Bully Scholarship Edition

Bully Scholarship Edition is a remastered version of the original Bully, an action-adventure game developed by Rockstar Vancouver and published by Rockstar Games. Initially released in 2006 for the PlayStation 2, the Scholarship Edition arrived later in 2008 for Xbox 360, Wii, and PC. This version introduced new features and content, enhancing the experience of the original.

Key Features of Bully: Scholarship Edition

1. Story: The game follows Jimmy Hopkins, a rebellious teenager sent to Bullworth Academy, a boarding school filled with cliques, bullies, and eccentric staff. The narrative explores themes of teenage rebellion, hierarchy, and social dynamics.
2. Gameplay:
   • Open-world design: Players can freely explore the school campus and nearby town.
   • Missions: Story-driven and side missions provide structure and progression.
   • Mini-games: Activities like attending classes (chemistry, English, art, etc.) introduce puzzle and rhythm challenges.
3. New Content:
   • Additional classes like Biology and Math.
   • New missions and unlockables.
   • Multiplayer modes for local competition in mini-games.
4. Visual and Audio Enhancements:
   • Improved graphics and lighting.
   • Enhanced audio quality for dialogue and sound effects.
5. Humor and Tone: True to Rockstar’s style, the game features a satirical tone, with humorous takes on school life and societal norms.

Legacy

Bully: Scholarship Edition received positive reviews for its unique setting, engaging gameplay, and witty storytelling. While some criticized technical issues, particularly on the PC version, the game remains a cult favorite among Rockstar fans. It has sparked ongoing speculation and fan demand for a sequel, though no official follow-up has been announced.

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Story Overview

Set in the fictional town of Bullworth, the game focuses on 15-year-old Jimmy Hopkins, a troublemaker expelled from several schools. After being dropped off at Bullworth Academy by his neglectful mother and stepfather, Jimmy is thrust into a chaotic environment rife with cliques, corrupt authority figures, and rivalries.

Jimmy’s goal is to climb the social hierarchy, confront bullies, and restore some semblance of order. Along the way, he befriends outcasts, outwits enemies, and learns about loyalty, friendship, and morality in a less-than-ideal school setting. The story is divided into five chapters, each focused on defeating a specific clique and progressing the narrative.

• Chapter 1: Introduces Bullworth Academy and its various cliques, focusing on the bullies and nerds.
• Chapter 2: Jimmy takes on the preppies and their leader, Derby Harrington.
• Chapter 3: Revolves around the greasers, who dominate the industrial area.
• Chapter 4: Jimmy targets the jocks, who rule the football field and gym.
• Chapter 5: Unites the factions under Jimmy’s leadership as he faces off against the game’s primary antagonist.

The game’s humor and dialogue capture the essence of teenage angst, rebellion, and satire, with Rockstar’s signature storytelling shining throughout.

Gameplay Details

Bully: Scholarship Edition combines open-world exploration with structured missions, offering a mix of activities and mechanics:

1. Exploration:
   • The academy is the central hub, with dorms, classrooms, and sports facilities.
   • The nearby town includes shops, an arcade, a carnival, and residential areas.
   • Players can explore on foot, skateboard, bicycle, or mopeds.
2. Classes: Attending classes is a unique gameplay element, offering educational mini-games that grant rewards:
   • English: Word puzzles that improve Jimmy’s ability to apologize or taunt.
   • Chemistry: A rhythm-based mini-game that unlocks items like stink bombs.
   • Art: A painting mini-game that enhances health regeneration through kisses.
   • Gym: Teaches combat moves or earns Jimmy trophies.
   • Shop: Unlocks better bicycles.
   • New in Scholarship Edition:
     • Biology: A dissection mini-game.
     • Math: Timed puzzles involving arithmetic.
     • Music: Rhythm-based drumming.
     • Geography: Tests your map knowledge.
3. Combat:
   • Features hand-to-hand combat and improvised weapons like slingshots, firecrackers, and stink bombs.
   • Combat evolves as players learn new moves from the gym or from a homeless ex-soldier.
4. Missions and Side Quests:
   • Missions involve tasks like defending outcasts, sabotaging rivals, or pulling pranks.
   • Side quests include errands for NPCs, collecting items, and participating in seasonal events like Halloween pranks.
5. Reputation and Relationships:
   • Players navigate Bullworth’s social structure, dealing with cliques such as nerds, preppies, greasers, jocks, and townies.
   • Interactions affect how NPCs react to Jimmy; befriending or antagonizing them can unlock bonuses or challenges.
6. Seasonal Changes:
   • The game progresses through seasons (fall, winter, spring), with visual and gameplay changes like snowball fights during winter or Halloween-themed events in fall.

New Features in Scholarship Edition

1. New Missions:
   • Eight additional story missions, such as helping a teacher reclaim stolen items or pranking rival cliques.
2. Multiplayer Mini-Games:
   • Local multiplayer allows two players to compete in class-based mini-games.
3. Enhanced Graphics and Audio:
   • Textures, character models, and lighting were upgraded from the original version.
   • Voice acting and sound effects were re-recorded for higher fidelity.
4. Platform-Specific Updates:
   • Xbox 360 version supports achievements.
   • PC version includes customizable controls and improved resolution settings.

Themes and Satirical Elements

The game critiques various societal issues through humor and exaggerated stereotypes:

• Cliques and Hierarchies: Examines the divisive nature of social groups.
• Authority Figures: Highlights the flaws of corrupt or inept adults in positions of power.
• Adolescence: Explores rebellion, peer pressure, and personal growth.
• Education System: Parodies academic systems with eccentric teachers and ridiculous school rules.

Critical Reception and Legacy

• Reception:
  • The original Bully received praise for its originality, storytelling, and humor.
  • The Scholarship Edition was well-received for the added content but faced criticism for technical issues, particularly on the PC version (later patched).
• Cultural Impact:
  • Despite being controversial at release (due to concerns about its depiction of bullying), the game gained a loyal fanbase and became a cult classic.
  • Fans have clamored for a sequel for years, with rumors surfacing occasionally but no official confirmation from Rockstar.
• Influence on Rockstar:
  • Bully’s narrative style and open-world design influenced later Rockstar games like Red Dead Redemption and Grand Theft Auto V.

Here are some gameplay tips, hidden secrets, and Easter eggs to enhance your experience with Bully: Scholarship Edition:

Gameplay Tips

1. Attend Classes Early:
   • Prioritize completing classes early in the game to unlock helpful bonuses:
     • Chemistry: Grants throwable weapons (e.g., stink bombs, firecrackers).
     • English: Unlocks better social interactions, like apologizing to authority figures or taunting bullies.
     • Gym: Provides advanced fighting moves.
     • Shop: Unlocks faster bicycles.
2. Use Save Locations:
   • Save frequently at dorms or other save points. This prevents you from losing progress if you’re busted or fail a mission.
3. Health Regeneration:
   • Kiss students to restore health (earned by completing Art classes).
   • Buy sodas from vending machines for a quick health boost.
4. Watch the Clock:
   • Jimmy can pass out at 2 AM if you don’t find a place to sleep, which could result in a penalty (e.g., losing some of your items).
5. Combat Tips:
   • Learn to block and counter early to deal with tough opponents.
   • Use environmental objects like trash can lids or bricks for an advantage.
   • Practice new moves taught by the homeless veteran; they’re incredibly useful in brawls.
6. Respect the Cliques:
   • Avoid antagonizing cliques unless the mission requires it; maintaining a neutral or positive reputation makes life easier around the campus.
7. Skateboard for Mobility:
   • The skateboard is always available in your inventory and is faster than running. It’s especially useful for getting to timed objectives.

Hidden Secrets

1. Hidden Rubber Bands:
   • Collecting all 75 rubber bands scattered around the game world unlocks the Rubber Band Ball, a fun and powerful weapon that bounces off walls.
2. G&G Cards:
   • Find all 40 Grottoes & Gremlins trading cards to earn a special reward.
3. Tombstones on Halloween:
   • During the Halloween chapter, smash all 27 tombstones around the school to unlock the Pumpkin Mask.
4. Jack-o’-Lanterns:
   • Destroy all jack-o’-lanterns during Halloween to unlock the Pumpkin Head accessory.
5. Secret Clothing Items:
   • Completing certain tasks or beating side missions unlocks unique outfits, like the Ninja Suit, which makes you harder to spot during stealth missions.
6. The Mysterious Hobo:
   • Complete all of the hobo’s training sessions by finding the hidden radio transistors around the map. He’ll teach you powerful fighting moves.

Easter Eggs

1. Rockstar References:
   • Posters and graffiti around Bullworth reference other Rockstar games, such as Grand Theft Auto and Manhunt.
2. Bigfoot Rumor:
   • In the forest near the school, players have speculated seeing Bigfoot, though no concrete proof exists. It’s likely a playful nod to Rockstar’s penchant for myths in their games.
3. Alien Sighting:
   • During one of the carnival games (Splish Splash), the “prizes” section features a reference to aliens—a recurring theme in Rockstar games.
4. Nerd Culture:
   • The nerd clique hosts a role-playing game resembling Dungeons & Dragons, complete with over-the-top drama and hilarious dialogue.

Tips for Specific Missions

1. Halloween Pranks:
   • Complete all pranks during the Halloween event to earn bonus respect and access to unique content.
2. Boxing Matches:
   • During the preppy storyline, practice your dodging and counter-punching for the boxing mini-games. Winning all matches grants access to the Preppy Trophy and earns their respect.
3. Carnival Minigames:
   • Earn tickets by winning carnival games to purchase exclusive items like the scooter.
4. Yearbook Completion:
   • Take photos of every student to complete the Yearbook and unlock a unique reward.

Fun Activities

1. Seasonal Events:
   • Participate in Halloween and Christmas events to unlock exclusive outfits and experience themed missions.
2. Creepy Observatory:
   • Explore the Nerds’ Observatory; it’s packed with quirky items and cool details.
3. Arcade Games:
   • Try out the arcade machines at the carnival and dormitory; they feature fun retro-inspired minigames.
4. Dodge Prefects:
   • Learn their patrol routes and hiding spots to avoid getting caught during mischief.