Rhapsody: Marl Kingdom Chronicles review

Take the initiative and enjoy this pair of uplifting RPG-musical classics.

In most modern role-playing games, geopolitical tensions and world-ending threats are pervasive. But as the rereleases of 1999’s Rhapsody II: Ballad of the Little Princess and 2000’s Rhapsody III: Memories of Marl Kingdom remind us, some turn-of-the-century adventures conveyed carefree whimsy. The release of Rhapsody: Marl Kingdom Chronicles bundles the two titles, providing an increase in resolution and an adept English localization, transporting players to a bygone era.

In Rhapsody’s world, protagonists don’t unleash powerful spells but pelt their foes with showers of confectionaries. While there’s text-based dialog, some of the storytelling is accomplished through musical interludes. What’s missing is any attempt at gritty realism. Instead, the world is delightfully silly and eccentric. It’s a place where an ice cream shop is run by an unhygienic pack of cats, with a hilarious ingredient reveal punctuating the end of a song. From your Desert Eagle-packing companion to an item called a “cup fart”, there’s a sense of humor largely absent from today’s gaming landscape.

Master of Puppets

Game franchises infrequently show characters at different stages of life. Ballad of the Little Princess finds Cornet, the lead character of the previous game, married to Prince Ferdinand- with the couple having a twelve-year-old daughter named Kururu. What’s interesting about Rhapsody II is the depiction of parenting styles. While her father pampers her, Cornet remembers her adventurous spirit. Habitually, she leaves helpful items scattered about to assist Kururu on her journey to find her own prince.

Like her grandmother and mother, Kururu is appealingly empathetic, as has the gift of communicating and controlling puppets. Like Pokémon, you recruit defeated monsters, generating a rag-tag team of assistants that can complement the power of your adventuring party with various special attacks.

Horning in on Enemies

Ballad of the Little Princess’ combat system shifts from the grid-based TRPG mechanics of the first Rhapsody, offering a more traditional turn-based system. While some might scoff at the easiness or frequency of the game’s encounters, wasn’t intended as a strenuous experience. This is a dominantly linear escapade, where you won’t be seeing a game over at regular intervals. Play on the easiest of the game’s trio of difficulty settings and you’ll have to put effort to see a party wipe.

Mercifully, if you’re not interested in party management duties the game provides an auto-battle option. Given that Rhapsody II is nearly a quarter century old, don’t expect dynamic AI. But the system is smart enough to sweep the floor against most trash mobs. While the game isn’t much of a challenge, players who want an invincible squad are free to grind. Not only do party members level up, but puppets learn valuable new skills when utilized.

Kururu’s Antics Still Captivate

Occasionally, Rhapsody II does show its age. There’s no mini-map or quest signposting, which can create a bit of confusion when you step away from the game for too long. But many of the Ballad of the Little Princess’s other dated elements are quite enchanting. Sure, the sprite-based characters lack the fluid animation exhibited by contemporary polygonal characters. But there’s an undeniable appeal when watching the game’s musical numbers, where characters spin and pose in charmingly choreographed song and dance numbers. Whether you appreciate a role-playing experience without taxing difficulty or are looking to provide someone with an introductory entry into turn-based battles, Rhapsody II remains enchanting all these years later.

Rhapsody III’s Episodic Adventures

Memories of Marl Kingdom’s six separate chapters focus on key moments in the lives of different protagonists. Once included in the DS remake of A Musical Adventure, the first chapter finds Cornet, her favorite puppet, and rival rich girl Etoile Rosenqueen seeking the misplaced mother of a little girl. Chapter two serves as an epilogue to Ballad of the Little Princess, centering on the exploits of Kururu and her romantic interest. The plot continues to connect some of the characters of the Marl universe, feeding right into La Pucelle: Tactics. While the other chapters are entertaining, the one that depicts the entire life of Cherie, Cornet’s mom is especially poignant, and undoubtedly is the highlight of the anthology.

One of the best qualities of Memories of Marl Kingdom is the game’s more sophisticated battle system. Formulations allow up to twelve characters to be spread out into rows of four, but typically only the front row is under the players’ control. Partner members in the rear boost stats, strike randomly, and can move up to replace fallen teammates, offering a healthy amount of administration outside of conflict. Although encounters are still frequent, here they are appealing enough to not compel auto-battling.

Conclusion

Rhapsody: Marl Kingdom Chronicles is a collection that elevates charm over challenge. At some point, role-playing game developers decided that the threat of failure should be pervasive. But these two early Nippon Ichi’s efforts challenge that belief, with adventures that favor fun over frustration. From playful plotlines, doses of laugh-out-loud humor, and a multitude of heart-warming moments, Chronicles is a reminder that yesteryear’s RPGs deserve respect and recognition.

Rhapsody: Marl Kingdom Chronicles was played on
Switch with review code provided by the publisher.