I might be able to agree with you that there may be better versions of this game, but to say it has any degree of unplayablity is just plain wrong. I and others on this thread are thoroughly enjoying the game. I can't say the controls couldn't be a little better. But they work pretty darn well for me. If they didn't I'd be falling in line with you. I'm having a blast with this game. Anyway, IMO, if you don't have access to any other version of this game, I'd say grab it. I find it to be one of the top shmups on iOS, controls and all.
Look, far be it from me to say what anyone else does or doesn't find fun. But it doesn't change the fact that it's a precision game with imprecise controls...and settling because you'd rather play it on an iPad Mini or simply shrugging your shoulders and dealing with it if iOS is your only option won't change that. I mean, not owning a 360 doesn't negate the issues Bayonetta has on the PlayStation 3. Not owning a Vita (or PlayStation 2, or PlayStation 3, or 360) doesn't make Metal Gear Solid 3D a less disappointing (or worse controlling) port on the 3DS.
So... After debating a bit, and deciding to purchase this on Steam (on sale for $2.something ATM), am I just not getting something? Why couldn't relative touch controls work like the mouse controls do on the PC?
Comment: I dunno if I could call that lazy, but the 5-year history of App Store bullet-hell games shows that relative touch control is doable and is a must, unless the developer wants the app to fail. I think both CodeMasters and this developer have a very "amazing" mindset. Statement: The lesson of History, if any, is that people never learn from the lesson of History. They tend to repeat mistakes from the past. Suggestion: if you are not doing relative touch, just give us iCade. Enquiry: I switch the graphics to "ultra" but do not notice any difference from "normal" on both iPhone5 and iPad3. Anyone enlighten me on this department?
Just wanted chime in again and clarify that I'm all for relative touch controls and would love if they were added. I just, in my own opinion, don't feel like the joystick controls are nearly as bad as some say they are. And I say that because I'd hate to see someone pass up a great game like this because of those saying that the controls are awful. They aren't to me and I'm not a great shmup player (you won't see me on the tops of any leaderboards.)
I'm definitely the most disillusioned I've ever been since getting into iOS. I was so excited seeing the footage of this game. I mean, this is my favorite genre, and this is absolutely one of the defining moments for it with this title. But it is going to gnaw at me if I can't play it the way it was intended. This isn't to say the iOS version is bad, since the member opinions I trust most are in support of it as being a competent title overall. I had my finger on the buy button, until I saw the letterbox/small screen size and reduced graphics. It's a mixed bag with the controls obviously, since enough people have chimed in on that issue for it to be a red flag. This version just seems... neutered. I don't know. An update can fix the controls somewhat I'm sure, but the other reductions are likely to stay. I'll get the game, soon... But as I drive around my old Subaru, I often wish for a Ferrari.
Virtually unplayable on Insane with this floaty joystick. In addition it's ridiculously easy to hit the wrong button in the heat of battle on an iPad, the row of buttons is very poorly thought out. All in all this is just a very lazy port, doing the least work required to publish a nominally functional version.
Ugh That sucks. I don't know if I'd call it just laziness. The bigger picture is that certain titles ported to iOS run the risk of falling short of expectations due to obvious limitations, whether it's performance or control issues.
####come on sumo don't b like dis it's only 6 bucks it's freakin great man I fired up my ps 3 version too but I live to support ios games it's just me
This is a beautiful port graphics wise. The letterbox issue is a non issue, as it cannot be helped, it's letter boxed even on a 16/9 TV, and though it's a bigger annoyance on a small phone and even on an iPad than on a TV, it's something one can get used to. It's not something the developer can change. The bigger issue for me is with the game itself, and the controls on iOS. Playing on the Xbox was hard, very hard, as the bullets is extremely small, especially compared to Cave Shmups and the like. It is almost impossible to weave in and out of bullet patterns, as the game leaves little to no room in cases, and the patterns is often very, very close. It was still enjoyable, if hard though. On the iPad with a virtual joystick it's impossible, for me at least, to avoid getting hit constantly and lose my hard earned upgrades. This is actually not just because of the controls, but because the aforementioned tiny bullets and hard bulletpatterns. It would certainly be easier to avoid if we had relative controls, even keeping the ships individual speed, and it might even make it a better game than on other platforms if we had releative controls, as the precision of that may give a fighting chance against the bullet patterns we never really had on other platforms. The problem is that, even on the Xbox, there was never the pleasure of weaving and dodging between bullets relatively unharmed as you might do in similar games, as the bullets simply was too small and the patterns not well thought out, leaving some players like me ripping the hair out of their heads. It's almost like an uncomfortable hybrid between a western and eastern Shmup, a game sitting between two chairs, and the game is sometimes unbelievable hard because of it. It's still a beautiful game, with amazing bosses, and a riveting and sometimes disturbing story, and a good one to boot. It's not a bad game at all, but without relative controls, I simply cannot enjoy it on any level on iOS as much as I've tried. Still, I say support the developer, as we need efforts like this on iOS, and we can only hope the developer give us relative controls down the road. This is all my opinion of course, and I respect those here who differ with it.
Agree with that, i admit i would prefer relative touch but i played a few levels last night and i'm getting more used to the joystick. The joystick is actually far better than a lot i've used in other games. I dont mind the letterbox view, just seems like a widescreen movie/game to me! I wouldnt say its a 'lazy' port, lazy as in they didnt seem to see what controls work best with this type of game, but i've seen far far worse ports than this. This ones really playable, looks great, a bit of tweaking would do wonders though Enjoying the end of level bosses. Happy with the game, hopefully a future update will get more people on board
My question is, if relative touch were an option, would the playing screen be enlarged? I can't see touch screen being any better if the screen is that small. Touch control + Letterbox view = Losing?
According to the developers earlier post here, it's impossible to change the letterbox view. It was an issue of heated discussion sometimes even on other platforms, but it really wasn't much of an issue on a big screen TV. It's a bigger drawback on a small phone and iPad, but not something that can be changed, unfortunately.
Think i didnt see that post originally. If it cant be changed it cant be changed, i would rather have this game with the letterbox view than no game at all. Still a great game for the couple of dollars it cost me, looking forward to seeing later levels
There's no reason the black strips couldn't be touch sensitive. Keep in mind we're talking about relative touch here, not direct touch which always = losing.
No realative , censored, ....another iOS failed shooter ....ill play this on my Vita and pretend I dident buy this...
Bah! I do not know...I'm definitevely NOT a PRO, last shoot em up I completed was Darious Burst last year, before that I must probably go back to Menace, Blood Money and R-Type on Amiga...or even Uridium on C64, I hate bullet hell games too. But Sine Mora is FANTASTIC. And despite what everyone says here about the controls...I was able to reach the last world with no problems on normal...and every death (MANY deaths) was my fault, not the controls....proof is that some parts I thought impossible at first, now I can breeze through without losing a single power up. This is on BOTH iPad 3 AND iPhone 4S. Will I reach the top of the leaderboards on insane worldwide playing on iPad? No, never (heck....I last like 15 seconds on hard )...go figure with virtual controls. But the game is absolutely fantastic and I'm super glad they ported it. Said that....dear devs, please know that I'll probably NEVER regain the proper use of my left thumb after trying 2 hours the DOMUS 'boss' What two hours they were!!!!
Thanks for that Pitta. I agree with all of what you said about the controls and what have ya. But I think my skill level and your own might be very similar in relation to these kind of games. And I was thinking to myself would I make the end at all. I'm taking hope for what you said and shall persist. I'm genuinely confused by the control issues people are having as I think its just not meant to be an easy game judging by the the tiny gaps you've to get through anyway. I don't see relative touch being any more precise. But that could just be me being more comfortable with the joystick. On the other games I downloaded to make the comparison, I find the relative touch a bit floaty on some. Probably just down to different styles for different people. It is very enjoyable despite the multiple deaths I'm suffering and has a whole lot of character. Can't really find fault in it for the genre its in after playing a lot more since yesterday.
I'm no expert by any means, but I'm not sure relative controls would work here that much better with the fixed speed of the ship (not that I mind more options, obviously). But besides this...what I wanted to say is that, despite not being a pro at these games, I was able to play till the end with no problems. Another thing....this is NOT a bullet hell game (which I do not like...I prefer shooting at things than avoiding bullets). It's a nice hybrid imho...and more than avoiding being hit you must find a nice compromise between being hit and hitting enemies to mantain your timeline. This is exactely (besides the jaw dropping graphic and patterns) what set apart this game from the others. And I love it. If people can play the game on other platforms and they feel they are more confortable playing there...fine. But dissing this game out just before even having tried...well...they are just missing out. Heck...that garbage shaft....I was stuck there at first curve for 2 days!!!! Now I breeze past that part anytime at first try!!! And all with same controls!!! So blaming those is not an option now that I'm stuck at another boss
