Klei Entertainment announced today that Shank 2 will be released on XBLA… *drumroll*… February 8 for 800 MSP! In a few short weeks you can experience the next installment in the Shank series, with all the side-scrolling beat-em-up action we’ve come to love. To make things sweeter, a new video was released for the occasion, showing off some gameplay on a dock. Enjoy, it should help you prepare for the full game.
Source: Shank 2 Official Site
Shank 2 will feature wearable costumes for the chainsaw-wielding hero, including the newly announced horror costume, which definitely adds a spooky, murderous feel to the already blood-filled game. For more on Shank 2, you can check out information here, gameplay footage here, and our interview with Klei Entertainment CEO Jamie Cheng here. Stick around as we’ll have even more Shank 2 news before the game is released in early 2012.
Many years ago a man and his two handy blades, jagged though they were, turned an entire crime organization on its head. Sometimes, when there was another ethereal controller being beside him, he was joined by his fellow anti-gang affiliate. This man, named Shank, armed only with twin shanks (and meat cleavers, and a katana, and a chainsaw, shotgun, SMG and dual pistols) brought frenetic brawler action complete with weapon fast-switching and combos along with crisp art and high-tier animation quality, and it appears that Klei Entertainment aims to give him shank-tion to do it again. We here at XBLAFans were lucky enough to score an interview with Klei Entertainment’s CEO, Jamie Cheng. Take a look at what he had to say after the jump.
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We were fans of Shank in our review back when it was released and have been pumping out news about Shank 2 as fast as we’ve been getting it. Well, the folks over at the Klei Entertainment have given us even more to get excited about. They’ve whipped up and posted a nifty papercraft over at the Shank 2 blog, which you can print off to build a sweet model of the titular character himself, complete with knives and mouth-opening action. Or you can get the print-out at our direct link here. Either way, having this little guy on our desks is only making the wait for Shank 2 harder. Stay tuned here for more information about the game as we get it.
We’ve been told that the recently-announced Shank 2 will feature full co-op support, but now we get to see it in action. Players will have to guard ammo stashes through waves upon waves of enemies, including bosses. You’ll get to choose a character from what looks like a long list of them. The bad guys will try to blow up the ammo with explosive charges, so you’ll have to put out the fuse if they ever rig the explosives. If you get knocked out, hopefully you can rely on your partner to revive you. If you want to see it in action, check out Kotaku’s video here.
And then there’s single player, which you can see here. Shank is thrown back into his violent ways when the people he loves are in danger. A town is about to be burned down by some thugs, so it’s up to Shank to take care of them in the bloodiest way possible. Fans of the first game may notice the improved graphics and animations. Shank has also learned the ability to pick up weapons dropped by his enemies. If this gameplay has left you eager to play the game, you can pick up Shank 2 when it releases early 2012.
During a press event in Las Vegas, Electronic Arts announced the name of their newest IP: Shank 2, sequel to 2010′s bloody beat-em-up side-scroller. Our hero is thrust back into action when those who are close to him are in grave danger. EA’s Andy Katkin promises the new game “isn’t just a reboot of Shank“. The game was torn apart to add better combat, controls, and graphics. The new controls will allow players to use an enemy’s weapon against itself. A new multiplayer co-op survival mode mode will be added, which sounds similar to Horde mode from the Gears of War series. Shank 2 will be available on XBLA early 2012, so stay tuned to XBLAFans in the coming months for more updates.
Wait, have you not played the first Shank? You’re in luck; the game is now on sale for half off (600MSP). For more great deals, check out this week’s massive XBLA sale. You can also check out our review and guide to unlockable costumes. Trust us, the game’s great.
Video source: Joystiq
The staff behind XBLA Fans has been working extra hard the past few weeks as we prepared for BRAWLER WEEK! We created this special event to explore everything we love about this bloody beat ‘em up genre. The week is chock full of reviews, interviews, features, contests, and prizes. We’re bookending Brawler Week between Rush’N Attack and Dishwasher: Vampire Smile… two games that we encourage you to take for a test run.
Every day we’ll update this post with more awesome content and a new challenge for our readers to complete. Each challenge will be accompanied by a prize we will randomly give out to one or more lucky person that picks up the gauntlet and completes the challenge. At the end of the week, we have a very special prize that just three lucky readers will win. (Hint.) Please see our contest rules for more info and requirements.
This post will remain stickied on top to keep you up-to-date on the latest Brawler Week info. Don’t forget to keep checking for your next opportunity to win game codes and other great prizes!
Today’s features:
Shank was developed by Klei Entertainment and published by Electronic Arts. It was released for XBLA on August 25, 2010. Retails for 1200 Microsoft Points.
Shank is not for the faint of heart. If you don’t like over-the-top violence or challenging skill-based combat, you’re probably too much of a wuss for Shank. In all seriousness, Shank is a gruesome, cinematic side-scrolling revenge story that’s modeled on old school beat-em-ups like Double Dragon, Streets of Rage, and Final Fight. The violence is like a Robert Rodriguez movie, including cutscenes and combo animations full of blood and guts. The difficulty level isn’t exactly Ninja Gaiden, but the Hard mode will seriously challenge even experienced gamers.
So here’s what we liked:
Cinema-Quality Art Direction – From beginning to end, Shank puts forth a solid argument for games as art. We’re not just talking about the Pulp Fiction-esque cut scenes, the riveting soundtrack, and the great writing; combat animations are just as much a part of the overall storytelling experience. As the game progresses, you get access to more moves and more weapons… which means more opportunities to feel like an utter badass. But what really sets Shank apart is the gorgeous artwork and memorable direction. Over the course of your playthrough, you get the feeling that Shank isn’t just something you play; it’s something you experience.
Skill-Based Combat – Do you ever feel like games are just too easy these days? Whatever happened to wasting quarters in the arcade, turn after turn after turn? Shank will bring you straight back to your days at the cabinets, with bonafide skill-based combat that won’t let you get away with simple button mashing. And that’s on Normal mode. Switch over to Hard mode and you can say goodbye to checkpoints and goodbye to getting through each level on your first try. In most games today, experienced gamers can just ratchet it up to hard on the very first playthrough and expect to succeed. Our advice: don’t be a tough guy. Start with Normal.
Double Dragon Co-Op Brawling – If there’s one thing we love more than a good street brawler with awesome combat and a killer storyline, it’s doing it all with a friend. You can’t play the main story in co-op (nor would it make much sense), but Shank comes with an excellent prequel storyline for a good old fashioned tag team. Klei didn’t just phone this in either: the co-op includes a variety of moves that can only be pulled off with two players.
Cool Unlockables – Shank gives players a lot to strive for: better times, concept art, Achievements, and ten unlockable costumes. Some of these are pretty hard to obtain, but none are impossible. That makes you even more determined to collect everything. Check out our complete guide to Shank’s unlockable costumes.
And here’s what we didn’t like:
It’s Too Short – If you combine the single player campaign and the co-op campaign, Shank is the perfect length for an XBLA title. But the co-op is local only, so you’ll have to have have real life friends to play through the back story. And if you don’t, the game will definitely feel short. With or without a friend, there just isn’t enough of a good thing.
Unforgiving Platforming – So, this is a minor complaint. After all, how many times did you play an arcade game and miss one little move, only having to start all over again with a fresh quarter? But there are several times in Shank when you have to leap off a platforming element early or else die. Only, there are no visual cues beforehand: you just have to die and use that as a lesson for next time. If you always whine, curse, and blame the game for your own failure, you should just stick to Normal mode, where you can start at a checkpoint every time you mess up the platforming.
The X Button – More of an annoyance than anything else, the button to pick up items is the same as the primary attack button: in both cases, the X button. Unfortunately, that means that in the heat of combat, it’s pretty easy to accidentally pick up health—even when you’re at full health already. This is all part of the anti-button-mashing Shank experience. You have to be aware of your environment and hit the right button at the right time, or you end up wasting health, pouncing on big baddies that are pounce-proof, or thrusting yourself off a cliff. But come on, why would I pick up health if my health meter is full?
So there’s the good, the bad, and the ugly from Shank. This is a must-play for anyone that cares about the artistry of XBLA games. Or for anyone yearning for some old school arcade-style brawling. Just stay away from Shank if you have a weak stomach.
Score: Buy it
Leave it to the Achievement experts to track down all the requirements for Shank’s 11 unlockable costumes… one day after the game’s release on XBLA. A number of costumes were revealed leading up to the game’s release, but thanks to fans over at xbox360achievements (and some Tweets from our friends at Klei Entertainment), we have a complete guide to help you obtain all eleven Shank-tastic outfits.
Changing your costume affects not just your character onscreen, but the close-up of Shank’s head in the corner by your health meter. And the costumes are great! Scroll down for details of how to unlock each one.
1. The Original Shank
This one’s easy. Just buy the game and you’ll have Shank in all his original glory.
2. Kung Fu Shank
Give Shank a Bruce Lee makeover by scoring 1000 kills. (Also unlocks the “Mow ‘Em Down” Achievement.)
3. Wildman Shank
It’s called “wildman,” but there’s a striking resemblance to Wolverine. Alas, you’ll have to complete the game on hard to unlock those hairy arms. (Also unlocks the “Just That Hard” Achievement.)
4. Spartan Shank
Spartans never go solo. That’s why you’ll unlock this Gerard-Butler-in-300-esque costume if you complete the co-op backstory mission. (Also unlocks the “Backstory” Achievement.)
5. Red Pajamas Shank
Transform Shank into a red ninja by accomplishing a 150-hit combo. Yes, it’s pretty tricky, but definitely do-able.
6. White Pajamas Shank
Everyone knows that red ninjas are more badass than white ninjas. That’s why you only need to pull off a 100-hit combo to unlock the white pjs.
7. Horror Shank
A.K.A. Grindhouse Shank, the name of the costume may be an ode to the Rodriguez/Tarantino film, but the look is 100% Jason Voorhees from Friday the 13th. Appropriately, this look unlocks with 100 chainsaw kills. (Also unlocks the “Grindhouse” Achievement.)
8. ANY-S Shank
We love Robo-Shank. Even more, we love what you have to do to unlock him! Beat the game on any difficulty, then start a new game and enter the Konami Code. In case there are any gamers in the entire world that don’t know what that is… try: Up Up Down Down Left Right Left Right B A
9. Dance Shank
Dance Shank has a kickin’ afro. We like to think this is a nod to an incredible 70s icon… Who’s the cat that won’t cop out when there’s danger all about? SHANK! Just complete the game on normal and this sweet ‘do is all yours. (Also unlocks the “And It Continues” Achievement.)
10. DeathSpank Shank
Share the indie game love! Like ANY-S Shank, you can unlock this sweet DeathSpank Shank by completing the game on any difficulty, then entering the code: Up X Down B Left Y Right A
11. Shank the Gimp
The final costume puts this adorable bear head on tough guy Shank. All you have to do is complete 500 kills. 500 CREATURE kills. 500… rats. Or bats. Thankfully, not cats.
Klei Entertainment’s eagerly anticipated 2D brawler has finally arrived—on PlayStation Network, anyway. XBLA fans (and XBLA Fans) will have to wait until Wednesday to get their paws on the crisply animated bloody revenge side-scroller that is Shank.
We’ve been chomping at the bit for Shank’s release since our hands-on preview at E3. We’ve also gotten a peek at some of the unlockable costumes and the soundtrack.
Now that the official release is here, Klei seems happy with the product. “At the end of a long road that began as an indie dream in 2009, we’ve finally shipped a visually striking, cinematic brawler,” muses Klei Entertainment CEO Jamie Cheng in the official press release. Jamil Moledina, Outreach Director at EA Partners, calls Shank “the game analog of the black comedy symphony of violence dominating today’s indie film circuit” and an “exquisitely bloody game [that] conjures memories of the best arcade brawlers of the late 1980s.”
Indeed, Shank’s violent revenge-fueled combos are a far cry from the cute and quirky puzzler, Eets:Chowdown, which Klei released for XBLA in 2007. While much has been made of Shank’s violence, the press release emphasizes the “stylized animations” and “pulp-fiction lens.” With separate single-player and co-op story modes, you can enjoy your exquisitely bloody symphony of violence either alone or with a friend.
Shank will be available Wednesday, August 24, 2010 for 1200 Microsoft Points. See a gallery of screenshots below, scroll down for the full press release, or visit the official Shank website.
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Redwood City, CA. – August 24, 2010 – Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: ERTS) and award-winning independent development studio Klei Entertainment announced that the highly anticipated downloadable 2D action game Shank, will be available for download on PlayStation®Network beginning today, August 24 and on Xbox LIVE® Arcade on August 25. With its blend of classic side-scrolling action gameplay and stylized animation set against a modern-Western canvass, Shank tells a bloody story of revenge, penned by award-winning game writer Marianne Krawczyk.
“Our goal with Shank was to create a game that pays homage to the classic 2D brawler, while seeing how far we could push it by melding it with our own pulp-fiction influences,” said Jamie Cheng, CEO of Klei Entertainment. “At the end of a long road that began as an indie dream in 2009, we’ve finally shipped a visually striking, cinematic brawler.”
“With Shank, Jamie Cheng, Jeff Agala, and the team at Klei Entertainment have delivered the game analog of the black comedy symphony of violence dominating today’s indie film circuit,” said Jamil Moledina, Outreach Director at EA Partners. “This exquisitely bloody game conjures memories of the best arcade brawlers of the late 1980s, while delivering the production values and pitch perfect controls of a modern high definition blockbuster masterpiece.”
Shank tells a classic story of gangland betrayal through a violent, pulp-fiction lens. Gamers play as Shank, getting their hands bloody as they uncover the secrets of Shank’s past and the reasons he is hell-bent on revenge. With a deep and intuitive combat system, players unleash a tremendous number of creative combinations as they take down waves of enemies standing in their path. Shank also features a special co-operative campaign, designed to be played with a friend locally, which tells the backstory of the revenge plot. This prequel mission allows players to play as Shank or his partner-in-crime Falcone, with deadly double-team moves and gameplay that encourages teamwork.
Shank is one of the most highly anticipated downloadable game releases of this summer, having been nominated for Excellence in Visual Arts by the Independent Games Festival, as well as multiple “Best of E3″ awards, including “Best Action Game” from IGN.com and “Best Downloadable Game” from GameTrailers.com. Shank is available for download now on the PlayStation Network for $14.99, and August 25, 2010 on Xbox LIVE Arcade for 1200 Microsoft Points. Shank is rated “M” for mature by the ESRB. For more information on Shank, please visit www.shankgame.com and follow the development team at www.twitter.com/klei and at www.facebook.com/shankgame.
