Xbox 360 Critic Reviews

Shank is the freshest, most unequivocally rewarding beat-em-up game to come along in almost a decade.

The gameplay is exceedingly simple.

Aside from some minor control annoyances - like the same button used for multiple actions (such as blade attacks and item pick-ups) - Shank's craftsmanship is largely impeccable. It's one of 2010's most memorable and exciting action games. For $15.

What I'm saying to you is that Shank is so fun that it's actually a cure for murder, and if that's not worth 4.5 stars, what is?

If you are looking for a high action, blood splattering, combo driven game that you can enjoy alone or with friends, Shank is definitely the game for you.

With its incredible art and entertaining gameplay, Shank stands near the apex of what downloadable gaming is all about.

Its sometimes aggravating difficulty might not be for everyone, but anyone looking to bring back that warm, pit of your stomach feeling of playing Double Dragon for the first time needn't look any further.

Overall Shank is one of the best beat 'em up titles to come out in a long time

Shank's unassuming style and blatant old-school influence make it a must-have for fans of games like Gunstar Heroes, Double Dragon, and Contra. No matter what, vengeance must be yours.

This is the Saturday morning cartoon your parents wouldn't dare let you watch, the closest thing to Venture Bros. becoming a video game, and one of the highlights of this year's downloadable titles. The only thing it's missing is a lot of limbs falling off and decapitation, but that's what sequels are for, right?