Vancouver Trendz [THURSDAY]

Bully for You

Thursday, October 19, 2006

The most controversial videogame of the year was made in Vancouver. And it hit store shelves on Tuesday.

Bully is the first title created by Rockstar Vancouver, formerly known as Barking Dog Studios, who were bought out by Rockstar Games, (makers of the notorious Grand Theft Auto series.) Just the announcement of the game, which allows you to play as a troubled teenager making his way through private school, was enough to send the usual game critics into an uproar.

Now that the game has been released, though, things have calmed down. This is not the school-violence simulator that the Chicken Littles were clucking it would be. In fact, the game is being recognized as one of the best of this generation with smart storytelling and deep gameplay. Some are even calling it the Catcher in the Rye of videogames.

Filled with Rockstar's trademark sense of humour and social satire, Bully is the complete, no-holds-barred school experience. Going to class, navigating the social cliques, defending your friends from bullies, playing dodgeball. It's all here. And it's all a ton of fun, way more than we remember school being anyway!

Bully is only available on PlayStation 2. See the website for full details on the game: www.rockstargames.com/bully/