Day 180, Game 180 - Sine MOra

If you can believe it, I used to be big on XBLA titles back in the heyday. And by that, I mean just a couple of years ago. After I downloaded my first one (I don't remember what it was, but I was late to the party as far as downloading games was concerned), I went on a rampage, downloading anything and everything in sight. 

Summer of Arcade games? All of them, without thinking twice. Somebody said to look out for a nifty looking game coming out soon? I would be first in the hypothetical line to grab it. Artsy, independent game getting lots of publicity or even flying under the radar? Count me in. 

I still have this problem today, but less with XBLA games and more with PSN, Nintendo eShop and Steam games. But when it all started with my XBLA downloads, that is when I first played Sine Mora. I loved it back then, and enough to buy it again when it was released for the PS Vita. Having already played the game, I knew that the true platform for this title was on a handheld, and the Vita was the ideal situation thanks to it's amazing graphics. 

So tonight, I played it. I actually haven't even touched it (that I remember) since I downloaded it, so it was super-enjoyable to dive back into this game on this beautiful portable gaming system. It is a side-scrolling shooter, with a twist. You don't have a health bar or anything typical to this genre, but instead, a timer that counts down for each stage or portions of stages. You can easily complete the stage in the given time, but every time you get hit, it knocks off a few seconds from your clock. So essentially, your timer is also your health meter at the same time, giving you added pressure to not only complete the level, but do it quickly and efficiently. 

The story is hard to explain, as I'm not even sure I fully understand it, but it is best described as a very mature version of Star Fox. Seriously. Think of animal pilots, that are seriously from the wrong side of the tracks. 

But like most games of this genre, you don't play it for the story. You play it for game play, and man, is it fun. It is intense, frantic and stressful, the controls are tight and the graphics are amazing. If you are any sort of fan of side scrolling shooters, this is a must-play. 

Especially if you like bitter, crusty, foul-mouthed animal pilots. 

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