Sine Mora EX Review | Time Travel and Too Much Talking (XBox One/PS4/Switch/PC)

[@TheKafairy]

Dodged this one bc of your review, thank you for your detailed and honest review

[@Cannotbetamed1]

Glad it was helpful!

[@acvieluf]

I almost dropped this games because of online reviews, but picked it up anyways, since it was only 1.99 CAD. I agree with her on everything narrative related, but will say that if you like shmups, this one is very unique and challenging. Just my 2c, but it was easily worth the 2 bucks and then some.

[@sbthechozen8323]

Beautiful review. I will make that purchase. Thank you.

[@Cannotbetamed1]

Hope you enjoy it!

[@Mr_Wheez]

Very good and reflective review as always, thx Pam! I personally think your criticism in regards to the narrative are a bit too harsh since I really appreciated to cool down my numb thumbs a lil bit between the battles but that is subjective :-D

[@Cannotbetamed1]

Thanks!

[@Collectorcast]

You hit the nail on the head. I got this back on the 360 and stopped playing fairly soon due to the excessive dialog. For this genre, I just want to quickly hop in and shoot things.

[@Cannotbetamed1]

Yep, I didn’t like the interruptions at all. I was actually surprised I finished it. The ending kinda snuck up on me.

[@videogamingfather2456]

Thank you for review! There are many things I like about the game - original game concept based on time, useful power-ups, time manipulation ability, wide variety of enemies, variability of the environment, precise controls, beautiful graphics and atmospheric sounds along with dubbing. However, there are also downsides that I can hardly overlook - hard to follow story, frequent flying through the narrow caves, the punishing difficulty making you repeat the whole game over once you run out of continues and uninspiring music. Sine Mora EX contains local multiplayer and also three other game modes except the story one. These features would make the game perfectly suitable for family playing. Unfortunately, the frequent narrow caves along with a limited number of continues making you start the whole game over once you run out of it make the game frustrating rather than enjoyable.

[@steviecomebacks5541]

Have this for the switch. Found it enjoyable and I was glad it ended before it overstayed it's welcome. Spot on with most of the points of your review. Cheers

[@CMRetroGaming]

I actually liked this game a lot. nice review

[@Cannotbetamed1]

Thanks!

[@madelinewoof7544]

The point you made about the inclusion of story and dialogue in the Schmup genre is pretty interesting, I never really thought about how much it impacted the pacing of a game, as obvious as it may seem, especially since schmups are deeply rooted with arcades. Do you think they're mutually exclusive or can certain games make it work, like the Touhou series?

[@Cannotbetamed1]

I don't think they're mutually exclusive, but I think the key to doing it successfully would be not interrupting the gameplay. So story would have to be between levels or overtop of gameplay as opposed to breaking up the gameplay.

[@darkridearts]

@@Cannotbetamed1 kid Icarus uprising, while not a traditional shooter, handled story wonderfully in its on rails shooting sections. Would love to see a similar approach with traditional shooters

[@JFlickinger82]

I like Grasshopper Manufacture because their games tend to be unique and interesting in some way and the time mechanic in this sounds like a more interesting way to play a shooter than gaining and losing powerups as you get hit. Their games also tend to be experimental and can have some pretty big flaws. I've never played a shooter for the story, especially one with such heavy themes as this, and that seems like an odd choice for them to put in. Anyway great review.

[@Cannotbetamed1]

Thanks! This is the first Grasshopper Manufacture game I’ve played (at least I think it is). I’ll have to look into what else they’ve done. I’m always interested in developers trying new things, even when they don’t always work out.

[@Cannotbetamed1]

Oh, it’s Suda’s company.

[@JFlickinger82]

Yeah he does a lot of weird experimental stuff and I like his games because they're different. Flower, Sun and Rain on the DS was really ambitious but doesn't quite pull off what it's trying to go for and I loved the campiness of Shadows of the Damned but despite having Resident Evil and Silent Hill veterans on the team it flopped and didn't sell very well.

[@tombaker3731]

I can totally see how too much story could definitely detract from the flow of a shoot 'em up like this, but for some reason the idea of combining this genre of game with a larger narrative does sound pretty appealing, probably because I don't see it a lot. It's a shame that the true ending is held back by difficulty modes, that always feels cheap. Still, if I run into this game for cheap I might pick it up thanks to this review!

[@Cannotbetamed1]

I'm not a fan of "true" endings or having to play through repeatedly. Luckily, I didn't care much about the story so didn't feel like I had to do that.

[@wayneedge2307]

I saw this game before and wondered how good it was. Thanks for showing me your review!!

[@Cannotbetamed1]

No problem!

[@jd-py5nm]

nice review fun little game if a bit hard to find and spendy in the wild at times

[@237chase]

I am not into shoot em ups often but this game when it came out made me want to get it but just still in my back log of games.

[@TheEltorofuerte]

Great review, thank you!

[@Gharik15]

Nice review! I played the regular version some time ago and thought it was quite fun. Also I always pronounced Sine like "sign", so thanks for that correction. :)

[@Cannotbetamed1]

No problem. I pronounced it that way too until someone corrected me.

[@alvinromo]

Couch co-op campaign?

[@jasonphilip1198]

Hi Pam, have you ever thought of implementing some sort of rating system in your reviews? I'm fine with your current system, I just wondered that's all.

[@Cannotbetamed1]

Hmm... ratings are tough. I used to use numbers when I did written reviews but dropped them when I switched to video.

[@NintendoHodge]

Iv'e seen this on many shelves but didn't know anything about it besides it being a shoot em up. It looks like something I may enjoy. Ill probably pick it up in the near future. Good Review Pam

[@Cannotbetamed1]

Thanks! Hope you enjoy it if you pick it up.

[@petermaasz]

Hey Pam, I liked how you experimented with split screens in this video. It added something to it. Unfortunately, I absolutly don't like shmups, so there's no reason I will ever play this game. Even though I like the steampunkt artstyle of it. Anyway, great review, as always. Have a nice weekend.

[@Cannotbetamed1]

Thanks! I thought I’d try something a bit different and recorded the whole thing on camera rather than have set sections for camera and the rest just voiceover.

[@MrCoconuts64_Lum69]

This has some einhander vibes to it, mostly because of the backgrounds and perspective changing

[@mashdeegaaaaz6655]

Bought it for $1.99 really enjoyed it 💯

[@Granpire]

You really did the Vita dirty with your video title! 😞 I quite liked this game - gorgeous visuals, extremely clean and minimalistic UI elements. I'm not even typically a fan of sidescrollers, but like the Persona games, for me it nails almost every aspect of the presentation and design package, and it was a nice surprise when it released on the Vita. But yeah, the narrative does get in the way of the action a bit too much - it could've used a lot less verbosity before getting back to its strengths.

[@LucasKirbyMusic]

Looks like a cool game. I'm a little iffy on purchasing this, though. What's your take on Skyforce Reloaded? If you haven't played that, I think you'll love it! It's rpg aspect is so cool and it takes a good while to get bored. Would love to see you do a video of it. Really good Switch port but available on the other platforms. :)

[@Cannotbetamed1]

I loved Skyforce Reloaded! It was the perfect antidote to Sine Mora, with its complete lack of story and dialogue (other than "human rescued" and "nice!"). I put a lot of hours into it over the course of a few weeks until I had enough stars to open the final level.

[@LucasKirbyMusic]

Did you complete all levels? I can spend so much time on it until I get to those last bonus stages that I'm too proud to ask a friend if they want to join in to help out. Perhaps I just suck? lol. I'd love to see a review on that game!

[@FredHerbert999]

I'm surprised you didnt mention the composer, Akira Yamaoka.

[@Cannotbetamed1]

Well, I wouldn't want to be predictable.

[@FredHerbert999]

@@Cannotbetamed1 lol. Keep up the good work!

[@planetaryashes]

Hmmm a very interesting game it is, i have picked it up several times but have bought it cause I wasn't aware of the game until, I'm a total sucker for these kind of games I might give a shot and go for the true ending, awesome video Pam.

[@Cannotbetamed1]

Thanks! Good luck with the true ending.

[@planetaryashes]

Cannot be Tamed thanks, I love a bit o challenge

[@GameBoyGuru]

I picked this up on the Switch, when the physical version came out. I know it hasn’t reviewed super well, but as you know, I’m also a shmup connoisseur, so I had to have it either way. I suspect the arcade mode is designed more for hardcore shooter fans, who want to dispense with all the “story fluff” and get right to the challenge, which might explain the spike in difficulty with that mode. Also, the cinematic interruptions and transitions you mentioned remind me of a bit in the first level of Ikaruga, where your ship suddenly veers off course, the screen swings around, and you take control of the ship again, after just 2 or 3 seconds of cinematic drama, but taken to a much greater extreme. Also, the exposition reminds me of both Raiden V, which is also recent, but also the original PlayStation classic, Philosoma. That game’s take on adding narrative to a shmup felt fresh at the time, because the game also experimented with multiple perspectives - sometimes it was a horizontal shmup, sometimes vertical, and sometimes you were even flying the ship toward yourself, Crash Bandicoot style, so the game was constantly shifting the POV and mechanics up to match the different scenarios, and help to propel the narrative. Philosoma doesn’t work overly well at being a shooter, but it’s a unique and interesting experience nonetheless. Sine More EX seems like it’s a step in the right direction, for bringing a hefty narrative to the genre, where it’s not always warranted, wanted, or will work properly, but from what you’re describing, it doesn’t quite hit the mark. Still, I’m a sucker for Grasshopper Manufacture, so I suspect I’ll dig it regardless. Another great video, Pam!

[@Cannotbetamed1]

Thank you! I was also reminded of Raiden V when I played this. Another one where the constant chatter annoyed me, though at least it didn't interrupt the gameplay. I tended to tune out all the talking when I played. Philosoma sounds cool, I hadn't heard of it before.

[@GameBoyGuru]

Cannot be Tamed I would encourage you to look up some footage of Philisoma. I believe it was only ever released in the long box format, and didn’t sell well enough to get a second print run as a jewel case game. It’s definitely flawed, and definitely a product of its time, but an interesting curiosity, and a bit of a window into what at least one developer thought the future of the genre could be.

[@cursed_xzy]

Imagine wroting this comment and error appears

[@vampire443]

probably am as lost as tim would be but, kind of reminds me to the ps2 contra game, think it was a shooter but on foot of course, just too hard for me :P thanks for the review!!!

[@Cannotbetamed1]

No problem :)

[@Dhalin]

Seems like a cool game, though I'm not huge on shooters but if I were to get a shooter, it would probably be either this or Starr Mazer DSP.

[@thewitness2226]

Dhalin Have your eyes checked pall. There's no way that Starr Mazer is better than Sine Mora.

[@Dhalin]

Did I say "better"? No. Was I judging Starr Mazer DSP based upon its graphics alone? No. I said "If I wanted a shooter, it would be either Sine Mora or SMDSP". C'mon now, we're both watching Cannot Be Tamed, right? You know, the girl that frequently reviews *NES* games? I highly doubt that Graphics should be the #1 selling point of a game if you're a subscriber/viewer of this channel.

[@BigMacOrange]

I wish they would bring back steel empire

[@Mister_Soyuz_on_YT]

I saw this now for $1.99 on eshop but something about it makes me want this game for PC or mobile version. NGL this game looks fun and with 3D made game just makes it cool. Pass for me though

[@lucianof-f6z]

ive been meaning to get this on the switch.. better look for another shmup.

[@TheSuperBeebie]

I had to put this game down after almost finishing it on Normal Difficulty. The difficulty is downright maddening, and it just isn't fair. Like how there are many points in the game that are full of instant kill traps. That puzzle dungeon boss followed by the instant kill satellite boss is what did me in. I agree with you on the story. I don't play these games to experience a deep narrative. It seems pretty much incompatible with a quick pick-up and play genre like shoot-em-ups. That and the whole furry angle I just don't understand. It's hard to take rape and murder seriously when it's a cartoon animals talking about it. Great review! I'm really enjoying your videos after the KZbin algorithm finally let me find you.

[@Cannotbetamed1]

Thank you. Welcome to the channel.

[@Puda]

A little bit different than your usual games but I like it. Reminds me of old games. Not really my genre but interesting.

[@realtime4559]

Hi Pam. I have this on PS4 and as you said the visuals are fantastic but that dialogue problem really ruins the game for me. Still worth it though. Anyway great review as always. Thanks!!!

[@Cannotbetamed1]

Thank you!

[@carvella8593]

this game looks great reminds me of the old Atari games

[@perihelion7445]

Much prefer pixeled shootem-ups, when the whole thing is rendered it just looks too clinical. That's not to say it doesn't look good. Overall though, it's how it plays that matters.

[@Cannotbetamed1]

I also usually enjoy the pixelated ones, but I thought this looked great.

[@ericemme747]

I enjoyed the game play and music but totally agree that the handling of the story takes me out of the zone real quick

[@oppyh]

It does look beautiful, but I ain't got time for all that talkin and text. Anyway horizontal shooters always take a back seat to vertical, even if they do look as good as this. Great review by the way.

[@Cannotbetamed1]

I also like vertical shooters more.

[@wolverinescratch]

£3.00 physical okay I'll play it

[@robertbarker5802]

Have this one on Switch and have to say I kind of wish you could focus on one or the other with let me just read the story or just play the game. The story is fun but so broken up with game that I can't keep track. But the game is so interrupted by reading that the flow is all off. If the story were by itself I think I could get into it and they need to just patch the game to let you skip the cut scenes.

[@Cannotbetamed1]

I ended up skipping all the story bits I could and as a result didn’t really follow what was going on for most of it. I wish they made all the difficulties available on the arcade mode.

[@RREDDWARFF]

In order to see the true ending, you'll need to blah blah blah blah... or just look it up on KZbin.

[@furrynick]

She didn’t explain much about the deference between the original version and this one

[@chrismann1489]

Good job on all of your videos, beautiful lady!

[@Cannotbetamed1]

Thanks!

[@Digitaldreamer7]

"Shoot em Up's". That's a side scroller.

[@Cannotbetamed1]

It's a horizontal scrolling shoot'em up.