Medal of Honor: Rising Sun (PS2/Xbox/Cube)

By JON MINIFIE

(Herald rating: * * * *)

This is the latest in EA's celebrated World War II shooting series. This new instalment moves from Europe for the first time and is set in the Pacific.

The Nazis have been replaced by the Japanese Imperial Army who are far less satisfying to have in your sights but after you've been shot, blown up and bayoneted a few times, motivation ceases to be a problem.

As Corporal Joseph Griffin, your first goal is to survive the devastating attack on Pearl Harbor. This is a rousing beginning, similar to the heart-pounding D-Day landing sequence in Medal of Honor Allied Assault.

Countless Japanese attack planes buzz overhead and can be picked off by manning fixed anti-aircraft guns. This cracking pace barely lets up for the rest of the game. The next mission takes you to the Philippines to free allies from POW camps. Players will also meet the famed Flying Tigers of Burma, lead a perilous midnight assault on Guadalcanal, and even have a hand in the destruction of the bridge over the River Kwai.

Some effort has gone into making Medal of Honor: Rising Sun an immersive combat experience. EA worked closely with the Congressional Medal of Honor Society and Captain Dale Dye, who was the military technical adviser for the original Medal of Honor title.


Players can now team with a friend during the regular missions. Rising Sun has 10 levels across five lengthy campaign missions, all of which can be played single or two-player.

Another major change is in the visual style. EA have added new designers who have freshened up the look and of Rising Sun's picturesque surroundings.

Another new feature is that players will finally be able to save their game during missions. This might not seem like such a big deal, but these missions are huge.

If you have ever battled for more than 30 minutes only to be killed and shunted back to the start of a level, you will appreciate the save points.

Price: $99.95

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