So, I've played for about an hour and must say, I'm not feeling the controls. When there's a bunch of enemies in the screen (which, granted, happens most of the time) they're fine. You just shoot, stab, cut, and you'll do with no problems. But when you need to be more precise (which happened during the second and third boss) I found the controls to be lacking. What bothers me is that Shank must always finish the animation of you have started, even if you're pressing something else. Most of the time, in my case, it means that I'll still be shooting even though I'm hammering the jump button to get out of harms way - and, consequently failing.
 
The game is still very good and fun, and I am enjoying it. But I sure wish the controls would be better. It has been somewhat frustrating at times.

Look forward to the last boss, who will punish button mashing to the max.
 
The key to precise and intutive controls is to find an input rythm. Fast enough never to let off and slow enough for reflex dogding/blocking/countering to beat your next mash to the punch. It's all about NOT mashing. Much like Ninja Gaiden. Once you get to the place, where your reflex inputs aren't cancelled out by your button mashing, it's pretty much spot on.
 
Controlwise, I just miss the ability to airdash (evade while jumping, like in the Dishwasher). In later stages with plenty of shooting enemies on screen, jumping is pretty much useless (and that jump onto the enemy move aswell). Also - just began on Hard. No checkpoints means falling to your death is failing. Now that's discouraging knowing what's up ahead in terms of platforming and other random deaths (rockets anyone?).
 
Enjoying the game immensely. Will play it on hard (with no intention of beating it). It has that Ninja Gaiden appeal. Definitly delivers on its premise. It took me 3h 30m to complete the game on Normal. Had a hard time beating the last boss, but beating him kinda unlocked the next skill level. I feel prepared to take on Hard mode now.

I wish there was a simple "press up and shoot directly up" mechanic. I think it's dumb that it's like, "oh, shoot these meatslabs, but oh, you have to shoot them angled to hit them, good luck figuring out how to do that while this guy kills you over and over.

@Seppli said:

" It's all about NOT mashing. Much like Ninja Gaiden. Once you get to the place, where your reflex inputs aren't cancelled out by your button mashing, it's pretty much spot on.  " 

These controls are frustrating, actually. I also like how they never mentioned to tell there's a fucking block button until I failed a boss fight like two times and then they're like, "YO DAWG MAYB U SHULD TRY THAT BLOCK BUTTON DAWG."

The X Button shouldn't be used for picking up items, and using your shank, i end up picking stuff up when i don't want to...

I have the same problem as the OP. The fact that he has to finish each animation before going to the next is whats bothering me. I feel like they should have had the jump button cancel any other attack, so you can evade properly.

" The X Button shouldn't be used for picking up items, and using your shank, i end up picking stuff up when i don't want to... "

I think the game took pity on me at a point. During that stage that you're being constantly attacked by a barrage of missiles I died, died and died again. After trying again for maybe the sixth time, I missed a jump and fell into a pit but, instead of dying, was teleported to the end of the stage.
 
@Seppli: I just finished a little while ago and, indeed, once you start to be more rhythmic and less mashy, it feels much better. But still, I couldn't feel comfortable with the controls and, more the once, I felt that I died not just because of my inability but because they wouldn't cooperate with I wanted to do. I liked the game, and want to try out the co-op (which, apparently, is local only?) but felt a bit exhausted after the end.
 
Also, it helped a lot that, in a stage further down the line, the game taught me how to evade. I knew of the defense button, but had no idea I could evade enemies with a press on the stick. That's why I kept being hit constantly by those big dudes.  
 
@skyline7284: Yeah, the kept happening to me, specially during the last boss fight.


 
 

I just played the demo and have to say I don't like moving with the analog stick. I'd much rather it give me the option to use the dpad if I so desired (played it on the ps3) 
 
I think I'm still going to get it, it was fun.

Mmm...didn't have a problem with the controls. It got harder in later stages but I didn't find the bosses to be that rough, will be replaying on hard tomorrow.  
Also I heard it got some pretty average reviews, shame as  personally I would say this is easily my favourite download game, then again I have always been a big brawler fan.

loved em.

I think it just takes some time getting use to them. The controls are actually pretty good for the type of game. 
 
I'm seriously going to rage on Cesar though... my hand is starting to cramp.

The only real problem I had was shooting and lobbing grenades in the wrong direction. I swear I would flick the stick to face to the right and I would still face back to the left and waste a nade.

reading all this makes me sure i never wanna play shank ever

" reading all this makes me sure i never wanna play shank ever "

I think Shank's controls are pretty damn great. The button mapping makes total sense, and even though every button on the controller is used, i was never confused. And they're very responsive. There are no combos in the fighting game sense, but some of the attacks i've strung together by just mixing it up end up looking totally fluid, even though they're composed of separate attacks.

I agree though that using X / square to pick up items isn't optimal. Also i think mapping the Katana disembowel move to just RT / R2 is kinda inconsistent with the other weapons.

Literally had no quarrel with them.

" These controls are frustrating, actually. I also like how they never mentioned to tell there's a fucking block button until I failed a boss fight like two times and then they're like, "YO DAWG MAYB U SHULD TRY THAT BLOCK BUTTON DAWG." "

" I wish there was a simple "press up and shoot directly up" mechanic. I think it's dumb that it's like, "oh, shoot these meatslabs, but oh, you have to shoot them angled to hit them, good luck figuring out how to do that while this guy kills you over and over. "

Now that's discouraging knowing what's up ahead in terms of platforming and other random deaths (rockets anyone?). 

Sowwie. =(

" @MushroomSamba: Wow. Way to reply like, a week late. Also, nice attempt at insulting me, now fuck off.  Shank has a pretty steep learning curve you don't really discover until you get deeper into the game. I learned to use Shank's mechanics to overcome the obstacles and in the end, it became more rewarding. The diagonal shooting mechanic is still fucked, though. The problem is the controls don't know if you're trying to control Shank, or if you're trying to aim in a different direction and it becomes a mess. I don't really know an easier way to control it, but looking at a game like Metal Slug might give them some better ideas. "

" These controls are frustrating, actually. I also like how they never mentioned to tell there's a fucking block button until I failed a boss fight like two times and then they're like, "YO DAWG MAYB U SHULD TRY THAT BLOCK BUTTON DAWG." "

" @Napalm said:

" These controls are frustrating, actually. I also like how they never mentioned to tell there's a fucking block button until I failed a boss fight like two times and then they're like, "YO DAWG MAYB U SHULD TRY THAT BLOCK BUTTON DAWG." "

Like someone said, the loading screen has a control configuration on it...EVERY loading screen. Also when did gamers stop trying out controls, one of the first things I do in a game is try out everything and see what its does.  "

" @IkariNoTekken said:

" @Napalm said:

" These controls are frustrating, actually. I also like how they never mentioned to tell there's a fucking block button until I failed a boss fight like two times and then they're like, "YO DAWG MAYB U SHULD TRY THAT BLOCK BUTTON DAWG." "

Like someone said, the loading screen has a control configuration on it...EVERY loading screen. Also when did gamers stop trying out controls, one of the first things I do in a game is try out everything and see what its does.  "

Are you guys fucking stupid or something? How about reading the entire thread before you reply to an outdated comment, you dolt. "