By Miles Pilchik
Denshattack! is the rare type of game where every aspect, from presentation to gameplay, is high quality. Going into this experience, I hadn't completed any of the games which inspired it. I was entering the world of Denshattack! as a complete novice in the Tony Hawk-like subgenre of 3D platformers. Despite that novicehood, however, I still had a blast.
Denshattack! defies subgenre traditions by having a limited number of routes that players can take to tackle each level. You don't have free rein to explore each environment, as the train the player controls, much like trains in our world, needs to stay on the tracks. I want to emphasize, though, that this is not a negative in any way. Each level is a beautiful, well-planned series of set pieces that the developers carefully refined for our enjoyment.
Denshattack! seriously punches above its weight in terms of visuals. Each level is filled to the brim with bright colors that pop and action lines that slash across the screen. There's nothing quite like it, honestly. When you fill up the energy bar, you activate "Yaoyorozudo", which allows the player to ride on tracks that weren't previously available. One visual design touch I really appreciated when I first activated it was the way the letters shake at the top of the screen. It doesn't take your attention fully away from the action, but it's a good reminder that you've achieved Yaoyorozudo. Thoughtful visual design ensures that players can feel the rush of speed without dealing with sensory overload or an overly cluttered screen.
There are kinds of games that feel like they almost require a certain level of soundtrack quality to realize their vision fully. Thankfully, Denshattack delivers one of the best OST's this year. Tee Lopes, Sean Bialo, Andrew One, as well as a wide variety of guest composers, absolutely steal the show. Not only does every level look unique, but every level also sounds unique. I cannot stress enough how good this soundtrack is.
Denshattack! has pretty simple controls, but don't for a second think this game lacks depth in its gameplay. There's an entire menu called the "Tricktionary", a detailed encyclopedia of the trick system. Each trick is ranked from basic to hardcore, with higher ranks indicating greater difficulty to perform. Finding the right trick for the situation is an extremely rewarding undertaking.
Each level lets you earn medals depending on how well you perform in three categories: Time, Score, and Dares. Time means how fast you complete the level; score indicates, well, the score you got within the level, earned by performing tricks; and dares are the extra challenges that are presented to you on a per-level basis. These can range from ending the level at a different exit to collecting items that are scattered along the tracks. I want to admit something to you, reader. I never received a gold medal for all three of these categories at once during my playthrough.
I don't see this as a downside at all. I see this as the game challenging me to go faster, trick harder, and be more adventurous. If I could have this much fun without even being close to the game's skill ceiling, I would say that's a clear showcase of pure quality.
FINAL VERDICT
If you’re a fan of any kind of Tony Hawk or Jet Set Radio adjacent game, Denshattack! is a must play. If you’re a fan of games with an anime aesthetic and unique gameplay, Denshattack! is a must play. Most importantly however, if you are a fan of creatives pushing the boundaries of what previously came before them, Denshattack! is a must play. I had a massive grin on my face throughout its runtime, and I’m confident you will too.
Denshattack! - 9/10 - MUST BUY