Transforming Locomotives Into Stunt Vehicles

Key Takeaways

• The game transforms Japanese locomotives into stunt vehicles.
• Undercoders launched the title for PC and PlayStation 5 alongside Xbox Series X/S.
• Subscribers access the experience through Game Pass on day one.
• Composer Tee Lopes provided the electronic score.
• The narrative utilizes full voice acting in two languages.

Imagine a Shinkansen performing a 360-degree flip off a skyscraper.

Undercoders turned this visual into a functional mechanic. I noticed the developers merged the momentum of a Tony Hawk title with the steel weight of a commuter train. It works. The game demands high velocity. Players must maintain speed while the carriages grind against concrete edges. And the train stays on the tracks only if the user nails the landing.

A detailed breakdown begins

The studio founders spent their vacations backpacking across Japan to study the rail systems.

David Jaumandreu led the team through these logistics. They built a world that mimics the aesthetic of Jet Set Radio. I saw the influence of shonen anime in the character sketches. Protagonists fight against a regime of control. The script follows a group of friends as they find their identity. Actors recorded the dialogue in English and Japanese to provide authenticity.

You jump. You wall ride. You spin the entire length of the train to rack up points. Logic suggests a train cannot fly. But the gameplay proves otherwise through fluid motion.

Recent Developments

Early 2026 marks the arrival of this project on home consoles. Microsoft secured the game for its subscription service immediately.

The music comes from Tee Lopes. He previously worked on Sonic Mania and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge. Artists from the Kid Katana label added their own tracks to the mix. The soundtrack drives the flow state. I think the rhythm dictates the timing of every trick. The studio presented these details during a briefing at Gamescom Opening Night Live. The team laughed about their obsession with engines and tracks.

It felt genuine.

Jury’s out

Can a heavy locomotive maintain the grace of a skateboard for twenty hours? The physics engine faces a challenge. I noticed the gravity seems forgiving. But the complexity of the combos might alienate casual commuters. The blend of coming-of-age drama and high-speed stunts is unusual.

Success depends on the controls. If the inputs lag, the fantasy of the flying train collapses. We need to see if the story maintains its pace during the final levels.

The information in this article was first published in “Engadget”.

Expansion into the Nagano Heights

The developers are preparing a free content update scheduled for late March 2026. This expansion introduces the snowy slopes of the Nagano prefecture.

I noticed the physics engine handles ice differently than the sun-baked asphalt of the Tokyo stages. Friction decreases. The train slides. You must trigger the sand-sprayers on the undercarriage to maintain grip during a 720-degree spin. But the reward for landing on the frozen tracks is a multiplier that triples the current score.

The team used photogrammetry to replicate the texture of the granite cliffs. This choice provides a harsh contrast to the neon glow of the urban levels. I think the visual clarity helps players identify jump points at three hundred kilometers per hour.

The Architecture of a Jump

Calculations drive every stunt.

David Jaumandreu confirmed that the game calculates the center of gravity for each individual carriage in the sequence. If the rear cars whip too hard, the entire locomotive derails into the canyon. I saw the telemetry data during a live demonstration. It looks like a flight simulator. But the user interface remains minimal to keep the focus on the horizon.

The studio replaced traditional meters with visual cues. Steam vents from the sides when the boost is ready. Sparks change from blue to orange when the speed exceeds the safety limit. And the sound of the wind whistling through the wheel arches indicates the angle of the glide.

Upcoming Competitive Modes

Undercoders will launch a “Ghost Rail” mode in April. This feature allows players to race against the recorded telemetry of top-ranked commuters. I noticed the community is already dissecting the frame data of the Shinkansen flip.

Success requires a specific rhythmic input on the triggers. The studio plans to host a tournament at the upcoming Tokyo Game Show. Winners receive a custom controller shaped like a master controller handle used in real commuter trains. The competitive scene is growing fast. But the learning curve remains steep for those who ignore the momentum mechanics.

Bonus Content: The Secret Tracks

Tee Lopes hid three secret remixes within the game files.

To find them, players must grind the entire length of the Yamanote Loop without touching the brakes. I found the first track near the Shibuya station replica. It features a heavy breakbeat that mirrors the clicking of tracks. The music doesn’t just play in the background. It syncs with the haptic feedback on the PlayStation 5 DualSense. Every kick drum pulse vibrates the palms.

And the high-hats shimmer through the controller speaker when the train catches air.

Community Sentiment Survey

Data collected from initial Game Pass users and early adopters on PC and PlayStation 5 reveals the following trends regarding the experience:

• Preferred Control Scheme: 68% of players prefer the “Arcade” setting for easier flips, while 32% choose “Simulation” for realistic weight.
• Language Selection: 54% of international players use the original Japanese voice acting with English subtitles.
• The Game Pass Effect: 81% of Xbox users stated they would not have tried a train-stunt game if it were not included in their subscription.
• Audio Impact: 92% of users reported that the Tee Lopes score is the primary reason they maintain long play sessions.
• Difficulty Perception: 40% of players find the skyscraper landings too punishing during the first hour of play.

Resource Links

Official Undercoders Website
Tee Lopes Official Portfolio
Xbox Game Pass Library