Medal of Honor: Rising Sun Impressions 

Banzai!

Another year, another MoH game. This time, however, EA is mixing things up on us by setting the game in the Pacific theater, instead in Europe like the rest of the series.

Haven beaten the first 6 or so missions of the game, the biggest impression that I have gathered thus far is that this game is difficult. In fact, I would say that it is considerably more so than MoH: Frontline. This is partly because of the way this game limits the selection of weapons you have. One mission set on Guadalcanal leaves you to fend for yourself with noting but a sniper rifle and a trusty M1911. However, the lackluster enemy and co-operative AI also adds to the difficulty by being too accurate with the former and too inaccurate in the case of the later. This game also seems to favor bladed weapons more than before, since every other Japanese soldier a player meets comes charging at you with bayonets a' fixed.

The character models, dialogue, and music have been changed to be appropriate to the Pacific War, but the game still retains the sweeping cinematic feel that the MoH series is known for. The graphics seem to be slightly improved over Frontline, but many of the environments still seem to plain and the textures can get downright ugly at times.

I'm enjoying this game so far, despite the flawed AI and the accompanying frustration. Generally, Rising Sun has all the hallmarks of a MoH game: Good music, sound effects, and general feel combined with lackluster graphics and somewhat hamstrung gameplay. Much has been made of the first Pearl Harbor level, but the rest of the game seems to be holding its own so far. Still, I have yet to see anything in the game that would convert a non-fan to the series. I hope the later half of the missions will provide that spark.

By: Andy Rucker