Rhapsody in Scarlet, a new action game for PlayStation 5, was revealed during today's State of Play and State of Play Japan. Set in the jazz-filled streets of 1920s New York, the game lets players build highly customizable combos by wielding magic and commanding beast companions. Behind the city's dazzling skyscrapers, an unseen conflict rages among those who practice magic in secret. Players take on the role of Ellie, a young magus swept up in events that will shape her destiny.

Thrilling Combo-Driven Action with Magic and Beasts

One of the defining features of Rhapsody in Scarlet is its dynamic action system. Rather than focusing solely on weapon-based close-quarters combat, the game emphasizes customizable combos that harness the unique possibilities of magic. Ellie wields magic while commanding beast companions in battle. The stylish combat blends close- and long-range attacks, area-of-effect spells, and beast techniques into highly customizable combos. Finding combinations that fit your playstyle and adapting them to different enemies and situations is one of the game's core appeals.

Story and Characters

Rhapsody in Scarlet places strong emphasis on its story, woven together by a distinctive cast of characters. The narrative is set in 1920s New York. Ellie, a young magus who came to the city to pursue a career as a jazz singer, becomes entangled in the schemes of a mysterious mafia organization following a certain incident. There, she meets Ilya, leader of the Seekers, a magus organization. Though the two have completely opposite values and clash repeatedly, they gradually deepen their bond as they fight together. Before long, they confront a fate that threatens to shake the balance of the world.

Ellie Myers (voiced by Cherami Leigh in English / Akari Kito in Japanese) is the story's protagonist. A young magus who came to New York to pursue a jazz singing career, she fights alongside her beast companion, Sköll, channeling the powers of beasts and magic to unleash combined attacks. Valuing freedom above all else, Ellie refuses to be bound by rules or authority. With her unconventional thinking and unwavering determination, she confronts a world-shaking conspiracy and her own destiny.

Ilya Jones (voiced by Hannah Grace in English / Saori Onishi in Japanese) is the young leader of the Seekers, a magus organization. Raised under the tutelage of Harold, her father and head of the Sorcellerie Quarter, Ilya is an exceptionally talented magus with remarkable skill and a strong sense of responsibility. Valuing order above all else, she frequently clashes with the free-spirited Ellie. Through many battles fought side by side, the two gradually come to understand one another.

1920s New York Setting

The developers have worked to recreate the atmosphere of 1920s New York as much as possible, from its architecture and fashion to its cars and Prohibition-era speakeasies. The era was marked by rapid spread of automobiles and radios, as well as the growing presence of women in society. The team carried out on-site research and gathered a wide range of historical references to faithfully recreate the vibrant atmosphere of the period. The game introduces fantasy elements such as beasts, magic, and the magical district they inhabit, creating a distinctive world where historical reality and fantasy blend together. Jazz-inspired by the sounds of the 1920s creates a unique experience where swing-filled sound and action merge as one.