The creeping chill of October brings with it a perfect excuse to infuse everything with pumpkin flavoring and throw on a scary movie, but it's also an excellent time to sit down with a good video game. While there have been more than enough horror games over the years for someone to play nothing but that genre across the entire month of October, there are some titles that fit the season perfectly for different reasons. Between sessions of Dead by Daylight or trips through Raccoon City in Resident Evil, one of the best games to play in October is Rockstar's 2006 cult-classic Bully.
Bully is one of Rockstar's many triumphs, though it's a huge departure from what the company is usually known for. Instead of the hyperviolence of Grand Theft Auto or the outlaw action of Red Dead Redemption, Bully threw players into the world of secondary education at Bullworth Academy. Even if it's not as mature as some of Rockstar's other creations, Bully still maintains the company's edge and sense of character. It may not be the horror title some may expect to play in October, but Bully's presentation makes it an excellent game to visit during the spooky season.
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Getting In the Halloween Spirit With Bully
Bully takes place over the course of an actual school year, so much of the early part of the game is dedicated to the fall season. The game does a fantastic job creating an authentic atmosphere with changing leaves and cloudy weather, and one of Bully's earliest missions centers around Halloween. During this time, players can destroy jack-o-lanterns and tombstones, and protagonist Jimmy will run around in a skeleton costume. The whole section captures the essence of high school-age Halloween hijinks perfectly.
Bully's Tricks and Treats
On top of the Halloween imagery that makes up part of Bully, many of the game's core mechanics are perfect for the tricks and treats associated with the month of October. Given the nature of the game, there are many more tricks than treats, but it creates an atmosphere that fits with the time of year.
In addition to the skeleton costume players get early on, there are many other unlockable outfits that allow players to dress up however they like. From Bullworth's mascot to a golden Elvis Presley suit, Bully has enough unique outfits to inspire a whole costume party. Then there's the general mischief players get up to as Jimmy Hopkins. Jimmy's weapon of choice is his trusty slingshot, and players can also acquire throwable eggs, firecrackers, and stink bombs. It's all juvenile, and when placed over the backdrop of the Halloween season, it makes for an immersive experience.
Bully has maintained a cult following since it released fifteen years ago, and the game's extensive attention to detail is part of what has helped its legacy remain strong. There are few games that fit better with the changing seasons and mischief of October, and with the updated Bully: Scholarship Edition available on most modern platforms, there's no need to dig up any old PS2 consoles. Many fans still want Rockstar to finally make a Bully 2, but the original game still holds up great in the meantime.
Bully is available now on PC, PS4, and Xbox One.
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