Denshattack! is racking up fantastic reviews from critics and fans alike. But you’ll never guess what the game is about.
One of the surprise hits of the summer is a game… about trains.
But wait! It’s not your typical train game. While in most games of this kind you manage a rail network over which a line of train cars rattles on relentlessly, Denshattack! requires you to completely rethink your approach. The action game was released on July 15 for PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch 2. The reviews make it clear: It’s a total blast!
But it’s also pretty wacky! That’s because Denshattack! is about a group of misfits who challenge each other to wild train matches and then pull off absurd stunts on the tracks with their train cars, as if they were in Tony Hawk or—even better—Jet Set Radio. Just check it out for yourself:
Here’s exactly what it’s all about
Okay, that was a bit of an oversimplification. I understand you still have more questions. So let’s break it down.
In Denshattack!, you travel to the future—and to Japan, no less. There, the world is in shambles following a climate catastrophe, and the only ones still laughing are the employees of a mega-corporation called Miraido, which is, of course, morally bankrupt.
The world consists largely of protective domes and a network of train tracks connecting them. The train competitions briefly mentioned above take place on these tracks. Here, the Denshattacker—essentially the train drivers—race along at breakneck speeds while performing kickflips, heelflips, grinds, and more. These trains whiz through the level as if they weigh nothing.
The story is heavily inspired by classic anime, and the world is incredibly colorful to begin with. Playing as a young woman named Emmy, you’ll take on all sorts of rebels and adrenaline junkies, while also trying to put a stop to Mirairdo.
The gameplay is somewhat reminiscent of Sonic, but also of games like Tony Hawk, Jet Set Radio, or SSX.
A Masterpiece from a Small Studio
This wacky mix is currently a huge hit with players. On Steam, Denshattack currently boasts an incredible 97 percent positive rating. But the racing game is also performing exceptionally well on other review platforms like Metacritic. Critic scores average 88 points here, and user ratings stand at 9.2.
In addition to its stunning visuals, varied levels, and unique concept, the gameplay in particular is receiving high praise. Denshattack! is one of those games that’s just plain fun and becomes incredibly addictive. Players are wonderfully challenged here while being entertained by what is arguably a spectacular mix of great music and impressive visuals.
The development studio Undercoders is headquartered in Barcelona. You might think it’s a very young studio—but that’s not true at all! Undercoders has been around since 2005. The studio has simply been completely focused on mobile games up until now and hasn’t grown excessively. According to LinkedIn, there are never more than ten developers working there.
