Every now and again a game appears with a premise so outrageous you stop in your tracks to take it all in. Denshattack!, a game about kickflipping trains across a dystopian future Japan, is the epitome of this feeling. Set in a post climate disaster world, people have retreated to corporate-owned domed cities to live out their days in air-conditioned, ignorant comfort. Save for a handful of outcasts, the rest of the country is a mess of broken infrastructure, where rival gangs battle it out on the ruins of Japan’s famously extensive rail network.
What is Denshattack! All About?
Naive upstart Emi has one goal: become the best Denshattacker there is, one sick nosegrind at a time. Taking the idea of an on-rails platforming game to its extreme conclusion, developers Undercoders have combined the best bits of the Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater series – grinding, flipping and spinning through an entire dictionary of tricks – with the anti-establishment message behind Jet Set Radio. The rivals Emi encounters showcase the history of Japanese misfits, pitting you against ageing rockabillies and violent girl gangs without a shred of judgment.
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Gameplay and Mechanics
While it might feel like a mismatch to have serious worldbuilding alongside a ludicrous premise, Denshattack! rests on the shoulders of giants. Colourful, counter-culture platformers have been around for a long time. So have dystopian racers; Denshattack! has a lot in common with Redline, the cult classic anime about underground racing with an intergalactic, pompadour-wielding cast. The effect is a marriage of silly and substance, with the game’s overwhelming, in-your-face visuals paving the way for a surprisingly hardcore experience. Prepare to crash, explosively and often.
You start out simple, with a single train and a few levels showing you the ropes. Undercoders have decided to introduce the game’s mechanics over several hours, which goes some way towards smoothing out the difficulty curve and allows you to start experimenting with tricks from the starting line.
Comparison Table: Denshattack! vs. Other Skateboarding Games
| Feature | Denshattack! | Tony Hawk's Pro Skater | Jet Set Radio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Setting | Dystopian Japan on trains | Urban skate parks | Tokyo-to streets |
| Main Mechanic | Train grinding and flipping | Skateboard tricks | Inline skating and graffiti |
| Visual Style | Overwhelming, in-your-face | Realistic arcade | Cel-shaded vibrant |
| Difficulty Curve | Introduced over hours | Steep learning curve | Moderate |
Key Takeaways
- Unique premise: Kickflipping trains in a post-apocalyptic Japan sets Denshattack! apart from any other game.
- Inspired by classics: Combines Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater trick system with Jet Set Radio’s counter-culture vibe.
- Progressive difficulty: Mechanics are introduced slowly, making it accessible for new players.
- Visual spectacle: Over-the-top graphics that match the game’s wild concept.
- Deep worldbuilding: A serious story about corporate control and misfit rebellion.
FAQ
What is Denshattack! about?
Denshattack! is a platforming game where you perform skateboard-style tricks on trains in a dystopian future Japan, battling rival gangs and mastering the art of train grinding.
Who developed Denshattack!?
The game was developed by Undercoders, known for combining classic skateboarding mechanics with unique settings.
Is Denshattack! hard to play?
The game introduces its mechanics over several hours, smoothing out the difficulty curve. However, expect frequent crashes as you learn advanced tricks.
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