dialogues based on the date. It’s remarkably rare and Bully absolutely nails it.

Thankfully no Jokers or Crows in site. Can’t say the same for the real world.

Bully is a game about defying expectations. Jimmy is more than just a bully that his mom can’t handle or that the school suspends. The friends you make may not have your best interests at heart. And this seemingly controversial “Columbine simulator” (as it was deemed by news outlets prior to its launch) turned out to be one of the most well written, well-acted, and memorable game experiences we’ve ever played.

The game easily sneaks into Top 10 Lists for critics now and then and holds up fairly well even now, ten full years later. If you haven’t had a chance to play it, you really should give it a shot over the holidays.