Medal of Honor: Rising Sun

Game review by Common Sense Media, Common Sense Media
Medal of Honor: Rising Sun Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 14+

Very violent WWI shooter is for mature players.

PlayStation 2, Xbox 2003
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Parents say

age 11+

Based on 6 reviews

Kids say

age 11+

Based on 26 reviews

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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.

Community Reviews

BadMario13company
BadMario13company Adult
November 19, 2014
age 13+

Amazing game

IF you must know This is a Clean Shooter (Played on Gamecube also on PS2 XBOX) [it's 2 discs on Cube] The Game has Great Co-Op Missions I did wit my oldest bro Even solo The A.I for Allis in solo Is pretty dumb meaning you can shoot more The japan guys are really funNY A.I Thares a Decent Number of weapons Sadly Thares no picking up Weapons so Rely on your guns bullets by picking some up Thares no aiming Sights Cheats are here too Really fun Thares No Blood in the Game basicly KnockOut Bullets But the General Smokes But that's great for me my mother don't let me play Rated M games But thares is light bad words like Bas*** in it So yeah..... You are scored for Kills Body shots but not a Big Deal react history Thares no Healing from Bullets No Grab Health The Co-Op thing is if someone dies in 2 players while one is alive to respawn takes 6 Seconds The VS thing is 4 players but have not played it but ITs FUN if you have to buddy's to play with or want more 4 can be used for Persons while 4 can be used for Bots 3 Great Maps It has Great world war 2 music in that's very epic Parents if your buying for kid makesure they can tell Ficton to a Game Over All 8.9 Go buy now The Box of the. Game is cool The manual is great too Gun histroy also Heros Villans If you have the GBA Game medal of honor Infliter you can link up with link cable on gamecube and use as a Map for Console very nice

This title has:

Great messages
Easy to play/use
Too much violence
Too much drinking/drugs/smoking
shadii
shadii Adult
April 20, 2011
age 6+

This title has:

Educational value
See all 6 parent reviews

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

Our Editors Recommend

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