Developer Undercoders has quite a collection of unique videogames under their belt. Denshattack! looks to be perhaps the most off-the-wall (or should that be off-the-rails?) game they’ve developed to date.
Available on Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, is Denshattack! as fun as it looks? Or is it all style, no substance? Well, get ready for something crazy, as we kickflip our way into the review!
Did You Know? Denshattack! Translates to Train Attack!
It’s obvious right from the get-go that Denshattack! is a wholly original concept. From games like Noby Noby Boy to Goat Simulator, I love me some weird! Got any favourite gaming oddities? Let us know in the comments below!
Gameplay
In its absolute simplest form, I’d describe Denshattack! as Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater on rails. Literally on rails, though, as you control a train carriage! You control said train as it powers along the tracks (and on walls, railings, and through the air) automatically. It’s very simple to control; you switch tracks using the left analogue stick. The right analogue stick is used to pull off in-air tricks, such as impossibles and kickflips, to rack up a high score. L2 is used for braking or drifting around tight corners. Holding and then releasing R2 lets you jump. The horn is assigned to R3, which, when used, can destroy objects blocking your path. And that’s pretty much it! The basic control scheme works well since you often have to perform several actions in quick succession.
You’ll need lightning-fast reflexes, especially to beat some of the later stages. Leaping over huge gaps, wallriding skyscrapers, and grinding rails; all within seconds of each other! Luckily, the checkpoints are rather generous, so you won’t reset too far back should you derail.
Not every level plays the same, either. Some are simple point A-B stages, avoiding obstacles along the way. Others include the Trick Park, large, open courses where earning a set score is the aim. Then, there are the boss battles, which is when Denshattack! really shows off its originality. An early fight puts you up against a mech comprised of several trains. Another sees you fending off a giant mechanical dragon looking boss. And these aren’t even the wildest ones you’ll encounter!
Graphics & Audio
Denshattack! is a beautifully bright and vivid adventure with a bold colour scheme. Think Hi-Fi Rush and you’re on the right track. The various Japanese prefecture environments, such as Tokyo, Osaka, and Hokkaido, are all vibrant areas that you’ll want to stop and stare at for a while. Not ideal when you’re trying to beat stages as quickly as possible, but that just goes to show how stunning it all looks!
As for audio, I was getting big Jet Set Radio vibes from the soundtrack. Which, seeing as that is one of my favourite videogame soundtracks of all time, is a pretty big compliment! It’s varied enough to not get repetitive, and was just a genuine joy to listen to as I repeated stages time and time again.
Longevity
With over 60 levels, Denshattack! has plenty of content to keep players busy for a while. Although you could rush through in around 5 hours or so, the bronze, silver, and gold medals for each stage and the optional Dares are where the real challenge is at.
Dares are what’s most likely going to keep players returning. These are collectibles and optional tasks found in each level. Objectives such as “trick over the Maoi heads” or a target time to beat are varied and challenging enough that I found myself really struggling to 100% certain stages. The No Crash finishes Dare will take several attempts per level!
Dares don’t feel like they’re artificially extending the game’s length, though. Instead, acting as extra challenges for anyone who feels like they’ve mastered the art of Denshattack!. It’s most reminiscent of games such as OlliOlli, where levels are short enough that going back to perfect them doesn’t feel like too much of a chore. Just incredibly difficult to do so!
Final Thoughts
I may have mentioned several other games in this review; however, Denshattack! is really unlike anything else. There is virtually nothing negative I have to say about this game. Sure, it can get incredibly challenging, which leads to some frustration. But that was down to my own skill issues, rather than any unfairness from the game’s design.
This is an incredibly fun, well-crafted title that I believe could be an indie smash hit. If you have any interest in original game ideas, you absolutely need to check out Denshattack! Who knew extreme sports: trains edition could be so much fun?
Therefore, Denshattack! receives the ThumbCulture Platinum Award!
Disclaimer: A code was received in order to write this review.
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