Canis Canem Edit review

It comes as a relief to see Canis Canem Edit (or Bully, as the faithful refer to it) on shop shelves after a much-publicised media witch-hunt. Like Manhunt and Grand Theft Auto before it, this Rockstar release has courted unhealthy publicity. Whilst attracting the spotlight, such releases prove to be critical successes, providing challenging new experiences. Now that the school term is back, how does Canis Canem Edit shape up?The playground is an untapped resource for video games. Ever since the classic Skool Daze, the stink bombs and catapults have remained tucked away, and the blackboards (or is that whiteboards?) scrubbed clean of insults. The return to this rich environment is long overdue, although current times bring more mischief and violence. You fill the shoes of Jimmy Hopkins, a serial troublemaker booted from several schools and on his last chance at Bullworth Academy. Jimmy (a Prince Harry look-alike) is very much a product of today's society - brought up by a mother who does not care much for her child - and left to fend for himself. Your arrival starts the termination of the status quo, where bullies rule the playground and pupils fear to tread outside the classroom. Everything is about to change.Those expecting a worthwhile successor Back 2 Skool or Skool Daze will be disappointed, as Bully is a product of the American continent. This should come as no surprise as the title was developed in Canada and unfairly tagged as the new bright hope of all Skool Daze fans. Instead what we receive is a clean-cut adventure that arguably could have slotted nicely into any US teen series. The generic gangs are represented with Jocks, Geeks and other types forming the various factions that stand in your way. Throw in some unhealthy classmates, fascist prefects and stereotypical teachers and you have an entertaining if inoffensive production.Previous Rockstar successes have managed to cater for all sorts of player by offering a variety of challenges and options to customise their game play. Bully lacks the variable challenges, as everything is a little too easy and relies more on luck than skill. Even picking locks is reduced to simply rotating the analogue stick and nothing more. Sam Fisher certainly didn't attend Bullworth Academy, as the sentry patterns taken by prefects are easily overcome.Classes are nothing more than a Gitaroo Man exercise in button co-ordination - an approach that distracts from onscreen events - but even at the highest level lack the finesse of Koei's classic. Other subjects throw in a mini-game or test of grammar, but the overall limitation persists. The school corridors and surrounding areas may seem available for improvisation, but the classroom remains firmly shut to any potential vandalism or thuggery whilst teachers deliver their monotone lecture. Deservedly, this can be classified as a missed opportunity.So while the classroom is firmly out of bounds to any mischief, other areas are spread across the sizeable game map. This private school fails to offer the opportunities you would expect given its virtual size. Progress is made through completing missions and fitting these into the school timetable; apart from searching the map for hidden rubber bands, playing truant or starting fights, there is little else to do in-between the early stages. The balance between scripture and freedom has been compromised in Bully; everything is a little safe and even the gay kissing thing seems more like a glitch than a real inclusion. Sneaking into the girl's dorm (or gym showers) brings no visual rewards - in fact the girls never seem to sleep. Though it should be said this adventure is a welcome break from urban culture and offers novelty as opposed to excellent gaming. Some memorable missions do resolve matters, but be warned, these are few hours into the game after overcoming the curriculum. Matters do thankfully take an upturn once the first chapter is completed, but for some players, that will be too long.Bully's most negative technical aspect is the in-game camera, which lags behind action and just cannot cope with corridors or quick changes of direction. As you spend some time avoiding prefects and running around school, cycling or skateboarding, it only makes matters worse and is demanding on the right analogue stick (to manually adjust the camera). Overall, Bullworth is well put together and does bring back memories of schooling life. The presentation, soundtrack and voice acting are all of a reasonable standard.In summing up Canis Canem Edit in a school report style, Gamestyle's verdict is obvious: good, but can do much better if more effort is displayed. It stands as a missed opportunity that, in the hands of Rockstar North, would have been realised to its full potential.