Info about Shank 2:

Official game description:
The fan-favorite 2D brawler is back as ex-mob hit man Shank returns to action in Shank 2. With those closest to him under attack, Shank is once again forced on the offensive. Now he must put his trusty arsenal of handguns, shotguns, automatic weapons, chainsaws, machetes, grenades, plus all-new weaponry and moves to use in order to protect those close to him. The original game set a new standard for its visual style and Shank 2 raises the bar. Shank 2 expands on the original game’s amazing combat system to redefine the 2D side-scrolling brawler.
KEY FEATURES
------------
*   **Multi-Weapon Combat System:** With a brand new redesigned weapon system, take on smarter and greater variety of goons and bigger, badder bosses with new weapon combos and new counter moves that let you use enemies’ weapons against them!  
*   **It Takes More than One to Survive:** Team up with a friend to put a thrashing on hordes of goons in this all-new and incredibly fun arcade-style co-op survival mode. Teamwork is essential to surviving waves of increasing tenacious enemies!  
*   **Rich Environments:** Look for opportunities to bring down ceilings, explode barrels, hurl crates, and explore surroundings to find new in-game unlockables!  
*   **Stunning Visuals:** Shank 2 draws you into the action with a stunning visual style that sets a new benchmark in 2D brawlers.

Release date: Feb 7, 2012

Categories: Beat 'em up, 2D Platformer, Side-scrolling, Arcade, Local Multiplayer, Online Multiplayer, Hack and Slash, Gore-focused Combat

Feature scans:
- Steam Deck: score 80; verdict: Broken - Launch and Crash Barriers; summary: The filtered feedback is dominated by launch failures, black screens, and frequent crashes, which under the scoring criteria places the game in the Broken range. Some users find workarounds such as installing DX and integrated GPU drivers or lowering the display refresh rate, but these are not seamless out-of-the-box fixes. Controller feedback is mixed, with setup friction noted in one review and improved control feel praised in another. No evidence of external launchers, anti-cheat errors, battery drain, or small text appears in the filtered set.

- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price: No data
- Playtime Metrics:
  - Game completion: 40.0h
  - Story completion: 4.0h
  - Session length: 1.0h
  - Endgame: N/A
  - Reasoning: StoryCompletion is set to 4 hours because multiple reviews converge on a short campaign: 'around 5 hours', '3 to 4 hours only', German review translated as '4-5-hour campaign', and Turkish review translated as 'finished in about 3 hours' or 'game finishes in about 4 hours'. GameCompletion is set to 40 hours based on the Chinese review translated as 'about 40 hours to get all achievements', which is the only full-completion figure. SessionLength is set to 1 hour from the comment that Survival Mode can 'melt away an hour in an instant' and a Chinese review mentioning playing that mode for 1 hour. Endgame remains null because Survival Mode is described as the main replayable endgame with 30 waves, but no specific total hours are provided.
- Time-to-fun:
  - Summary: Shank 2’s combat and co-op survival are widely praised, but for some players the full fun arrives after learning dodge timing, counters, and enemy patterns, when combat becomes strategic and satisfying. Early friction includes dodge/control issues, stun-lock, difficulty, and the absence of campaign co-op.
  - Stance: Clicks after
  - Anchor: Mastering the combat system (learning dodge timing, counters, and enemy patterns)
  - Time to anchor: N/A
  - Friction: Right-stick dodge takes some getting used to; Players can get stun-locked during combat; Controls sometimes feel a tad unresponsive; Game is not casual-friendly and has difficulty spikes; No campaign co-op; co-op is only in Survival mode; Repetitive enemies and a flat story in the main game
  - Unlock drivers: Learning dodge timing, counters, and enemy patterns makes combat strategic rather than button-mashing; Mastering the combat system is deeply satisfying and keeps players coming back; Counter system and mid-combo weapon switching make chaining kills satisfying
  - Conditions: Co-op is only available in Survival mode, not the campaign; Playing with a friend in local or online co-op improves Survival mode; Enjoyment depends on learning the combat system; game is not casual-friendly; Difficulty spikes can affect pacing; Campaign is short and story is weak for some players; Co-op seekers looking for campaign co-op may be disappointed; Controls can malfunction in co-op after opening menus or Steam overlay; Survival mode is the main draw for some players
- Player Archetypes:
  - Co-op Survivalist (sale)
    - Motivation: Playing with a friend in wave-based survival co-op, though many came expecting a full co-op campaign.
    - Playstyle: Team-based objective defense against enemy waves in local or online co-op survival mode.
    - Experience: mixed
    - Purchase stance: sale
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: Shank 1
  - Beat-'em-up Devotee (buy)
    - Motivation: Chasing satisfying, brutal combo-driven combat and a genuinely challenging 2D action experience.
    - Playstyle: Fast melee brawling built on the counter system, mid-combo weapon switching, and chaining kills.
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: Metal Slug; old school Nintendo games
  - Franchise Veteran (sale)
    - Motivation: Continuing the Shank experience while measuring the sequel against the original's tone, story, and features.
    - Playstyle: Solo campaign play with a critical eye on mechanical changes and comparisons to the predecessor.
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: sale
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: Shank (original)
  - Solo Challenge Seeker (buy)
    - Motivation: A demanding solo survival challenge that fits into short, focused play sessions.
    - Playstyle: Solo survival mode runs and brief bursts of play rather than long single-player marathons.
    - Experience: mixed
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: N/A


Below are summaries of things people say about the game per category.
Each point is assigned a weight that represents how often it is mentioned across all reviews.
What players like:
- Survival co-op adds longevity (weight 0.61): Survival mode provides substantial replay value and can be enjoyed solo or cooperatively with a friend. It is challenging, addictive, and the most enjoyable part for many players.
- Beautiful cartoon art style (weight 0.43): The art style is consistently praised as cartoonish, beautiful, and vibrant, with a comic-book aesthetic. Graphics are detailed, colorful, and reminiscent of Cartoon Network.
- Combat improved over predecessor (weight 0.43): Combat feels faster, more fluid, and more refined than the first game, with smoother combos and weapon transitions. The improved combat system is a major highlight.
- Better than first game overall (weight 0.4): Many reviewers consider Shank 2 an improvement over its predecessor in almost every way, including gameplay, level design, and balance. It addresses issues like clunky controls and expands on what worked.
- More weapons and unlockables (weight 0.29): Shank 2 adds more weapons, character skins, and unlockables compared to the first game. Many unlockables are tied to in-game achievements.
- Challenging and creative bosses (weight 0.25): Bosses are harder, more creative, and require pattern recognition and discipline. They have distinct features like flamethrowers and mad doctors.
- Stylish side-scrolling beat 'em up (weight 0.24): The game is a fast-paced, stylish side-scrolling beat 'em up packed with intense combat and slick animations. Its 2D action gameplay with gore and satisfying combat impact is well-received.
- Brutal gore and violence (weight 0.23): The game features extreme brutality, gore, and violent action with satisfying combat mechanics. Boss executions are particularly gruesome.
- New enemy types and variety (weight 0.21): Enemy variety is substantially improved, with new types like AK-wielding enemies, grenade throwers, cannibals, and female ninjas. This variety keeps encounters fresh and requires different tactics.
- Fun with friends (weight 0.19): The game is enjoyable when played with a friend, whether in co-op survival or side-by-side multiplayer. It is fast and fun for social play.
- Satisfying combat feedback (weight 0.18): Combat impact is satisfying, with heavy weapons like the chainsaw causing strong controller vibration. The action is dynamic and well-made.
- Good story and music (weight 0.18): The story is engaging and well-received, with nice music accompanying the action. Cutscenes are colorful and detailed.
- Hand-drawn animations and art (weight 0.13): The hand-drawn art style features bold character designs and expressive animations that are fluid and sharp. Animations are smoother and more stylish than the first game.
- Enjoyable campaign and gameplay (weight 0.13): The campaign is fun and the game is overall excellent and very fun. It is still a great game that has aged well.
- Well-balanced difficulty (weight 0.13): The difficulty is appropriate, playable without being too hard, yet challenging to master. It provides a nice balance.
- Interactive weapon pickups (weight 0.08): Players can pick up weapons dropped by enemies, such as sticks and shovels, which adds a nice gameplay element.
- Tough enemies and bosses (weight 0.08): Enemies and bosses are tough, requiring skill to defeat. Big enemies can be taken down with effort.
- Game is short but satisfying (weight 0.07): The game is quite short, which prevents it from getting boring. Its length is seen as a positive by some.

Common complaints:
- Weaker story than predecessor (weight 0.45): Many reviews state that the story is worse, less gripping, and lacks the tension of the first game. Some call it boring or poorly written.
- No co-op campaign (weight 0.35): Players repeatedly note that the co-op campaign from the first game is missing, including local, remote, and online options. Only a wave or survival mode is available instead.
- Dodge mapped to right stick (weight 0.19): The dodge mechanic is defaulted to the right analog stick, which feels awkward and requires constant hand shuffling. Blocking is also gone, forcing reliance on dodging.
- Increased difficulty (weight 0.16): The game is significantly harder than the predecessor, with more damage taken, making it less stress-relieving. Some boss fights are too hard.
- Short game length (weight 0.16): The game and its campaign are very short, with total playtime around 3 to 4 hours. Levels are also brief.
- Janky and unresponsive controls (weight 0.14): Controls are described as janky, terrible on gamepad, and sometimes unresponsive. This makes the game inconvenient to play.
- Forgettable Shank story (weight 0.11): Compared to the first Shank, the story is much weaker and forgettable. The series story is not outstanding.
- Inferior to original (weight 0.08): The game is considered inferior to the original, taking a few steps backward. It fails to live up to the predecessor.
- Crash problems (weight 0.08): The game crashes repeatedly, forcing players to replay levels. This tests patience.
- Hastily told story (weight 0.08): The story is told too hastily and is hard to follow due to its speed. This contributes to the weak narrative.
- Boss fights too easy (weight 0.08): Boss fights lack the challenge and epic feel of the first game's boss fights, which were high quality and challenging.
- Fewer female characters (weight 0.08): There are fewer female characters than male characters, and they have limited appearance time.
- Forced story setup (weight 0.08): The story feels forced to set up a sequel, with a contrived plot. This detracts from the experience.
- Boring survival mode (weight 0.08): Survival mode gets boring and feels thrown in out of obligation. It lacks inspiration.
- Overabundance of enemies (weight 0.08): There are too many enemies at times, including very fat enemies. This can make gameplay overwhelming.
- Poor cutscenes (weight 0.07): Cutscenes are not good and barely entertaining. They fail to engage players.

Gameplay feedback:
- Survival mode with waves (weight 0.54): The game includes a survival mode where players defend objectives against waves of enemies. It can be played solo or cooperatively and includes a shop for buying equipment.
- Side-scrolling action game (weight 0.48): The game is a 2D side-scrolling action game, often described as a beat 'em up or brawler. It combines platforming and action elements.
- Local and online co-op (weight 0.38): The game supports co-op play both locally and online, allowing two players to team up. This is available for both the campaign and survival modes.
- Story mode with difficulty settings (weight 0.19): There is a main story mode that includes levels and difficulty settings. Some players note a late-game difficulty spike.
- Campaign mode available (weight 0.19): The game has a campaign mode, which can be played solo or in co-op. It includes a main story with various levels.
- Variety of weapons (weight 0.18): The game features new and varied weapons, including knives, machetes, shotguns, and more. Each weapon offers different combat options.
- Combat involves slashing and dodging (weight 0.18): Combat is action-based, involving slashing and dodging. Players can use light attacks, heavy strikes, throws, and ranged weapons.
- Survival mode has 30 waves (weight 0.16): The survival mode challenges players to defend three ammo stations through 30 waves of enemies. It ends after wave 30.
- Multiplayer support (weight 0.14): The game supports multiplayer, allowing players to play with friends. It can be played single-player or with others.
- Weapon selection before levels (weight 0.13): Players select their weapons before starting a level and cannot switch mid-level. Weapon swapping occurs before each level and during combos.
- Solo play supported (weight 0.11): The game can be played solo as well as in co-op. Solo play is supported across modes.
- Boss fights included (weight 0.1): The game includes boss fights, some featuring high damage attacks. These provide challenging encounters.
- Unlockable characters (weight 0.1): Players can unlock characters by completing in-game achievements or challenges. Each unlockable character has different advantages and disadvantages.

Performance notes:
- Launch failures on Windows (weight 0.17): Many users report the game fails to launch on Windows 10 and 64-bit systems, showing a brief flash or black screen with no response. Reinstalling and compatibility settings often do not resolve the issue.
- Frequent crashes during gameplay (weight 0.12): Players experience repeated crashes, sometimes at the same level or mission, forcing restarts. This includes crashes at different points in the sixth mission.
- Performance issues and lag (weight 0.11): The game suffers from strong FPS drops, lag even on high-end systems, and overall performance is worse than in Shank 1.
- Workarounds for launch problems (weight 0.08): Some users fixed launch issues by installing DIX under pc-data and setting the bin exe to Windows 8 compatibility, or by setting Windows XP SP3 compatibility and DPI overrides.
- Input delay problems (weight 0.05): A consistent 1-second input delay was reported on two different computers, severely impacting gameplay responsiveness.
- Stuck at preparing to launch (weight 0.05): Even after adjusting compatibility and DPI settings, the game remains stuck at the 'preparing to launch Shank 2' screen.
- Audio cuts out randomly (weight 0.05): Audio cuts out at random times during boss fights, disrupting the experience.
- Program requires reboot to close (weight 0.05): The program had to be closed by rebooting the computer, indicating a severe hang.
- General technical issues modern PCs (weight 0.05): The game has technical issues on modern computers, affecting overall compatibility.
- High FPS default issue (weight 0.05): The game runs at over 600 FPS by default, but disabling fullscreen optimizations locks the frame rate, which can be a workaround.
- Low refresh rate workaround (weight 0.05): Using a low refresh rate screen can solve the game crash problem, suggesting a link between refresh rate and stability.
- Controller support issues (weight 0.04): Getting controller support to work took a minute, indicating initial setup difficulties.
- Menu inconsistency (weight 0.04): Menus worked inconsistently, suggesting UI reliability problems.

Recommendations:
- Fans of first game will enjoy (weight 0.24): Players who liked the original Shank are likely to enjoy this sequel, though some feel the first game is superior. The game continues the action experience fans expect.
- Co-op with friend enhances experience (weight 0.24): Playing cooperatively with a friend is highly recommended for a better experience. However, some note that campaign co-op is missing, which is disappointing.
- Mixed opinions on sequel quality (weight 0.24): While some enjoy the sequel, others find it inferior to the first game or not worth playing. Recommendations vary, with some preferring the original.
- Controller strongly recommended over keyboard (weight 0.22): Many players advise using a gamepad for smoother combat and better overall experience. Keyboard and mouse controls are discouraged by several reviewers.
- Worth buying on sale or bundle (weight 0.21): The game is often recommended at a low price or as part of a bundle. It provides good value for the cost.
- Good for beat 'em up fans (weight 0.19): Fans of classic beat 'em up games like Metal Slug and Final Fight will likely enjoy this. It offers a solid brawler experience.
- Solid 2D action platformer (weight 0.19): The game is praised as a good 2D action platformer with combat. It appeals to fans of the genre.
- Overall recommended with caveats (weight 0.16): Many reviewers give a general recommendation, but with reservations about specific aspects. It is often described as enjoyable but not exceptional.
- Survival mode praised but challenging (weight 0.16): Survival mode is fun but difficult, especially in single player. Playing with a partner or using guides is recommended.
- Short duration and unresponsive controls (weight 0.11): Some reviewers cite short game length and unresponsive controls as drawbacks. This affects overall recommendation.
- Good for short sessions (weight 0.07): The game is well-suited for short play sessions, but longer sessions may become boring. It's ideal for quick bursts of action.
- Support Klei and try other games (weight 0.07): Some reviewers encourage supporting Klei and checking out their other titles like Mark of the Ninja. They consider it a worthwhile purchase for fans.
- Not recommended for sensitive players (weight 0.04): The game's blood and dark themes may not suit everyone. Those sensitive to such content should avoid it.
- Avoid hard mode initially (weight 0.04): Starting on Hard mode is not advised; players should familiarize themselves with Normal mode first. This helps avoid unnecessary struggle.

Other player notes:
- Short campaign duration (weight 0.22): The game is considered quite short, with a campaign lasting about 2 to 5 hours. Some players find it playable for only a couple of evenings.
- Direct sequel to Shank 1 (weight 0.21): The game is the second installment in the Shank series and continues immediately after the events of the first game. It is widely recognized as a direct sequel.
- Improved gameplay over Shank 1 (weight 0.17): Reviewers note that combat is less buggy, smoother, and less clunky than the first game. However, some find it less enjoyable and too different from the original.
- Modernized and improved sequel (weight 0.16): Compared to the first game, this version is seen as more modern and an overall improvement. Both games are considered worth playing by some reviewers.
- Survival mode adds replay value (weight 0.14): The inclusion of a Survival Mode with solo and local co-op play offers arcade-style endurance and high score chasing. It provides strong replay value for players.
- Localization patch disables achievements (weight 0.13): Using a third-party Chinese localization patch prevents achievement unlocks. Fixing it may require reinstalling the game.
- Mixed review scores (weight 0.12): Reviewers give scores ranging from 7 to 8 out of 10, indicating generally positive but not exceptional reception.
- Comparisons to Metal Slug and Contra (weight 0.11): Reviewers compare the side-scrolling action feel to classic run-and-gun games like Metal Slug and Contra. The game is often described as similar in style.
- Developed by Klei Entertainment (weight 0.1): The game is developed and published by Klei Entertainment, as noted by multiple reviewers.
- Lacks co-op features (weight 0.08): Shank 2 lacks the co-op features present in the first game, which some reviewers miss. The original felt unique, while this sequel does not.
- Affordable low price (weight 0.08): The game is sold at a low price and is described as affordable by reviewers. This makes it accessible to a wider audience.
- Nostalgic value for reviewers (weight 0.07): Some reviewers have nostalgic memories associated with the game or compare it to games from their past. This emotional connection influences their feedback.

Emotions:
- Disappointment (weight 0.36): Players are disappointed by the sequel's inferior story, lack of co-op, and shorter length compared to the original. Many also criticize poor boss design, clunky controls, and missing features, making it feel like a downgrade.
- Frustration (weight 0.32): Frustration stems from technical issues like crashes, input delay, and poor controls, as well as excessive difficulty with sparse checkpoints and unfair boss fights. The right-stick dodge mapping and lack of subtitles further aggravate players.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.19): Players enjoy the fluid combat, improved controls, and satisfying action, especially in co-op survival mode. The visual style and engaging gameplay provide a fun experience despite some flaws.
- Excitement (weight 0.11): Excitement is driven by fast-paced, brutal combat with gory finishers and dynamic action. The adrenaline-pumping gameplay and over-the-top violence keep players engaged.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.1): Satisfaction comes from mastering the combat system, chaining brutal attacks, and overcoming challenging bosses. The improved mechanics and just-right game length contribute to a fulfilling experience.
- Nostalgia (weight 0.05): Nostalgia arises from the game's classic beat 'em up feel and reminders of playing side-scrolling action games on NES and Sega Genesis. Many recall fond memories of playing with friends in childhood.
- Boredom (weight 0.04): Boredom results from repetitive enemies, looping soundtrack, and drawn-out gameplay. The lack of variety in characters and moves makes longer sessions tedious.
- Annoyance (weight 0.03): Annoyance is caused by the clunky dodge mechanic, lack of Steam Workshop support, and the presence of many small enemies during boss fights. Some also dislike negative reviews based solely on difficulty.
- Appreciation (weight 0.02): Players appreciate the beautiful art style, good soundtrack, and a combat system that rewards mastery. The game is considered a memorable masterpiece by some.
- Anger (weight 0.02): Anger is fueled by performance issues like FPS drops, a dodge bug that nearly caused controller smashing, and hard mode with no checkpoints reminiscent of NES games. The developer's decision to not make it a musou game also frustrated some.
- Delight (weight 0.02): Delight comes from the enjoyable single-player and multiplayer modes, especially the survival co-op experience. The dynamic combat and brutal action bring joy to players.
- Fun (weight 0.02): Fun is found in the multiplayer co-op with friends and the challenging solo survival mode. Creative environmental kills and the overall coolness of the game add to the enjoyment.
- Dissatisfaction (weight 0.01): Dissatisfaction stems from janky controls, a bad story, and little enemy variety. The game feeling like a series of boss fights and uninteresting boss battles further detract from the experience.
- Enthusiasm (weight 0.01): Enthusiasm is driven by extreme brutality, gore, and comedic charm in a forgotten genre. The addictive gameplay, cool art style, and improved combat with new weapons excite players.
- Confusion (weight 0.01): Confusion arises from difficulty understanding survival mode mechanics, such as buying medicine, and a fast-paced story that is hard to follow. The plot's complexity adds to the confusion.
- Adrenaline (weight 0.01): Adrenaline is triggered by nonstop action, fast-paced combat, and boss fights that test reflexes. The relentless pacing keeps players on edge.
- Challenge (weight 0.01): Challenge comes from boss fights that require pattern recognition and discipline, as well as the difficulty of survival mode. Players find these elements demanding but rewarding.
- Disinterest (weight 0.01): Disinterest is due to a contrived plot after the first part and solo play not being engaging enough. The sequel fails to capture the player's interest.
- Relief (weight 0.01): Relief is experienced when technical issues like the black screen are fixed with workarounds, or when taking a break improves performance. These solutions alleviate frustration.
- Love (weight 0.01): Love is expressed for the visual presentation that reminded players of Cartoon Network. The art style resonates strongly with some players.}