Awhile back, I picked up the game "Bully," from Rockstar Games, of "Grand Theft Auto" fame.
It went on to become my second favorite video-game of all time. This is highly irregular, as I don't typically like post-N64 era games, but "Bully" is one of the most amazing, in-depth and intricate games I've ever played, and it touched me on a personal level-- in a very good way. 
Widely misunderstood and wrongfully condemned, "Bully" is not a game where you bully kids for no reason. In fact, it's quite the opposite, you play a bully who bullies the bullies who bully innocent kids-- so you're the good-guy. Set somewhere in the early to mid 1990s, "Bully" tells the story of Jimmy Hopkins, a mischievous young lad who is sent to Bullworth Academy-- the worst school in America. It's a sort of boarding school, as he lives on campus and in and around Bullworth Town. You control Jimmy in his various misadventures and gradually make friends with all the kids on campus, by any means necessary. There are lots of pranks, firecrackers and fun to be had in Bullworth Academy and the experience is nothing short of happily magical. 
For reasons that are beyond even me, the player, the game touched me on a personal level. It seemed to possess a sort of post-nostalgic value for the mischievous goof-ball that I always was and wanted to be. From the twisted look on the American education system, to the skewed perspective on the educators and their teaching methods in this fantastical world of whimsy. Every pixel of this game is a masterpiece in its own respect, and I have found so much joy in playing this game. It's a sort of release from the drudgery that is reality, which I can't say about a lot of games. From the opening cut-scene to the final boss it's a masterpiece in gaming, a Mona Lisa written in code, second only to games like Harvest Moon 64 and Doom. This is, hands down, one of the finest games I have ever played and I'm not afraid to say it. I loved it.
Graphic-wise, Bully is the peak of the PlayStation 2's capabilities, pushing the rendering, textures and polygons to their limit on the supposed 128-bit processor inside the PS2. This is especially noticeable when the weather changes in the game, you really feel like it's snowing or raining, or that brown leaves are falling off the trees for the fall. It's personally realistic.
Sound-wise, I should note is the music in the game is some of the most catchy and playful tunes you'll ever hear in a video-game. I never thought that bass could be so exciting, but as with all things "Bully," it's outstanding. The constant rhythm of the bass and the tingling of the bells when you hop on a bicycle make every auditory sensation of "Bully" awesome. 
Control-wise, we have the look and feel of Rockstar's "Grand Theft Auto" series, only with a bit more flexibility and a slightly better set of combos and button techniques. If you've played "Grand Theft Auto," you're probably in familiar territory here, the only difference is there's no guns and you don't can't drive cars-- but that's okay, because the game isn't about that. 
Story-wise, the game is reminiscent of a John Hughes movie. As I've already said, you play as 15 year-old Jimmy Hopkins, who's always getting into trouble with all the cliques of the school, but manages to make friends with everybody in the end. Jimmy is a sort of "Tyler Durden" type of character, and all the characters around him have their own unique personalities.
I remember I bought this game the day it came out-- though I don't exactly remember why, I think it was because I saw the commercial for it and said: "That's it, that's the last game I'll ever need." And then I proceeded to walk to my local video-game store and pick up a brand spanking new copy, fresh off the shelf, and I'm happy to report I don't regret it at all. In fact, "Bully" was one of the wisest purchases I ever made as a gamer, not just because it's a great game, but because it's a great experience. It's a fresh look at a tired engine and it takes that engine and applies an all new way of playing it out, making the game an incredibly personal and unique interactive experience that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. Once more, I really have to give it up to Rockstar, only a force as destructive as them could come up with something as creative and fun as "Bully." As always, the Scottish game company has outdone themselves. "Bully" was released about four years ago, now. It was a big hit and all the rage-- rightfully so. If you're a gamer, a fan of Rockstar games, or just like John Hughes movies and happen to play video-games, you owe it to yourself to pick up a copy of "Bully" on either the PlayStation 2, XBOX360 or the Nintendo Wii. My personal preference is the PS2 version, I played the Wii version and was not impressed with the use of the Wiimote, and I have yet to play the 360 version. It's one of the best games I've ever played and I truly don't say that easily!
And now I ask the question every Bully fan is asking: "When's 'Bully 2' coming out?"

>>	Anonymous 07/09/10 Fri 05:37 pm No. 434 Quote File full-of-people-who-care.jpg Whats the point of this? As if we don't have enough reviews from corporate videogame websites, Best game reviews are on ED, if your game isn't there then its shit.