Shank

Shank is a side-scrolling action brawler about a former member of a criminal group who sets out on a path of revenge. Its story is delivered through animated cutscenes in a hand-drawn, comic-book style.

Fight waves of enemies using light and heavy melee weapons, firearms, grapples, and combos. Switch between weapon types during combat, and use attacks, dodges, and finishing moves to take on different foes.

Progress through linear levels with platforming sections and boss encounters, collecting new weapons along the way. Alongside the single-player campaign, a two-player local co-op mode follows a separate prequel story.

Players often praise Shank’s hand-drawn comic-book look and animated presentation, as well as its fast, satisfying combat and range of weapons and combos. Some enjoy playing the separate local co-op campaign with a friend. Common reservations are that the campaign is short and fights can become repetitive; some players also find hard mode punishing or the controls frustrating.