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Apr 09 2005
Metal Gear Acid Review
PSP Game Review | Strategy
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| Summary: Very good game. TCG style gameplay fits the MG franchise perfectly.
95
I read a few reviews, and waited 2 weeks before deciding to try the game. So you can say I was a little skeptical about the direction Konami went with the series. I must say they did a great job.
The graphics in this game are post PS1 and almost as good as MGS 2 & 3. I've played the hell out of the psone and pstwo offerings and completed the games a few times over. The graphics are on par with the PS2 games. I expect the next PSP MGA game (hopefull, eh?) to surpass the graphics of this one.
The sound in this game it top notch. I've played RR and they booth get the same ratings as far as i'm concerned. Its pretty much the same as all the other Metal Gear games. For some reason I find it much more relaxing now, playing on the bus to work(two things I never thought would happen). The only thing missing, and I mean the only thing missing, is the voice acting behind cut scenes and mission briefings.
I love this style of play personally. People have compared this game to Final Fantasy Tactics for GBA, but I disagree. I used to play FFT, never got far, but this game blows it away. I'm talking hurricane force winds here. First of all, movement feels alot like playing the Solid series. Actually, i'm sure that after playing this game, you start to realize how, in-efficient, and un-strategic you've been with you approach to the mission in Solid. You may even play solid better. Its tempting to run up on guards hurling grenades and empting your SOCOM in his chest in solid because its real time action, and thats what we like. The way this game plays it forces you to think ahead, considering all the elements of the battlefield. You have to take into consideration; Distance and Destination. BATs (Bag of tricks) as I call it, basically the cards you have when its your turn to play. Enemy(s) location, and patrol route. Terrain, timing you name it. Read "The Art of War" for more details..lol. Trust me when I say, if you like MGS and your prefer strategy instead of mindless killing, this is the game for you.
Some people have complained about a variety of things in the reviews on all the ign's and gamepro websites out there, but I don't really find any validity behind them. Saving progress is simple, the interface on a whole is very well done. Again the only thing I miss (not that much though) is the voice acting during the conversations and mission briefings. Not a big deal though, because you move at your own pace. Its easy to miss something if the cutscene is the only time you get a break, and want to grab a drink, bleed the fat lizard, or look out the bus window at a very sexy lady walking down the street (or so i've heard). Also, Metal Gear is notorious for the "Drama" effect of the acting. I'd hate to have to watch those friggin dolls dance around saying some dumb ish, its easier and faster to read the dialog and imagine how annoying they must sound.
Anyways, the game is top notch. I'm a happy customer and not afraid to say it. This game rocks baby!!! If you've never played or ever heard of a Steath/Action/Strategy/Card Game, this is it. Don't think of the card as Aces and Jacks, think of them as the options you have in a given situation, and make them work to your benefit. For a first generation game, I give this a 90%, but for it to be a first gen portable game, I added an extra 5 to the tally. Gimme my sound back, and add first person view, and this game is up there with Snake Eater...my all time fav, after God Of War.
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Comments
04/10/05
HaRdCoRPS
| Florida USA
I've played som TCG's in my time, but this one is foriegn to me. only played the first 2 missions though. pretty tough. Lumines has been taking up all of my time. (buddies say you spent 250 for damn tetris!?!?!) Hehe they'll never know. But I think MGA looks and sounds a lot better than I anticipated. So maybe when My lumines session is over i will pick up and try again
+
04/10/05
12 
tomallen35
|
if you think about it, metal gear games are partially turn based anyway as (if you are playing it using stealth tactics rather than gun-ho), then you wait for ai soldiers to move then you move. So actually going to turn based isn't that much a system shock for me.
Although a fantastic game in itself, it does make you really REALLY want a proper metal gear game on the psp though!
+
04/10/05
rasronin
| Alabama USA
HardCorps :
I didn't like it that much at first, and was kinda mad. But It takes atleast 5 missions or so for you to really get a feel for the game. Its like playing soccer for the first time. You hate the game until you get comfortable with the basics and mechanics of the game, then you start to focus on the game and strategy behind it. Also, until you link up with the Chick, the game seems like its going to be a long, long, long way to the end. But with her tagging along (with your control) it only gets better or harder depending on how you look at it.
The main thing I've found after playing for a while, I just found out Metal Gears is mixed up in the story now, I realize how much replay value this game has. After the first 3-5 missions(not sure, I had too many puffs today) you get missions that you can play over, with different scenarios like : Kill Everything, or Reach the Goal Undetected. I'm far in the game now, and even the earlier missions that I tried to replay, had me stuck with D grades time and time again. Which affects how many cards you get, or money to buy cards in the Card Shop. So if you havent opened up all the menus , and seen some of the interesting cards you can play, then don't judge the game yet. You still need a little more play time.
+
04/10/05
rasronin
| Alabama USA
tomallen35:
Yeah, I do want a "proper" metal gear game as you put it, but you gotta admit this game shines on its own. I take it from your tone that your a strategy man yourself. I feel that same comfort with this game, and it actually makes sense in the way the developers did it. They kept the missions longer by adding more depth to moves, and forced the user to mico-manage everything. I just got some of the MG2 and MG3 cards now, and the amount of things and directions you can go with this game is incredible.
Some people find it annoying like i did, until I gave up and decided to enjoy it for what it is. Then I stated to learn combos and all that, and I'm loving it. I'm thinking about starting a post for tips on how to play the game. Because the manual and website does lack in content. I'm still trying to figure out the friggin Cost system. I know how it works, but I try doing the math myself sometimes in the game and tend to be off sometimes. If any of you guys figured it out, and can explain it better than the developers that would be really nice.
+
Some things bother me about this review...:
- I find it disturbing that this "blows away" a game you barely even tried... it's like saying "I played Xenosaga for an hour then put it down, but THIS is SOOOOOO much better" (Granted, I'd really like a FFTactics for the PSP myself)
- "Its tempting to run up ... and thats what we like" - all of the previous MG games support both stealth and run 'n gun gameplay, but the focus has generally been focused towards stealth, sneakiness, and thinking ahead - stealth and planning is nothing new if you've played japanese style strategy games before (FFTactics, Vandal Hearts, Front Mission, even Advance Wars)
- This review reeks of fanboyish and gushing over the game - "for it to be a first gen portable game, I added an extra 5 to the tally" - that's crap. You review a game based on the game, not based on "it's a first gen game" - being first gen doesn't make the game any better.
I do agree though that some websites (like IGN's review) review the game as if they've never played turn-based strategy games before, which is dumb. Reviewing it on what you expect it to be(faster like real-time MGS) and not on what it is(a turn-based game) is poor journalism. Hence, you see a lot of varying review scores for the game.
- Chef
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04/11/05
rasronin
| Alabama USA
Maybe im wrong, but I thought the whole purpose of a review was to express how you feel about a certain game. Yes i'm a FanBoy of the Metal Gear series as a whole and say that with pride. Personally I'm not a big fan of Final Fantasy. I don't agree with many people who are turned off by the card based element of the game, so I wanted to express my relief that the game was good. Even after reading some reviews that gave me huge reservations about spending $40. Now maybe I didn't play FFT enough, but I did spend time on the Series since NES. FFT to ME doesn't compare to Acid. Maybe when we get a GBA emulator or something I'll play around with it, but I'm not interested enough in the Final Fantasy series anyway.
I do have one comment though, who the hell are you? I review a game based on the criteria I choose, not you. I look at a games quality based on a software perspective. People make the engines they run on, and in my opinion it does matter from a development side whether or not its 1st, 2nd, 3rd. gen. Look at some of the other first gen titles alongside MGA and tell me this game isn't in the top 3 based on a solid (not MGS) Engine.
The quality of the newer play station games to me out weight the first set. Is HL2 better than HalfLife, why? Yes, because developers over time learn new tricks and smooth out the kinks in the game engine. Of course I'm not trying to say the story line isn't important but thats another perspective. We each have our own. Your going to critisize me by ranting about what you believe is the only perspective to a honest, non fanboyish review. Dude I'm in America, not Japan, the only other stealth game I know is Splinter-Cell. So braggin about what they do in Japan doesn't mean to me.
I am a fan boy of the MG series, so if you are, and have reservations about the gameplay, drop em, the game plays fine.edited: Apr 11 2005
+
By Final Fantasy Tactics, I was referring to the Playstation version actually(much deeper in Job customization and strategy) - the GBA version is 'Final Fantasy Tactics Advance'. Gameplay styles in these two games are wholly different than Final Fantasy games on the NES, old Gameboy, and SNES.
My issue with extra kudos for a game because it's first gen is the fact that it's first gen doesn't make the game any better - it's merely a fact. The only thing I can see a "launch title" status doing to a game is weakening it if the developers rush it out the door(Dynasty Warriors as an example). I feel that it's not a bonus that a launch title -isn't- messed up - it's what the developers are -supposed- to do. Also, the engine can be great, but the game can suck - there's a bunch of titles for the PC that use the Quake or Unreal engines(some even ported to console I think), but they suck. The engine is more of a toolbox to make a great game with. Again, it's the game that matters.
You can watch your stereotypes too - I'm in Taiwan, but dude, I'm actually American. Every series I mentioned has US releases: Vandal Hearts 1 & 2(PSX), Tenchu 1&2(PSX), Tenchu 3&4(PS2, Wrath of Heaven and Fatal Shadows), Front Mission 3(PSX) and 4(PS2), Advance Wars(GBA). Beyond that there's Disgaea(PS2) and its sort of prequel La Pucelle Tactics(PS2). I'm not bragging about what they do/have in Japan - I'm mentioning other examples of stuff you can try that might be up your alley that's already hit the states. I say "Japanese style strategy game" simply to set those kinds of games apart from the wealth of other strategy games in the US. (Master of Orion, Civilization, Heroes of Might 'n Magic, those hex-war game thingies, etc) The funny thing is "what they do in Japan" is make Metal Gear AC!D as well as the rest of the Metal Gear series, soooo what they do in Japan -does- matter.
Also, the last paragraph I wrote ("I do agree that..." isn't a criticism of you at all - I totally agree that the game has been unfairly reviewed by much of the press. Again, my criticisms are equally my opinion as well.
-Chef
+
04/12/05
rasronin
| Alabama USA
I respect you now that I understand where your comming from. Its easy to take things the wrong way when reading them. Especially when you put your feelings about something out in the open and then someone calls you a "Fanboy". I was just explaining where I was comming from. I was talking about the GBA version, since this is a portable system. I guess sony changed the game totally now, cause we are compairing Porable systems to home consoles, life is good aint it.
Honestly Vandal Hearts is new to me, but I have beaten all the Tenchu titles, and will sound very fanboyish if this game makes it to PSP, hopefully with the same gameplay. I mean it is a stealth/strategy/chop em up game, and I hope they actually keep it true to original form.
As for the extra points and all, keep in mind the review was written after my initial high. I have been posting around forums that I would review it as soon as I got it, and I played for a few hours. As soon as I put it down to make my PSP rest, I wrote the review. My appologies to all if I didn't take this review thing as serious as I most. I just wrote my feelings on what a good game it is and tried to give the developers a shout out on the good work they did.
To an extent I do agree that developers SHOULD make GOOD games anyways, but we are all humans. Keep in mind most of these guys are fresh out of college or only 2-3 years in the industry. PSP code is all new to the developers, unlike PC or PS XBOX which have been on the scene for a while. YOu must admit though that games progressively get better. I wanted spiderman 2, and played it for a little but the camera kind of gives me a headache or that sick feeling, so I didn't go with it.
Most launch title games are a nothing more than an experiment. Developers are working on the PSP with no working examples to go on, so everything is done from scratch. I think the quality of the graphics, animations, sound and the gameplay of MGA are well done I only have a slight problem with camera angles at one or two sections of a map. Not a big deal though. I wouldn't be surprised if we get a MG Solid game on PSP in a few years. It takes a while for developers and publishers (who hate risk taking) to begin to push the limits of the psp. If they did try to push a Solid title on PSP we wouldn't have it in our palms yet. Look at Dynasty warriors, they tried to do too much and took a risk with it. I haven't played the game yet so I don't know if the complaints about that game are valid. But it seems that the game is riddled with bugs and performance issues. The next gen Dynasty warriors will more than likely make huge impovements over the current title.
+
04/12/05
HaRdCoRPS
| Florida USA
Well I put lumines away, and took your advice the other night and forced myself to learn how to play MGA. And as I expected, once I got all the kinks worked out and actually know what I'm doing it's wayyyyyy cooler! This game is awesome it just turned me off at first because I wasn't giving it my full attention to learning how to play other than look at "how" it plays. I am now enjoying this one a great deal and can't wait to find somone to play multiplayer against.
+
04/12/05
rasronin
| Alabama USA
When I said what they do in Japan doesn' matter to me, believe me its not meant to discriminate. Other than my own culture the Japanese are my favourite. What I hate is people saying like< In Japan they do this, in america they do that. Thats bull. Its like saying only americans play FPS games, and all japanese peopel get headaches from them. Its bull. If MGA was made in Timbuktoo I wouldn't care, I like the game.
My question is why did that even come up in the first place? I'm talking about metal gear, not tenchu or any other games. Its like talking about Counter-Strike and then going on to mention Halflife in the same sentence. I said people like to play metal gear by running around sounding alarms and all, but thats NOT how the game is meant to be played, and many people even though they finish the game, do so with a horrible score, and never get all the extras. This game forces you to sit down and think, which I like.
+
04/12/05
HaRdCoRPS
| Florida USA
You have to admit though, That Turnbased MG is waaaaay diffrent than what anyone would have thought. I like it, a lot. But some people understandably won't or never will. some people don't like to think about thier moves in advance, they want to hit the square button and punch and that's all they'll ever want
+
04/12/05
rasronin
| Alabama USA
I'm glad you took my advice, I felt the same way when I first put the game in. I mean, I got the psp on launch day, but didn't get a game cause I wasn't sure, and well a little broke. I almost threw it out the window because I got killed trying to get trough the first section with those guards at teh front gate. A few tries later and I was inlove again. Almost as much as the first time.
True, ignorance is bliss  Im joking, but you are right, some people won't like this style of play. I also found that alot of people don't like MGS or Splintercell because they feel the gameplay too slow. My little brother, a hot head in his own right, is guilty of this. So this is going to push them even further away. But for the lucky few like me and you, this game has a lifetime value attached to it. The replay value is much better than the solid games, except for the VR MISSIONS. Well in my opinion any way.
I mean after you beat most of the later missions you can replay the boards for extra points and cards etc. I haven't even finished the game yet, and I've been replaying some of these boards, but to get a feel for the kind of decks and strategy I like best. I wish, I wish, I wish I had someone to play two player with. It would definately be a blast.
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