Games Like Bully: Scholarship Edition

Grab a backpack, boxing tape, and focus on what high school is all about: Beating the ever loving crap out of one another! Troublemaker blends favorite action-adventure-beat-'em-up elements from the strongest traditions in the genre.

Why similar: Third Person 25.6%, Sandbox 17.3%, Adventure 16.7%, Funny 15.9%, Action 9.6%

Why You'll Like It: It trades Bullworth for an Indonesian high school, but the student factions, campus setting, and scrappy teenage brawling make it the closest modern match to Bully.

Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas: It’s the early ’90s. After a couple of cops frame him for homicide, Carl ‘CJ’ Johnson is forced on a journey that takes him across the entire state of San Andreas, to save his family and to take control of the streets.

Why similar: Open World 46.9%, Classic 16.2% ★, Third Person 13%, Action 8.4%, Adventure 5.5%

Why You'll Like It: It shares Bully’s Rockstar mission design, open-world structure, irreverent humor, and variety of side activities, just on a much bigger and more criminal scale.

From the perilous battlefields of the fourth-grade playground, a young hero will rise, destined to be South Park’s savior. From the creators of South Park, Trey Parker and Matt Stone, comes an epic quest to become… cool. Introducing South Park™: The Stick of Truth™.For a thousand years, the battle has been waged.

Why similar: Comedy 31.5%, Dark Humor 16.4%, Funny 12.1%, Satire 11.8% ★, Open World 9.8%

Why You'll Like It: Its crude school-kid humor, social clique satire, and small-stakes adolescent perspective feel very close to Bully’s comedic tone.

In this action-adventure thriller, detective Takayuki Yagami goes undercover to unravel a string of twisted crimes at a high school in Yokohama, Japan. Crack the case and some skulls with brutal combat featuring three unique fighting styles and an arsenal of private eye tricks.

Why similar: Third Person 44.6%, Action 22.8%, Adventure 21%, Beat 'em up 9.6%, RPG 1.9%

Why You'll Like It: Its school-club storylines, teen social drama, minigames, and third-person brawling capture a lot of Bully’s mix of youth culture and sandbox activities.

Saints Row 2 brings true freedom to open-world gaming. Players can play as who they want, how they want, and with whomever they want in this sequel to the much acclaimed and tremendously successful Saints Row.

Why similar: Open World 48%, Comedy 11.5%, Sandbox 8.7%, Third Person 8.4%, Great Soundtrack 7.8%

Why You'll Like It: Like Bully, it excels at making a sandbox feel toy-like and mischievous, with lots of side activities and a strong sense of anarchic fun.

Niko Bellic, Johnny Klebitz and Luis Lopez all have one thing in common - they live in the worst city in America. Liberty City worships money and status, and is heaven for those who have them and a living nightmare for those who don't.

Why similar: Open World 43.6%, Classic 10.7% ★, Third Person 10.5%, Action 6.9%, Satire 5.7% ★

Why You'll Like It: It lacks the school setting, but it shares Bully’s Rockstar DNA in mission flow, open-world immersion, social satire, and character-driven storytelling.

Hustle your way across ‘90s America as a runaway teen con artist. Choose how to make your scratch as you don disguises, pick pockets, and rip people off in this comedic crime-filled adventure. Experience the totally rad '90s in all its plaid and payphone glory!

Why similar: Comedy 41.6%, Funny 22.2%, Story Rich 11.8%, Adventure 11.7%, Singleplayer 6.5%

Why You'll Like It: This is another coming-of-age game built around adolescent mischief, sneaking, light scams, and a playful rebellious tone.

Combining quirky missions and mysterious conspiracies, Psychonauts 2 is a platform-adventure game with cinematic style and tons of customizable psychic powers.

Why similar: Comedy 24%, Great Soundtrack 19.7%, Third Person 15.1%, Funny 12.2%, Story Rich 9.6%

Why You'll Like It: Its offbeat humor, young protagonist, quirky authority figures, and colorful third-person adventuring hit a similar funny-yet-awkward youthful vibe.

The Definitive Edition of the critically acclaimed, award winning open-world action adventure, reworked, rebuilt and re-mastered for the new generation. With all previously available DLC included and a wealth of tech and visual improvements, Hong Kong has never felt so alive.

Why similar: Open World 53.4%, Third Person 12.6%, Action 8.1%, Great Soundtrack 7.2%, Story Rich 4.5%

Why You'll Like It: Its melee-heavy open-world action and focus on running around a lived-in city doing story missions and side errands echo Bully’s boots-on-the-ground feel.

From the creators of South Park, Trey Parker and Matt Stone, comes South Park: The Fractured But Whole, a sequel to 2014's award-winning South Park: The Stick of Truth.

Why similar: Dark Humor 20.6%, Comedy 20.3%, Open World 17.1%, Satire 12.3% ★, Funny 10.2%

Why You'll Like It: It captures the same sense of kids taking themselves absurdly seriously, with neighborhood factions and a lot of juvenile comedy.

A Psychic Odyssey Through the Minds of Misfits, Monsters, and Madmen. This classic action/adventure platformer from acclaimed developers Double Fine Productions follows the story of a young psychic named Razputin.

Why similar: Comedy 24.6%, Classic 24% ★, Third Person 12.3%, Great Soundtrack 9.5%, Funny 8.7%

Why You'll Like It: Between the young outsider hero, camp/school atmosphere, weird authority figures, and comedic third-person action, it scratches a lot of the same itches as Bully.

Get ready for the most out-landish gameplay scenarios ever seen as the Third Street Saints take on the Syndicate!

Why similar: Open World 40.7%, Comedy 15.6%, Great Soundtrack 8.3%, Third Person 8%, Action 6.8%

Why You'll Like It: This leans more absurd than Bully, but it delivers a similarly playful sandbox full of chaos, humor, and memorable side activities.

Sunset Overdrive transforms an open-world apocalypse into your tactical playground. Zip, grind and wall-run across Sunset City with an unconventional arsenal. Hyper-agility, unique weapons, and customizable abilities deliver an explosive and irreverent adventure in the end times.

Why similar: Open World 40.6%, Comedy 13.2%, Great Soundtrack 11.8%, Funny 9%, Action 8.1%

Why You'll Like It: It has the same energetic, anti-authority attitude and a strong emphasis on movement, style, and comedic sandbox mayhem.

Welcome to the 1980s. From the decade of big hair and pastel suits comes the story of one man's rise to the top of the criminal pile. Grand Theft Auto returns with Tommy Vercetti’s tale of betrayal and revenge in a neon-soaked tropical town full of excess and brimming with possibilities.

Why similar: Open World 43.8%, Third Person 15.7%, Classic 11.5% ★, Action 9%, Adventure 6.7%

Why You'll Like It: It shares the same Rockstar open-world pacing and mission structure, even if its tone is more cool-crime fantasy than school comedy.

Live a week in the life of "The POSTAL Dude"; a hapless everyman just trying to check off some chores. Buying milk, returning an overdue library book, getting Gary Coleman's autograph, what could possibly go wrong?

Why similar: Open World 23%, Dark Humor 13.7%, Classic 13.1% ★, Comedy 11.9%, Third Person 9.9%

Why You'll Like It: It captures the darkly comic, errands-gone-wrong side of Bully, though it is much cruder and more extreme.

Unwind a 10 billion yen conspiracy in Tokyo's red-light district, fueled by your fists and unyielding resolve that will make you a legend.

Why similar: Open World 37.3%, Action 16.3%, Adventure 13.7%, Comedy 8.8%, Funny 7.2%

Why You'll Like It: Its hand-to-hand combat, city-district exploration, and mix of serious story with bizarre side content line up well with Bully’s tonal swings.

Experience the story of former outlaw John Marston as he tracks down the last remaining members of the notorious Van der Linde Gang in the PC debut of the critically acclaimed predecessor to Red Dead Redemption 2.

Why similar: Open World 42.5%, Classic 14.5% ★, Great Soundtrack 13.3%, Third Person 7.8%, Story Rich 6.9%

Why You'll Like It: It shares Bully’s Rockstar craftsmanship in mission design, world activities, and characterful sandbox storytelling, just in a western setting.

Play as Trane, a "toy" graffiti artist with the street smarts, athletic prowess and vision to become an "All City King" - the most reputable of all graffiti artists. Along your quest, uncover the mayor's deep, dark secret and use your fighting talents and high-wire graffiti to expose the city's leader as a corrupt...

Why similar: Classic 33.1% ★, Great Soundtrack 26.9%, Third Person 12.9%, Action 10.5%, Adventure 9.9%

Why You'll Like It: Its rebellious youth-culture focus, urban faction tension, and soundtrack-driven style make it a strong thematic match for Bully’s anti-establishment attitude.

SEGA®’s most requested re-release of all time finally comes to a new generation. Shenmue delivers an epic story of revenge within a unique open world that is still unrivalled in depth and detail. Return to the epic saga that defined modern gaming. The saga begins…again.

Why similar: Open World 30.2%, Classic 29.9% ★, Great Soundtrack 14.6%, Adventure 6.4%, Story Rich 5.2%

Why You'll Like It: Its small-scale open-world routine, teen-protagonist perspective, and focus on daily life give it some of the same grounded coming-of-age appeal.

It all starts in Liberty City. With revolutionary freedom to go anywhere and jack anyone, Grand Theft Auto III puts the center of the criminal underworld at your fingertips, if you have enough guts to take it.

Why similar: Open World 49%, Third Person 19.4%, Classic 10.9% ★, Action 10.7%, Adventure 7.9%

Why You'll Like It: It is a more stripped-down and harsher version of the Rockstar sandbox formula that Bully later made more playful and characterful.

Crypto is back with a license to probe. The alien invader returns, groovier than ever. Experience the swinging ‘60s in all its chemical-induced glory and take revenge on the KGB for blowing up your mothership. You’ll have to form alliances with members of the very species you came to enslave.

Why similar: Open World 26.5%, Comedy 21.7%, Dark Humor 18.1%, Third Person 17.1%, Action 8%

Why You'll Like It: Its irreverent humor, open-area chaos, and emphasis on causing trouble for fun make it a good fit for players who liked Bully’s prankster streak.

A coming of age story that sets the protagonist and his friends on a journey kickstarted by a chain of serial murders.

Why similar: Great Soundtrack 70.3%, Story Rich 15.6%, Adventure 5.8%, Singleplayer 5.6%, RPG 2.7%

Why You'll Like It: While it is a JRPG instead of an action sandbox, its school calendar, friendships, cliques, and teenage social life strongly overlap with Bully’s themes.

Brütal Legend is an action-adventure that marries visceral action combat with open-world freedom. Set in a universe somewhere between Lord of the Rings and Spinal Tap, it’s a fresh take on the action/driving genre, which in this case is full of imitation cover bands, demons intent on enslaving humanity and Heavy metal tunes.

Why similar: Open World 28.6%, Great Soundtrack 22.8%, Comedy 17.8%, Third Person 9.3%, Action 8%

Why You'll Like It: Its combination of comedy, open-world exploration, and strong soundtrack gives it some of the same offbeat charm Bully fans often enjoy.

Fight your way to the top in this HD remaster of everyone's favorite assassin action game! As all-American otaku Travis Touchdown, use your trusty beam katana to hack-and-slash though the competition and claim the title of world's #1 assassin!

Why similar: Comedy 29.2%, Great Soundtrack 22.4%, Action 15.4%, Third Person 14.2%, Open World 11.8%

Why You'll Like It: Its punky irreverence, oddball humor, and third-person action in a free-roaming town feel like a weirder cousin to Bully’s rebellious energy.

Pilgor's baaack! Gather your herd and venture forth into Goat Simulator 3; an all-new (at least on Steam), totally realistic, sandbox farmyard experience. Invite up to three friends in local or online co-op, create carnage as a team, or compete in mini-games and then not be friends anymore.

Why similar: Open World 42.9%, Comedy 17.8%, Sandbox 15.4%, Exploration 5.8%, Adventure 5.4%

Why You'll Like It: If your favorite part of Bully was just being a menace in a sandbox, this doubles down on prankish chaos and juvenile humor.

War hero Vito Scaletta becomes entangled with the mob in hopes of paying his father’s debts. Vito works to prove himself, climbing the family ladder with crimes of larger reward and consequence.

Why similar: Open World 35.4%, Classic 11.4% ★, Action 11.3%, Third Person 11.2%, Adventure 9.9%

Why You'll Like It: It offers a more serious spin on story-led open-world progression, but its third-person mission structure and immersive city design still connect back to Bully’s roots.

Terry wants to launch himself into space using his new car. Doing something this cool and reckless will surely make him the talk of the town. Run, drive and glide through this small journey of big discoveries as Terry works towards achieving this goal.

Why similar: Open World 56.7%, Funny 18.6%, Adventure 11.2%, Exploration 7.5%, Singleplayer 4.5%

Why You'll Like It: Its small open world, oddball comedy, and aimless youthful troublemaking capture some of Bully’s lighter, more playful spirit.

Dive into an adrenaline-fuelled free-roaming adventure with 400 square miles of rugged terrain and hundreds of weapons and vehicles.

Why similar: Open World 51.3%, Third Person 13.1%, Sandbox 9.2%, Action 8.6%, Adventure 4.6%

Why You'll Like It: It is much more explosive than Bully, but the freeform open-world experimentation and mission-driven chaos make it a solid sandbox alternative.

Shenmue III sees the eagerly anticipated continuation of the epic story-driven saga. Take control of Ryo Hazuki, a teenage martial artist, determined to unravel the mystery behind his father's murder and to exact revenge on the killer.

Why similar: Open World 44.4%, Action 17.9%, Adventure 17.3%, Third Person 9.1%, Story Rich 6.2%

Why You'll Like It: Its slower slice-of-life structure and focus on wandering a detailed world doing small tasks will appeal to players who liked Bully’s routine-driven side content.

Relive your school days in 3D, where old school graphics bring back timeless fun! Create your own star student and attend a schedule full of classes in time to gather the knowledge you need to thrive, while an equally important popularity contest challenges you survive...

Why similar: Open World 52.3%, Dark Humor 24%, Adventure 9.5%, Action 7.5%, Multiplayer 3.3%

In his fight to climb the ranks and do what's right, LAPD detective Cole Phelps must unravel the truth behind a string of arson attacks, conspiracies, and brutal murders, battling the L.A. underworld and even members of his own department.

Why similar: Open World 52.9%, Third Person 16.3%, Adventure 8.8%, Story Rich 7.8%, Action 5.4%

An open world school game, you can bully your classmates, collect protection fees, go to the supermarket to make zero-dollar purchases, or even blow up the school. Of course, you can also study hard and exchange ideas with your classmates.

Why similar: Open World 44.9%, Dark Humor 15.9%, Funny 11.8%, Sandbox 11.4%, Story Rich 6.9%

Hogwarts Legacy is an immersive, open-world action RPG. Now you can take control of the action and be at the center of your own adventure in the wizarding world.

Why similar: Open World 48.9%, Third Person 12.5%, Great Soundtrack 9.4%, Adventure 8.2%, Story Rich 5%

You play a fat kid in school who everyone picks on. Get even with the bullies by beating them up! But be careful not to become one yourself! This story-based comic book style Beat-Em-Up Brawler features Progressive Skill Mastering, 4 Difficulty Settings and tons of stuff to smash!

Why similar: Great Soundtrack 34.4%, Comedy 23.4%, Action 15.9%, Funny 12.8%, Story Rich 8%

Your world...Your rules!

Why similar: Open World 45.3%, Classic 15.1% ★, Third Person 11.7%, Action 9.9%, Sandbox 6.7%

It’s 1930. After an inadvertent brush with the mafia, cabdriver Tommy Angelo is reluctantly thrust into the world of organized crime. Initially, he is uneasy about falling in with the Salieri family, but soon the rewards become too big to ignore.

Why similar: Classic 31.1% ★, Open World 27.1%, Great Soundtrack 13.5%, Third Person 8.6%, Action 6.1%

Vito Scaletta has started to make a name for himself on the streets of Empire Bay as someone who can be trusted to get a job done. Together with his buddy Joe, he is working to prove himself to the Mafia, quickly escalating up the family ladder with crimes of larger reward, status and consequence… the life as a wise guy isn’t quite as...

Why similar: Open World 36.4%, Classic 15.3% ★, Great Soundtrack 12.6%, Third Person 9.6%, Action 9.4%

Each person you aid, each flower you crush, and each creature you slay will change this world forever. Fable: Who will you be?

Why similar: Classic 24.5% ★, Open World 18.8%, Third Person 13.7%, Great Soundtrack 10.9%, Adventure 8.2%

POSTAL 4: No Regerts is a satirical and outrageous comedic open world first person shooter and the long-awaited true sequel to what’s been fondly dubbed as "The Worst Game Ever™", POSTAL 2!

Why similar: Open World 26.5%, Dark Humor 14.8%, Comedy 13.5%, Third Person 12.4%, Sandbox 8.8%

You awake to the sound of your own panicked breath. In Manhunt, you must run, hide and fight to survive. If you can stay alive long enough, you may find out who did this to you. This is a brutal blood sport.

Why similar: Classic 38.5% ★, Great Soundtrack 21.7%, Third Person 15.2%, Action 14.1%, Atmospheric 5.4%

An inadvertent brush with the mob thrusts cabdriver Tommy Angelo into the world of organized crime. Initially uneasy about falling in with the Salieri family, the rewards become too big to ignore.

Why similar: Open World 39.3%, Classic 18.2% ★, Third Person 8.6%, Great Soundtrack 7.9%, Action 7.2%

Experience the insane antics of Saints Row IV. The Saints have gone from the Penthouse to the White House - but Earth has been invaded and it’s up to you to save it with an arsenal of superpowers and strange weapons, in the wildest open world game ever.

Why similar: Open World 40.7%, Comedy 16.9%, Third Person 7.6%, Great Soundtrack 6.9%, Action 6.9%

After Lincoln Clay's surrogate family, the black mob, is betrayed and killed by the Italian Mafia, Lincoln builds a new family and blazes a path of revenge through the Mafioso responsible.

Why similar: Open World 38.9%, Great Soundtrack 14.9%, Third Person 11.6%, Classic 11.4% ★, Action 6.8%

Bum Simulator is a sandbox game bursting with inappropriate humor and memorable characters. You live on the streets of Bumsville. Do you have what it takes to adapt, survive and become an urban legend?

Why similar: Open World 36.4%, Comedy 11.4%, Funny 11.2%, Adventure 10.3%, Sandbox 10%

The cult-classic returns! Terrorize the people of 1950's Earth in the role of the evil alien Crypto-137. Harvest their DNA and bring down the US government in the faithful remake of the legendary alien invasion action adventure. Annihilate puny humans using an assortment of alien weaponry and psychic abilities.

Why similar: Open World 25.3%, Classic 13% ★, Comedy 10.9%, Action 10.9%, Third Person 9.1%

Arthur Morgan and the Van der Linde Gang are outlaws on the run. With federal agents and bounty hunters massing on their heels, the gang must rob, steal, and fight their way across the rugged heartland in order to survive.

Why similar: Open World 47%, Great Soundtrack 13.5%, Third Person 7.8%, Story Rich 7%, Adventure 6.2%

A game in which you have to go from an insignificant person to the king of the world

Why similar: Open World 33.9%, Dark Humor 18.9%, Comedy 16.1%, Funny 10.9%, Adventure 5.1%

OPEN-WORLD carjacking goes back to the '80s in this 8-BIT nostalgic throwback. Run missions! Outrun the law! Rampage the city with weapons, power-ups and vehicles!

Why similar: Open World 42%, Satire 14.9% ★, Comedy 10.9%, Action 8.5%, Great Soundtrack 8.2%

The Full Package, Remastered – With enhanced graphics, improved lighting, reworked environments, and visual effects, Steelport and The Third Street Saints have never looked so good.

Why similar: Open World 27.5%, Comedy 13.7%, Satire 11.7% ★, Dark Humor 10.9%, Third Person 10.7%

Experience entertainment blockbusters Grand Theft Auto V and Grand Theft Auto Online — now upgraded for a new generation with stunning visuals, faster loading, 3D audio, and more, plus exclusive content for GTA Online players.

Why similar: Open World 48.6%, Third Person 13.4%, Comedy 8.1%, Action 7.7%, Sandbox 6.6%

This time, mom will not be called to school! Feel like a school bully and piss off the teacher! Use different items and do stuff in the classroom. Careful - the teacher is very vigilant!

Why similar: Funny 29.3%, Exploration 22.5%, Singleplayer 15.6%, Simulation 14.1%, Action 10.2%

Good or Insane? The choice is yours. Following the Apocalyptic end to the Postal Dude’s week in Paradise, we follow him and his insane pitbull Champ as they emigrate to its appropriately named sister city, Catharsis.

Why similar: Open World 24.5%, Dark Humor 20.5%, Third Person 11.4%, Comedy 10.7%, Action 9%

Goat Simulator is the latest in high-tech Goat Simulation technology.

Why similar: Open World 34.7%, Comedy 19.9%, Funny 14%, Sandbox 10.7%, Third Person 5.6%

Step into Japan's criminal underworld in this explosive action brawler starring legendary yakuza, Kazuma Kiryu, who is hellbent on unraveling the truth around his daughter's tragic accident.

Why similar: Open World 33.3%, Comedy 11.6%, Third Person 11%, Action 10.5%, Great Soundtrack 10.4%

Mr. Sleepy Man is up way past his bedtime and out of control! Make a mess of everything you find and turn Bedtime Town against you! This sandbox adventure is filled with comical hijinks, outrageous characters, and platforming action!

Why similar: Open World 27%, Comedy 21%, Third Person 14.3%, Sandbox 13.2%, Adventure 8%

Are you ready, kids? The cult classic is back, faithfully remade in spongetastic splendor! Play as SpongeBob, Patrick and Sandy and show the evil Plankton that crime pays even less than Mr. Krabs.

Why similar: Classic 26.7% ★, Great Soundtrack 16.9%, Open World 15.6%, Comedy 9.8%, Adventure 8.3%