Denshattack!, a game about kickflipping trains across a dystopian future Japan, is now available on PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch 2. Developed by Undercoders, the title combines the trick-based gameplay of Tony Hawk's Pro Skater with the counter-cultural aesthetic of Jet Set Radio.
What Is Denshattack! About?
Set in a post-climate disaster world, most of humanity has retreated to corporate-owned domed cities. The rest of Japan is a ruined landscape where rival gangs battle on the remnants of the country's extensive rail network. The protagonist, Emi, is a naive upstart aiming to become the best Denshattacker by mastering nosegrinds and other tricks.
The rivals Emi encounters showcase Japanese subcultures, pitting players against ageing rockabillies and violent girl gangs without judgment. The game's worldbuilding is serious, yet the premise remains ludicrous, creating a unique blend of silly and substantive.
Gameplay and Mechanics
Players start with a single train and a few tutorial levels. Undercoders introduce mechanics gradually over several hours, smoothing the difficulty curve and allowing experimentation from the start. The game opens up to include races, score attacks, and challenge levels, with boss battles being a highlight. For example, players launch giant baseballs at a tunnelling mole-train or escape a vinyl record-powered castle on a mythical rainbow railroad.
The controls feel intuitive and responsive, with chain combos and spray-painted trains providing a satisfying experience. The game's visuals are overwhelming and in-your-face, paving the way for a surprisingly hardcore experience where crashing is frequent and explosive.
Cultural Influences and Level Design
Denshattack! draws inspiration from various sources, including the anime Redline and the manga Initial D. Levels are saturated with Japanese culture past and present, from honking through a traditional kabuki theatre performance to delivering bowls of ramen in the spirit of Initial D. The game feels like a zany trip across Japan, as if Wacky Races did an advert for the Japanese tourist board.
Despite being developed by Barcelona-based Undercoders, the game's cultural references are impressively accurate and immersive.
Why It Stands Out
In an era dominated by remakes, remasters, and sequels, Denshattack! offers a refreshingly weird experience. According to the review, “if it had been released in the early 2000s I doubt Denshattack! would have made waves. But in an era of remakes, remasters and sequels, I think weird games are as satisfying to discover as nailing that perfect landing feels to play – and they should be celebrated for daring to be nonsensical.”
The game is priced at £15.99 and is available on multiple platforms. It encourages players to engage in multitrack drifting and embrace the absurdity of kickflipping trains.
