Sine Mora EX PS4 Review

Sine Mora EX is a Bullet-Hell Shmups games for PS4, XBONE, Switch and PC, which was developed by Digital Reality and Grasshopper Manufacture, and published by THQ Nordic. It is a extended version of the original Sine Mora was originally released for X360, PS3, PS Vita and PC in 2012 release.

I've always been the fan of the shoot em ups genres with bullet-hell elements where it had games like Radiant Slivergun, Ikaruga and DonPachi, but Sine Mora is a interesting 2D shoot em ups title that really shines the modern day bullet-hell genres. This game is surprisingly decent for all the fans of this genres will able to experience the epicness of the whole game which adds the magnificent overall of this quality title. The EX version has introduced the new game modes that been added to this game such as challenge mode, local 2-player co-op, and versus mode. I've enjoyed hell of this game that filled with massive gameplay design, dieselpunk presentations, intense boss battles and spectacular visuals that really keeps me playing more and more. Despite the game has quality gameplay, great visual concepts, and newer game modes, the story and characters are kinda not the best part of the game, but it's not that terribly bad for the shoot em ups title regarding on unbalanced plot and forgettable characters.

So without go further do, let's start the review.



Presentation

This game takes place on the planet of Seol which features two different storyplot. The first plot focuses on father bent on taking revenge on the Empire that executed his son for being the sole pilot that refused to drop a nuclear bomb during an attack on the Enkies, while the second plot features the last survivors of the Enkie race also plotting revenge on the Empire for destroying them.

The story in the game features a narrative text that adds the plot of the game, but I finding the story is very confusing to read which they been putting too many details rather than making it simple which causes the reader having difficult to understand the whole story of the game. The characters in the game are rather bit mixed overall, some are okay and some are not quite memorable. I really liked their appearances, but it kinda lacks personality in the game.
I really liked the idea of the dieselpunk theme that made the concepts very interesting for level design and presentation. It has the mixed of rusty looking environment and dark settings, but some are quite beautifully made that fits really well for this type of game. Each of the stages taking place in different areas like the sea ocean, fiery factory, neo-tokyo styled buildings, and others.                 
I got to be honest with most of the boss characters are looked incredibly awesome and the player's ship is looking quite amazing which are very well designed indeed.

Overall, a kinda mediocre story and leading characters, but has cool concepts, awesome boss characters, and impressive settings.



Gameplay

This game features story mode including 2-player co-ops, arcade mode, challenge mode, score attack mode, boss training and versus mode.

You take control of playable pilot ship to complete 7 of the stages throughout the progressing story. The pilot ship has basic attack which shoots normal firing at the enemies and you can also attack them with sub-weapons depending which pilot you're playing as in the game, so it has 2 drones firing, huge laser, homing firing missile, and others useful sub-weapons types. You can also slowdown the enemy's pacing by using the time ability which slows down the enemy's projectiles, but it can easily drains the time capsule so use it wisely. These collectable power orbs can also upgrade your firepower, increasing time capsules and bombs which are very useful to improve your player's playability. Your ship does not have the traditional health bar, but instead plays on the aspect of time limit which continues to tick downwards, so your ship can be damaged by the enemy's projectile which decreases your time limit until it reaches zero meaning you'll die in the game if reached zero, but your time can be increasingly extended by killing more enemies or collecting the time extension orbs, but it's not just those projectiles can decreasing your time limit, it can also lose your weapon abilities too which forces you to collect your weapon power orbs before it can disappeared quickly. The enemy's ships can shootout many of the projectiles which made the player's ship impossible to evade, which takes sometimes to get used too once you've learned how to beat the level without making any of mistakes. On local 2-player co-op, the second player's ship has ability to shoot their firing in different direction by using the right stick and using the shields to protect the first player's ship from the enemy's projectiles. Depending on difficulties, the normal mode which features 8 continues, while harder ones only featured 5 continues making the game becoming a quite of challenge.

So far, I find the game are very playable which keeps me very satisfied with the levels and boss battles. The player's ships are handling well that keeps the controls very smooth and responsive. I really liked the use of time ability which benefits me to evade those enemy's projectiles and the weapons are really well done for both main and sub weapons especially with using weapon upgrades which makes the player's ship even stronger. Shooting multiple of the enemy's ships can rewards experienced player with massive score points which can be added to online leaderboards as being the top player of the whole game. I've also enjoyed arcade mode, score attack mode and challenge mode are surprisingly hard to play, but also added the fun factor of bullet-hell experience to the game. You can also enjoy the versus mode with your friends through 3 competitive matches. It's kinda bummer that it didn't featured the online co-op mode which could have made the game also fun.

Overall, it has great gameplay mechanics and fun game modes. 



Graphics

These graphics are significantly gorgeous for it's modern day shoot em ups standards. The whole environments in these levels are beautifully detailed running on 3D backgrounds of dieselpunk style building and colourful scenery objects that really adds the game's personality. The animation on most of the 2D ships design and level environments are also well done showing how spectacular the game looks and I also love the use of the special effects on the enemy's projectiles are quite bright and heavy at the same time making it easier to see these patterns during the in-game action. The game also runs on 4K native with 60fps from the PS4, XBONE and PC versions giving a perfect picture quality of the game for your 4KTV standards. 

Overall, it has detailed environment, cool animation and heavy use of special effects.



Music and Sounds

The original soundtrack are mixed between synth and industrial of 80's electronic music that adds the mood of the diesel-punk setting, so it was composed by Akira Yamaoka, a Japanese composer behind Silent Hill, did a fine job of making soundtrack for this type of game. The game does have quite atmospheric sounds in the whole levels adding a variety of background noise and other kinds of sound effects which they did get a job done. I find the voice cast quite mixed overall which didn't fit well on their character's role regarding the emotionless voice quality and generic dialogue in the game's storyline.

Overall, it has decent soundtrack and acceptable sound effects, but the voice acting could have done better than this.



Special Features 

The EX version introduces new local 2-player co-op, challenge mode, and versus mode, while it's retains the arcade mode, boss training and score attack mode which adds the newer edition of this game. 

Overall, a great updated features to this game.



Advantages

Diesel-Punk styled presentation

Cool game modes

Great gameplay mechanics

Challenging levels and boss battles

Spectacular graphics   

Decent soundtrack

Local 2-player co-op



Disadvantages

Mediocre story and characters

Where is the online 2-player co-op (WTF!?)

Generic voice cast



Final Verdict


Presentation 6.5/10 - mediocre story and leading characters, but has cool concepts, awesome boss characters, and impressive settings.

Gameplay 8/10 - great gameplay mechanics and fun game modes.

Graphics 8.5/10 - detailed environment, cool animation and heavy use of special effects.

Music and Sounds 7/10 - decent soundtrack and acceptable sound effects, but generic voice acting.

Special Features 8/10 - new local 2-player co-op, challenge mode, and versus mode, while it's retains the arcade mode, boss training and score attack mode.


Overall 8/10 - It's a solid overall game that I'm enjoyed the whole game with clever gameplay style, unique levels and challenging boss battles that really adds the fun factor of the game. Being the bullet-hell shooter is a way to go that gives a player a new experience of the shoot em up genres. I wish they could have been done better on the story and characters to make it not downright confusing, so I hope they can improve it in the future sequels. 

So far, Sine Mora EX is still a total overlooked gem that deserves another pick ups for your video game collection.



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Top 5 Video Game Controllers

Yeah, we all know video games from the mid-80's to early 2000's shares with the greatest controllers they ever invented for the gaming generations. These are the video game controllers are considered to be revolutionary and the most common for the video game technologies that we all need it to plug it into the systems and start playing the most of the titles which heavily designed for its suitable gameplay style and quality standards. I'm focusing on the controllers that are innovative, built quality, reliability and playable, so I decided to make my 5 favourite video game controllers that I really liked the best and why is it so great.

So here is my top 5 video game controllers.




5 - Nintendo 64 Controller

     


















Nintendo's previous console such as Super Nintendo was the widely successful system on the 16-bit era due to killer game titles and powerful 16-bit hardware that blew every gamers mind. They later revealed their 64-bit console on the fifth generation console era was Nintendo 64 is one of the third home console that not just blowing them away with the powerful graphics and launch titles, but introducing the weird looking M shaped controller which features D-Pad, C-Buttons, Shoulder buttons, A, B and Z buttons and of course the analog stick which was designed for most of the 3D platformers and FPS games. Most of the gaming magazines in the mid-90's praises the controller for its control elements and designs.

I find this controller considered to be a great example of the 64-bit gaming, as this controller is quite comfortable to hold and it's very easier to use for its playabilities. For examples, both the analog stick and C-Buttons is perfect for the games titles such as Super Mario 64 was known for the smoother control schemes making Mario easier to walk and run in 360's degrees, and using the camera system to give player freedom to look around the whole level environment. The FPS games such as Goldeneye and Turok that utilises the control stick for the suitable aiming control and the C-Buttons is to move around which is excellent for the right hand player, while using the D-pad is for the left hand player. The best part of this controller is the slot underneath where you can add accessories such as rumble pak that allow the device to make shaky vibration feedback during the gameplay and using the memory pak is to store save files. 

This controller has inspired the video game companies such as Sony would later releasing their newly designed Playstation controller for the PS1 known as the Dualshock controller which featuring two analog thumbstick and built-in vibration feedback. Nintendo 64 has the most impressive video game controller for the fifth generation console era which is surprisingly playable for most of the 3D game titles for the N64 game libraries. 



4 - SEGA Dreamcast Controller

     



















In the between the late 90's and nearly early 2000's, SEGA has released their final home console for the sixth generation console era was the SEGA Dreamcast. After the successful U.S launch of the Dreamcast in 1999, Sony was later released in the year 2000 with their second home console for the sixth generation console era was Playstation 2 has sold many of the units as becoming one of the best-selling game consoles of all time which kills the SEGA's hardware sales and causing SEGA to discontinue their hardware in 2001 due to financial losses. Despite the poor hardware sales and short life-span, Dreamcast has regarded as being creative and innovative which shares with excellent game titles and online play that made Dreamcast quite memorable.

What really made me like about the Dreamcast is the controller which is similar to SEGA's early 3D controller for the SEGA Saturn. It features 3D control stick, bulky looking d-pad, 4-colourful buttons and 2-analog triggers. I know some of the gamers had an difficult with using the Dreamcast controller is because of the wire is below the controller instead of top, so to me I didn't have problem with it because you can always stick the wire to the top ones behind the controller. I really liked the overall design of the controller with sturdy grip which is suitable for big handed people, nicely round-shaped 3D stick with precised rotation controls, curved-shaped triggers is easier to press down without slipping off your finger, the d-pad and 4-buttons is very well designed. It includes the VMU slot where you can insert your VMU memory unit which not only to just stores save files, but allows you to transfer mini-games and using in-game features.   

I finding the controller is quite impressive for most of the 3D game titles such as Sonic Adventure and Jet Set Radio is because of the 3D control stick are very responsive and less sensitive. The d-pad is perfect for most of the 2D fighting game titles like Marvel vs Capcom 2 and Street Fighter 3 which enable me to execute the fighting moves. The 2-analog triggers is worked well for racing game titles like Daytona USA 2001, SEGA Rally Championship 2, SEGA GT and Metropolis Street Racer with better use of acceleration. The VMU is quite handy for in-game features such as Resident Evil: CODE Veronica and Dino Crisis which can display the player's health condition, and the game such as Power Stone and Sonic Adventure has the transferring options which lets you play some of the mini-games on the VMU unit. This controller is surprisingly innovative which was later influenced the Microsoft's Xbox controller which included 2-memory slot unit and the VMU is also influenced the GBA's link cable for the Nintendo Gamecube in the year 2002.




3 - SEGA Saturn Controller (Model 2)

               














After the success of the predecessors SEGA Genesis/Megadrive, SEGA had then finally released the SEGA Saturn in the year 1994 as Japan release to complete against their rivalry Sony Playstation. Unfortunately Saturn did not meet with the sales expectations after its surprise May 1995 launch in U.S and it is considered a commercial failure due to expensive price, difficult development and lack of third-party support which led SEGA Saturn being discontinued in year 1998. The system was known for arcade perfect titles and well received IP's series that the system was known for in mid-90's. The games like Nights into Dreams, Panzer Dragoon, Virtua Fighter 2, Virtua Cop 2, SEGA Rally Championship, SEGA Manx TT Superbike and SEGA Worldwide Soccer 97 that made Saturn so great at the time.

Since my younger times where my brother have swapped my Saturn with the Nintendo 64 in mid-90's, but now then I'm very glad that I've bought back my Saturn back in two years ago, so I could able to play my childhood gaming console again. At the start, I never impressed with the Saturn's Model 1 controller is because its has flimsy d-pad, flat shoulder buttons and awkward grip-design which making it difficult to play due to design flaw, but I'm glad that SEGA had later made an improvement with the Saturn's Model 2 controller which features a nicely round-shaped d-pad and 2-clicky shoulder buttons, the grip-design on the Model 2 is much better in comparison with Model 1, and I also liked the 6-buttons which has 3-bigger ones on below and 3-smaller ones on top is definitely top-notch. The reason why I've liked this Saturn's Model 2 controller is because it's kinda feels like the SEGA Genesis/Megadrive 6-button controller and it worked perfectly for most of the fighting games titles such as Virtua Fighter 2, Last Bronx, Fighting Vipers, Street Fighter Alpha 2, Marvel Superheroes and X-Men: Children of the Atom is because of the 6-buttons controls and the build quality of the controller is quite solid overall. It's definitely by far one of the SEGA's best controllers ever made and this is most recommended for all Saturn's owner, who did not own the Model 2 controller, definitely must own for your collection and have a fun arcade experience in your home.




2 - Sony Playstation Controller

            

Sony always made their best controllers in the video game industries. In 1994, PS1 was released as part of the fifth generation console era and it is a main rivalry to their competitors such as SEGA Saturn and Nintendo 64. The console was highly praised for its various games libraries, groundbreaking graphics, CD format that can push the whole game into 700MB CD in comparsion with N64's cartridge based format, and innovative controller including Dualshock version which led the Sony's first consoles as regarded being the best system home seller of fifth generation console era. The success of the PS1 has spawned with later consoles such as PS2, PSP, PS3, PS Vita and PS4.

What really made Playstation Controller so special is the standard version from the 1994 which is similar to SNES controller, but features 4-simple geometric shapes button, added a second pair of shoulder buttons for the index or middle fingers and the grip-handles for making it easier to hold controller. Sony was later released the Dual Analog controller in the year 1997 which added the two thumbsticks, while they later redesigned the controller in 1998, as it become Dualshock which added the build-in rumble feature. Dualshock 2 for PS2 was released in early 2000's was almost exactly the same as the previous DualShock, but also forward compatible for the PS1 console. In 2007, Dualshock 3 is the first wireless controller for PS3 which features built-in battery which can be charged with USB cable, it introducing the Sixaxis motion controls which adds the force feedback, it also added the analog L2/R2 triggers, and the Home button that lets you access to your PS3's home menus. In 2013, the PS4 has Dualshock 4 which was different from the previous dualshock controllers. The start and select button were being removed, instead it been replaced with built-in touch pad on the front of the controller which can be clicked, the option button is to pause menu, and the share button which allows players to upload screenshots and videos from their gameplay experiences. The controller grips are much larger than the previous ones, the analog L2/R2 triggers are slightly curved and they added the new feature on the controller such as lightbar on top of the controller which is used for motion controls purposes, the mono speaker on the centre of the controller and the headphone jack on below the controller which is used for online chat.

So far I really liked the all of the Playstation controllers is because I liked the design of the controller especially with the PS3 controller are one of my favourite controller of the Playstation's console families is due to better battery-lifespan which can be charged up to 12 hours, the reliability of the controller is definitely a trustworthy that didn't breakdown at all, and the whole design of the controller is just a classy as the PS1 and PS2 controllers. I also liked the PS4 controller for its build quality and stylish design, while the PS1 and PS2 controller is quite revolutionary at the times, but the PS3 controller is still the best of all Playstation's console families. Overall, the Playstation controllers is perfect for all video game genres including FPS, RPGs, Fighting Games, Racing games, and Arcades. If you're looking for a finest video game controller outthere, then this is highly recommended for you to try this badass out.



1 - Super Nintendo Controller

     













In the year 1990, Nintendo kicked off with their 16-bit powerhouse was Super Nintendo Entertainment System. It is main rivalry to their competitors SEGA Genesis/Megadrive making it a second console wars between Nintendo and SEGA trying to complete each other with their marketing campaign and killer titles. This system was a global success, becoming the best-selling console of the 16-bit era due to powerful 16-bit hardware system was capable of producing graphics and sound co-processors and has top-quality games titles. It also praised the innovation of the controller which features simple d-pad button, select and start button, 4-colourful buttons and 2-shoulder buttons making a most appealing video game controller of early 90's.

Super Nintendo is one of my all-time favourite systems ever that lives up in my childhood gaming. I was really got impressed with this legendary controller that plays perfect for most of the games titles. This controller grip has dogbone shaped which I feel it's fits well on my hand while holding it and these 4-colourful buttons and shoulder buttons are easier to press while playing the SNES classics such as Super Mario World because I can hold the Y button to run with my top of thumb, while I can able to press the B button to jump with my middle of thumb which gives the player a significant playability skill for its gameplay style. The games like Starfox which I can able to press the L/R button for barrel roll with my index finger, while in Super Mario Kart and F-Zero which allows me to perform cool vehicle drift. This controller is very unique and special that really defines the video game controllers and it is suitable for most of the game's genres such as 2D platformer, Run N Gun, Beat em ups, JRPG, and 2D fighting games. This is by far one of my favourite video game controllers of all time and if you grew up with retro gaming controllers then this controller is for you to try it out because now you're playing with super power.




Honorable Mentions:

Gamecube controller
NES controller
ATARI 2600 controller
Xbox controller
SEGA Genesis/Megadrive controller




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This is Zeeshan Mirza's Blog and I'll see you next time, happy blogging everyone.