Denshattack! is an action game centered on controlling a customizable train through a series of tracks set in a dystopian future Japan. Players take on the role of Emi, a ramen delivery worker who enters the underground world of Denshattack to challenge rival gangs and confront the Miraidō corporation. The core loop revolves around performing skateboard-inspired tricks such as ollies, kickflips, and grinds while navigating rails at high speed.
Gameplay
The gameplay combines on-rails movement with free-form trick execution. Players steer the train along fixed tracks but gain control over jumps, drifts, and aerial maneuvers to chain combos and build multipliers. Boosts come from landing tricks cleanly or hitting specific track features like ramps and grind rails. Levels span urban environments in major Japanese cities as well as open landscapes including meadows, volcanoes, and ocean crossings. The train itself can be customized for visual style and minor performance tweaks, though the focus stays on timing and combo creativity rather than deep upgrades.
Controls emphasize precise inputs for each trick type, with a steep initial learning curve that rewards practice through repeated attempts at the same sections. Story progression follows Emi as she meets other outcasts and learns the ropes of the sport, mixing narrative beats with level challenges. Environmental variety keeps routes fresh, with hairpin turns, chasms, and occasional boss encounters adding variety to the rail-riding formula.
Game Modes
The primary experience consists of a linear campaign broken into individual levels that players complete in sequence. Each level tasks the rider with reaching the end while accumulating the highest possible score through trick chains and clean landings. Replay value comes from returning to earlier tracks to improve personal bests and unlock additional customization options. No separate competitive or cooperative modes appear in the current release, keeping the emphasis on solo runs and personal mastery of the trick system.
Story and Setting
The narrative places players in a climate-altered Japan where most people live inside corporate domes while outcasts roam the ruined rail network. Emi starts as an outsider drawn into Denshattack competitions after meeting Fernando and other misfits. Rival groups represent different subcultures, and progression involves both racing ahead on tracks and performing stunts to assert dominance. The tone mixes lighthearted trick performance with themes of rebellion against the megacorporation, delivered through short cutscenes between levels.
Is It Worth Playing?
Early player and critic feedback highlights the satisfying feel of chaining tricks and the energetic presentation across dozens of levels. The game launched with a Day 1 Bundle that includes the base experience plus cosmetic options at no extra cost for a limited period. It runs on Xbox Series consoles and PC with consistent performance and supports controller play. Those who enjoy arcade-style action games focused on skill expression and high-score chasing will find the most appeal here, especially if they appreciate stylized visuals and a breezy story about underground competition. The steep learning curve means new players should expect several attempts before fluid runs become routine, but the core loop remains engaging once the inputs click. Availability on multiple platforms and the absence of required online features make it accessible for single-player sessions of varying lengths.
