A world fueling adventure

The story follows Emi, a ramen delivery person living in a futuristic Japan affected by climate changes. A large portion of the population now resides in cities shielded by massive domes governed by the influential Miraido corporation, while those outside survive in a much harsher world.

In this environment, Emi encounters the world of Denshattack, an illegal competition among train pilots performing impossible maneuvers while facing various gangs scattered across the country.

The narrative is never meant to be the core experience. Presented through comic-style sequences, it acts as a link between levels, introducing new characters and gradually expanding the game's universe without interrupting the campaign's fast pace. The characters adhere to familiar anime archetypes but possess enough charisma to make the journey enjoyable from start to finish.

An unlikely blend that succeeds

It's challenging to describe Denshattack without making comparisons. It's like Tony Hawk's Pro Skater challenges, Jet Set Radio's visual style, and a dash of the over-the-top energy seen in shonen anime. Yet, the experience manages to create its own identity.

The standout feature is the movement. Though controlling a train, the vehicle responds with the agility of a skateboarder, enabling jumps, grinds, manuals, wall rides, quick track changes, sharp turns, and a wide array of maneuvers executed through the right analog stick.

As new techniques are unlocked, the system reveals surprising depth. Movement combinations demand precision, memorization, and constant practice, making every race an opportunity to perfect routes and boost scores.

The learning curve might seem daunting at first, especially for those aiming for gold medals in all stages, but the feeling of progress is directly tied to player skill. Gradually, movements that initially seemed impossible become a natural part of one's repertoire.

Stages that always keep up the pace

If there's one aspect that keeps Denshattack constantly engaging, it's its excellent level design.

Each region introduces new mechanics, objectives, and environments capable of surprising even those who think they've seen everything the game has to offer. One moment, the train navigates mountains and abandoned cities; the next, it crosses ferris wheels, slides through air streams, or connects to suspended monorails.

The challenges are also quite varied. Some stages focus on speed, others on scoring, exploration, item collection, or specific objectives scattered throughout different pathways in the levels.

This variety is enhanced by the presence of multiple routes, optional challenges, collectibles, and trains with unique attributes, creating a structure that naturally encourages revisits to improve times and claim new medals.

Creative bosses and visual spectacle

Boss battles are some of the most memorable parts of the campaign.

Each confrontation turns everything learned into grand cinematic sequences without completely abandoning gameplay. Giant robots, colossal creatures, and other typical anime scenarios consistently elevate the challenge's scale while staying focused on the main mechanics.

Even when the spectacle takes over the screen, Denshattack maintains a good sense of control, making these battles feel like natural extensions of previous stages.

An art direction brimming with personality

Visually, Denshattack grabs attention immediately.

The artistic direction uses extremely vibrant colors, bold outlines, and a cel-shaded style reminiscent of moving comics. Each scene conveys speed through clever visual effects while the setting creatively blends futuristic elements with traditional Japanese landscapes.

The soundtrack matches this high level of quality. Tee Lopes’ compositions perfectly complement the frantic pace of the action, alternating between electronic, rock, hip-hop, and pop influences. In many instances, music and gameplay work together to make combo sequences even more exciting.

Technically, the performance deserves praise as well. Even during the most chaotic moments, the experience remains stable, allowing players to focus solely on the action.

Not all freedom is truly free

Despite numerous strengths, Denshattack does present some issues worth noting.

At certain points, the game seems to overly guide players through heavily scripted sequences. Some special mechanics appear only in specific parts of the stages, reducing some of the creative freedom usually associated with score and combo-focused experiences.

There are also moments when visual readability can become a bit confusing. The sheer amount of effects, objects, and events happening simultaneously demands constant attention and occasionally makes it difficult to identify obstacles or anticipate sudden path changes.

Additionally, although controlling a train is the game's main novelty, the vehicle's behavior doesn't closely resemble a real train. The physics prioritize arcade-style fun, which many players will enjoy but might feel strange to those expecting a more authentic interaction with the train concept.

Is it worth taking this journey?

Denshattack is precisely the kind of game that seems unlikely until everything starts to make sense. Its mix of precise controls, excellent variety of stages, distinctive art direction, and captivating soundtrack creates an extremely enjoyable experience for arcade challenge enthusiasts looking to constantly hone their skills.

Though some design choices limit freedom at certain points and the learning curve might deter some players, the overall package offers one of the most creative and original ideas in recent years.

It's one of those games that understand video games can simply be fun, embracing its own eccentricity without fear of seeming over-the-top. And for this reason, there is hardly anything quite like it at present.