Denshattack! successfully captures the freewheeling spirit of early 2000s extreme sports games, offering a unique experience that blends the high-score chase of Tony Hawk's Pro Skater with the visual flair of Jet Set Radio. The game's developer, Undercoders, has crafted a thrilling 3D Sonic-esque adventure, outdoing actual Sonic titles in its understanding of how to construct an engaging 3D experience.
Set in a futuristic, climate-ravaged Japan where trains are vital for inter-city supply transport under weather-resistant domes, players take on the role of "Denshattackers," daredevil train conductors. The narrative centers on a squad of countercultural misfits rebelling against an oppressive corporation. While the story itself is a straightforward punk rock rebellion tale with a touch of anti-AI sentiment, it serves as a sufficient framework for the game's outlandish premise.
Trains are central to Denshattack!'s gameplay and world-building. They are the primary means of navigating the railway-laden cities, function as weapons in duels, and serve as a cultural currency that earns respect among underground factions. Undercoders applies a "street law" ethos to this locomotive-centric world, creating an inventive setting that quickly becomes believable.
Expressive Train Mechanics
The core of Denshattack!'s success lies in making train control feel as expressive as a skateboard. Through intricate level design and a robust trick system inspired by Skate, players can grind, ollie, manual, and perform various flips with their trains. These mechanics are introduced gradually, allowing players to master new tricks and integrate them into combos. What starts as a simple kickflip can evolve into a complex, sustained combo across an entire level, requiring quick thinking and balance.
The game iterates on its core premise over its approximately 10-hour runtime. Mechanics like crane swinging and dual-track sliding add further layers of absurdity and depth. The progression of skills is seamless, enabling players to perform complex maneuvers intuitively. This smooth learning curve makes the act of executing advanced tricks on a locomotive feel surprisingly natural.
Varied Level Design and Aesthetics
Denshattack! avoids monotony through diverse level objectives and environmental variety. While some levels focus on high scores, others require players to simply race from point A to point B through spectacular chaos, which can include underwater tricking or grinding around volcanoes. There are also race levels that feature discoverable shortcuts, and surprising open-ended city levels where objectives can be tackled in any order. The game culminates in large-scale boss battles that match its over-the-top spectacle.
The level design itself is a standout feature, drawing inspiration from 3D Sonic games to create dynamic roller coasters that demand player attention and quick decision-making. Levels are filled with alternate routes, ridable walls, and hidden paths, consistently rewarding exploration with combo opportunities or secrets. Some critics have suggested that Denshattack! could be considered the best Sonic the Hedgehog game ever made due to its inspired design.
The game's aesthetics complement its fast-paced gameplay with bright colors and speed lines reminiscent of anime. The cities are detailed with nods to Japanese culture, though this can sometimes feel like superficial digital tourism. The soundtrack features upbeat tracks that match the game's tempo, and collectible zines and train skins reinforce a youthful, rebellious theme harkening back to 2000s counter-culture.
Denshattack! distinguishes itself by avoiding the pitfalls of games that merely mimic their influences. Unlike titles that capture the look but not the essence of games like Jet Set Radio, Denshattack! understands that reinvention and boldness were key to the success of trendsetting titles like Tony Hawk's Pro Skater. It boldly reinterprets the extreme sports formula with an over-the-top sensibility that makes its unconventional premise work.
Despite its unique approach, Denshattack! delivers immediate thrills. It is an explosion of creative energy that succeeds in defying expectations, proving that a game about skateboarding trains can be a substantial and engaging experience. The game is available on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Windows PC, and Xbox Series X.