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    Bully: Scholarship Edition

    Game » consists of 14 releases. Released Mar 04, 2008

    'Bully: Scholarship Edition' takes place at the fictional New England boarding school Bullworth Academy, and tells the story of mischievous 15-year-old Jimmy Hopkins as he goes through the hilarity and awkwardness of adolescence. Beat the jocks at dodge ball, play pranks on the preppies, save the nerds, kiss the girl.

    Short summary describing this game.

    Bully: Scholarship Edition last edited by Chunker_Butt on 09/24/23 07:10PM View full history

    Overview

    Bully: Scholarship Edition is an extended port of the game Bully (Canis Canem Edit in Europe) originally released on the PlayStation 2 in October 2006. The enhanced port was released on the Xbox 360 and Nintendo Wii in March 2008 and to the PC in October 2008. The additional content included in the 'Scholarship Edition' was several additional story missions and two extra classes not featured in the original release. New NPCs were added and additional lines of NPC dialogue was included as well as including new unlockable items and items of clothing. The voice files which were compressed in the original release were replaced with higher quality versions.

    The Xbox 360 version of this game was noted for containing additional bugs and glitches not seen in the original release. While most of the bugs on the Xbox 360 can be amended through installing the game onto the console's hard drive an additional patch was released to correct some of the most prominent issues found in the game.

    Story

    Players take on the role of 15 year old student Jimmy Hopkins. The game opens with his mother and stepfather arriving at the Bullworth Academy, where they offload Jimmy. The two are intending to go off on an idyllic cruise, and they offload Jimmy at the boarding school in New England. Jimmy has something of a reputation as a troublemaker, and his mother apparently has remarried several times because of him.

    Bullworth Academy.
    Bullworth Academy.

    The game begins with you learning the ropes of the school. Along the way you meet the cliques of the school, and will meet up with Gary and Peter. They act as your guides for much of the game opening, and eventually, Gary tries to stab you in the back. Once this happens, as Jimmy, you must earn the respect of each of the cliques and get revenge on Gary. The game is split into six main chapters, though you need only complete the first five to see the credits roll. Below is the general aim of each chapter:

    Chapter One: Making New Friends and Enemies.

    Jimmy arrives at the school and is taught the hierarchy of Bullworth Academy by Gary and Petey. The chapter ends when Gary betrays Jimmy and Petey and begins his quest to rule the school.

    Chapter Two: Rich Kid Blues

    Although Jimmy's popularity has increased the "Preppies" faction continues to belittle him. This chapter sees Jimmy earn the respect of the "Preppies".

    Chapter Three: Love Makes the World Go Round.

    Set at Christmas time, Jimmy manages to get himself involved in a situation with the "Greaser faction" in particular with the Greaser faction leader, Johnny Vincent, and his girlfriend, Lola.

    Chapter Four: A Healthy Mind in a Healthy Body and Other Lies.

    This chapter revolves around trying to take on the Jocks at the school. However, to even stand a chance against the Jocks, Jimmy must enlist the help of the Nerds.

    Chapter Five: The Rise and Fall of Jimmy Hopkins, Aged 15.

    This is the final chapter of story in the game, and with all the school cliques behind you, you need to take down Gary, and find out who is responsible for the ongoings at the school

    Chapter Six: Endless Summer

    This is merely the end mode of the game. Basically, you have no story and may complete side missions etc.

    Gameplay

    Bully features some different gameplay from other Rockstar titles. The game relies heavily on minigames that take the role of different school classes. Each class has its own benefit for succeeding. For example, being proficient in English means you can talk your way out of a misdemeanor.

    You may also earn weapons as your progress. However, unlike in Grand Theft Auto, you do not earn guns. You get weapons a schoolboy may possess, such as a Slingshot. Rather than killing other characters as well, you merely knock them out. Fighting in Bully is an important part of the gameplay, although violence against girls, authority, and younger pupils has very severe

    Hopkins and the Dr. Crabblesnitch
    Hopkins and the Dr. Crabblesnitch

    consequences. Not only this, but you may earn different vehicles too. Initially you get a Skateboard early in the game, but you will eventually get bikes as well. You can also win a Go Kart, and purchase a Scooter. As you progress you earn the ability to buy more clothing and equipment for Jimmy. Eventually you can also purchase tattoos for him. Like in this generation's Grand Theft Auto games, you will unlock different areas of the town through game progression.

    As you progress through Bully, you will earn money, which you can spend on different equipment. For example, you may purchase Stinkbombs and other such goods to resupply your inventory. Not only this, but there is a fair that opens up when you reach the town area, and take part in one of the Preppie missions. At the fair you can take part in different fairground activities, which will earn you tickets. These tickets can then be redeemed at the store in the fair for exclusive prizes, such as the Scooter, and different posters which can decorate Jimmy's room in the school. Should you choose to purchase a bike in-game, apart from the Scooter (which is the fastest bike you can get), the best all round bike is the Aquaberry, as it has the best blend of stats. Generally, most of the AI opponents will not be using the Aquaberry Bike, which already puts you at an advantage.

    Classes

    There are 10 different classes in Bully: Scholarship Edition, up from 6 in the original PS2 version, and they all have five levels each. This means there are 50 individual lessons you are tasked with completing. They must be completed to earn the full 100%:

    Course NameDescriptionReward
    No Caption Provided

    Chemistry

    You must press the correct button as each prompt passes.

    A chem set in Jimmy's dorm, allowing him to produce a variety of weapons.

    No Caption Provided

    English

    You are given some scrambled letters and must combine them into as many words as you can before time runs out.

    Teach Jimmy new ways of sweet-talking his way out of trouble.

    No Caption Provided

    Art

    You must guide a line around the art paper and avoid enemies. It plays a lot like the arcade game Qix.

    Increases health bonus for kissing girls (or boys).
    No Caption Provided

    Gym

    There are two different Gym lessons: The first is wrestling, where you are taught new moves and given an opportunity to try these moves on an AI character. The second is Dodgeball, where you are put on the Nerds team, and must beat the other teams.

    Earning new melee moves for Jimmy OR upgrading the accuracy on Jimmy's slingshot
    No Caption Provided

    Shop

    You simply have to rotate the stick or press buttons in rhythm as they appear on the screen. This is generally considered the most difficult of the lessons, as the stick rotations must be very precise in order to be considered valid.

    Each level unlocks a new BMX bike in Jimmy's garages around town, replacing the old version.
    No Caption Provided

    Math

    Math questions are given to the player and you must complete a set number within time. Questions range from general sums to basic equations, and are always multiple choice.

    Various math-related T-shirts for Jimmy to wear (and get mocked by his peers for).
    No Caption Provided

    Geography

    You must match the flags to the corresponding territories on a map of a given area. Mostly labelling countries but sometimes US states or Canadian provinces.

    Bonuses to the map screen, showing locations of hidden collectibles, as well as some geography-themed hats/costumes.
    No Caption Provided

    Music
    You must push either LT or RT in time with the note highway a la Guitar Hero while Jimmy plays a variety of percussive instruments.Music-themed T-shirts and outfits.
    No Caption Provided

    Biology

    Using the given tools you must dissect an animal in a suitable manner. Animals range from a rat to a pig, and become harder each level.

    Biology-themed T-shirts, hats, and outfits.

    Classes in bold only appear on the Scholarship Edition.

    Cliques

    There are different cliques that all co-exist in Bullworth Academy, and they all have their own leaders and styles. Below is a comprehensive breakdown of each group based on the game's own hierarchy.

    Nerds

    Leader: Earnest Jones

    The Nerds are the weakest clique, but they have the best weapons, and are the most intelligent. They all wear green colored school tops, and are generally bullied by all the other cliques.

    Bullies

    No Caption Provided

    Leader: Russell Northrop

    The Bullies wear white school shirts, which are untucked, and delight in bullying students. They will start fights regardless of their odds of winning. Despite (or perhaps because of) this aggression, Bullies are only above the Nerds in terms of hierarchy. There are no girls in the Bullies clique either.

    Preppies

    Leader: Derby Harrington

    The Preppies are the snobby rich kids, with affluent Republican parents and questionable relationships with their cousins. They exclusively wear "Aquaberry," a fictional brand based on two luxury clothing lines (Aquascutum and Burberry). Preppies enjoy the art of boxing, which make them more capable fighters than the Nerds and Bullies as they can bob-and-weave around Jimmy's hail of punches. Still, most Preppies are not strong enough to take down Jimmy if he's unlocked some of his more powerful combos.

    Greasers

    Leader: Johnny Vincent

    The Greasers wear leather jackets and look like rockabilly rejects. They are the poorest clique and can be found around the school's auto body shop. Greasers are nasty fighters, much tougher than the Preppies, but take the most pride in their bikes and racing skills.

    Jocks

    This is a Jock, pictured putting Jimmy's ass in the dirt.
    This is a Jock, pictured putting Jimmy's ass in the dirt.

    Leader: Ted Thompson

    The Jocks are physically the strongest clique, and they can withstand a ridiculous amount of damage. Most Jocks are larger than Jimmy and can easily block his hardest blows. However they do not use any weapons, so they are easily outclassed at range with the Slingshot and other such weapons. Jocks are easily found around the football field.

    The Jocks are the final clique Jimmy needs to get on his side before he can extract his revenge on his nemesis Gary Smith.

    Collectibles

    Like all Rockstar games, there are a multitude of different collectibles for you to hunt down. Unsurprisingly, they are all needed for the 100% completion. Bully: Scholarship Edition makes this an easier task through the inclusion of the Geography class, which awards the player with item locations on their map as they progress through the class.

    Rubber Bands

    Around the world you may find blue rubber bands. There are 75 of them, and when you collect all of them you get a rubber band ball. This ball is the best weapon in the game as it one hits everyone, including Jocks.

    Grottos and Gremlins Cards

    There are hidden cards from a game the Nerd clique loves, called Goblins and Gremlins (reference to Dungeons and Dragons, clearly). Once you collect all these cards you receive a unique themed costume.

    Gnomes

    Around the area of Bullworth there are 25 gnomes. Destroying all of them will earn you a gnome costume.

    Transistors

    There are six radio transistors that you should aim to collect. For every transistor delivered you learn new melee combos from a homeless man living by the auto shop.

    Setting

    No Caption Provided

    Bully is set in an approximation of a small seaside New England town named Bullworth. Bus stops are littered around town that will pick Jimmy up at any time and drop him off right in front of the school. Instead of Prefects, the areas outside school are patrolled by cops in cars, motorcycles, or on foot. Causing trouble with adults in town will trigger a higher level on the Trouble Meter, leading to a more aggressive response from authority, like when Jimmy attacks girls or younger students at the Academy.

    There are six different areas for the player to explore:

    Bullworth Academy Campus

    Philips Exeter Academy in New Hampshire likely served as an inspiration for the look of Bullworth Academy.
    Philips Exeter Academy in New Hampshire likely served as an inspiration for the look of Bullworth Academy.

    The first area for Jimmy to run amok in: features the school itself, boys' and girls' dormitories, the library, the auto body shop, Harrington House, the gym, and football field. Jimmy's dorm is unlocked from the start, while the Jocks' Clubhouse is acquired in Chapter 4 after completing the Jock Challenge. In the Chapter 4 mission "Stronghold Assault," Jimmy gains access to the observatory where Nerd leader Earnest Jones has set up shop.

    Old Bullworth Vale

    The streets are hardly safe for nerds.
    The streets are hardly safe for nerds.

    Unlocked at the start of Chapter 2. Home to the Preppies, it is a posh borough with stores, a movie theatre, and a carnival. To the north and west is a sprawling residential area with upper-class homes and mini-mansions. Some of the missions in Chapter 2 require Jimmy to visit these homes, and he can also earn money in side missions mowing their lawns or delivering papers. Upon completion of the Preppies Challenge in their boxing club, Jimmy is gifted their old hangout, the lighthouse, as a save point.

    Bullworth Town

    Bullworth Town Hall is the largest building in this borough.
    Bullworth Town Hall is the largest building in this borough.

    Also unlocked at the start of Chapter 2, located directly north of Bullworth Academy. Upscale but not as nice as Old Bullworth, with its boarded-up movie theatre and seedy porno shop among other small businesses. The Nerds have their hangout at Dragon's Wing Comic Shop, which can become a save point for Jimmy after completing the Nerd Challenge, but Greasers and occasionally Preppies and Jocks can be seen strutting around as well.

    New Coventry

    Chapter 3 takes place during the winter (Japanese version).
    Chapter 3 takes place during the winter (Japanese version).

    Unlocked at the start of Chapter 3. Home to the Greasers, it is one of the poorest parts of town where residents live in tenement buildings. Jimmy can unlock access to the Greaser's hangout and a BMX park.

    Blue Skies Industrial Park

    Unlocked at the start of Chapter 5, home to a new clique called the Townies, made up of local toughs who don't attend Bullworth Academy. It is primarily industrial with docks, a rail yard, factories, plants, and warehouses. There is a small residential area with trashy, low-rent homes, complete with rusted-out cars on the lawn.

    Happy Volts Asylum

    Bills itself as a "Home for the Mentally Unwell"

    Cover Art

    Cover Art for the Scholarship Edition of the game is the same across all regions. However, it does vary from the art used for Canis Canem Edit.

    The art used for the Scholarship Edition of Bully shows artwork of Jimmy Hopkins in a 'staredown' with the school's headmaster, Doctor Crabblesnitch. This artwork is layered over the background, which is the school crest.

    Reception

    No Caption Provided

    Like the original game, Scholarship Edition received praise for its sharp writing, novel gameplay mechanics, and clever structure, as well as the improved graphics and sound. However, the initial releases across all three systems were plagued with technical issues that were seen as a major drawback. Crashes, glitches, and bugs were commonly reported by Xbox players, resulting in a patch by Rockstar that may have made some of these problems worse. The Windows 10 version released in 2015 was largely unplayable until a fan-made patch helped ameliorate the constant crashing.

    The PC version was seen as the worst of the three, garnering a Metacritic average of 72/100 compared to 83/100 for the Wii version and 80/100 on Xbox 360. In addition to the patch, 360 users found the game performed better when installed to the system's HDD.

    The Xbox 360 version of Bully: Scholarship Edition was nominated for "Best Voice Acting" in IGN's 2008 Game of the Year Awards.

    Trivia

    • The original PAL release name for the game was Canis Canem Edit (Latin for "Dog Eat Dog"), as the name Bully was denied by the UK government. For an unknown reason they allowed the Scholarship Edition to pass with the name of Bully.
    • In the Greasers' workshop, you can see the shell of a Stallion car from GTA. This can also be seen in the manual, where it breaks down the different groups.

    PC System Requirements

    • CPU: Intel Pentium 4 (3+ GHZ) / AMD Athlon 3000+
    • RAM: 1GB RAM
    • GPU: DirectX 9.0c Shader 3.0 supported, Nvidia 6800 or 7300 or better, ATI Radeon X1300 or better
    • OS: Windows XP / Windows Vista
    • HDD: 4.7GB free space
    • Sound: DirectX 9-compatible sound card

    PC Patch

    The latest patch (1.200) can be downloaded here.

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