Put it this way.......its teen rating is accurate to the games content as it contains no more, no less adult content than 'The Simpsons' or even a regular child's school (after all children swear in school no doubt!). It didn't really deserve the stigma surrounding it.
Bully is basically a story about a 15 year old boy called Jimmy Hopkins who is abandoned at a private school of some sort based on a New England type of locality. Initially when you play it you are amazed how busy and similar the game is to a real school. People fighting, people running, kissing, talking, hanging around in peer groups. All these children are different age ranges from you children to almost adults, their are girls and boys, whites and coloureds. It is actually a superb sight.
This is not all created just for the first scene, this is constant throughout.
Basic checklist of things:
You have several weapons to use. A slingshot, A super slingshot (which replaces the former) eggs (not really a weapon but an annoyance), a Spudgun, a Bottle rocket launcher, Fire Crackers and Stinkbombs. Volcano 4000's a large firework can be used as a weapon to but can not be 'stored' at all times as it can be picked up and dropped like mêlée weapons. The same applies to Water Balloons which can be filled and used but cannot be 'stored' like other weapons. Melee weapons take the role of anything from Long Rulers, to Sledge Hammers, to Cricket bats and are basically used to pummel opponents with, these can be picked up but not 'stored'. However after a certain amount of hits they do break. Thrown or kicked objects vary immensely, some are meant as weapons (such as dustbin lids, Shields) but some are meant for recreation such as footballs and Frisbees. however they also cannot be 'stored'.
You also have a Camera that is stored with the character. You can take photo's of whatever you like in the game, bins, teachers, nerds, bikes anything. You earn the Camera enabling you to attend Photography lessons. In the photography lesson you are prompted when and what to do (e.g take pictures of 3 people for year book), the Yearbook is a book which you can fill by taking pictured of school members.
The area in the game is large, the school consists of an observatory, auto-shop, boys dorm, girls dorm, preps dorm, library, gym, swimming pool, actual school building and football field complete with club house. All of which are relatively spread out.
This is one section, there is a town called old bull worth about twice the schools size, their is bull worth vale about 2/3 of the size of the school. There is new Coventry about twice the size of the school, and blue skies industrial park twice the size of the school. Basically a whole living breathing school and town.......with a lake, beach, light house and mental asylum to!
Also the game alternates through Halloween, Christmas and spring and eventually summer. Jimmy Hopkins main character also has 'good' friends such as Zoe, Pinky, Mandy, Beatrice and Lola he....well looks after at times.
There are several groups in the game:
Prefects (Navy Shirts) oldest student who act as almost law enforcement. Nerds (Green Sweaters)smart kids Greasers (Think T-Birds from grease) supposable tough Preps (Blue Sweaters) rich kids Jocks (Blue Football shirts) Sporty thick kids Bullies (White Shirts) Well, bullies Townies (Miscellaneous tramp clothing) town kids, usually drop outs.
Their are also kids that are not associated with any group in particular, their is another group that Contains Jimmy, Gary and Peter who are once again not associated with any group.
Most of which you run errands for, take over, attack or work for, each with their own styles and locations.
Prefects are only found in the school building or yard, no where else. Nerds are found at the Bullworth Vale, the Library, in school buildings. Sometimes around front entrance. Greasers are found at the New Coventry, the auto shop, smoking, chilling or combing their hair. Preps are found In Old Bullworth, mainly the boxing club and the prep dorms, sometimes at the carnival. Jocks are found mainly at the sports field, running, shouting fighting, they are only found in the gym as well. Bullies are found all around the school, inside and out beating up little kid jimmy Hopkins, etc. Townies are found in New Coventry but mainly Blue Skies industrial area.
Like in GTA there are collectibles, they are G&G cards, Radio Transistors and rubber bands. The game story mode has 80+ missions and there are at least 15 side missions as well, however the game is very enjoyable, if a little easy.
The transport available is great! Initially Jimmy Hopkins has no transport but over time acquires a Skate board, various bikes, a Moped and a Go Cart. Most of which can be used in street races. Their is money to be played for which you can use to buy Haircuts, Tattoos, Clothes, bikes, cans of pop, peoples protection or anything you want!
Most notable inclusion that reminds you that you are a human in school is the need for sleep (unlike GTA where you character seems to be able to go without sleep for months.) is an in game analogue clock that is really really cool!
This game thoroughly deserves recognition as it is superb and seems to capture people in a unique way! This Comment initially totalled over 2000 words so large amounts of info is missing but I hope I have given enough info in this comment.
P.S their are so many things I did not mention (arcade games for example!)
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