Sometimes, the most memorable games come from ideas that sound completely ridiculous on paper. A trick-based arcade game where you control a train certainly fits that description, but Denshattack embraces its bizarre premise with unwavering confidence. Developed by Barcelona-based studio Undercoders, the game combines the combo-driven scoring of Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater with the vibrant personality of Jet Set Radio and wraps everything inside a futuristic version of Japan recovering from environmental collapse. Instead of skating through city streets, players speed across an interconnected railway system, performing impossible stunts while battling the authoritarian Miraidō Corporation. It is an unusual concept that immediately stands out, and thankfully, the gameplay has enough creativity to back up its eccentric premise. In an era where many indie games lean heavily on nostalgia, Denshattack instead borrows familiar ideas and reshapes them into something that feels distinctly its own. The result is an experience that is easy to understand at first glance but continues introducing new surprises as the campaign progresses.
The campaign is structured around a series of increasingly complex stages that challenge players to think about movement differently. Rather than simply reaching the finish line, success depends on maintaining your flow by chaining tricks together, discovering alternate routes, and making split-second decisions as the tracks branch in multiple directions. New mechanics are introduced at a steady pace, ensuring the game continues to evolve instead of relying on a single gimmick. Boss battles and optional objectives further mix up the formula, while collectibles and ranking systems encourage returning to previous levels to improve your performance. Although the controls take time to master, they remain responsive throughout, rewarding practice with impressive precision. By the midpoint of the adventure, navigating the twisting railways begins to feel almost second nature, making every successful run feel earned rather than accidental. There is also plenty of satisfaction in experimenting with different routes, as many stages hide shortcuts or riskier paths that reward skilled players with higher scores and faster completion times. Players who enjoy replaying levels to perfect their performance will find plenty of incentive to keep returning, while those simply interested in finishing the story can still enjoy a well-paced adventure that rarely overstays its welcome.
Denshattack’s presentation is equally memorable. Its cel-shaded art style strikes a balance between nostalgic arcade aesthetics and modern visual design, creating colorful environments without becoming overwhelming. Each location introduces distinct scenery that keeps the journey visually engaging, whether racing through dense futuristic cities or more natural landscapes beyond the corporate domes. Bright neon lights, expressive visual effects, and exaggerated animations all contribute to a world that feels energetic from beginning to end. The soundtrack deserves equal praise, delivering energetic electronic tracks that perfectly match the pace of the gameplay without becoming distracting. Sound effects also play an important role, providing satisfying feedback whenever tricks are landed successfully or combos continue to grow. While the story itself never reaches the same heights as the game’s artistic direction, it succeeds in establishing an interesting world and provides enough context to keep players invested between stages. The focus remains firmly on the action, which ultimately works in the game’s favor. Rather than interrupting the gameplay with lengthy cutscenes or excessive dialogue, the narrative knows when to step aside and let the mechanics do the storytelling.
Not every idea lands perfectly. As additional mechanics, hazards, and environmental effects are layered into later stages, the screen can become surprisingly busy, making it difficult to immediately identify incoming obstacles. Some failures feel like the result of visual overload rather than player error, especially during faster sequences where a split-second mistake can end an otherwise excellent run. The campaign also begins to recycle certain objectives near the end, causing a handful of missions to lose some of the freshness that defines the opening hours. Players unfamiliar with score-attack arcade games may also find the learning curve steeper than expected, since achieving the highest rankings requires careful route planning and consistent execution rather than simply reaching the end of each level. These are relatively minor complaints, however, because the core gameplay remains consistently entertaining. Even after a frustrating crash, restarting a level rarely feels like a chore thanks to the game’s quick pacing, responsive controls, and fast loading times, making it easy to jump back in for another attempt.
Denshattack! is exactly the kind of project the independent scene thrives on: ambitious, unconventional, and unafraid to experiment. It takes inspiration from several beloved arcade classics without feeling like a simple imitation, carving out its own identity through clever mechanics and a wonderfully absurd premise. Its challenging gameplay may not appeal to everyone, particularly those looking for a more relaxed experience, but players willing to invest the time will find an arcade adventure that is both rewarding and refreshingly different. In an era where so many games compete to be bigger, longer, or more cinematic, this game proves that a single imaginative idea, executed well, can still leave a lasting impression. It may not reinvent the arcade genre, but it serves as a reminder that creativity and confident game design can often be just as memorable as blockbuster production values. For players looking for something fast, stylish, and unlike almost anything else on the market, Denshattack! is an easy recommendation and another welcome reminder of why the indie scene continues to produce some of gaming’s most inventive ideas.
Score: 8 out of 10
Reviewed on Xbox Series X
