Feels like I am back in 1999
What if I told you there is a game about a train that has an anime style where you do Tony Hawk style tricks to complete levels and then watch some anime, would you be interested? Well, if so, then Denshattack is the game for you. If you told me this was a long-lost Dreamcast game, I would believe you. The style, the soundtrack, the focus on just being fun, arcade-style game is front and center. Developer Undercoders has delivered a game that screams early 2000’s insanity and I kind of love it. While it won’t be for everyone, for those that it is for, this is a game you don’t want to miss.
Sticking with the Dreamcast analogs, the story in Denshattack is ample amounts of chaos. Players assume the role of main character Emi who lives in a future Japan where people live in closed off environments due to effects of climate change. Her occupation is of course delivering ramen via a train, because of course it is. The game part kicks in when Emi gets involved in an underground sport known as Denshattack, where competitors duke it out by performing tricks and winning races, of course with their train.
MSRP: $19.99
Platforms: Xbox (reviewed), PlayStation, Switch, PC
Price I’d Pay: $19.99
The game play feels like a mix of an on-rails racing game and Tony Hawk. Players can jump and perform tricks while travelling along a set course. That sounds simple, but at first, I was dying constantly. The game is fast and always asks the player to engage. Tricks have been mapped to the right analog stick. It is also surprisingly deep in its systems. Performing simple tricks is easy, but the game demands variety much like Tony Hawk. Performing the same trick over and over devalues it. By the end of the game, I had mastered performing multiple actions such as track slams, changing lanes, and sprinkling in tricks, but for the first few hours players will definitely be left feeling stressed about how much the game throws at them.
Never fret though as the game is very forgiving. It is truly the definition of easy to pick up and impossible to master. There is what they call a Tricktionary where you can see all the stuff that can be performed, I abused this early on. There are also ample checkpoints, so when you fail, and it will happen constantly, it is rarely a huge detriment. The game really feels forgiving even when it feels unfair.
At face value, Denshattack seems like a straightforward arcade game, and in a lot of facets, that is an apt description. However, there is more here than meets the eye. The progression is familiar as Emi moves up the ranks she will encounter new gangs that fit every cliche you could imagine. Defeating each one causes them to join up, as I progressed through the ample 10-15 hour campaign. This is a meatier experience than I was expecting, but the game does a lot to keep things fresh.
Each stage feels perfectly paced and is just long enough to feel satisfying without going on too long. Of course there are multiple shortcuts on each level as well as chasing scores, so revisiting levels is a blast. It also helps that the game constantly keeps things fresh by introducing new styles and themes. Every level feels like a theme park ride that I never minded revisiting. It really helps make the game feel fresh throughout.
As I mentioned, looking at any screenshot and this game gives off massive Dreamcast vibes. The colorful art style really pops off the screen. Everything is in your face constantly and reminds me of a lot of titles like Jet Set Radio and Powerstone. It is an overload of vibrancy. The music and sound design are equally stimulating with fast-paced tracks and encouraging dialogue that really set the mood. I loved every aspect of the presentation.
Denshattack feels like a lost gem from a forgotten, and underappreciated era. It is the type of game I needed right now. Gaming can be so oppressive with forever games and familiar AAA titles. This compact action really hits that nerve that reminds me of why I love gaming. It is loud, it is fun, and it just wants you to have a good time. This is what gaming is all about and I will take another 20 of these as soon as possible.
Review copy of game provided by publisher.
