TheSoundofRed wrote:I would like a bit more information regarding the scoring though... or has that already been covered?
Sorry for the long post - I'm pasting the "How to play" document from the game.
BASICS
Sine Mora is a horizontal side-scrolling shooter, a so called shoot'em up (STG). The player's airplane is viewed from the side and the stages are presented in cross-section, so the airplane appears to be flying through the backgrounds. The scrolling in the game is continuous, such that the player is led through a stage by the game.
On occasions there is also a degree of freedom, when the player can move up or down on the playing area, which can be taller than the screen. The focus is almost entirely on annihilation of the various enemy units. Also, the player must navigate through the environment, as invariably contact with the various background elements results in the death of or damage to the player's airplane.
Most importantly, Sine Mora is a shooting game with time extension based progress.
GAME SYSTEM
Shoot down enemies to add time to the counter. If you get hit or collide, you receive a time penalty. Each stage has several checkpoints, where the timer is reset – your time mass will be stabilized. Your goal is always to get to the next checkpoint.
You are able to upgrade your primary weapon in 9 steps. Primary weapon upgrades are permanent.
Use your sub-weapon to damage particularly strong enemies. It can be also very useful to control the chaos surrounding you, but always keep in mind: your sub-weapon stock is limited.
Use time manipulating capsules to your advantage: Story mode is limited to the Speed Up capsule, which slows down the time around you for a short while. Arcade Mode adds variation with two additional capsule types. In each mode, your capsule pool is limited.
Pick up the floating power-up tokens. These can upgrade your primary weapon, replenish your sub-weapon stock and capsule pool or have other useful purposes.
ADVANCED
Arcade mode has an additional game element: the Rank System.
Player rank is indicated below the score counter on the HUD. There are three different ranks: C, B and A. Every new play session starts with a C rank and playing through the game will slowly raise the rank to B then A automatically.
The player is also able to speed up the rank change by various actions (holding the fire button, picking up specific power-up tokens, etc). Enemy resistance is more fierce on a higher rank: they release more bullets which can reach the player much quicker.
If the player is using a sub-weapon, a capsule or is hit, the rank meter will drop down a bit. However, the more time you spend on a higher rank, the more bonus score you'll receive at the end of the stage.
SCORING
Each enemy destroyed will reward the player with score. Remaining time at the checkpoints is also converted.
If the achieved score is higher than the player's previous score, it will be uploaded to the respective leaderboard.
Consecutive kills can raise the score multiplier. This multiplier is nullified if the player decides to use a sub-weapon, a capsule or is hit by enemy fire.
Players are also able to collect score tokens during the game and build up a token-chain, as the value of these tokens will raise upon successful collection. If a floating score token is missed (the token permanently leaves the screen), the chain will broke – the next token that appears will have the minimal value again.
Additional – bonus – score can be gained at the end of the stages, based on player performance (hit ratio, number of hits taken, etc).
GAME MODES
STORY MODE
Play through the story from the beginning to the end. Finishing every stage on Challenging difficulty unlocks an alternative narration and a chance to see the true ending. You are also able to start the game from any previously unlocked stage and continue to the end from that point.
On Normal difficulty, initially you have 8 chances to continue.
On Challenging difficulty, initially you have 5 chances to continue.
ARCADE MODE
Play the game from the beginning to the end. This game mode is focused on action – the story-related cutscenes are not included.
On both selectable difficulties you have only 3 chances to continue.
SCORE ATTACK
Tailored for short play – you are able to select any previously unlocked stage in this mode. When finishing a stage, you do not proceed to the next stage. Also, you are not able to continue after death.
BOSS TRAINING
You are able to practice previously encountered boss enemies in this mode.
Continue stock is unlimited.
