2000s nostalgia meets schoolyard chaos in Agefield High

Agefield High: Rock the School wears its inspiration proudly. From the school setting and class schedule to fist fights, bikes, troublemaking and an explorable town, it is almost impossible to look at the game without thinking about Rockstar's Bully. And honestly, that is a big part of why so many players were interested in it before launch.

There is still a clear appetite for a modern game built around the same idea as Bully. Rockstar's schoolyard classic released nearly 20 years ago, and fans have spent years asking for Bully 2. Agefield High looked like it might finally scratch that itch, with more than 175,000 Steam wishlists before release showing that plenty of players were willing to give this indie alternative a chance.

However, the developers at Refugium Games were also pretty open about what players should expect. Before launch, they warned that Agefield High was made by a small team and should not be treated like a huge AAA sandbox, deep RPG or massive open-world experience packed with endless activities. That warning now feels especially important.

A fun idea that still needs some homework

The launch has been rough. Players have reported bugs, crashes, performance problems, stiff combat and an open world that can sometimes feel a little too empty. Classes and activities are also fairly simple, while some missions lack the polish you might expect from a bigger production. In short, Agefield High currently feels like a game that probably needed a little more time before graduation day.

That does not mean everyone is having a bad time, though. There are still players enjoying its goofy atmosphere, early-2000s style and teen-comedy energy. For anyone who grew up with pop-punk, ridiculous school movies and Bully, there is definitely some charm here. 

Right now, Agefield High: Rock the School does not completely fill the giant Bully 2-shaped hole in gaming. The concept is absolutely there, but the execution still feels unfinished in several areas.

Still curious? If you really want to see what Agefield High is all about and you do not mind dealing with a few bugs and rough edges, make sure to use our price comparison tool to find the best prices for Agefield High: Rock the School before heading back to class.