Sine Mora EX

 PlayStation 4
Metascore
81

Generally favorable reviews - based on 18 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 18
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 18
  3. Negative: 0 out of 18
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  1. DarkStation
    Aug 30, 2017
    90
    Sine Mora EX doesn’t do much to differentiate between its older version. Apart from an added local couch co-op mode, new time attack variants, difficult challenge modes, and a boost in visuals, you’d be hard pressed to find anything out of the ordinary. I enjoyed the game more after playing it on a larger television screen because the game’s beauty and detail are done justice on a 55” screen as opposed to the smaller OLED on the Vita. Even if shmups are not your thing, passing on Sine Mora EX for that reason means missing out on a great, story driven side scrolling shooter that has style, maturity, and unexpected plot twists.
  2. GameOver.gr
    Aug 29, 2017
    90
    A great choice for fans of the genre with a plethora of game mode choices and a satisfying degree of challenge that will occupy them for many hours.
  3. TheSixthAxis
    Aug 9, 2017
    90
    Tough, expansive, and boasting a surprisingly mature narrative, Sine Mora EX is a remaster done right. Offering native 4K visuals – if you’ve got the right kit – tons of content and rock-solid gameplay, side-scrolling shooters simply don’t get much better than this.
  5. Eurogamer Italy
    Aug 7, 2017
    90
    Sine Mora, the beautiful SHUMP from Grasshopper Manufacture, returns to PC and current-gen consoles in a remastered enhanced version called Sine Mora EX. There are a few add-ons that will bring back old players, above all the inclusion of local co-op multiplayer and some versus two player modes. This game is a must for shoot ‘em up 2D hardcore fans, but at the same time is enjoyable from everyone, and it finally comes also in retail version.
  6. The Games Machine
    Aug 7, 2017
    88
    Sine Mora EX is a revamped version of a shoot'em up originally published five years ago. The game sports an astounding art direction, a little less challenging difficulty, and a great playability, with a plethora of options that will suit every gamestyle, including the long-awaited local multiplayer.
  7. Multiplayer.it
    Aug 7, 2017
    85
    Sine Mora EX is still an excellent shooter with a terrific, well-balanced gameplay but a very short campaign.
  8. IGN Italia
    Aug 7, 2017
    84
    A solid extended version of a very good shooter in which you can complete levels manipulating time.
  9. PSX Extreme
    Sep 13, 2017
    80
    If you love bullet hell shoot ‘em ups and have the patience to master your moves, there’s a lot of bang for your buck here, especially if you owned the original Sine Mora; anyone who bought the original version can upgrade to EX for free. The campaign is short, but there’s plenty of replay value in the various alternate modes for people looking to push themselves in pursuit of the leaderboard glory or just waste some time with a buddy.
  10. Digital Chumps
    Aug 17, 2017
    80
    Sine Mora’s doctrine of sincerity, authority, and respect aligns neatly with shoot ’em up’s interest in unconscious obliteration and strategic composure. EX brings welcomed extensions to Sine Mora, but a clean transfer to modern hardware is a prudent enough motive to justify a re-release. The oldest genre in gaming always has something new to learn.
  11. Video Chums
    Aug 13, 2017
    80
    Sine Mora EX builds upon the original game by offering some truly innovative multiplayer aspects. Besides that, the shooting action is as stellar as ever so if you've never played the original then this is definitely a shmup that you need to check out.
  12. Vandal
    Aug 10, 2017
    80
    This is aimed at new players, but the new additions make it interesting for those who already played it as well. Sine Mora EX still is a great game, so any new features are always welcomed.
  13. Metro GameCentral
    Aug 8, 2017
    80
    One of the best-looking 2D shooters of recent years is remastered for the current gen, and offers a fun way in for gamers new to the genre.
  14. SpazioGames
    Aug 7, 2017
    80
    Sine Mora EX represents the perfect chance to finally play the title for people who haven't yet done so, thanks to some new features, a good graphics optimization and the co-op story mode.
  15. Everyeye.it
    Aug 7, 2017
    78
    Anyone who has never been able to put their hands on Sine Mora will be literally overwhelmed by the rhythms of a small gem of this kind.
  16. Meristation
    Aug 8, 2017
    77
    Sine Mora EX is a great way to revisit an outstanding shoot em up. The time mechanics still provide a lot of fun, and the amount of content is more than fair. It also looks better than ever, but the new modes and multiplayer options leave much to be desired.
  17. IGN Spain
    Aug 10, 2017
    75
    An old school shoot'em up that only add a few changes to its original formula. It may not be innovative, but it's still fun.
  18. GameCritics
    Apr 4, 2018
    70
    Sine Mora EX looks amazing, plays like a dream, and has a story that will leave players feeling bad about themselves and the world. That third thing may not sound like a selling point, but it’s so strange that I couldn’t help but be impressed by the audacity the developers had to include it. Horizontal Shmups don’t come smoother or better-looking than this, so it’s an easy recommendation for anyone with an interest in the genre.
  19. Destructoid
    Aug 18, 2017
    70
    I don't consider Sine Mora EX to be a game that sets the genre on fire, or redefines shmup gameplay in general. But it is very well-priced, looks fantastic, has replay value and is a fun and ferocious slice of old-school arcade action, one that can be enjoyed by battle-scarred veterans and eager rookies alike.

Awards & Rankings

56
#56 Best PS4 Game of 2017

User Reviews

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User Score
7.0

Mixed or average reviews- based on 22 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 22
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 22
  3. Negative: 4 out of 22
  1. Eyes_Grim
    Aug 28, 2020
    10
    Really nice challenge and gameplay. Wish the game had a couple more levels and a platinum trophy
  2. tomvs123
    Aug 10, 2020
    4
    An okay game, but primarily for bullet hell fans and not old-school side-scrolling shooter fans (such as Gradius).

    I'll talk about the    An okay game, but primarily for bullet hell fans and not old-school side-scrolling shooter fans (such as Gradius).

    I'll talk about the story briefly. It's really all over the place, with you taking on the roles of different people for each level, and with each one having way more backstory than you need for this type of game. Somehow they decided to add in profanity and rape references, so it quickly becomes a game you normally wouldn't give to young kids. Although they'll likely just skip all of the story scenes, since that's what I did after the first two levels because the stories aren't very interconnected and have very little to do with what you're doing gameplay-wise.

    As for the gameplay, it's very basic. You can upgrade your main weapon, primarily giving it a wider firing rage, by getting random upgrade items during the level. You have a special attack that varies from killing everything on screen to doing a large forward-facing blast, depending on which person you're playing. And you can slow down time temporarily. That's it. There's no between-level shops, loadouts, or upgrades. So if you're a fan of games like Gradius or U.N. Squadron, you might be disappointed by this one.

    What the game does do fairly well is bullet hell. I've don't play these sorts of games, so don't have much to compare it to. Just know that you'll be doing a lot of dodging of small balls in a variety of patterns that make no practical sense, weapon-wise. But that's the point of these sorts of games. As someone who doesn't play these sorts of games, it was challenging, with the last two levels (out of6 levels), taking multiple retries to get through on Normal mode.

    There's some minor annoyances in the gameplay, such as not being able to shoot behind you (things frequently show up behind you), and it being difficult to tell the difference between the terrain and sky. But with enough deaths and retries, I got used to these.

    And then there's local multiplayer options. The three different versus options are incredibly basic. They have you on a static screen shooting at each other twin-stick style. I and my daughter got tired of them quick. So then we tried the co-op main campaign. It has the 2nd player flying in one of the twin-stick crafts while the 1st player is in the normal plane. And unless you're both decent at bullet hell games, you'll have a bad time since your life pool is shared. If one of you is no good, then you'll both die very quickly and not have much fun.

    So it was an interesting 5 or so hours to get through the game, but I have no plans to replay it.    … Full Review »
  3. wesker2012
    May 22, 2018
    7
    A fun, side scrolling airplane shooter with a nice presentation and solid gameplay. Levels are pretty short though.
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