Source: IGN

Konami unveiled Metal Gear Acid 2 to hungry PSP owners (and PSP website editors) at E3 last week, but few details on the game were revealed at the time. As usual, that's where the latest issues of Japan's biggest game magazines come into play. Thanks to Famitsu, we now have some solid (har har har) details on this sequel.

Acid 2 continues along the card-based gameplay line of the original Acid, but makes a number of changes. First off is an all new cell shaded visual style. Famitsu actually states that the game is now powered by a new graphics engine entirely.

The decision to go with a new style had many practical reasons behind it. Series father Hideo Kojima reveals to Famitsu that, in his mind, the Acid and Solid series need to be different from one another. He entrusted the Acid series to younger members of his staff, and therefor feels that the game should target a younger audience, which may appreciate a more cartoon-style look. The anime look also makes the game brighter and more colorful, which Kojima states is in response to complaints that the original was a too dark to see.

In addition to the new style, Acid 2 promises more elaborate cut-scenes for attacks, allowing players to better get a feel for the effect of a card. Kojima Productions (Kojima's new production studio that now handles all the Metal Gear games) also plans on using comic-style effects for some attacks.

Did you notice how in Acid, when Snake performs an attack using a weapon that you selected, he doesn't actually appear to be equipped with the weapon? That's changed for Acid 2. Based on the card that you've selected, Snake changes his equipped weapon prior to attack, so you can actually see him make use of a Desert Eagle or R-5.

Playing Acid 2 will be easier for all, beginners and advanced players alike. Beginners can look forward to a tutorial stage, which explains the gameplay systems. This should help out greatly, as Acid 2 features a far greater number of cards than its predecessor -- many times more, actually. We're sure players of all levels will appreciate the refined camera system which adds a third viewing angle, allowing you to better view enemy positions.

Finally, some good news for fans of the Metal Gear storylines. Kojima Productions is working on an original story for Acid 2. Specifics have yet to be revealed, but our E3 screenshots suggest that Teliko will once again make an appearance in some capacity.

With all these new features, along with the promise of support, once again, for wireless play, Metal Gear Acid 2 looks like it will be a much more polished title than the original. The only question is, how long will we have to wait for it? Konami has yet to announce a release time frame for the title, neither in Japan nor America.