Revenge is one of the oldest reasons in the book to respond to anything. Don’t believe me? Watch a bunch of children and see how long it takes for them not to hit each other over some misdemeanor. It also makes for a great plot. Also, I am aware of the Kill Bill movie series. However, I never really got into the films whenever I saw them on TV as it was just too grisly for me. So why in the world do I enjoy Shank so much?
Shank follows a 20-something man by the same name as he is on a quest for revenge. As is typical of the revenge genre, his girlfriend was raped and murdered before his very eyes as he lay dying. Now hungry for revenge, he sets out to kill everyone who is responsible for her death.
OK, so it won’t win any points for a unique narrative. And that’s OK as this is what could be considered to be the videogame equivalent of a “grindhouse” film. Very little is left to the imagination as Shank doesn’t pull any punches — literally and figuratively. Blood splatters appear on every crevice of surface. Deaths are brutal and range from simple choking to sending a dying man into the meat grinder. It’s somehow gruesomely addicting to watch (and be disturbed) by the various manners of death.
As such, Shank has a strong sense of style to its presentation. It looks and behaves like a moving graphic novel. And it’s awesome. Taking place in the middle of a desert, everything “pops” off the screen. Shank is a muscle-ripped and ready for action guy as he literally glides everywhere around screen. It doesn’t matter if he’s sticking a katana in the stomach, a chainsaw into the back, or shoving a grenade somewhere. Enemies are often repeated, though they move just as well as Shank. Furthermore, the overall impressions of each level are memorable, whether it is running through the desert, running on top of a train, a Cuban-inspired mansion or the seedy side of town known as the red light district.
Shank, thankfully, controls well, especially for a beat-em-up. The keyboard can be used, though I didn’t bother as my Logitech Dual Action controller was instantly recognized. With PC controller in hand, it’s easy to tell that this is a game meant for the consoles. Shank can slash with knives, swing heavy weapons (like a chainsaw) and fire guns easily and responsively with the press of a button. Guns can be aimed at angles, and weapons can be switched on the fly. Boss battles are clever events that require pattern memorization, quick reactions and figuring out the best way to paralyze the boss for maximum damage.
If there is one area of the game that feels like it doesn’t belong, it’s the platforming elements. Shank does some wall running, climbing and swinging to reach his goal. On the one hand, it’s downright cool as it feels like Shank is running around a dilapidated city. On the other hand, it just feels like it was added as padding to keep the player busy while “waiting” for the next enemy to enter the screen.
Sound design wise, everything is right where it should be. The music has a Western feel to it (hence the desert theme), and it isn’t afraid to move beyond the usual acoustic guitars and whistles; it rocks the area as well. Grunts and moans are heard when slashing and firing weapons. What truly steals the show is the pitch-perfect voice acting. It’s serious, yet it isn’t hammy. It’s emotional, yet it doesn’t become unbearable. Kudos goes to the sound department for finding their actors and obtaining such awesome material.
So why do I like Shank so much? I don’t fully understand it myself as this is not a game I would ordinarily pick up. I never understood games heavy in the gore department as I find such games to be “too much.” If it wasn’t for the Humble Indie Bundle, I would have let this game slip by me and wouldn’t have batted an eye. I think the reason I like it is because, at its core, it reminds me of some of the beat-em-ups from my youth. Brutal, gory and explicit, this is a game that will make the keyboard (or controller) run thick with blood and sweat. Shank is a game that is rated M for a very good reason. Those with children will want them to be asleep or, better yet, at the grandparents’ house for the day. While the game lasts as long as a high octane action movie, it’ll keep you glued from start to finish and is definitely worth finding a copy. I wasn’t expecting that verdict either.
