  WHAM! Gaming's Daniel Barron digging the "Solid-eye" system. |
No, you’re not just having another flashback. Metal Gear Acid has found its way back to your Sony PSP, featuring the original card-battling strategic gameplay that made the first title so popular. With an updated graphical style, the addition of more cards, more missions and above all more bosses, Metal Gear Acid 2 aims to top its initial offering in both substance and style.
If you have yet to try the first Metal Gear Acid, you may be in for a surprise if you are expecting a game similar to the Metal Gear Solid series found on the PS2. While Acid features the same main character, Snake, and has him accomplishing the same mercenary-style covert missions, the similarities end when it comes to the gameplay. Metal Gear Acid is a turn-based strategy game where you and your enemies alternate moves using ‘cards’ from your hand as actions. You must spend cards to move yourself around the board and to attack your enemies and complete your objectives. Cards types include weapons and equipment, status effects, unique actions and more. There are over 500 different cards to collect in the game which you can use to build a select ‘deck’ of 30-40 cards to use on specific missions.
The story follows Snake, who has once again suffered a bout of explosive amnesia. Unable to remember his past, he is enlisted to break into a secure facility by a mysterious employer who claims to have the information he seeks. Once in the facility, things don’t go exactly as planned and soon Snake is tasked with unraveling a worldwide plot to kidnap young children for military testing, combating Metal Gear and just generally saving the day.
 |
|
Outnumbered but not outgunned. |
The graphical style has received a significant overhaul in this edition. Acid 2 has much brighter and vibrant theme throughout the game that is reflected in the level, character and menu designs. Characters in the game are rendered with bold outlines and strong bright colors in a style similar to cell-shading, with the addition of standard texture mapping for detail. It’s a welcome upgrade over the drab earth tones that were so common in the first Metal Gear Acid.
Compared with the original, the mission design features a wider variety of gameplay options, with many levels requiring a different strategy and deck composition. It is much harder to create the ultimate multi-purpose deck that can dominate in any situation. Boss battles have taken a greater focus in Acid 2, with each requiring specific tactics to overcome. Overall the game-play changes are all welcome additions, giving greater variety and replay ability than the original.
One issue that remains from the first game is the difficulty level. While those who pick up the game for the first time can be overwhelmed with the complexity (often claiming that the game is ‘bad’ because they can’t comprehend it), once you overcome the steep learning curve the game becomes relatively easy, so long as you play safe and avoid making any major mistakes. Inclusion of an increased difficulty level would surely be welcomed by some of the more hardcore players.
 |
|
Another a shot of the "Solid-eye". |
What certainly isn’t welcome this time around is the absurd “Solid-eye” 3D attachment that comes with the game. If you haven’t yet heard of this gimmick, let me explain. The “Solid-eye” is a small black box that fits over your PSP and splits the screen into two sections, each only viewable by one eye. The “Solid-eye” can be used to view the regular gameplay, as well as a selection of movies unlocked by locating certain cards. While viewing parts of the game in 3D can be interesting to show your friends, the implementation is far too cramped and unwieldy to be used for any length of time. Not to mention the fact that using the “Solid-eye” to play Acid 2 in public is only slightly less conspicuous than actually taking acid in public. I wouldn’t be surprised if most people will try this once and then put it away and forget about it forever.
While the “Solid-eye” may not be a hit, Metal Gear Acid 2 certainly is. With the improved graphics, increased card selection and better mission design, Acid 2 stands well above what was already a unique and fantastic PSP experience. I recommend anyone who has an interest in either the Metal Gear series, or strategy and puzzle games in general to give the new Metal Gear Acid 2 a try.
WHAM! Rating: |
8.5 out of 10 |
ESRB Rating: |
M (Murder) |
Official Web Site: |
|
|
