Finnish game developer Housemarque has made a name for itself crafting masterful modern interpretations of classic arcade forms, reinterpreting the likes of Asteroids and Defender with great skill and affection for the form. With its latest, Matterfall, the team have focused on the 2D run’n’gun template. Which makes for fast-paced platform jumping while letting rip with streams of firepower as enemies clutter the screen.

Matterfall does manage to do an awful lot of things right. It plays with great flow and momentum. Sessions build in pace and energy naturally and gracefully, making for a remarkably exciting experience. There is, however, a disconnect between the title’s velocity and the intricacy of gameplay mechanics. Shooting, unleashing special attacks, altering level scenery and triggering bombs can feel a little too elaborate relative to the pure arcade pacing and, as such, what could be a finely crafted sleek affair occasionally feels ungainly.

Housemarque’s effort will please genre devotees, but overall this is not the most refined work by a studio that has so often delivered truly brilliant experiences.