Recent weeks have brought positive developments for rail guided games. Nintendo kept the scripted high action stages from Star Fox 64 mostly intact in its remake so they remain enjoyable to navigate nearly 20 years later. Denshattack from Undercoders likewise delivers stages filled with precisely arranged sequences that deliver strong results. Instead of soaring through space as a lifelike fox figure players speed flip spin and grind across Japan aboard a rapid train.

Labeling Denshattack a train game understates the actual experience. Across a vivid colorful take on Japan players tear and perform tricks through towns and scenery in a turbocharged style reminiscent of Tony Hawks Pro Skater. Levels unfold at bullet speed with drifts around bends for boosts and leaps from ramps for skate style stunts. Sega creating a cel shaded Sonic title for the Dreamcast featuring a train captures the overall feel of Denshattack.

Even early on Denshattack thrills and as players progress through its 10 worlds fresh abilities emerge that transform movement into supercharged acrobatics. Soon grinding rails riding graffiti walls looping tunnels catching wind to soar and flipping gravity to drive inverted become possible often in quick succession. Filling an energy meter through points unlocks a magical rainbow track that extends ahead like an enchanted Rainbow Road all set to an upbeat catchy soundtrack.

Image: Fireshine Games Boltray Games

Barreling through the stages proved enjoyable with anticipation building at every turn for the next surprise. Standout moments include grinding along a swordfish nose dodging blades inside a sawmill batting baseballs back at a gang leader inside her stadium and later facing that leader again aboard a sandworm train.

Success stems from the rail structure. For the most part navigation concerns fade because the track leads where needed. Focus shifts to reacting to twists turns and sudden obstacles while executing tricks with joystick flicks when leaping between tracks. This setup grants developers freedom to craft action heavy scenes and map out every sequence tightly. Levels typically last only a couple minutes which keeps pacing brisk.

At moments the pace can overwhelm since speed demands quick responses. Signs appear on screen to flag turns and hazards yet learning new mechanics introduces many moves to recall and errors happen often resulting in collisions. Generous checkpoints return players swiftly allowing repeated attempts at tough sections with little setback.

Difficulty adjusts freely to preference. After each stage a results screen rates points speed collectibles and optional dares. Players may chase every medal or skip them entirely and simply complete levels as preferred.

Like other rail experiences Denshattack can feel repetitive at times because each region follows similar patterns so the same level types recur. A light story exists yet it receives little attention. Like Star Fox the appeal lies in the stages rather than narrative.

Those remain minor issues. The bold maximalism and finely tuned stages ensure each new level sparks eagerness to discover where the rails lead next.

^{Denshattack is available now on Nintendo Switch 2 PC PS5 and Xbox Series X / S.}

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Jay Peters