Method 2: Editing the INI Configuration File (DRM-Free / Offline)

The "Shank" series from Klei Entertainment uses similar systems. There is a high probability that the same registry key path ( EA Games\Shank 2 ) or a similar method will work for the sequel. However, this guide is specifically written for and tested with the original .

If you own Shank on Steam and it launches in Russian despite your Steam client being in English, Steam might have forced the wrong language.

Other methods involve game files instead of the Windows Registry. If you have a digital version from a source other than Steam, you could try this:

If you are using a 32-bit version of Windows, the path will be the same, just without the Wow6432Node part. The correct key is HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\EA Games\Shank .

Go to the desktop icon for . Right-click it and choose Open File Location .

Right-click on in your games list and select Properties . Click on the General or Language tab on the left sidebar. Locate the drop-down menu under the language section. Select English (or your preferred language) from the list.

Once you are in the correct Shank folder, look at the list of values on the right-hand pane. Find the value named . Double-click on it to open its properties window.

The most reliable way to force Shank to display in English is by manually editing its local configuration file. completely. Press Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog box.

So, you’ve just installed Shank , the cult-classic 2D action game by Klei Entertainment. You were excited to dive into the violent, stylish world of a vengeful ex-hitman. But when you launched the game, everything was in Russian. The menus, the subtitles, the prompts—all Cyrillic.

If the game ignores your files, it might be fetching its regional configuration directly from your Windows architecture registry keys.

Use your directional keys or mouse to toggle this selection until it displays .

: Look for a text file ending in .ini . Common file names include: steam_api.ini steam_emu.ini context.ini hlm.ini

Before resorting to registry edits, it's always worth checking the game's settings menu. While this method is the simplest, it's often not available in versions of Shank that default to Russian.

Navigate to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Klei Entertainment\Shank (the path may vary slightly depending on your installation). On the right side, find the string.

If you need help navigating a specific during launch or can't locate your save file folder to backup progress before reinstalling, let me know! Share public link