With its intense violence, bloody betrayal of former criminal associates, and edgy storytelling, Shank almost feels like a new Kill Bill flick. But this gory revenge tale makes its own name through brutal, satisfying action that continually offers thrilling new ways to settle scores.
Klei’s sidescroller deftly transfers the feeling of playing a diverse, multi-weapon 3D action game like Devil May Cry or Bayonetta into a 2D aesthetic, letting you quickly segue between firearms, blade weapons, and other gruesome attacks. The action and animation are incredibly fluid: you can unleash chain-saw fury on a close opponent, quickly blast a few shotgun rounds in the opposite direction, and then grab the nearest foe and shove a grenade in his mouth — all without delay or hesitation. And it’s as awesome as it sounds.
And it’s beautiful, too, with hand-drawn 2D animation. Shank and his prey look fantastic in high-definition, and the game delivers stellar environments and inventive artistic effects, such as watching silhouettes battle it out before a massive neon sign.
Shank hangs on to all the weapons he finds (aside from those dropped by enemies), so by game’s end, you can wield anything from a chainsaw to massive twin blades. But while the game is centered mainly around the blissful delivery of over-the-top violence, it also works in great platforming opportunities, like swinging from mounted skulls or running sideways along billboards, Mirror’s Edge–style.
While the single-player campaign details Shank’s quest for vengeance, it’s one piece of a larger puzzle. Rounding out the experience is a second campaign, which lets you team up with a local buddy in several prequel missions. The co-op campaign’s tougher, but whether you’re grappling foes in tandem or standing back-to-back mowing down attackers, it’s full of pulse-pounding camaraderie. And together, the two campaigns deliver more than six hours of play.
Aside from some minor control annoyances — like the same button used for multiple actions (such as blade attacks and item pick-ups) — Shank’s craftsmanship is largely impeccable. It’s one of 2010’s most memorable and exciting action games. For $15.
+ Furious, fluid action that offers numerous ways to decimate foes.
+ Separate campaigns, both with fantastic visuals and sharp storytelling.
- Occasional control gaffes can trigger unintended actions.
? Can EA find a way to expand this closed story into a sequel?
