Rhapsody in Scarlet turns jazz into combat
Konami's newly announced action adventure mixes beast-and-magic combos with a fantasy version of 1920s New York, but its release date is still undetermined.
The 60-second version
Konami's Rhapsody in Scarlet is a newly revealed action adventure built around jazz-era urban fantasy and customizable magic-and-beast combos.
Key points
- Ellie Myers is an aspiring jazz singer and magus drawn into a hidden conflict in 1920s New York.
- Combat is pitched as a mix of melee, ranged magic, area spells and beast techniques that players can chain together.
- PlayStation directly confirms PS5, while Gematsu's announcement coverage also lists Xbox Series and PC.
- The PlayStation Store says the release date is to be determined, and no reviewed source confirms a price.
Verdict. The reveal has a distinctive, coherent premise, but trailers cannot yet prove combat quality and the launch plan remains incomplete.
Konami has announced Rhapsody in Scarlet, a new action adventure that combines a supernatural version of 1920s New York with customizable magic-and-beast combos. Its identity is clear; its release date, price and final play quality are not.
The pitchA jazz singer enters a hidden magical war
Ellie Myers comes to New York to pursue jazz singing, but she is also a magus who fights with a beast companion. An incident pulls her into a conflict involving a mysterious criminal organization and the Seekers, a group led by Ilya Jones.
The two leads are built around opposing values: Ellie resists authority, while Ilya prioritizes order and responsibility. Konami says their clashes gradually become cooperation as a larger conspiracy emerges.
CombatCombos mix four kinds of pressure
The reveal describes a flexible combo system spanning close-range attacks, long-range magic, area-of-effect spells and beast techniques. Players are meant to assemble chains that fit their style and adjust them for different enemies.
| Close range | Direct attacks keep pressure on nearby enemies. |
|---|---|
| Long range | Magic extends a chain beyond melee distance. |
| Area control | Spells target groups or space around the player. |
| Beast techniques | Companion attacks are folded into the same customizable sequence. |
AUTOMATON's report independently describes trailer footage of summoned creatures, monsters and chained attacks. That corroborates the broad presentation, but it cannot answer questions about responsiveness, balance or encounter depth.
SettingHistory supplies texture, fantasy changes the rules
Konami says the team researched 1920s architecture, fashion, automobiles and Prohibition-era speakeasies. It then added a magical district, secret practitioners and giant beasts, using jazz-inspired music to connect the period mood to the action.
The strongest reveal is not one feature; it is the way jazz, city rhythm and combo design point in the same direction.
What is confirmedPlatforms are clearer than timing
PlayStation's developer post and store page directly confirm PS5. Gematsu's announcement report lists PS5, Xbox Series and PC. The reviewed sources do not give a release date or price.
The PS5 listing currently names offline play, adjustable difficulty, pausing, subtitle options and basic controller remapping among its accessibility details. Store metadata may change before launch.
Next checksWhat would turn a reveal into evidence
- Extended gameplay: unedited footage can show whether the combo system is readable and responsive.
- Launch plan: a date, price and PC requirements remain unannounced in the reviewed material.
- World structure: the city is visually prominent, but its scale and exploration design are still unclear.
- Independent play: previews will be needed before treating developer claims about flexibility as demonstrated quality.
TakeawayA distinctive concept with important blanks
Rhapsody in Scarlet is worth watching because its jazz-era city, magical partners and combo design form a coherent idea. For now, wishlist interest is more reasonable than a purchase judgment: wait for sustained gameplay and a dated release plan.