Endless War

Whatever your opinion of Cave's bullet-hell shooters, you have to agree they have a certain style, with their ostentatious cartoon explosions and ridiculously large, screen-engulfing bosses. Everything about them is over the top, and, above all else, urgent.

Endless War starts out the same way as the likes of Bug Princess 2. You're a lone ship on a mission of vengeance against overwhelming odds, and you need to dodge your way through a fire-storm of missiles.

Unfortunately, though, after an initial burst of excitement things start to plod.

Bit of a cave-in

You control your ship with a single finger, swiping it around the screen to dodge oncoming fire. Your own weapons shoot automatically, so you're free to concentrate on getting in the right position to dish out damage and avoid harm.

Along the right of the screen sit your special weapons, which you can buy and upgrade at an in-game shop. Bombs clear the screen, and vortices suck up enemy fire, letting you have a few seconds to compose yourself before the next onslaught.

A gauge at the top of the screen shows you when your super-weapon is ready for deployment. This acts like an even more destructive version of the bomb, filling the screen with explosions and wiping out anything unlucky enough to be in its way.

Bullets, bullets everywhere

Between missions you'll need to repair and upgrade your flying machine, purchasing armour and health to get you through the next assault. It adds an RPG element to proceedings, keeping you striving for the next set of upgrades or the health top-up you need to progress.

Whereas Cave is a master of balancing chaos and control, Omnitel is in need of a little practice. Too often levels are punctuated with dull, repetitive sections where tiny enemies dart around, firing off single shots, leaving the game floundering for any sense of pace.

Endless War is still ridiculously tough, and bullet-hell aficionados will relish its multiple difficulty levels and upgradeable ships. The rest of us will find an oddly flat experience with occasional sparks of violent joy.