It’s still fascinating to me to note just how much of Bully’s DNA is in Red Dead 2, with its systems of character interaction, NPC schedules, a home base that changes, etc. I was really taken by its systems and mechanics, but much less so by its story. I recall being surprised at how many of the missions in Red Dead 2 don’t necessarily carry a forward narrative momentum, but unlike in that game where missions fleshed out characters and added texture to the world, here just about everything feels of little consequence outside of raising your rep with the cliques. Bully’s narrative also carries a crassness that I assume Rockstar was known for in its PS2 days, but it’s unfortunately not the kind of crassness that challenges the audience in any meaningful way, just the kind going for cheap jokes. Not dissimilar to the Like A Dragon series, Bully’s strength lies in its comparatively small but rich map, full of little details and modes of interaction. I know Bully 2 probably won’t ever happen but the thought of RDR2 level polish and detail applied to Bully’s winning premise of GTA style gameplay applied to low stakes teen shenanigans is something that will always excite me. I mean just imagine the current gen equivalent of Jimmy’s room & trophies…