Shank
Developer: Klei Entertainment
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Price: 1200 MS Points, $14.99 on PSN
Platform: XBLA, PSN, and PC
Release Date: August 24, 2010 (PSN), August 25, 2010 (XBLA), PC (Fall 2010)
If you've been following the site for the past few weeks, then you've probably noticed that I've been pretty excited for Shank. The Robert Rodriguez-inspired, 2-D, side scrolling beat 'em up, has been on the top of my list of Arcade games ever since I first saw the game in action. Now, with Shank finally being released on XBLA and PSN, it's time to see if all that over top the action was worth the wait.
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| Shank, Machete, what's the difference? |
While Shank is a relatively short game, I think it took me about 4 hours to beat the game(co-op not included), I enjoyed every bit of it. However, I have to say that it's not going to be for everyone, and for some it's going to be hard for me to justify putting down the 15 bucks for the game. What I can say is that, if you like side-scrolling beat 'em ups and Robert Rodriguez-esque characters, you should definitely check out this game. However, if you're looking for a deep story and deep combat, you might want to look elsewhere. I definitely recommend trying out the demo, because honestly, that's the only way to tell for sure if you're going to like the game or not.
HOW DOES IT LOOK? I can understand some gripes and complaints regarding Shank's story and gameplay, but you can't deny that it's a great looking arcade title. The colors and art style are some of the best I've seen on XBLA, and the character models and movements are extremely fluid and well thought out.
HOW DOES IT SOUND? The soundtrack for Shank couldn't be better. Hard hitting guitars, and Latin inspired themes, help to set the mood for the entire game. While there's nothing that really sticks out, everything is where it should be and always adds that extra bit of oomph to cut scenes or boss fights.
HOW DOES IT PLAY? While I do have a few gripes with the combo system of the game, overall it plays great. Shank flows from one move to the next in stylistic, gut slashing fashion, and the game does a great job of not over-complicating things. Some might complain that the controls are a little too easy at times, but I found them to be just right, and wouldn't change a thing.
HOW LONG WILL IT LAST? Shank's single player is a pretty short ride. It could take anywhere from 3 - 5 hours but probably no more than that. There is a bit of re-playability with high scores and leaderboards, and the co-op mode looks like it could provide for a couple more hours of hack and slash fun, but other than that there's not much to it. Honestly, thinking back, I wouldn't have changed the length. Even though it's short, it's that length to where, had it been any longer, I probably would've gotten tired of the game. So, I feel like, while short, the game has the perfect length, it just comes down to whether that justifies your 15 bucks or not.
HOW IS IT PRESENTED? Like most XBLA titles, Shank is not a story-driven game, however the presentation of the story is actually really well done. While the dialogue is a little cheesy and the action is B-Movie over the top, I feel like that's what Shank is all about, and the developers do it well. If you can't stand those kind of Robert Rodriguez movies, then you might not get that much enjoyment out of Shank.
Final Verdict:
Recommended for Fans of Beat 'Em Ups/Otherwise Wait for a Price Drop
For more Shank discussion, head on over to the VGH forums by clicking here or at the top of the page, and don't forget to leave a comment regarding your thoughts on Shank below. You can also check out our podcast on iTunes, under Henchmen Cast, for all or our thoughts on the latest news and topics in the video game industry. Anyways, thanks for reading guys, and enjoy!
Did Shank just steal Machete's story line or something?
or did Machete steal Shank's.
I played the demo and It ain't too bad but the price is not worth it for 2 or 3 hours of game play. gonna wait till they drop it in 6 months or so.
this is game is sik
But $15 is a bit much considering what you get, or at least what I'm willing to pay for it. Waiting for a price drop. Good review, BTW.
Sorry to burst your bubbles, guys, but you may still want to approach this game with a little caution. Not everyone thinks it's 'A' material.
IGN isn't the best source for a "trusted" authority. But maybe that's just me. Why listen to a review site that doesn't use the 1-10 scale they have? How is it that the worst games seem to get no lower than a 5-7 out of 10?
Granted everything is opinion based. And taking that into account, if you don't have legitimate fun with Shank...I sincerely doubt you're human.
Great Review! Thanks.
just played the demo and i am very pleased with what i played...i will be downloading this asap....
Awesome review.
@Mongolian Misfit
I've had problems with IGN reviews, but the same is true here at VGH and elsewhere. I'm sometimes astounded how often this site hands out "BUY" scores.
But anyway, it's always best to look at a few different scores before making a purchase, as sometimes a single positive (or negative) review can be misleading. Incidentally, I played the demo for Shank and, from my first impressions, see the game as falling somewhere around the B- to B range (or 8.0 to 8.5). I'll probably download it once the price drops in about a year.
Look I don't give a crap about review scores and hate listening to people go on about them for all eternity, but I fell I have to offer a counter point to this. IGN gave Scott Pilgrim, the other brawler of the week, a higher score than what they gave Shank. After reading both reviews, this is the breakdown I got:
IGN on Scott Pilgrim vs. the References to Things You're Aware of: Scott Pilgrim tickles our nerd boners with countless references to things we're aware of, so we like it. We are such horrible, non-sequitur spewing internet goblins that we're actually writing the phrase "brain nomming zombies" in a supposedly journalistic article. Scott Pilgrim probably would have received a 10 if it featured Chuck Norris as a playable character.
IGN on Shank: Shank doesn't have right stick dodging like God of War, a game that is notable for not being Shank, so we don't like it.
Now I like Shank, and all things considered I also like Scott Pilgrim vs. the things Manchildren Laugh At. However, I do not like people who would choose to write "brain nomming zombies" into their review of a game. I have spent many hours in a post lab in college where I had to listen to horrendous people shout "ohm nom" out loud at each other. IGN reviews often make me think of those people, thus I choose to disregard their weedy scribblings. I would rather read VGH reviews, as these people are proud owners of brain stems.
@Mr. Zero1982
If you notice, I said the game was recommended for fans of the beat 'em up genre, but that most people could wait for a price drop. Nowhere did I say this was a must buy. I agree, the game is far from perfect, but it was an extremely enjoyable experience that I would overall recommend.
And I'm wishing I had saved the money I spent on Scott Pilgrim and got this instead. I liked SPvsTW but,well,I like blood. And I loved Samurai Jack. Also,for some reason,the guys in this game remind me of Brock Samson from The Venture Brothers.
I AM having an issue with the 3 hours(being generous) reported play time. For 15 bucks? LOve the look of the game, and the gritty stylings but after Shadow Complex last year and some other DLCs.... at some point they have to address QUANTITY as well as quality of content.
Roughly 2 hrs, it's super hard at parts, but even after your 1000th death on a boss fight you'll still keep trying.
and best of all the main character looks and acts like brock sampson from the venture bros. sweeeeet
This review confirms my purchase....we are on the same page Jacob!