Bully: Scholarship Edition - A Comparative Look at the Xbox 360 Version

Bully: Scholarship Edition enhanced the original PlayStation 2 game with new content and improved graphics. This article delves into the differences between the Xbox 360, Wii, and PS2 versions, with a particular focus on the Xbox 360 release.

Enhanced Features of the Scholarship Edition

The Scholarship Edition builds upon the original Bully game with several key additions:

New Missions: Eight new missions add to the game's storyline and provide additional gameplay.
New Classes: Four new classes, including biology, music, math, and geography, offer unique minigames.
Multiplayer Mode: An offline multiplayer mode allows players to compete with friends.
Unlockables and Clothing: New unlockable items and clothing options provide more customization.
Achievements: The Xbox 360 version integrates achievements, adding a layer of challenge and reward.

Graphics and Performance on Xbox 360

Rockstar claimed that the textures in the Xbox 360 version were four times more detailed than those in the PS2 version, with over 3000 textures remade. While the game looks better on the Xbox 360, initial impressions revealed some performance issues.

Initial Problems: Frame Rate and Tearing

Upon starting the game, frame rate fluctuations and screen tearing were immediately apparent. These issues were noticeable during the game's introduction. However, once the introduction ended and the player gained control of the character, Timmy, these problems seemed to disappear.

Lighting and Visual Effects

Despite the initial frame rate and tearing issues, the lighting model in the Xbox 360 version is impressive. The way light streaks through the venetian blinds in the dorm room, casting shadows on the characters, is a standout visual effect. The smooth and elegant lighting and shadowing effects suggest that this version of Bully may be using some form of the RAGE engine, which Rockstar initially used for Table Tennis and further developed for GTAIV.

Comparison with the Wii Version

The Wii version offers a different experience compared to the Xbox 360 release. The visual fidelity of the Wii version is slightly better than the PS2 version, but it lacks the cool lighting and visual effects found in the Xbox 360 version. However, the Wii version does not suffer from the frame rate issues and tearing that plague the Xbox 360 version.

Wii Controls

The Wii version utilizes motion controls for actions such as throwing punches, which are performed by thrusting the Nunchuk and Wii Remote forward. Some players found these controls to be insensitive and requiring excessive movement. Some players found throwing punches with the Wii version is done simply by thrusting the Nunchuck and Wiimote forward, but successfully throwing "punches" literally requires them to lurch their arms forward at high speed.

Xbox 360 Performance Issues and Potential Causes

Reports of frame rate issues and lock-ups on the Xbox 360 version have raised concerns among players. Some speculate that the port was outsourced, leading to a lower quality product. Rockstar addressed these concerns, stating that they were unaware of the issues during QA and were working to rectify the situation.

Hardware Differences

The performance issues on the Xbox 360 version may be related to hardware differences between older and newer models. Older Xbox 360 units had different CPUs and board revisions, which could contribute to the problems. It's possible that the game's code exposed some small and obscure difference in the hardware.

Rockstar's Response

Rockstar expressed their commitment to fixing the issues with the Xbox 360 version. They stated that they never experienced any of these problems during quality assurance testing, either in their offices or at Microsoft.

Read also: Bullworth Academy Revisited

tags: #xbox #360 #bully #scholarship #edition #differences