Review - Shank 2

Blood banks everywhere rejoice! Shank is back to make another generous donation courtesy of men, women and wild beasts that he encounters on his quest for revenge and redemption. Shank 2 takes everything from the original and makes it bigger, better and bloodier than before. While the militia planned to overthrow the cartels, the locals feel that they have just taken over where the cartels left off. Things get personal when the militia start attacking those closest to Shank and taking them hostage as part of a survival plan of Magnus, the militia’s leader. However, as we all know, Shank is not a man to be messed with.



Shank’s combat system has been overhauled making combos more fluid than ever before. Attacks can be cancelled with a well time roll if situations become too overpowering. Shank 2 also adds the novel ability to counter attacks, which enables Shank to dispatch enemies in quick and graphic fashion. Shank will use their weapons against them or his bare hands if necessary to finish the job. Players may often find themselves delaying the inevitable kill of an enemy just to wait for an attack so it can be countered. Traps and environmental hazards make a return, but other objects can be picked up and used against or flung at enemies. There is nothing quite as rewarding as slapping an enemy with a fish ala Monty Python or literally throwing the kitchen sink at them.

Boss fights have been reworked so that players can engage them in combat at any time. However, take a hit and you will feel it. There still isn’t much margin for error. The bosses are as quirky and varied as ever; though not quite as out of place as the original – does anyone else remember fighting the Gimp? The boss fights still revolve around working out a pattern and avoiding attacks, but feel a little more rewarding this time around. There are still moments of frustration as the odds get heavily stacked against the player, especially if the tip screen insists on popping up telling you to roll to avoid attacks.



If you like Michael Bay, then certain scenes will thrill you. Shank must outrun a helicopter and the world exploding around him in one level, while in another he imitates Indiana Jones as he outruns a large boulder. The levels and environments are still gorgeous to look at, but scenes like these don’t allow the player any time to stop and smell the roses…not that Shank would be interested in roses.

Survival mode is a new addition to Shank 2 and takes the place of the cooperative side of the game. In it, two players team up to take down waves of enemies and defend a number of supply caches from bombers. If the bomb gets planted, players do have a second chance to defuse, but must have the space and time required to do so. Teamwork is vital, but at the same time players are competing for personal points which determine an eventual winner. It’s not exactly a new concept, but it works well in Shank 2 and is a more interesting prospect than a co-operative mission. Unfortunately there are only three levels, but this could be expanded down the line.



Shank 2 pulls no punches. The shrieks and screams of enemies as they are eviscerated or burned alive is haunting and the sheer bloodlust may put you off your dinner if you are in any way squeamish. If you enjoyed the original, then you will love Shank 2; it takes what made the original so good and polishes it up, while adding some nice touches. It is not for the faint of heart, but it is an excellent title and a worthy successor to the original.