Metal Gear Acid 2

Cheat Code Central

While the turn-based card battlin' combat might sound like the antithesis of edge-of-your-seat gaming, give Ac!d 2 a couple of hours of your undivided attention and I guarantee you'll be up to your eyes and ears in white-knuckle action.

Play UK

It's fluid, vivid and with as much depth as you want. A delight. [Apr 2006, p.104]

GameShark

With a ton of new features including The Solid Eye, improvements to the graphics, the huge improvement in the amount of cards you can have, all in all I think that Metal Gear Ac!d 2 will not only appeal to fans of Metal Gear Ac!d series, but anyone who enjoys tactical strategy games and doesn't mind the cartoonish graphics.

BonusStage

Whereas Metal Gear Acid faltered slightly in its attempt to branch the MGS franchise out into a bold new direction, Acid 2 absolutely nails the concept with engaging turn-based strategy gameplay, a refined interface, quicker pacing, stylized graphics and an abundance of replay value, among other noteworthy attributes.

TotalPlayStation

It's more action-driven, the setting feels more natural, and the gameplay has been refined enough that I think it could seriously hook MGS fans looking for something tide them over between Metal Gear Online matches or kill time until "MGS4" finally arrives.

Games Radar (in-house)

Snake is back, but don’t let his fluffy, forgettable story fool you; he brought a lot of game with him. If you think “owning them all” is a pastime reserved for small children, you are wrong.

Official U.S. Playstation Magazine

While MGA2 is a lot more newbie friendly, it still requires a fair bit of strategy. [Apr 2006, p.88]

1UP

Factor in all of the unlockable goodies and the innovative 3D effects, and you've got yet another genre-defining experience out of Kojima Productions that sits alongside games like Boktai as true boundary-pushing efforts.

Yahoo! Games

While it was easy to shut off the first game only to come back later and forget where you were, MGA2 keeps the objectives close by and your motivation memorable.

Digital Entertainment News

Outside of the Solid Eye feature, the game’s story is much better this time out, the combat system improved, the graphics far better looking, and the game filled to the brim with imposing bosses and intense combat.

Worth Playing

A great strategy game, and its gameplay keeps the Metal Gear spirit close to heart, despite radical differences. MGS fan or not, this is much better than the first, and it will probably be the last.

GameBrink

The whole presentation of the game reeks of "acid trip" and I guess this was the intention of the producer. But still the original intention of a suitable tactical game is present and is a pleasure to spend my hours playing.

GamingTrend

Tactical games never had it so good in the Ac!d series.

VGPub

A stylish and unqiue game definitely worthy in the highly successful franchise. Its frustrating, yet successful card system, combined with challenging gameplay, excellent visuals, and funky soundtrack make a satisfying package for fans of the original Acid, strategy games, or something completely different.

GamingExcellence

There are more cards this time around, more gameplay options, more modes and more movies to collect. The presentation is top notch.

GameBiz

Metal Gear Acid 2 is a great strategy game, and its gameplay keeps the Metal Gear spirit close to heart, despite radical differences. MGS fan or not, this is much better than the first and a recommended purchase.

Electronic Gaming Monthly

Essentially, if you like the way strategy games engage your faculty of forethought and resource management, then MGA2 will be (at least) a 30-hour trip into grid-based nirvana. [Apr 2006, p.106]

PGNx Media

Metal Gear Acid 2 features a lot of replay value thanks to the plethora of cards available.

PSM Magazine

In the end, the meat of the game is easier to get into and far less nit-picky, while still providing an excellent strategic kicck. [Apr 2006, p.86]

WHAM! Gaming

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.

Gaming Target

The story works decently, though it’s nowhere near as spectacular as, say, Metal Gear Solid 3, but I suppose few games are. The series still has a way to go to iron out all of the bugs, but Metal Gear Acid 2 is definitely a step in the right direction.

Pelit (Finland)

May look a little strange at first, but you have to give it a chance. An hour later you will realise that what you have is a stylish, intelligent and fluid strategic action-adventure. [Aug 2006, p.57]

GameSpot

Metal Gear Acid 2 manages to deliver the same unique, strategic gameplay with the trademark style and oddball humor that Metal Gear Solid is known for, making it another great addition to your PSP library.

PSX Extreme

For some wacky reason, I didn't enjoy it as much as I did the first game. Perhaps it was because the concept of a strategy-based Metal Gear was no longer new to me. Perhaps it was because the levels were shorter. Perhaps it was because there are too many cards and too many options to pick from this time around.

DarkStation

The second installment improves upon the original with more cards, deeper gameplay and smoother pace. It's not the MGS as you know it, but it's a solid choice nonetheless.

G4 TV

It’s taken all the best bits of the first game, dressed them up, and created a game that both rookies and veterans will enjoy.

GameSpy

This time around, you'll play MGA 2 not for the name on the box, but for the content inside -- and you'll leave much happier.

GameZone

While the game still strays from its console roots, the good story, interesting characters and fun extras are enough for returning gamers to go back for more.

Game Informer

It may not be a revolutionary step forward, but Metal Gear Acid 2 applies polish in all the right places and gives us even more reasons to expect good things from this franchise in the years to come. [Apr 2006, p.132]

GamerFeed

The new graphics and 3-D gimmick with the Solid Eye peripheral are nice as well. Metal Gear fans should definitely deal into these cards.

GamePro

If you have the patience to play a methodical strategy game wrapped around an action game facade then Acid 2 is for you. However, if you prefer direct control of your characters and disdain sorting through decks of cards then you're better off checking out the home console versions of the Metal Gear series.

Eurogamer

Slightly better than its predecessor, Metal Gear Acid 2 also sneaks a higher score, too.

My Gamer

Metal Gear Ac!d 2 is a not only a sequel that is better than its predecessor, it is also one of the better games on the PSP.

AceGamez

Although condensed into portable form, Kojima Productions' immense production values, characterisation and narrative style has been carried across flawlessly.

Game Chronicles

I still bemoan the lack of Internet play (and card trading), and the funky multiplayer modes with no pre-match setup is way to random to be fair or fun. And why can I now see my enemy when I couldn’t last year.

IGN

Thanks to some really strange, confusing traits of play, MGA2 winds up playing almost like a patched version of Acid. In some ways, much of its play and features are two steps forward in terms of creativity, one step back in terms of execution.

Games Master UK

A huge improvement on the first game - not for everyone, but the best "MGS" on PSP. [Aug 2006, p.64]

Deeko

Alas, I guess if they removed the Metal Gear from this [game], then we wouldn't feel badly for calling it what it is: a decent, card-based strategy game that moves quickly and feels good, but is missing that real "x factor" to take it to the next level.

games(TM)

It’s more the subtle touches that make the game what it is, a combination of something just that little bit different and a typical Kojima game. [June 2006, p.126]

NTSC-uk

Gorgeous throughout and with the inevitably high Kojima production values, Ac!d 2 is a more rounded and competent technical package than the first game, with a brand new story, but which otherwise plays near identically.

Computer Games Magazine

At a good 20 hours and packed with loads of collectible cards, Acid 2 is classy, original work for the PSP. [July 2006, p.89]

Gamezilla!

It’s bigger and better, yes, but still essentially the same game – a boon for some and a whole bunch of “boos” for others.

AtomicGamer

n the end, the game comes out as nothing more than average. Fans of the Metal Gear universe will want to pick this one up as will those that enjoyed the first game. If you are looking to try out the series, this is definitely the better version. If you absolutely hated the first, though, nothing here will change your mind.

Sydney Morning Herald

The learning curve is steep but mulling over the rules becomes part of the addictive charm.

PALGN

Metal Gear Ac!d 2 is unquestionably a title that is better than it's predecessor. The combat is a lot faster and there are more cards, but some of the problems that plagued the original title (like the annoyance of equipping weapons and the dodgy camera work) are still present. Metal Gear Ac!d 2 is an okay title if you're after a turn based strategy game, but PSP games have come a long way in nine months; this game has only made short steps.

Armchair Empire

However, as a whole, it seems to be more a welcome mat for the upcoming Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops. Still, as long as you can put up with the awkward system, Metal Gear Acid 2 is a worth checking out.

Game Revolution

It might not improve on the original in any meaningful way or fix any of that game's glaring flaws, but it's still a deep, smart and entertaining PSP game. A rare card indeed.

Play Magazine

Instead of making a sequel that justifies the switch to turn-based strategy(by putting you in charge of a squad of characters, for example), the developers have repeated the same strange experiment with the same mixed results. [Apr 2006, p.70]

Official Playstation 2 Magazine UK

Predictably high production values, but those enticed by previous Snake adventures will find a hollow, confusing game. [June 2006, p.82]

Pocket Gamer UK

Metal Gear Acid 2 is certainly big and complex, but unfortunately it's not particularly clever.

Gaming Age

Metal Gear Acid 2 is over the top, with its visuals and substance. Fans of the original will like the new additions and expansiveness over the first, but there isn’t enough here to draw haters of the first game to try it.