Denshatack takes the trick-based gameplay loop that made Tony Hawk legendary, removes the skateboard, replaces it with a subway car, places it in colorful post-apocalyptic Japan, and creates something that seems both absurdly silly and brilliant. Developer Undercoders tapped into that childhood fantasy of launching a toy train into the air and imagining that it could crush rails, perform impossible rotations, and defy physics. The result is a visual assault on the senses, a soundtrack that never lets up, and a gaming experience that runs at full throttle for its entire 13-hour runtime.
The absurdity is the point
Emi is a ramen delivery boy who becomes the best denshacker attacker in a dystopian Japan where humanity has retreated into domed cities. The premise is deliberately ridiculous, and the game leans into it with infectious confidence. At first, you launch a wagon from a Ferris wheel, brave rails through collapsing architecture, climb the walls of an office building, and honk your horn to shatter windows. Later, you chase giant robots across city blocks and use huge baseballs as springboards.
The narrative draws heavily on anime tropes with a self-aware acknowledgment rather than ironic detachment. Rivals become allies. Your motivation changes from delivery driver to becoming the best denshacker attacker alive. The characters are strange and memorable, with designs that embrace the anime aesthetic without looking like clichés.
The gameplay loop is satisfying
Each level is a hand-crafted gauntlet of branching paths, bonus objectives, and increasingly creative scenery. Jump, trick, brake and blast your way through courses while keeping your combo alive. The right joystick handles tricks, from simple forward 180s to complex maneuvers. Braking into corners reveals a timing gauge that rewards precision with increases in speed. Sideways maneuvers allow you to jump between parallel tracks and reach distant platforms.
The systems come together smoothly, and in the end you execute complex combinations without thinking. What makes this work is respect for player agency. Run through the levels for fun or spend hours searching for every gold medal and collectible. Checkpoints are generous and restarts are quick, so failure never feels punishing.
The presentation is relentless
Chemically vibrant pinks, electric blues, lemon yellows and lime greens paint each environment. The sky is dotted with halftone patterns as if taken from comic books. The characters have exaggerated animated proportions. Particle effects are constantly exploding. It’s intentionally excessive and never apologizes for its own insanity.
The soundtrack drives the action with pulsing electronic energy, never letting the momentum flag. Between levels, character interactions occur in hot spring encounter areas with their own musical identity. The sound design is meticulous.
Where it stumbles
The difficulty curve has sharp corners. Some levels quickly increase the challenge with tight platforming sections where misjudging a jump sends you off the track. It’s not unfair, but some players may find themselves replaying more than favorite sections.
The world design, while visually stunning, sometimes prioritizes style over spatial clarity. When you’re running at full speed with visual effects exploding everywhere, it can be difficult to know exactly where you need to go. This rarely interrupts the experience but contributes to occasional moments of trial and error.
It’s fun to bleed your eyes!
Denshattack is a relentlessly fun, visually spectacular, and boldly creative game that proves that trick-based gameplay still has weight. The difficulty curve has some steep points and you’ll need patience to unlock your full potential. But constant new ideas, anime-inspired character writing, meticulous level design, and absolute confidence in its own absurdity make it a standout experience. If you like stylish action games, anime aesthetics, or want to see Tony Hawk with trains, Denshattack is definitely worth your time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Denshattack?
Denshattack is a trick-based action game from developer Undercoders that reimagines Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater formula with a subway car hurtling through colorful post-apocalyptic Japan. Players perform tricks, grind rails, launch ramps, and string together combos while racing through insane courses to prove their denshacking attack skills.
On which platforms is Denshatack available?
Denshatack is available on PC via Steam and Epic Games Store, Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 5. The game is also included in Game Pass.
How much does Denshattack cost?
Denshatack is priced at $24.99 / £19.99 / €24.99. Players with Game Pass can access the game at no additional cost as part of their subscription.
When was Denshatack released?
Denshatack launched in 2024 on PC and consoles.
What is the main gameplay loop in Denshatack?
Launch your wagon into the air, perform tricks using the right stick to create combos, grind rails, brake with precise timing to increase speed, and perform sideways maneuvers to jump between parallel tracks. You string together tricks to maximize your score while navigating the various levels of branching paths and hand-created bonus objectives.
How does the hint system work?
The right stick handles tricks, ranging from simple forward 180s to complex maneuvers like the Back Cancel Heel Impossible. Chain tricks together to create combos and maximize your score. The more you progress, the more moves you’ll want to memorize to avoid repetitions and unlock higher score potential.
What game modes does Denshatack include?
Denshattack features a 13-hour narrative campaign that follows Emi’s journey as she becomes a denshattacker. Beyond the campaign, there are bonus challenges, free play modes, and progression systems where you can replay levels, chase high scores, and unlock additional content.
How long is the Denshattack campaign?
The main campaign lasts approximately 13 hours. Players can spend more time searching for gold medals, collectibles, and attempting bonus objectives, significantly extending game time depending on objectives completed.
What is the visual style of Denshattack?
Denshattack features a technicolor aesthetic with chemically vibrant pinks, electric blues, lemon yellows, and lime greens painting each environment. The characters have exaggerated animated proportions. Halftone patterns fill the sky. Particle effects are constantly exploding. The visual presentation is intentionally excessive and never apologizes for its own insanity.
What is the history of Denshatack?
You play as Emi, a ramen delivery boy who becomes the best denshacker attacker in a dystopian Japan where humanity has retreated into domed cities. The narrative draws on anime tropes with self-aware acknowledgment, featuring quirky characters, rivals who become allies, and a journey to becoming the ultimate denshattacker even though he didn’t know the sport existed in the first place.
Does Denshatack have multiplayer?
Denshatack is above all a single-player experience focused on the narrative campaign and the race for competitive scores. There is no online or local multiplayer, but you can participate in leaderboards by submitting your scores and comparing your performance to other players.
What languages does Denshattack support?
Denshattack supports multiple languages, including English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian, Polish, Turkish, Korean, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, and Japanese, making it accessible to a global audience.
