Metal Gear Acid 2 (Sniper)
Genre: Turn-based Strategy
Developer: Konami
Publisher: Konami

Graphics
The original Acid imitated the Metal Gear Solid games to the best of the PSP's abilities, which are rather substantial. The effect, however, was poor framerates, slowing down an already slow-paced game. Acid 2, however, went the route of cel-shading, which completely excused the developers from having to make amazing technical detail with great framerates. I would rather have poor framerates and better visuals in a turn-based title, but if you like cel-shading, you might think my score a bit low; 'tis a matter of taste.

Sound
The excellent renditions of the original Acid, which mated melody, guitar, excellent composition, and orchestra, are back in full force with Acid 2. Sound effects, mostly borrowed from the Metal Gear Solid games (and the original Acid) haven't lost anything since the release of the first title, and while Acid 2 once again lacks voice acting, there isn't much wanting in the aural category with this game.

Gameplay
The only complaints I had with the last title were in the areas of card selection (more cards is always preferable) and pacing. Acid 2 has accomplished improvements with regards to both of these, while thankfully only making extremely minor alterations to the gameplay. The controls are nearly identical to the original title, but levels the size of which may have been only one in the original are broken up into a few separate escapades in the sequel, leading to shorter and less involved missions.

Overall
Acid 2, despite being a longer game than the original, moves at a brisker pace due to more concise dialogues, a less complicated story, shorter cut-scenes, and less time-consuimg levels. There is also a vastly increased amount of cards available, but despite the addition of all these new cards, I found myself sticking to the tried formulas of the original; it's debatable whether Acid 2 is actually deeper than the original but it is, nonetheless, an outstanding game that does marginally improve on what little shortcomings the first title had.

Sniper's verdict: