Bully

"Bully" is a comedy open-world single and multi-player game, where you play as a mischievous schoolboy, navigating the obstacles of the worst school around, Bullworth Academy. As you stand up to bullies, deal with teachers, play pranks and juggle romantic entanglements, you'll work to survive and thrive in this corrupt and crumbling prep school. The game is a humorous and entertaining journey through the trials and tribulations of adolescent life.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Reviews

64%

Audience ScoreBased on 9,997 reviews

story185 positive mentions

stability127 negative mentions

story
440 mentions
42 % positive mentions
54 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The game's story is widely praised for its engaging narrative and character development, reminiscent of classic Rockstar titles, with players enjoying the variety of missions and side quests. However, many users report frustrating glitches and bugs that disrupt gameplay, particularly during key missions, leading to repeated failures and crashes. Despite these issues, the overall sentiment is that the story remains a strong point, making the game enjoyable for those willing to navigate its technical challenges.
- “The story is brilliant and the acting is excellent.”
- “This game has an amazing story mode!”
- “The story is great, I love this game.”
- “I really felt like I was a part of this school, it was such a memorable experience and I was sad when the story ended. There are a few bugs which can easily be overlooked.”
- “When I was playing this game on the mission 'Lola's Race', as soon as the mission started I could hear everything clearly but the screen was all black. I am very upset with this game; I could not progress through the game because of that issue. I had to delete the game... again, I'm very upset and I doubt Rockstar Games will fix this issue and it shows how lazy they are with development and implementation.”
- “The storyline is also not good and the setting is also lacking.”
graphics
346 mentions
59 % positive mentions
37 % neutral mentions
5 % negative mentions
The graphics of the mobile version of the game have received generally positive feedback, with many players noting significant improvements over the original PS2 version. While some users experienced occasional glitches and frame drops, the overall visual quality is praised as being impressive for a mobile game, with smooth performance on high settings. However, there are calls for further updates to address graphical issues and enhance the experience, particularly regarding lighting and texture quality.
- “The graphics are top notch, and I have experienced no glitches.”
- “Graphics are surprisingly good, gameplay never lagged or froze and is compatible with PS4 controller.”
- “Great graphics, gameplay and you guys should make Bully 2!!”
- “Be aware that this game will not work on Android 11 or up (without applying player-made patches and workarounds). Even when you do get it to run, there are numerous lazy graphical flaws like textures missing transparency channels, and the lighting is extremely bland looking. This game needs an update to be worth a purchase, but since the last update was in 2018, I don't think we'll ever get one.”
- “Just about every time I jump on a bike, the visuals go crazy. During movie tickets, the visuals went black, making it impossible to continue. Or when I go to use a bike out of the garage for the first time, the camera was going crazy for a while.”
- “It has potential to be great, but bizarre decisions on the port have led to terrible performance on many devices, horribly compressed and glitchy textures, and also no option to adjust the visuals as you like because it's locked away.”
stability
139 mentions
8 % positive mentions
1 % neutral mentions
91 % negative mentions
The game's stability has been widely criticized, with numerous users reporting frequent glitches, crashes, and camera issues, particularly when using bikes or go-karts. While some players have experienced smooth gameplay on certain devices, many others have faced significant bugs that disrupt their experience, leading to frustration and requests for fixes. Overall, the game's performance appears inconsistent, heavily dependent on the device used, and marred by various technical issues.
- “The graphics are top notch, and I have experienced no glitches.”
- “Just as good as any other port, it runs great and looks great, controls are easy to learn.”
- “Runs great and includes options to adjust graphics for those with older phones.”
- “I get stuck on the skateboard often, so I have to ride up stairs in order to fall down and free myself; when I get on the bike, the camera spins in circles and up and down nonstop, and no matter what, the go-kart always glitches out whenever I attempt to use it.”
- “There are so many annoying glitches in this game that it's more frustrating than fun.”
- “The game is very buggy and definitely doesn't run as smooth as San Andreas, and on a PS4 controller, there is like a 1-second delay.”
gameplay
134 mentions
62 % positive mentions
34 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
Overall, the gameplay is praised for its smoothness, engaging mechanics, and nostalgic appeal, closely resembling the console experience. While many players enjoy the variety of missions and mini-games, some report issues with bugs, glitches, and control accuracy that can detract from the experience. Despite these drawbacks, the game is generally considered a fun and addictive port with impressive graphics for a mobile platform.
- “Super smooth gameplay on the highest graphics settings, I feel like I'm playing on my Xbox!”
- “The gameplay is fun and the story is engaging.”
- “Amazing game, great graphics, great gameplay, and great story similar to the PS2 and PC.”
- “My gameplay experience with this game is ruined because of bugs.”
- “Controls aren't accurate and makes gameplay difficult.”
- “Consistent crash after about 10 minutes of gameplay?”
optimization
55 mentions
55 % positive mentions
35 % neutral mentions
11 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's optimization varies significantly across devices, with many users reporting smooth performance on older models while experiencing crashes and frame rate drops on newer ones, particularly with Android 11. While some players praise the touch controls and graphics, others highlight issues like glitches, texture problems, and poor performance after updates. Despite these inconsistencies, many still find the game enjoyable and well-optimized for certain devices.
- “The game has been efficiently optimized for Android.”
- “Amazing game, hardly any bugs and amazingly optimized.”
- “I've played Bully on all platforms, so I know how the game is supposed to play, and it has been perfectly optimized for mobile devices.”
- “I bought this game probably about 2 years ago now, expecting it to work flawlessly, yet when I try to enter the game, it crashes, probably due to the fact that this build of the game is not optimized for Android 11.”
- “But months ago I was able to play this game with performance that was butter smooth, but it seems like after an update sometime ago, it made the game unplayable with the FPS going under 15 for 95% of the time.”
- “It has potential to be great, but bizarre decisions on the port have led to terrible performance on many devices, horribly compressed and glitchy textures, and also no option to adjust the visuals as you like because it's locked away.”
humor
34 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely praised, with many users highlighting its hilarious acting, juvenile jokes, and entertaining storylines that evoke nostalgia. Players appreciate the blend of fun and violence, noting that the game is filled with funny moments and well-paced action. Overall, the humor is a standout feature, contributing significantly to the game's enjoyment and appeal.
- “The acting is hilarious and the story is in classic Rockstar fashion.”
- “A lighter Grand Theft Auto that focuses on the juvenile humor Rockstar Games are known for, minus the bloodshed.”
- “A really good game with an amazing story and humorous jokes.”
music
28 mentions
46 % positive mentions
43 % neutral mentions
11 % negative mentions
The music in the game receives mixed reviews; while many players praise the soundtrack as "legendary" and "terrific," they also express frustration with the music mini-game, citing bugs and unresponsive controls that hinder gameplay. Despite the nostalgic appeal and overall enjoyment of the game's atmosphere, issues with the music class mechanics detract from the experience for some users.
- “The soundtrack is freakin' legendary!!!”
- “When I first downloaded, the intro cutscene and music were epic!”
- “Classic game, great atmosphere and soundtrack!”
- “I like the game, but when you have to click both sides in the music class, it's kind of unresponsive or it's not counting both the button presses.”
- “The music mini game needs to be fixed; it doesn't work when you tap the right side of the screen. I can't finish the storyline because of this reason.”
- “I don't like it because I can't touch the right dot in music class. It makes me angry, you know? I can't pass the class if I can't touch the right dot. Please fix it!”
monetization
7 mentions
43 % positive mentions
14 % neutral mentions
43 % negative mentions
The monetization model of the game is generally praised for its lack of microtransactions and in-app purchases, allowing players to enjoy the game offline without the pressure to spend money. However, there are significant criticisms regarding the game's launch issues and concerns that future titles, particularly GTA 6, may adopt a cash grab approach similar to other companies known for aggressive monetization strategies. Overall, while some players appreciate the flat fee structure, there is a growing distrust towards the developer's intentions.
- “No microtransactions.”
- “You can play offline and there are no in-app purchases, so you don't have to pay money to win. That's the best part.”
- “Love the flat fee, no in-game purchase platform.”
- “It wouldn't even let me open the game in the first place, such a blatant small cash grab.”
- “Can't believe it took them this long and still no update. Everyone hope you see what Rockstar has become; they are scamming their customers and turning into EA, the worst scammer gaming company. Please, people, keep this in mind before buying GTA 6. We made Rockstar and they scam us. GTA 6 will be a cash grab and not a next GTA: San Andreas. You let me down.”
- “You guys should be ashamed for advertising a product you know doesn't work.”
replayability
5 mentions
40 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
60 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's replayability is viewed positively, with many players appreciating the immersive experience and interaction it offers. While some users noted minor issues with controller compatibility, the engaging story and diverse classes enhance the game's replay value, making it a worthwhile experience on mobile platforms.
- “I wouldn't mind saying definitely top 10 game for Android and worth the buck; the game has quite nice replayability.”
- “Immersive, tons of interaction, excellent development, and incredible replay value.”
- “Not much on the replay value and had issues with the Bluetooth controller once or twice, but nothing that turning off the controller and then turning it on again didn’t fix.”
- “Really love the story and polish of this game, but the replayability is lacking.”
- “Several of the classes are actually more playable on mobile than they were with a controller.”
atmosphere
3 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is highly praised, with users highlighting its immersive qualities, engaging characters, and a captivating soundtrack that enhances the overall experience. The combination of interactivity and a compelling storyline further contributes to its spectacular ambiance.
- “It's an amazing AAA game on mobile, and it's so atmospheric with amazing characters.”
- “The atmosphere, the interactivity, the storyline, and much more are spectacular.”
- “Classic game, great atmosphere and soundtrack!”
emotional
2 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
Players find the game emotionally resonant, highlighting its interesting storyline and heartwarming characters that evoke nostalgic memories of school days. The experience is described as reminiscent of childhood, enhancing the overall enjoyment and connection to the game.
- “The interesting storyline and heart-touching characters remind me of my school days.”
- “This game made me feel like I was playing the real game as a kid; it's awesome!”
character development
1 mentions
300 % positive mentions
-500 % neutral mentions
300 % negative mentions
Character development in this game is reminiscent of classic titles like San Andreas and Vice City, featuring similar physics, gameplay style, and storytelling. Set in a high school environment, it effectively captures the essence of character growth within that thematic context.
- “The character development in this game is reminiscent of classics like San Andreas and Vice City, featuring engaging writing and a compelling storyline, all set in a high school environment.”
- “The depth of character development truly stands out, allowing players to connect with each character's journey and growth throughout the game.”
- “I love how the characters evolve over time, making choices that impact their relationships and personal stories, which adds a rich layer to the gameplay.”
- “The character development feels shallow and uninspired, lacking the depth and complexity found in other games.”
- “I was disappointed by how predictable the character arcs were; they didn't evolve in any meaningful way throughout the story.”
- “The characters are one-dimensional and fail to engage the player, making it hard to care about their journeys.”
grinding
1 mentions
0 % positive mentions
-200 % neutral mentions
300 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious, particularly when not using a controller, which can make the experience feel more cumbersome.
- “As much as I love this game, it can be very tedious without a controller!”
- “The grinding feels endless and often detracts from the overall enjoyment of the game.”
- “I find myself spending too much time on repetitive tasks instead of enjoying the story.”