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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