For what it is, I would say that this game is not too shabby for a side-scrolling beat-'em-up/shooter. That being said, it also has many of the issues that are commonly found in this genre; shoddy hit detection at times and the inability to entertain for long periods of time. The main issue that really ruined this game from being better for me was the fact that the framerate is guaranteed to drop every couple fights. In a game where one error proves fatal, this just leads to frustrating deaths time and time again.

As far as downloadable titles go, it doesn't get much better than Shank 2. Building on what made the first game so unique, Klei has crafted a game that is more accessible to new comers, while satisfying fans of the original. If Shank 2 stumbles, it does so in its narrative, given that it's essentially none existent. The original Shank had an interesting tale, albeit generic and simple. Nevertheless, Shank 2 doesn't require a Shakespearean tale to motivate you to get from point A to point B. The gameplay in Shank 2 is fairly simple, but deep enough for it to require some skill. Countering and rolling is a welcome addition that eliminates much of the frustration that the previous entry suffered from. Rolling is as simple as flicking the right stick, God of War esque if you will, and countering is done by clicking R2 on the Ps3 and RT on the Xbox respectively. If the option of the Xbox or Ps3 is available, I would insist that one would go with the Ps3 version. The controller is much more suited for the play style in my opinion. The campaign while pretty brief, never overstays its welcome, and there are multiple difficulties to encourage players for a second go around. Normal mode is recommended to new players, while veterans of Shank will derive much more enjoyment playing on the harder difficulty. Shank 2 adds a survival mode that is incredibly fun. Players will take on waves of enemies who increase in difficulty with each progressive wave. While fending off enemies, players will be required to protect three stations. One can also buy items from a shop, such as potions or heavy machine guns to aid you in your struggle. I would advise playing the survival mode with a friend or online with another individual, due to the difficulty in completing it alone. At ten dollars, Shank epitomizes "bang for your buck." Its entertaining campaign won't last long, but there's the survival mode to lean back on. Completionists will be happy to know there are tons of quirky costumes to unlock, with some of them adding an interesting mix to the already competent survival mode. Shank 2 impresses, and anyone looking for a few hours of fun on a Saturday night, or something to keep you busy for a few weeks with a friend, this is your game.

Shank 2 is in every way an improvement over the original. This goes to show what a talented young studio can do when listening to constructive criticism. To summarize, the animation is better, the handling is tighter, the kills are more satisfying, and dare i say the blood is bloodier. It will bring you much more fun then the the sandwich you could alternately buy for the same price.