The world of Denshattack!* is one where humanity has retreated into climate-controlled domes, but you’re the outlier: a ramen-delivering train operator who’s also the star of a burgeoning punk movement. The movement’s philosophy? If you can’t skate, drive like you’re grinding a half-pipe. The game’s demo, available now during Steam Next Fest, delivers on that promise with a relentless blend of precision platforming, trick-based rail-switching, and sheer, unhinged creativity.
At its core, Denshattack! is a love letter to the golden age of 3D skate games—think Sonic Adventure 2 meets Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater—but with the added chaos of a locomotive. You’ll drift-turn corners like a drifting skateboarder, slam down onto tracks to avoid obstacles, and perform tricks with the right stick (controller recommended). The demo’s early levels introduce a surprising depth: swap between tracks mid-air, honk your horn to scare off bats or trigger gates, and pull off manuals while hurtling toward a Ferris wheel that’s somehow parked at the edge of an active volcano.
Movement That Feels Like Freedom
The game’s physics and controls are designed to reward experimentation. Crashing doesn’t penalize you heavily—just enough to keep the adrenaline high as you memorize the layout. The trick park expands on this with rail-grinding, wall-riding, and multi-track drifting, turning every circuit into a playground. The speed is relentless, but the variety of stunts and track interactions makes it feel less like a chore and more like a punk-rock performance.
Aesthetic as Bold as Its Stunts
Visually, Denshattack! leans into a vibrant, cel-shaded punk aesthetic reminiscent of Jet Set Radio. The character designs are charmingly chaotic, the environments are packed with absurd details (like a Ferris wheel perched on a volcano), and the soundtrack—while not yet revealed in full—promises to match the game’s high-energy vibe. The demo’s levels are a masterclass in world-building, cramming in enough obstacles, shortcuts, and trick opportunities to keep players hooked for hours.
What’s Next?
The demo is just a taste of what’s to come, but it already sets a high bar for creativity and gameplay variety. If the full release maintains this level of innovation, Denshattack!* could redefine the rail-grinding genre—or at least give it a much-needed punk makeover. For now, the demo is free to play, inviting players to join the movement and see how many stunts a train can pull off before the world catches up.
