Shank returns to consoles and PC in a new side-scrolling adventure. Although the original game was met with minor criticisms, the sequel vows to overcome those obstacles and deliver the perfect side-scrolling bloodbath.
Shank 2 builds on the original, keeping much of the same gameplay mechanics that the first one created, while tweaking what did not work in the original. Shank 2 does exactly what a sequel should do; keeps what works and alters what doesn’t.
Everything about Shank 2 is now designed to be more intuitive of what you want to accomplish and keep you constantly moving, attacking, decapitating and destroying. Dodging attacks are now a simple push of the analog stick; while counters, health and attacks are all separate buttons from each other. Something that the original Shank had a problem with.
The animation for kills, pouncing and finishing off enemies is just as ravenous, but more effortless, than before. In fact, it’s even faster and more satisfying. The developers added an “exclamation point” indicator for counter-attacks that let you instantly take down enemies. This allows the developers to come at you with more enemies at the same time. Switching between faster-slices and brutal melee-attacks are now easier, and allows you take on more enemies and perform better combos. All of these attacks are met with terrific animation and unique kills that gave me an excellent sense of brutality and rage. Although all of the gameplay mechanics are easier to control, Shank 2 is not easier than it’s predecessor in the combat department. Enemies are more diverse, with better attacks and weaponry. This allows a greater challenge for the player and ultimately a better game.
The loadouts in Shank 2 are an important component. As you progress you unlock new weapons and new gear. The levels are designed so that you may have to forgo your favorite revolver for something with a bit more blunt force. This forces the player to choose their loadouts carefully and alter their gameplay style in accordance to the level.
The boss battles in Shank 2 are enjoyable albeit challenging. How challenging of course depends on your level of difficulty. They are classic in nature, with a combination of timed attacks and counters, and identifying your enemies weakness.
Although the game is filled with men being buzzed in-half, decapitated with meat cleavers and contains scenes of a grown man hitting birds with a baseball bat; it’s somehow more realistic than the original. This is due to the change in setting. The first game was almost a parody of every spaghetti-western shot in Mexico. It contained, Mexican-wrestlers, bandolier wearing enemies and flashy strippers. Shank 2 is more of a militaristic environment, where people are being oppressed and guards and combatants are armed and designed after more a “modern-day” situation. This does not mean that Shank 2 is any less “over-the-top” than the original. The character-styling of the bosses and some of the gangs are just as absurd as Shank 1, but the theme fits better in the sequel.
Co-op in the game is less inspired then the campaign mode but offers gamers a “Shank” experience that they can enjoy with their friends. Survival Mode is fast-paced and requires a lot of coordination with your teammate to accomplish. You must defend supply crates from bombers and gangs, while building defense units and traps in order to survive. The small space and large waves of attackers make it quite challenging and you will have to use some pretty savvy-combos in order to stay alive.
You unlock some great defensive gear for killing enemies though such as; decoy units and turrets, while setting traps is a satisfying way to take down larger attackers.
Shank 2 is an incredible improvement over the original, just as the developers set out to do. It kept everything that worked in the original game and tweaked what didn’t, so that it would provide a fast-paced, killfest for the player.
The review score is in comparison to other games of its kind and launch price-point.
SHANK 2: (PS3, XBOX 360 AND PC) 9.0