Shank (video game)

Shank
Cover art featuring Jeff Agala
Developer(s)Klei Entertainment
Publisher(s)Electronic Arts
Director(s)Jeff Agala
Gary Lam
Designer(s)Jeff Agala
Jamie Cheng
Daniel Yu
Programmer(s)Alex Colbert
Chris Costa
Kevin Forbes
Artist(s)Jeff Agala
Aaron Bouthillier
Meghan Shaw
Writer(s)Marianne Krawczyk
Composer(s)Vincent DeVera
Jason Garner
Platform(s)Linux, Mac OS X, Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
ReleasePlayStation 3, Xbox 360
  • NA: August 24, 2010 (PS3)[1]
  • WW: August 25, 2010[1]
Windows
  • NA: October 25, 2010
  • EU: October 26, 2010
OS X
October 23, 2012
Linux
May 23, 2013
Genre(s)Hack and slash
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Shank is a 2D side-scrolling hack and slash video game developed by Canadian independent studio Klei Entertainment and published by Electronic Arts in 2010. In December 2011, it was re-released as part of the collection Humble Indie Bundle 4.

The game features melee and ranged combat, as well as acrobatic gameplay. Its plot was penned by the God of War series' co-writer Marianne Krawczyk and tells the tale of the ex-hitman Shank's quest for revenge in the single-player campaign, also featuring a prequel story in the form of a cooperative multiplayer campaign for two players.

Shank received mixed reviews, but generally positive reception overall. Critics generally praised the art style of both the gameplay and cutscenes, however some critics felt the game had uneven level design and repetitive gameplay. The game was commercially successful, selling tens of thousands of copies and remaining in the top 20 Xbox Live Arcade games during September 2010. It was followed by a sequel, Shank 2, released in 2012 for the same gaming platforms as the first game.

  1. ^ a b McWhertor, Michael (2010-07-20). "See What It's Like To Shank A Friend". Kotaku. Archived from the original on 2010-07-23. Retrieved 2010-07-20.