Denshattack Review: A Chaotic, High-Speed Arcade Blast for PS5

Denshattack is exactly the sort of bold, unique, over-the-top nonsense that was rife in the PS2 and Dreamcast era, and I love it for that alone. Developed by Undercoders and published by Fireshine Games, this silly arcade action title revels in its bonkers premise, making it impossible not to get caught up in the fun. With a verdict of 8/10, it stands out as a vibrant, riotous experience for PS5 owners.

A Y2K Arcade Cocktail

How could anyone resist a game in which you drive a train at ridiculous speeds across impossible tracks, pulling off the kind of tricks you'd expect from a skateboarding game? Denshattack clearly uses titles like Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater and Sonic the Hedgehog as touchstones, blending them with a colourful, Jet Set Radio-inspired aesthetic and a high-energy soundtrack. The result is a unique, Y2K-inspired cocktail that feels both old-school and fresh.

The campaign takes you on a journey through a version of Japan divided by a climate crisis, separating those in domed cities from the outside world. You play as Emi, an optimistic character with a natural talent for "tricking" trains. Across 10-15 hours, you'll tackle races, score attacks, and varied objectives that encourage you to move fast and stay stylish without crashing.

High-Speed Mechanics

The game does a great job of pacing new mechanics, ensuring the experience feels fresh until the end. However, Denshattack's main issue is the sheer volume of tasks it throws at you. The controls can feel complex at the start, and as you progress, you are expected to juggle drifting, changing tracks, jumping, grinding rails, and performing manuals to extend combos.

Memorizing these inputs at high speeds can be tough, and while the visual effects and shaky camera emphasize the action, they can occasionally get in the way. Thankfully, the game allows you to tone those effects down. Once you acclimatize to the control scheme, the gameplay becomes extremely satisfying and chaotic.

The Verdict

Beyond the core gameplay, the game features a variety of unlockable trains, each with different benefits and drawbacks, such as faster trick execution versus manual duration. With challenging boss encounters and a consistently infectious energy, the game rarely misses a beat despite some minor bugs.