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I
for one love games that don’t just stand on the edge of realism, but jump off it, with
flamethrowers and grenades all around. I play video games to escape from reality and I want
my games to do the same. That is why I love games like Shank 2, a game that throws a molotov
cocktail down the throat of realism and watches it explode into a million pieces.
Shank 2 is a 2D side-scroller with a heavy focus on violence, action and gore. You play
as the appropriately named, Shank. As you are riding on a bus, it is taken over by a
group of thugs. Shank then proceeds to cut off the man’s hand then go to work on the
rest of the cartel. He is then swept up in a battle between a military regime and the
rebels fighting against them. Shank takes up with the rebels and solves the problems
the only way he knows how, by shanking everyone around. The game has a great style, with comic
book like cutscenes and beautiful cel-shaded graphics. You have never seen massive amounts
of gore look so pretty. It is almost artistic.
The game is violent, definitely not for kids. You move through the 2D world, stabbing and
exploding everyone you come across. You have plenty of ways to cause your cruelty to your
fellow man. You have your quick attack, your strong attack, and ranged attack. But you
can also throw grenades and even grab and perform a kill move. You start with knives
and a machete but soon you find new weapons including a chainsaw and handguns. And the
game does not hold anything back. Each attack causes massive amount of blood to fly from
your enemies, reminding them who they messed with.
But the game’s beauty is not just in the violence. The levels are incredibly detailed,
with multiple routes to take and destructible buildings. They look like a jungle war zone,
with fire all around and very nice backgrounds. And each level will test your skills against
a boss, which can be very challenging.
Unlike the first game game, this does not have a co-op campaign. Instead offering a
multiplayer survival mode, which has you surviving multiple waves with a friend. This mode is
very fun, having you use the environment and your wits to make it to the next round.
This game takes you back to the old days, when 80s action movies were king. It is completely
over-the-top but very enjoyable. Anyone who likes 2D games, or gratuitous amounts of gore
should get this game, just make sure you play it after the kids
have gone to bed.