Shank 2 is the sequel to Shank, and it is a 2D side-scrolling platformer focusing on fighting numerous opponents at once while jumping and climbing platform pieces. Following the first game’s events, Shank journeys to a South American country in quest of Linda, the lady who raised him at the orphanage. The country’s ruler, Magnus was elected after pledging to deal with the illicit cartels. However, he does have a weak heart, and Linda looks to be the only one who can offer him a suitable transplant, so he kidnaps her. The events begin when Shank’s bus is stopped, and because of his confrontations with Magnus’ minions, the townspeople believe he has joined their resistance.
Combat is built on chaining together attacks using revolvers, knives, a shotgun, a chainsaw, a baseball bat, grenades, mines, and other weapons. Offensive attacks mix melee combat with long-ranged attacks and are always characterized by a cartoonish, over-the-top sense of violence and gore. A roll maneuver to dodge incoming strikes replaced the first game’s block ability. A completely new counter-action. A crimson exclamation mark emerges above the heads of foes that assault. It is possible to grip them, halt the assault, and counter with an immediate kill if timed perfectly. Each type of equipped weapon has a separate counterattack. Shooting has become more fluid, with the ability to switch weapons mid-air or swiftly in the middle of a combo. Weapons can no longer be traded in when leveling up. It is defined at the beginning of the game (with several firearms that must be unlocked), and the equipment load-out can now be altered after death. It is sometimes possible to use or activate things in the surroundings to eliminate many enemies simultaneously. Turrets, decoys, and even a wild boar might be used to obstruct the adversary.
In addition to the primary Campaign story mode with two difficulty levels, there is a Survival mode where you must combat waves of monsters on one of three levels for as long as possible. Survival may be played offline and online for two players, replacing the first game’s local cooperative campaign multiplayer option. The multiplayer mode features 16 unique characters, each with its own set of powers, health boosts, item discounts, and damage modifiers. Characters can also be unlocked for use in the Campaign mode. Various forms of rebel intelligence can be acquired during the game and displayed in a separate gallery.
