Denshattack! Key Art
Image: Undercoders & Fireshine Games

We always knew that Japan's rail network was pretty advanced, but looking at the UK's dreary trains is all the more painful now that Denshattack! is out. Developed by experienced indie outfit Undercoders and published by Fireshine Games, it's an on-rails, anime excess-laden take on Tony Hawk-esque arcade rail-grinding, kickflipping and 1080-spinning action. Only instead of controlling a skateboarder or BMX biker, you're launching a whole dang train car through the air.

Being set on rails, Denshattack! doesn't have quite the same freeform, expressive style as your Pro Skaters, but makes up for it with style, weirdness and exacting scoring. Your train will be flipping off the rails and onto Ferris wheels, river ferries, across fields of ice, and even through a tornado. Plus there's a whole bundle of set piece boss battles against giant robots and other screwball constructs. There's as much Sonic The Hedgehog here as Tony The Hawk, and that's just grand.

As for the reason for all these train-based shenanigans? Well, there's a story too, set in an absurd post-apocalyptic cartoon Japan, where gangs, corporations and governments jostle for power in the ashes, usually while trying to look as wicked-sicknasty as possible. Needless to say, the Power Of Friendship will be needed to win the day.

Initial reviews for Denshattack! are glowing, which isn't much of a surprise given how fun the (now sadly delisted) demo was. You can snag it today on Steam for £16/$20, with a 10% launch discount until July 19th and additional savings for owners of the similarly excellent Skate Story or Haste. Even if you aren't rushing to pick up the game, at least check out the music video launch trailer below, packed with the kind of infectious energy that would get you shooed out of the Quiet Car.