Gamegirl Plays Action Packed XBLA Title Shank - GameGirl - Girls And Video Games: What More Do You Need?

Not much attention has been given to Klei's new indie game when it is well deserved. Shank is an upcoming XBOX Live Arcade title that had me stunned when I saw it demoed live. Not only does it have the makings of an excellent side scrolling brawler, it also has stunning visuals that look like a comic book come to life. Check out more details after the jump!

While surveying the exhibition hall at PAX, one game on the floor caught my eye right away. It had a rather long line, but it was well worth the wait. Shank is best described as an 80's action film that was turned into a comic book, then made into a video game. The visuals are absolutely fitting to the style of the game. Thick bold lines and colorful scenery just make every screen come to life. Graphics aren't what make a game good, but style is just icing on the cake of this amazing title.

As the leading man Shank hacks his way through a slew of bad guys, presumably working his way through the criminal underground. You'll find right away that enemies aren't just faceless clone soldiers, but all have unique names and personalities of their own. With different enemies also comes different play styles. Some are larger, some are quicker, some have swords and you have to tackle them all on the fly. It makes combat challenging and so satisfying.

The level showcased in the demo was set in a dusty sort of western town. While the game isn't heavy on exploration, it is a completely solid 2D action platformer. Shank makes his way across rooftops by jumping, swinging on ropes, and scaling walls. Combat is a refreshing blend of melee and projectile weapons. Shank can dual wield his guns while running, or shoot in opposing directions. He also sports a snazzy chain saw which is always effective. Boss fights require clever thinking instead of just hacking away at life bars little by little. Shank was a unique experience and I can't wait to play the entire game. For now I'm keeping my eye on Klei's blog for any news of development.

The game doesn't have an official release date yet, but players should look out for Shank in 2010 on the XBOX Live Arcade Marketplace.

Gameplay footage from Klei's blog: