The Statue of Liberty

Overview

The Statue of Liberty is an iconic American landmark situated on Liberty Island in New York Harbor, off the shore of New York City. It was given as a gift to the United States by the French. Nicknamed Lady Liberty, the statue is a depiction of the Roman goddess of freedom, Libertas. The tablet held in her left arm is inscribed with the date July 4, 1776 in roman numerals; the date on which America declared independence from Britain.

As one of America's most prominent and famous landmarks, the Statue of Liberty has appeared in numerous games over the years. Oftentimes, it has appeared in the background as a means to help identify the game's setting. However, it has also played a larger role in some games as a prominent location and, on rarer occasions, as a boss encounter.

In the Deus Ex series

The Statue of Liberty was attacked by the terrorist group Silhouette, destroying the once iconic American landmark. The statue still stands, albeit without it's head, which is no located in memorial near the base of the statue. UNATCO, the United Nations Anti-Terrorist Coalition, was formed after the attack, and its primary headquarters is located on Liberty Island. JC Denton frequents the island in order to remove a terrorist takeover and to receive orders while employed with UNATCO.

As a Boss Fight

Lady Liberty has, on rare occasions, appeared in games as a boss encounter. In the obscure NES game Zombie Nation, the New York stage ends with the player character forced to fight a corrupted, possessed Statue of Liberty. Similarly, the landmark is once again possessed and appears as a boss in Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2.

Parody

The New York-inspired metropolis of Liberty City of Grand Theft Auto IV features a landmark called the "Statue of Happiness." This parody of the Statue of Liberty appears in a similar pose, but holds a coffee cup in her raised hand rather than a torch.