Discover the action-packed beat em up video game series Shank, developed by Klei Entertainment, where an ex-mob hitman seeks revenge in a dystopian fantasy world.
Shank is a series of 2D sidescrolling beat 'em up action video games developed by the independent Canadian game studio Klei Entertainment. The series launched in 2010 with the release of the simply titled Shank on Windows, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360. This was followed up by a prequel in 2011 called Shank 2 released on the same platforms.
The Shank games follow the story of the titular protagonist Shank, a gritty ex-mob hitman with a personal vendetta. After mobsters kill his girlfriend, he goes on a ruthless quest for revenge through the dystopian fantasy world, brutally taking out anyone who stands in his way. Players control Shank as he fights through levels using his arsenal of melee and ranged weapons in bloody over-the-top combat.
The Shank series stands out for its distinct visual style of hand-drawn comic book-like animation mixed with over-the-top violence reminiscent of graphic novels like Sin City. The gameplay combines combat and platforming as players utilize combos and ranged attacks to take down enemies, interact with the environment, and progress through levels towards boss fights. The series received generally favorable reviews, praising the slick visuals and satisfying combat.