Denshattack! [REVIEW] – Going Off The Rails Has Never Been More Fun 

I absolutely love it when a game with an utterly insane concept hits, and believe me, Denshattack! is batshit crazy – and, most importantly, one of the most thrilling games I’ve played this year. It takes a deeply silly premise – performing extreme sports tricks on a runaway train – and commits to it entirely, resulting in an unforgettable arcade experience that’ll keep you hooked in for hours on end. 

Check out some screenshots down below: 

Set in a vibrant version of Japan following a massive climate disaster, society in Denshattack! has been split in two: the mega-rich are safely tucked away inside luxurious biodomes governed by the sketchy Miraido corporation, whilst everyone else gets on with life out in the overgrown wilderness. Players take on the role of Emi, a humble ramen delivery driver who happens to possess incredible skills behind the wheel. After a chance encounter with an eccentric photographer, she tosses her apron aside to enter the wild, underground world of stunt train riding… yeah, you read that right.  

The opening plot beats feel a little rushed… I mean, Emi goes from a complete novice to a seasoned pro almost instantly with very little motivation, but given how bonkers the whole thing is, I guess it’s believable? The narrative quickly settles into a charming, rebellious adventure anyway, and as you gather your loveable crew of misfits and former rivals to help you take down the corporate overlords, you’ll just find yourself enjoying the ride. 

Of course, where Denshattack! truly shines is in its breathtaking action. Drawing from the golden era of 90s arcade titles (and extreme sports titles), the core loop is all about racking up massive scores whilst hurtling along railway lines at terrifying speeds. You will need sharp reflexes to hop between tracks, dodge incoming hazards, and time your drifts perfectly around tight corners, whilst launching your carriage into the air lets you flick the analogue stick to pull off utterly ridiculous aerial flips, chaining them together with wall-grinds and manuals to keep your combo multiplier climbing into the stratosphere.  

“Denshattack! is a wonderfully bizarre experience that pays off beautifully, offering a masterclass in arcade level design and high-score chasing that’ll keep you hooked in for hours on end.” 

It is an incredibly fast-paced system that can feel a little overwhelming, demanding split-second inputs to survive. Yet it’s because of this relentless forward momentum that it feels so damn satisfying to play, and whilst the game lobs new mechanics at you constantly to keep you on your toes, the sense of challenge and variety that they bring makes everything all the more exciting. Just expect to crash… a lot. Thankfully, Denshattack! is a very forgiving experience, with generous checkpoints and instant respawns meaning that casual players can brush off mistakes and simply enjoy the chaos of reaching the finish line.  

If you just want to experience the story, the roughly ten-hour story mode is a breezy and varied ride that’ll keep a big smile on your face. Trust me, the action NEVER slows down, whilst the constant plethora of ridiculous scenarios like outrunning a massive typhoon, knocking a giant baseball out of the park, or battling a colossal mech means there’s always something utterly bonkers to get stuck into. It excels through its silliness, with each wild moment helping make Denshattack! all the more memorable. 

And for those who want to keep playing once they’ve beaten the main story mode, the replay value is staggering. Every level grades you on time, score, and specific side missions, so perfectionists can find plenty of ways to improve each run – exploring alternate routes nets you collectables that fill out a lore-heavy sticker book and coins used to buy new trains too, so there’s LOTS to get stuck into. Sure, the customisation is a little basic, but for completionists, it provides a great excuse to keep diving back into older stages. 

Check out some screenshots down below: 

Aesthetically, Denshattack! is absolutely stunning. The art direction bursts with vibrant colours, blending comic book flair with urban street culture, whilst the character designs lean heavily into familiar Japanese media tropes in all of the right ways. Matching the brilliant visuals is a jaw-dropping soundtrack, with the game offering a phenomenal mix of punk rock, J-pop, and hip-hop to complement the chaotic energy on screen. 

Developer: Undercoders 
Publisher: Fireshine Games, Boltray Games 
Platform(s): PC (Reviewed), PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2 
Website: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2524850/Denshattack/