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Medal of Honor: Rising Sun

(2003, Video Games - First Person Shooter, Rated T, Play it on: PlayStation 2, Xbox)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 16, age appropriate for kids over 17; suggested age 16.
  • Is it any good?

    3.0
  • Common Sense says

    Very violent WWI shooter is for mature players.

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 16–17

The good stuff

  • Educational value:

    Lots of history to be learned between each violent mission.
 

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    Medal of Honor: Rising Sun trades on the courage and honor of military service. But it doesn't punish even the most brutal of wartime violence. Goes to great lengths not to trivialize the brutality of war.
  • Violence:

    Non-stop blasting of Axis forces. Suspense, depictions of violence and dramatic sound combine for a tense and harrowing experience.
  • Sex:

    Not an issue.
  • Language:

    The occasional offensive -- though historically accurate -- racial slur.
  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Not an issue.
 

What Parents Need to Know

This review of Medal of Honor: Rising Sun was written by Kate Pavao and Aaron Lazenby

Parents need to know that this first-person shooter is a very violent game. But it also contains archival film from WWI and fictionalized "letters from home," which create an authenticity that keeps the carnage from feeling gratuitous. This game has an online option; Common Sense Media does not recommend online play for anyone under 12.

Families Can Talk About

Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can help
  • Families can talk about war. How do courage and honor relate to brutality and wartime violence? The game might also raise discussion about how fictional depictions of historical events influence understanding of our past.
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More on Medal of Honor: Rising Sun

What’s the Story?

MEDAL OF HONOR: RISING SUN starts on the fateful morning of Pearl Harbor and follows the U.S. military's conflict with Japan. The game depicts major battles of the Pacific, from the Philippines to Burma, through the eyes -- literally -- of a GI as he matures from rookie grunt to battle-hardened member of special forces. There's also a personal story here: Your brother, a fellow soldier, is taken captive while fighting by your side. Clues along the way hint at his fate -- and point to the game's next installment.

You earn medals that unlock secrets by accurately shooting your enemies.

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Is It Any Good?

Archival film from WWII provides some powerful history (and fictionalized "letters from home" give players a sense of the era). The graphics are stunningly rendered: Carefully textured grass and shadows provide cover for stealthy advances. The sound is equally impressive; THX sound tips players off to the slightest of enemy's moves.

There's no blood or gore, but players kill sometimes hundreds of enemy soldiers on each level. A counter at the end of each level tracks how gruesomely you kill (by shooting enemies in the head, torso, legs, etc.). Ultimately, the game ends abruptly after too few missions. You can return for two-person games (against each other or collaboratively); story details disappear in this mode and gameplay gets glitchy.

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Publisher’s Details

Released on 12/16/2003, price $49.99, not online enabled
ESRB rating: T

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See all 21 member reviews

Most Recent Reviews

  1. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    I rate this title on for age 12 and give it 5.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Easy to play

    i think that is good ro ages 12 and up

    I love the game i cant be beat in it

  2. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    Lives in South Carolina
    I rate this title iffy for age 13 and give it 3.0

    It's Kind Of Cool

    The main reason it has "intense" violence in it is because there are certain enemies (the Japanese) the carry either swords or bayonets on their weapons. It's pretty realistic because once the enemy stabs him the first time he's dead. With the swords, same thing. The fire in the game is pretty decent. The first level is awesome, the other levels, ok. There's one cool part in the game where your on a small boat and an alligator drags this guy into the water. Most of the game is mild violence but that is pretty intense violence. I say get it.

  3. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    Lives in Arizona
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

    it was fun

    Ther is a little bit of blood because there people

  4. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    Lives in Michigan
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 3.0

    A mildly violent, historically acurate World War II shooter

    You take the role of a United States soldier fighting the Japanese in World War II. There is a lot of shooting involved and you do directly kill people. There is no blood at all in this game. No swearing that comes to mind.(your enemies speak Japanese) It even has interviews with soldiers that served in the pacific in WWII. The only thing to be worried about in this game is the gun violence. But it is also historically accurate.

  5. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    Lives in California
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 4.0

    not bad

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