Ac!d returns to PSP™
Konami of Europe announces massively enhanced sequel, featuring 500 cards, all-new control system and incredible visuals
Konami of Europe is lifting the lid on Metal Gear Ac!dTM 2, the sequel to the best-selling PSPTM (PlayStation® Portable) card-based action title, starring Metal Gear stalwart Snake.
One of the undeniable handheld highlights from Konami for the coming year, Metal Gear Ac!d 2 is a hugely expanded sequel boasting more cards, massively enhanced visuals, more intuitive control over Snake, and a unique 3D viewing system.
Metal Gear Ac!d 2 sees Snake taken captive by a man claiming to be an FBI agent. His captor coaxes Snake into infiltrating a top secret research facility, but is in fact a clever trap devised by the US Military and Venus, a female secret agent in charge of research and overseeing the creation of a third generation Metal Gear mechanoid system. As Snake attempts to defuse this potentially devastating project, he finds himself haunted by images from the past, and faces not only a wealth of tough adversaries, but his personal demons.
While the new game retains the popular card-based combat and movement system of its predecessor, Metal Gear Ac!d 2 enjoys a far more instinctive and comprehensive control system than that of the first game. Key advances include the ability to control Snake directly within 'Move' modes, while changing commands are now displayed in real-time to facilitate more rapid actions within action situations. This combines beautifully with a wider range of actions, too, with familiar Metal Gear moves such as slinging, crawling, and fighting now all accessible - and via the touch of a button.
These additions drastically broaden Metal Gear Ac!d 2's strategic possibilities and the speed at which decisions can be made. Further depth is then added with the number of cards on offer more than doubles from the original game's 200 to a massive 500. These also feature new ideas, such as 'Linkage Cards' which grant the player bonuses, while 'Trap Cards' initiate specific traps tailored to the current location when used.
Also key to card use is the new ability to upgrade cards to make them more powerful, while the innovative 'Cover Fire' system adds further depth to the game. And with so many new features included, Metal Gear Ac!d 2 now includes a thorough Tutorial Mode to teach newcomers the many intricacies its stunning gameplay offers, and insights into the complex assaults the 500 cards can offer.
Further additions come in the form of a new 'Arena Mode'. Akin to the 'Boss Modes' in previous Metal Gear Solid titles, this pits players against boss characters from previous games in the series, and is ideal for practicing new strategies. The popular 'Link Mode' also returns in an improved state, with players using the PSP's Ad Hoc mode to link up for one-on-one tag matches using personalised decks.
Metal Gear Ac!d 2 has also undergone a thorough aesthetic reworking, with better definition and animation bringing the action sequences to vivid life, while a more vibrant colour scheme makes the game leap from the screen. The game also enjoys unprecedented 3D effects courtesy of the 'Solid Eye' viewing system, which links to the front of the user's PSP and activates a special 3D system, where extensive bonus videos are available throughout the game. Similarly, users can import images taken in the forthcoming Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence for PlayStation 2 and view them via the device, cleverly linking the two games and formats.
Metal Gear Ac!d 2 will be released for PSPTM (PlayStation® Portable) in Quarter 2, 2006. For more information, please contact Steve Merrett at Voltage PR on 020 7903 5122 or email steve@voltagepr.com. Further assets can be found at www.voltagepr.com.
About METAL GEAR®
The Metal Gear® franchise is over 16 years old with the first Metal Gear® release debuting in Japan in 1987. The series centered on the adventures of secret agent Solid Snake and was consistently recognized for its new and original game design combined with a story full of plot twists and intricate human drama. In 1998, Konami introduced Metal Gear Solid® for the Sony PlayStation® game console, which was instantly noted for its stunning graphics, original narrative style and superlative gameplay. Metal Gear Solid® earned widespread critical acclaim and defined a benchmark of quality in the action genre. Building on the precedent set by the top-selling original title, Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty® was released in 2001 for the Sony PlayStation®2 with overwhelming praise from gamers and industry pundits worldwide, selling over 2 million units in the U.S. and over 5 million units worldwide. In 2002, Konami released, Metal Gear Solid 2: Substance®, the expanded edition of Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty®, for the Xbox®, PlayStation®2 and PC DVD-ROM with much fan fare. In 2003, the amazing storyline and world of Metal Gear Solid® combined with the graphics and gameplay of Metal Gear Solid®2 to create Metal Gear Solid The Twin Snakes® for Nintendo GameCubeTM. In 2004, Hideo Kojima takes the tactical espionage action genre that the Metal Gear® series defined to a completely new direction in Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater® for the Sony PlayStation®2.