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Metal Gear Acid is a turn based strategy video game released on March 22 2005 on PSP, developed and published by Konami. This is the first part of a new series in the universe of Metal Gear. However Metal Gear Acid offers a story on the sidelines of the Metal Gear Solid saga, because it isn't part of its chronology. The characters appearing in this episode thus have no link with the events related in the previous Metal Gear games. The remoteness of the original saga is also marked by a very different gameplay based on a trading card system with turn-based action.

The story takes place in 2016. An airliner with Senator Hach aboard was hijacked by mysterious terrorists. Having released vecuronium bromide across the airship, the hijackers demand that the government of USA hands "Pythagoras" in to them. Following an investigation it appears that the term "Pythagoras" refers to a research project headed by the government of Moloni, in South Africa, on the small island of Lobito. But Moloni do not wish to collaborate with the USA, so the government then has to call Solid Snake, legendary mercenary now retired, to infiltrate the research base of Lobito and learn more about Pythagoras and the terrorists.

The game is therefore a succession of turn-based tactical battles, interspersed with cut-scenes advancing the scenario. The player then takes control of Solid Snake, has to make his way through various playgrounds, and complete objectives by using cards. Before each gaming phase, the player must establish his deck and decide which cards he will use during the mission. These cards refer to many elements of the Metal Gear Solid games, such as weapons, characters, support items, etc' Each card is illustrated and therefore has a specific effect in relation to the element it represents. Thus some are only used to move while others can be fitted and then used at the appropriate time. There are 4 different types of cards: weapon cards, action cards, support cards, item cards and finally character cards. The weapons cards as their name suggests, can make Snake equip and use weapons, all from the Metal Gear universe. The action cards can improve the effectiveness of weapons equipped or confer some bonus to Snake. The support given bonuses in certain characteristics (defense, attack evasion, etc.). Item cards can provide various support effect, such as care. And finally, characters cards, which are the rarest, have varied special effects giving a serious advantage to the player.

However, these cards have a cost. More a card is useful and powerful, more its cost will be high. This cost determines the game turns. The enemies also pay a cost, so we have to choose carefully the cards to use taking into account the cost and actions of the opponents.

Metal Gear Acid cuts sharply with the codes of the other Metal Gear based mainly on infiltration and real time action. The fans of the saga could raise the roof, but Metal Gear Acid is finally a good tactical turn-based game with a rather interesting scenario.

Metal Gear Acid reviews