Medal of Honor: Rising Sun
Common Sense says
- PlayStation 2, Xbox
- $49.99
- 2003
Parents say
Kids say
Searching for streaming and purchasing options ...
Common Sense is a nonprofit organization. Your purchase helps us remain independent and ad-free.
Get it now on
Searching for streaming and purchasing options ...
A lot or a little?
The parents' guide to what's in this game.
What parents need to know
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.
Wondering if Medal of Honor: Rising Sun is OK for your kids?
Set preferences and get age-appropriate recommendations with Common Sense Media Plus. Join now
Stay up to date on new reviews.
User Reviews
- Parents say
- Kids say
Amazing game
The Game has Great Co-Op Missions I did wit my o... Continue reading
A "Very Violent Game??!!" REALLY?!
Whats so bad about this game?!?!
What's it about?
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.
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.
Talk to your kids about ...
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.
Game details
- Platforms: PlayStation 2, Xbox
- Price: $49.99
- Available online? Not available online
- Developer: Electronic Arts
- Release date: December 16, 2003
- Genre: First-Person Shooter
- ESRB rating: T
- Last updated: June 21, 2019
Our editors recommend
Top advice and articles
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.