Denshattack distinguishes itself as a truly novel experience, blending post-apocalyptic stunt driving with the thrill of action sports simulators and anime aesthetics. Developer Undercoders has captured a sense of childhood imagination, allowing players to guide a train through impossible feats of flight, flips, grinds, and wall races. This unique premise, reminiscent of games like Tony Hawk's Pro Skater but with a distinct train-based twist, results in a delightful yet often intense journey through a vibrant world.
The gameplay shares a kinship with rhythm games, not through musical cues, but through the need for split-second decisions. Players must navigate tracks, avoid obstacles, leap the train, and execute tricks using the right analog stick. The developer places significant trust in the player's reaction time, frequently introducing high-speed, unexpected challenges. While this approach keeps the pace brisk, it also means the intricate trick system may not be fully explored by all players, with simple stick rotations often proving sufficient.
Denshattack offers a robust structure for those seeking high scores and the completion of level-specific "Dares." Replaying levels is often necessary for mastery, though generally not to the point of frustration due to generous checkpoints and quick restarts. Perfection is rewarded, but simply reaching the finish line to progress the story and witness the game's frequent surprises is also a fun and achievable goal.
Indeed, surprises are a hallmark of Denshattack. The game spans approximately 13 hours to completion and maintains its momentum by constantly mixing up gameplay mechanics and presenting absurd, unexpected scenarios. Early moments might involve chasing a giant robot through a collapsing city or using stunts to return a colossal baseball, with many more bizarre events unfolding throughout the adventure.
New train stunt abilities are introduced regularly, with each level meticulously designed to encourage the use of these new mechanics. Levels are often brief, but Undercoders has ensured that each moment is bombastic, exciting, and undeniably weird. The narrative features a cast of peculiar characters and designs that draw heavily from anime tropes, feeling more like an homage than a cliché. The story, while not deeply moving, provides a fun backdrop for the central premise of stunt-driving a train through an anime-inspired, environmentally devastated Japan. Rivals can become allies, adding a unique dynamic to the player's motivation to become the best Denshattacker.
Denshattack fully embraces its strange premise with confidence, continuously building upon its ideas at high speed. This rapid pace prevents boredom but also limits opportunities for deep immersion in its absurd world. For players who prioritize constant fun and successful navigation over lingering in the environment, this approach works, suggesting that taking time to appreciate the details might be secondary to the sheer joy of the ride.