Quick Look: Shank 2 Co-Op Survival Mode (with Gameplay Video)

Shank 2 was just released earlier this week and we’ve already taken a quick look at its single-player campaign, which now features refined combat and less annoying boss fights.

Now, it’s time we checked out the all-new cooperative Survival mode, which replaces the story-based co-op experience we have seen in the original game. Is this horde-like mode a step into the right direction or should it have some sort of narrative, like in the first Shank? Let’s have a quick look.

I loved the co-op in Shank 1, as it allowed me and various friends to try out our skills against the hordes of enemies, while learning some more about the backstory of Shank and his mob problems. When I heard the new game scraps the story-themed experience for one based on waves, I wasn’t that excited.

After going through a couple of matches, however, I have to admit that Klei Entertainment did deliver a decent experience.

You start off by choosing your character, although at the beginning you only get to pick between Shank and Corina, and then configure your arsenal, selecting a heavy weapon and a long range one. After this, you’re thrown into action on a multi-level environment where you need to protect three stashes from waves of opponents.

Enemies start off pretty weak, but slowly increase both in number and in power, culminating with massive brutes every five or so waves. In between these enemies are ones who plant bombs on your stashes. Unless you kill them before they plant the device, you’re then forced to defuse it while, hopefully, your buddy keeps enemies distracted from your vulnerable self.

The other big feature of the Survival mode is the shop, which allows you to exchange in-game currency for things such as a health-boosting tequila bottle, a decoy that lures enemies away from you, or even things like turrets or miniguns. This adds an extra bit of strategy to the co-op experience, as players need to be careful about their cash and invest in bonuses when the time is right.

Besides the bomb defusing and the upgrade shop, however, it’s the same Shank experience, with combat feeling smooth and responsive. Things can get hectic once you progress through the levels but, once you get a feel for the experience and collaborate with your buddy, things aren’t that hard.

For a video of Shank 2’s co-op mode, check out the video above.