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EA announces Shank 2 for early 2012

Stylish side-scroller back for more.

A sequel to last year's stylish side-scrolling kill 'em up Shank arrives on PC, PlayStation Network and Xbox Live Arcade in early 2012, publisher EA has announced.

Original developer Klei Entertianment returns, with the game's titular hero leaping back into the fray when the lives of his loved ones come under threat.

Details on exactly what it offers over and above the original are currently thin on the ground, but it seems the big new addition this time out is a new arcade-style co-op survival mode.

"Creatively, Shank still has a lot to give," commented Klei founder Jamie Cheng.

"We took the feedback from the community and ran with it, putting our own flavor on every change. For Shank 2, we literally took apart the game and put it back together to push the envelope in combat mechanics, visuals, and 2D animation in games."

"We are honored to again partner with the visionary talent of Klei Entertainment," added EA suit Jamil Moledina.

"Shank 2 showcases their ability to blend emotionally resonant yet sardonically violent storytelling with pitch perfect controls and art design and confirms EA Partners' strategy of bringing the best independent games simultaneously to all leading digital platforms."

The original, though undeniably easy on the eye, didn't go down so well round these parts. Take a look at Kristan Reed's 5/10 Shank review to find out why.