Shank 2

If you liked Shank before, you'll still get on alright with this. [May 2012, p.116]

While the predecessor was a solid albeit short outing with optional co-op, this sequel seems less polished. The backgrounds lack the eye-catching finish, the plot is just a discombobulated mess strewn together and while Klei Entertainment has evened out the difficulty spikes it lacks the charm of the original. [April 2012, p71]

While it's still a solid sequel, Shank 2 may have benefited from a less-is-more approach. [Apr 2012, p.81]

The meager eight stages are fun, but leave you very abruptly stranded at the end-credits and wishing for more areas, Bossfights and especially many more weapons.

With the additions and improvements, you can actually enjoy slicing up a few of the enemies for a while and attempt to enjoy the story line.

In the end, Shank 2 is a fun yet ultimately forgettable game which uses its over the top violence and retro presentation to create something different yet not that original either.

Shank 2 has better controls than its predecessor. But it's a big failure that the co-op function has been deleted and the current multiplayer mode isn't all that special. So in short, Shank 2 is a good game, but it could have been better.

While I continue to respect Klei Entertainment's art style and devotion to bloody fantasy above all else, it needs to design less frustrating levels and encounters before its games truly click for me. The upgrades in Shank 2 are a lot like the act of revenge: It feels satisfying in the short term, but in the end you're left with the empty feeling that maybe it didn't improve that much at all.

The single-player alone doesn't make Shank 2 a must buy, but if you enjoy horde modes with a spicy Mexican twist then Shank 2 is an unbelievably fun addition to your party game collection.