Rhapsody In Scarlet Announced For PS5

Konami Digital Entertainment has officially unveiled Rhapsody in Scarlet, a brand-new action game currently in development for the PlayStation 5. Co-producer Takanori Murayama announced the title during Sony's recent State of Play and State of Play Japan broadcasts, sharing the first details on the game's setting, combat mechanics, and characters. Alongside the announcement, the publisher released two separate promotional videos, including an initial gameplay trailer and a narrative-focused trailer highlighting the game's cast.

The game is set against the backdrop of 1920s New York, a period characterized by rapid societal shifts, the rise of automobiles and radio, and the era of Prohibition. According to Murayama, the development team conducted extensive on-site research and gathered historical references to faithfully recreate the architecture, fashion, and speakeasies of the decade. This historical foundation is blended with fantasy elements, introducing a hidden conflict fought by magic practitioners in secret districts away from the public eye.

Players will control Ellie Myers, a young magus who arrives in the bustling city to pursue her dreams of becoming a jazz singer. Her plans are disrupted when she becomes entangled in the operations of a mysterious mafia organization. This conflict leads her to cross paths with Ilya Jones, the young leader of a magus organization known as the Seekers. Despite their clashing personalities and opposing values, the two protagonists must work together to confront a conspiracy that threatens the balance of the world.

The developers are placing a strong emphasis on characterization and voice acting for the main cast. Ellie, who fights alongside her beast companion Sköll and values personal freedom, is voiced by Cherami Leigh in English and Akari Kito in Japanese. Her counterpart, the highly disciplined and responsible Ilya, is voiced by Hannah Grace in English and Saori Onishi in Japanese. The narrative explores how these two contrasting figures gradually build a bond through their shared battles.

In terms of gameplay, Rhapsody in Scarlet aims to diverge from the weapon-based, close-quarters combat common in modern action titles. Instead, the game focuses on a highly customizable combo system that integrates magic spells and beast commands. Players can combine close-range strikes, long-range magical attacks, and area-of-effect spells with the unique techniques of Ellie's beast companion. The developers design these systems to allow players to adapt their offensive strategies to different enemy types and combat scenarios.

Music will also play a central role in shaping the game's identity. The soundtrack features jazz compositions inspired by the authentic sounds of the 1920s, which are designed to synchronize with the fast-paced action to create a cohesive sensory experience. PlayStation 5 users can add Rhapsody in Scarlet to their wishlists starting today, with Konami promising to share more details about the project during its upcoming Konami Press Start streaming broadcast on official channels.