Status:
Complete and Play Tested
----------------------------------
Absolutely! Here's a detailed review of Sine Mora EX for the PlayStation 4, in the format you prefer:
Sine Mora EX (PS4) Review
Originally released as Sine Mora and later enhanced as Sine Mora EX, this side-scrolling shoot-'em-up from Digital Reality and Grasshopper Manufacture blends classic arcade action with a time-based twist. The EX version, released in 2017, brings updated visuals, new modes, and full English voice acting. Its a unique entry in the genre, offering a mix of intense gameplay and surprisingly dark storytelling.
🎮 Gameplay & Mechanics
Sine Mora EX is a bullet-hell shooter with a clever time mechanic instead of traditional health bars:
-
Instead of taking damage, you lose time when hit. Running out of time = game over.
-
Killing enemies and hitting checkpoints adds time, creating a frantic risk-reward system.
-
Multiple difficulty levels accommodate both newcomers and genre veterans, with tougher modes removing helpful assists.
Each plane you fly has distinct weapons and time-control abilities (like slowing down time), adding a strategic layer to choosing your loadout. The controls are tight, though the screen can sometimes get overwhelmingly busy during boss fights.
📖 Story & Structure
Surprisingly for a shmup, Sine Mora EX offers a full-blown, mature-themed narrative:
-
It revolves around revenge, time travel, and wartold from multiple perspectives across a dystopian steampunk world.
-
The story is delivered in short, text-based sequences with voiceovers. In EX, you can choose English or original Hungarian voice acting.
Its a surprisingly emotional and dark plot for a genre thats often light on narrative. However, the pacing can feel odd between action-packed levels.
📆 Modes & Features
-
Story Mode Tells the full narrative with selectable difficulty and continues.
-
Arcade Mode Strips out the story for pure gameplay focus and score chasing.
-
Boss Training Mode Practice any boss fight at any time.
-
Versus Mode (local) 2-player competitive mini-games.
-
Challenge Mode Bite-sized missions with specific objectives.
While the core game is short (23 hours), these modes provide strong replayability, especially for leaderboard chasers.
📺 Graphics & Presentation
-
Visually, Sine Mora EX is slick and stylish, with richly detailed backdrops and vibrant steampunk designs.
-
Levels transition smoothly between underground factories, open skies, and surreal time-warp environments.
-
Bullet patterns and explosions are colorful but can sometimes obscure hazards, especially on smaller screens.
Overall, it's a gorgeous 2.5D game with impressive art direction for a shmup.
🎧 Sound & Music
-
The soundtrack, composed by Akira Yamaoka (Silent Hill), adds a moody, cinematic tone to the game.
-
English voice acting in EX is decent, though the original Hungarian voices are more atmospheric and unique.
