Ways Rockstar’s Bully Is Really A Yakuza Game
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Highlights
- Bully shares similarities with the Yakuza series, as both games focus on gangs and their conflicts for control of their territories.
- Unlike Grand Theft Auto, Bully’s protagonist fights mainly with his fists, similar to the approach taken by Kazuma Kiryu in Yakuza. The combat systems in Bully are more involved and upgradeable.
- Bully and Yakuza offer smaller, more densely packed worlds compared to other Rockstar games, providing a greater sense of activity and engagement for players. Both games focus on open neighborhoods rather than vast open worlds.
Bully has occupied an odd place in Rockstar‘s catalog. The boarding school setting has caused gamers to pass it off as “Grand Theft Auto with kids.” That’s an oversimplification, especially since it’s more similar to another series.
The game is actually akin to Yakuza. Also known as Like a Dragon, this series centers on the eponymous Japanese gangsters as they vie for control of their cities while trying to maintain some sense of honor. The franchise boasts several quirks and tropes which distinguish it from its peers, carefully honing these traits over numerous entries. These aspects are what make Bully ring familiar. Whether intentional or not, it mirrors many patterns which Yakuza fans have come to know and love.
4 Fall Back On Fisticuffs
Here’s the most noticeable difference in Rockstar properties. GTA battles mainly boil down to gunfights. Bully‘s protagonist–Jimmy Hopkins–has a handful of projectiles, but he mostly fights with his fists. He uses various melee combos to beat the snot out of anyone who crosses him. It’s the same approach that Kazuma Kiryu takes in every Yakuza game. Both IPs have no shortage of thugs willing to put those pugilistic skills to the test. Granted, Bully‘s gameplay is a lot clunkier than its Japanese peer, but it’s still more involved than any melee in GTA. That’s more apparent in how players upgrade these systems.
To learn more combos and takedowns, both Jimmy and Kiryu seek instruction from seasoned teachers. These lessons often come as rewards for reaching a certain skill level or fetching some rare item. While Kiryu learns from wise martial arts masters and muscles-for-hire, Jimmy gets his techniques from an overzealous gym teacher and a drunken war vet. Hey, if it works, it works.
3 It’s A Small World
Many fans associate Rockstar games with huge open worlds. Players lose themselves in the sprawling cities of GTA and the desert countryside of Red Dead Redemption. Like Ubisoft titles, though, these sandboxes are sometimes too big. They don’t always have enough substance to fill the space, so players spend most of the time driving from one mission to the next.
Bully is a breath of fresh air in that respect. Bullworth Academy and the surrounding town may be a decent size, but they’re downright tiny compared to Liberty City or Los Santos. Jimmy can run from one end to the other in a few minutes. Such a humble approach is one that Yakuza fans know too well.
These titles are less “open world” and more “open neighborhood.” The sandboxes consist of a few blocks within Tokyo or Osaka, meaning all locations are within walking distance. The largest of these is Yokohama in Yakuza: Like a Dragon (or Yakuza 7) and Kyo in Like a Dragon: Ishin, but even these are less than a mile in any direction. As a result, the developers can pack them more densely with activities and side missions. Players rarely go five feet without stumbling on something new. Bully has the same advantage, making Bullworth an infectiously lively place.
2 Gang Warfare
It goes without saying that Yakuza involves the exploits of its titular crooks. Indeed, much of the series deals with the various clans and families as they not only manage their territories but also expand into others. These factions frequently sweep the heroes up in their conflict, making these unassuming individuals into pivotal parts of their hostile takeovers. The same fate befalls Jimmy in Bully.
This game derives its gangs from cliques and stereotypes. The nerds, preps, greasers, and jocks all have their territories, and Hopkins becomes well-acquainted with each during the semester. His actions may garner more respect among some while increasing hostility from others. It’s a complex socio-political landscape, and it all unfolds in this trashy boarding school. Ironically, the game is also more involved than its big brother in this way.
GTA features several gangs, but these are mostly plot devices. They exist to assign busy work to the unlucky protagonists. Rarely do players see a bigger picture of these offensives, partly because the crews in question are never as defined as those in Bully or Yakuza. Who knew that schoolyard brawls could have more depth than mob wars?
1 Useful Side Stuff
Standard in any open world are activities and pastimes. Grand Theft Auto has these in spades. Players can indulge in tennis, golf, marathons, and other entertainment. The downside is that they get little to nothing for partaking in these events. Sure, they may increase their fitness level or earn some extra cash, but these scraps are practically unnoticeable. Because of that, these minigames have no point aside from thirty seconds of amusement.
Thankfully, Yakuza provides that point. The Japanese series uses these activities to strengthen its characters. The titles keep track of when players eat at restaurants, play arcade games, go the gym, and do pretty much anything. Certain ones yield experience points to unlock new moves or boost stats. Alternatively, they might go toward Completion Points, which can be used to purchase bonus items. Finally, they can improve the heroes’ bond with party members or allies. In short, Yakuza ensures its side stuff means something.
Bully follows a similar line of thinking. The myriad of minigames (or classes) boosts Jimmy’s arsenal and his ability to navigate different social circles. Acing Chemistry gives him firecrackers, stink bombs, and other combat tools. Passing English makes him more persuasive when taunting, threatening, or apologizing. Doing well in Shop class unlocks better bikes for quick transport. Faction challenges like preppie boxing unlock their respective hideouts, securing more places to sleep and save progress. These are just a few examples. None of them are essential, but they make the game significantly easier and more engaging, providing excellent motivators to dig deeper.
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