This review provides an insight into the shape control of complex metal nanocrystals in organic solution phase synthesis. The organic solution phase provides a promising route to achieve shape control in metal nanocrystal synthesis due to a broad range of reaction parameters and the use of organic surfactants. Key synthetic strategies which have been used to achieve complex shapes by controlling nanocrystal formation away from thermal equilibrium are introduced. The review then discusses synthetic methods to form various complex shapes including: rod- and pod-like; branched, porous and dendritic; and complex shaped bimetallic nanostructures. The application of complex shaped metal nanostructures into plasmonics and catalysis is discussed, along with descriptions of their exciting performance enhancements. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.