Terrorists have Hijacked Flight 396. They threaten the passengers lives unless a disk containing the "Pythagoras" data is given to them. They have a Presidential Candidate aboard. Who can infiltrate a South African island, get Pythagoras and save them while enduring immense plot twists and hair-raising betrayals? Who else but the Legendary retired Fox-Hound member Solid Snake. From the creative mind of Shinta Nojiri (not Kojima in disguise) Metal Gear Ac!d uses a turned-based battle system (Active Command Intelligence Duel...damn.) and decks of cards to pit Solid Snake (and later a partner) against Guards, Robots, and massive Bosses.
Story? What story...only plot twists...
This is a METAL GEAR game people, the story starts out generic. Terrorist take place, you kill them silently, blah-de-blah. But the plot twists are IMMENSE and kept me on the edge of my seat like no portable EVER has (except Fire Emblem). I won't spoil the whole story, but it involves a man you meet named Gary, and another man, Hans Davis, creating a psychic powered kid (wait til' you find out who that is!). I could go more into detail, but no spoilers here folks.
Active Command Intelligence Duel
Gameplay Score: 9
I'll explain the basics of the card battle system, which can be VERY connfusing. There are several card types; Character, Weapon, Item, CQC, Action, Support. Character cards are the most varied and do MANY things, from attacking your opponent half a map away or healing you constantly. Weapons... duh. There are two types, 'Equip' and 'Use'. 'Equips' must be equipped and loaded with ammo (Another gun-card of the same Cal/mm/guage). 'Use' guns are fired and discarded. Items are varied, from Cardboard boxes (hiding) to nightvision. CQC cards allow for the MGS3 close-quarters-combat techniques to be used. Action cards are 'Special', and Support cards increase your health, mainly. It has a sharp learning curve but it's enjoyable when you own a guy using a CQC strangle card while passing under a camera.
Graphics & Sound - It's the PSP, come on
Score: 8 (Sound & Graphics)
Yeah, you've seen TGC graphics before, cartoon-like. Annoying? Not here. This game is gorgeous on the 4.3in screen. The color-use is spectacular, theres a massive variety to be found here and I was amazed at the Game Room (a story element later) which had rainbows everywhere. I had a few issues with black specs (not my PSP mind you) showing up and the jungle effects were less then great. The music in the game, as with all MG games, is nice. The gun sound effects are true to the soure (hey CS fans, theres a FAMAS). The dialogue, although iffy itself at times is very well done.
Overall - the Rest of the Crap - Now with less Crap
Most of the characters in this game must think Snake has ADD, because throughout the entire game they repeat his main objective every friggin' level and it gets annoying. So skip the cutscenes with your commander in them. The Boss fights? Rather uneventful, the first pitting you against a massive guy (Leone) with a massive gun. A few grenades next to explosive barrels and you win. Metal Gear on the other hand...ouch.
If you like Metal Gear and have any interest in TCGs (Trading Card Games) pick this up NOW! If you hate every card on the planet and want to burn them? Rent it if possiable, then buy it. Overall I loved this game, but the replay value is almost 0 (opinions may vary). It does have nice multiplayer which is fun as hell on Ad-Hoc and Infrastructure, but I had some bad load times while on IF mode.
I was in the naysayer camp. Card game? No thanks. But then I gave it a try and loved it. Once you pick up the gameplay mechanics it won't be long until you get drawn into the storyline and have to find out what happens. Beautiful execution of a potentially boring gameplay concept (cards).
Well, the idea was card-based from the beggining and I enjoyed it. But, yes we all want an action-based MGS PSP title. Keep praying to Kojima-san and maybe, just maybe, he'll answer us.
You say there is almost no replay value. With that in mind, how long would you say it takes to complete the game? If this game can be beaten in 2 hours, then I might wait for it to drop in price before picking it up. Do you get any special items if you complete the game in a certain time or meet specific conditions like you do in the MGS game? ie.. bandana of infinte ammo, stealth cammo, etc. (I am guessing not since this is a card based game, but maybe there are special cards you start out with) That might make it worthwhile to play through again.
Ithink you get a card for completing the game. I guess the replay value is in collecting all hte cards? As far as gameplay goes, I heard aobut 20 to 30 hours. I'm on hour 5 so I don't know from experience.
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