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Shank 2

Shank 2 Game Cover
76%Game Brain Score
story, gameplay
grinding, optimization
79% User Score Based on 1,169 reviews
Critic Score 60%Based on 1 reviews

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Shank 2 Game Cover

About

Shank 2 is a single player and multiplayer hack and slash game. It was developed by Klei Entertainment and was released on February 7, 2012. It received neutral reviews from critics and mostly positive reviews from players.

In Shank 2, a stylish side-scrolling action game, players step into the shoes of Shank, a former mafia hitman on a mission of redemption. With improved combat mechanics and a new gunplay system, Shank is more deadly than ever. The game also features a new survival mode, where players must fend off relentless waves of enemies. Fight your way through various levels, using Shank's arsenal of weapons, in this intense and violent action-packed sequel.

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Shank 2 screenshot
Shank 2 screenshot
Shank 2 screenshot
Shank 2 screenshot
Shank 2 screenshot
Shank 2 screenshot
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Shank 2 screenshot
Shank 2 screenshot
Shank 2 screenshot
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79%
Audience ScoreBased on 1,169 reviews
story57 positive mentions
grinding15 negative mentions
  • Improved combat mechanics and fluidity compared to the first game.
  • Visually stunning with a unique comic book art style.
  • Engaging survival mode that adds replay value.
  • Short campaign length with a lack of co-op story mode.
  • Difficulty spikes and frustrating enemy encounters.
  • Weak and disjointed story that fails to connect with the first game.
  • story
    307 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The story in "Shank 2" is generally viewed as weak and forgettable, lacking the emotional depth and coherence of its predecessor. While it serves as a basic framework for the game's action, many players found it to be thin and unengaging, with a plot centered around revenge that fails to resonate. The absence of a co-op story mode, which was a highlight in the first game, further detracts from the overall narrative experience.

    • “In addition to its visceral combat and stunning visuals, 'Shank 2' also features a compelling story that unfolds through cinematic cutscenes and character interactions.”
    • “At its core, 'Shank 2' is a 2D brawler that puts players in the shoes of the titular anti-hero as he embarks on a quest for vengeance against the forces of evil.”
    • “The story is simple as in the first game, this time forcing Shank into a mad chase to save his mentor from death at the hands of a ruthless dictator, who has taken over his hometown.”
    • “The plot - another tale of betrayal, revolution and redemption - is thin but functional, more a frame for the action than a narrative centerpiece.”
    • “The story somehow got worse; I was very uninterested in it and it was very shallow and basic, more basic than the first game.”
    • “The story is non-existent, but the combat and music coupled with some amazing boss fights make it a game worth replaying a million times.”
  • gameplay
    219 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The gameplay in Shank 2 has received mixed reviews, with many praising its fast-paced, fluid combat and improved mechanics over its predecessor, Shank 1. However, some players criticize the removal of certain features like blocking, leading to frustrating difficulty spikes and a lack of variety in combat encounters. Overall, while the game offers enjoyable brawler mechanics and cooperative modes, it struggles with repetitive gameplay and inconsistent difficulty, making it a hit or miss for fans of the genre.

    • “With its cooperative gameplay and dynamic level design, the multiplayer mode adds an extra layer of excitement and camaraderie to the experience, turning every encounter into a frenetic battle for survival.”
    • “The combat mechanics and controls see some well-judged improvements - fights have a more nuanced feel, with judicious use of platforms and other level design features to mix up the encounters, rather than just massed hordes of enemies; there's an improved combo system and greater range of weapons and effects.”
    • “The gameplay is fun and very fast; Shank handles great, and once you get the hang of it, it's pretty fun to breeze through the enemies and feel really badass.”
    • “The gameplay remains largely unchanged besides an added counter system and the removal of blocking; however, the inputs themselves are somewhat jankier than in the first game, and weapon switching is now done in a dedicated menu rather than on-the-fly, which is a bit of a downgrade.”
    • “Bad gameplay; annoying music, bad level design, save some time and don't play this garbage.”
    • “The gameplay is boring, unimaginative, repetitive, without any flow, and all in all this is just a big stinking waste of everyone's time.”
  • graphics
    125 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The graphics in "Shank 2" have received widespread praise for their stunning hand-drawn art style and improved animations compared to its predecessor. Reviewers highlight the vibrant visuals, dynamic level design, and fluid combat that enhance the overall experience, making it a standout in the 2D beat 'em up genre. While some note that the graphics may not significantly deviate from the first game, the refinements and attention to detail contribute to a visually appealing and engaging gameplay experience.

    • “A brutal 2D beat 'em up with cool level design, over the top action, and great artwork.”
    • “The animations and artwork are significantly improved and taken to the next level.”
    • “Shank 2 continues the Klei tradition of making fluid brawling controls and stunningly beautiful visuals, which leapfrogs the competition in the 2D side-scrolling genre.”
    • “The graphics of this game are like its predecessor, very well done but not great.”
    • “The level design lacks every kind of imagination and aesthetic.”
    • “The artwork, especially in the cutscenes, doesn't quite cut it (pun intended).”
  • music
    47 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some praising its ability to enhance the adrenaline of gameplay and fit the overall atmosphere, while others criticize it for being repetitive, generic, and poorly balanced. Many players noted that the soundtrack lacks variety and can be distracting during key moments, such as cutscenes and boss fights. Overall, while some find the music enjoyable and fitting, a significant number feel it detracts from the experience due to its repetitiveness and lack of memorability.

    • “The sound design, too, is sharper: gunfire cracks, blades hiss and the music pulses with adrenaline.”
    • “Gameplay and soundtrack make this game a must play if you are into action games.”
    • “Great visuals, amazing soundtrack and unbelievably enjoyable gameplay.”
    • “The music is repetitive and felt like I was listening to the same track throughout the whole game.”
    • “Audio: probably the worst bit of the game, as the music seems to be in a constant loop, not caring if you're watching a cinematic, fighting a boss, or just strolling around.”
    • “The music is poorly balanced and too generic; the levels feel weird and unspecific, the acting feels wooden and poorly recorded, and the overall game just feels unfinished.”
  • replayability
    27 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's replayability is a mixed bag, with some players appreciating the new survival mode and various unlockables that enhance replay value, while others criticize the short campaign and lack of substantial content. While features like leaderboards and challenging enemy waves offer incentives for replay, opinions vary on the overall depth and enjoyment of these modes. Overall, the addition of survival mode and multiplayer options contribute positively to replayability, but the short campaign leaves some players wanting more.

    • “It’s not campaign co-op like the original, but it adds replay value with challenging enemy waves and teamwork-oriented mechanics.”
    • “Replayability is excellent, with high scores to beat for each level, and tons of challenges to unlock different characters for the multiplayer mode.”
    • “Lots of weapon variety and endless replay value in survival mode.”
    • “Why, why, why would you axe the co-op campaign in favor of a horrible, gimmicky survival mode that has no substance and absolutely zero replay value?”
    • “The campaign is quite short; it took me about 4 hours to finish, and I do not want to go back to the game, so in my opinion, there's not much replay value.”
    • “Easy, short campaign, little to no replay value with the only unlockables being alternate costumes and character bios that add nothing to the gameplay.”
  • humor
    24 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The humor in the game is widely praised, with players highlighting its blend of dark comedy and over-the-top animations that enhance the gameplay experience. Many reviews note the amusing interactions, funny cutscenes, and clever dialogue, contributing to an enjoyable atmosphere despite some criticisms of gameplay mechanics. Overall, the game successfully combines humor with violence, making it a standout in the arcade-style beat 'em up genre.

    • “The humor, cutscenes, and the gameplay really make this game so enjoyable to play.”
    • “Shank 2's story is a combination of violence and humor.”
    • “A funny arcade style beat 'em up.”
  • grinding
    15 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The grinding aspect of the game has been widely criticized for being tedious and repetitive, with many players feeling that the combat system is restrictive and lacks depth. Achievements often require excessive grinding, detracting from the overall enjoyment and making the gameplay feel monotonous. While some appreciate the game's style and action, the overwhelming sentiment is that the grind diminishes the experience significantly.

    • “The game quickly becomes about grinding out victories and repetitive levels, with each level being harder than the one before.”
    • “Shank 2 felt quite repetitive, and I had no connection to the story. Combat was floaty and inconsistent, while the achievements are mostly gated behind grindy replay.”
    • “Shank offers nothing new or interesting in terms of that genre, yet is demanding, repetitive, and consequently tedious.”
  • emotional
    10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Players have mixed feelings about the emotional aspect of the game; while some appreciate the depth and character development that evoke strong feelings, others criticize the story as lacking emotional weight and being overly simplistic. Notably, "Shank 2" stands out for its ability to elicit genuine emotional responses, despite some players feeling that the overall narrative fails to engage them on a deeper level.

    • “As players progress through the game, they'll uncover the dark secrets of Shank's past and unravel the mysteries of the world around him, adding depth and emotional resonance to the experience.”
    • “I can't say that a whole lot of video games have made me cry, but Shank 2 is one of the few that managed to pluck all the right emotional strings.”
    • “This is what they mean when they talk about 'emotional games', 'focus on storytelling', 'superb character development', 'a tour-de-force'.”
    • “The main game suffers from repetitive enemies and a quite flat, boring story.”
  • optimization
    6 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's optimization has received significant criticism, with users noting issues such as poor dual-monitor support, unresponsive default controls, and overall performance that is worse than its predecessor, Shank 1. While some aspects, like the music, are praised, the general consensus is that the game feels unoptimized and frustratingly slow.

    • “Game optimization is at its best, music is killer.”
    • “Not optimized for 2 monitors (e.g., the mouse goes offscreen).”
    • “You know it’s a bad sign when the default controls of an action game feel unoptimized from the get-go.”
    • “It's poorly optimized and unnecessarily difficult and slow compared to the first game.”
  • atmosphere
    5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The game's atmosphere is characterized by vibrant colors and atmospheric lighting that create a dark, gritty feel, enhanced by epic music and stylish cutscenes. While the spaghetti western revenge theme adds a unique flair, some players feel that the atmosphere and story could be more developed, with one reviewer noting a lack of depth in these areas. Overall, the atmosphere is a strong point, though opinions vary on its originality and impact on gameplay.

    • “The game's environments are equally impressive, with vibrant colors and atmospheric lighting effects that create a dark and gritty atmosphere.”
    • “The gameplay is accompanied by epic music and cool cartoon/comic-styled cutscenes that suit the gameplay well and really add to the overall atmosphere of the game.”
    • “I was blown away by the spaghetti western revenge theme and atmosphere, along with the anti-hero elements. I highly recommend this second installment in the series.”
    • “The atmosphere and story is almost non-existent.”
    • “Though it might be unimportant to gameplay, it definitely adds to atmosphere.”
  • character development
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Users praise "Shank 2" for its distinct graphics and character design, highlighting the game's strong storytelling and emotional depth. The character development is noted as superb, contributing to the overall immersive experience.

    • “This is what they mean when they talk about 'emotional games', 'focus on storytelling', 'superb character development', 'a tour-de-force'.”
    • “Great game with simple controls, interesting level and character designs.”
    • “[u]Shank 2[/u] features the very distinct Klei Entertainment graphics and character design, which I love.”
  • stability
    3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    Overall, the game demonstrates solid stability, performing well at 1440p on high-end hardware. However, users have reported bugs related to changing button layouts on the controller screen, indicating some issues in that area.

    • “A very fun game that runs great on 1440p with a GTX 1080 and 4770K @ 4.4GHz.”
    • “Changing the buttons on the controller screen is really buggy.”
    • “Changing the layout is buggy.”
  • monetization
    1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative

    The monetization strategy for the game is not explicitly detailed in the reviews, but there is anticipation for future projects from the developers, suggesting a potential for varied monetization approaches in upcoming titles.

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60%Critics’ scoreBased on 1 critic reviews
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2h Median play time
2h Average play time
2-2h Spent by most gamers
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Frequently Asked Questions

Shank 2 is a hack and slash game.

Shank 2 is available on PC, Mac OS, Windows, PlayStation 3 and others.

On average players spend around 2 hours playing Shank 2.

Shank 2 was released on February 7, 2012.

Shank 2 was developed by Klei Entertainment.

Shank 2 has received neutral reviews from players and neutral reviews from critics. Most players liked this game for its story but disliked it for its grinding.

Shank 2 is a single player game with multiplayer and local co-op support.

Similar games include Shank, Final Exam, Guns, Gore and Cannoli 2, Redeemer, The TakeOver and others.