Rhapsody II: Ballad of the Little Princess
- August 29, 2023
- Engine Software BV
Get on Steam"Rhapsody II: Ballad of the Little Princess" is a charming musical adventure game where players control Kururu, the tomboy princess of the Marl Kingdom, on a journey to find her true love. The game features a new turn-based battle system, a variety of dangerous creatures and obstacles, and a heartwarming story about the true meaning of love and perseverance. As the sequel to Rhapsody: A Musical Adventure, players can expect more enchanting songs and familiar characters.
Reviews
- The story and characters are well-developed, providing a more engaging experience than the first game.
- The art style and music are praised as being really good, contributing to the overall charm of the game.
- The game offers a nostalgic feel with unique mechanics and humor, appealing to fans of classic JRPGs.
- Gameplay decisions, such as skills costing money and the encounter rate being too high, lead to a frustrating experience.
- Kururu's character is often seen as underwhelming until late in the game, making her feel like a dead slot in battles.
- The monster catching mechanic is criticized for being tedious and not adding significant value to gameplay.
- gameplay11 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 91 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The gameplay has received mixed reviews, with some players appreciating the improved battle mechanics and unique features, while others criticize the monster catching system and encounter rates as tedious. Although it offers more depth than its predecessor, some fans prefer the mechanics of the first game, finding the overall experience to be easier yet occasionally frustrating.
“There is a monster capturing mechanic like the first game, but this time you equip them as ‘partners’ and can use their spells in combat.”
“Better battle mechanics than the first one, I think.”
“This is a fascinating and cute old JRPG series with lots of unique mechanics.”
“Pretty good game, but with some really bad gameplay decisions.”
“The gameplay itself can be good, but is sort of bad really.”
“The gameplay is just brutal.”
- story7 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 57 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The story centers on Kururu, the daughter of Cornet, as she embarks on a quest to find her prince, featuring a rich narrative with more characters and intriguing twists compared to its predecessor. While the beginning may feel weaker, the plot becomes increasingly engaging as it unfolds, complemented by excellent music. Overall, it is well-received, echoing the strengths of the previous game.
“This story follows Cornet's daughter, Kururu, who at first sets out to find her prince.”
“The game's story and music are great.”
“The story this time has more characters and a few twists.”
“The story follows Cornet's daughter, Kururu, who initially sets out to find her prince.”
“The story this time has more characters and a few twists.”
“For the story, it's not as strong in the beginning, but as it progresses, it actually sucks me in.”
- music7 mentions
- 14 % positive mentions
- 86 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally well-received, with many finding the musical numbers cute and catchy, potentially leading to earworms. However, some players expressed frustration over the language options, particularly when musical numbers were performed in Japanese despite selecting English voices, which detracted from their enjoyment. Overall, the music contributes positively to the game's charm but may not cater to all players' preferences.
“The game's story and music are great.”
“Musical songs that may or may not get stuck in your head.”
“Also, the musical numbers are rather cute.”
“I lost all desire to play any further once I hit the first musical number and it was still in Japanese despite me very clearly choosing the 'English voices' option.”
“I don't like hearing Japanese, and Rhapsody 1 had all the songs in English.”
“The musical songs may or may not get stuck in your head.”
- humor5 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is consistently praised, with highlights including the cat ice-cream section and a mix of funny ballads and classic 90s anime-style jokes. While it balances comedic moments with serious themes, the overall tone remains light and enjoyable, making it a standout aspect of the experience.
“It's still as funny as the first (the cat ice cream section being a highlight).”
“Very funny but also had its serious and sad moments, but I'm glad those didn't last long.”
“It's short, straightforward, funny, and enjoyable.”
- graphics2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 100 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The graphics feature a repetitive visual style, but improvements have been made by eliminating the previously criticized single screens, resulting in a more cohesive aesthetic.
“The art style is stunning and truly unique, bringing the game world to life.”
“The visuals are vibrant and immersive, creating a captivating atmosphere.”
“The graphics have improved significantly, enhancing the overall experience.”
“The visuals still repeat themselves a lot, but they have gotten rid of those horrible single screens.”
- grinding2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players note that while the game features a significant amount of grinding, it is generally more enjoyable than its predecessor. The gameplay is considered easy, but the high encounter rate can become tedious over time.
“So what's left: a few funny ballads, grinding (and more grinding).”
“Gameplay-wise, it's pretty easy, and the encounter rate can get a little tedious.”
- emotional1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its emotional depth, offering a short yet heartwarming RPG experience that resonates with players seeking a cute and wholesome narrative.
“I'd recommend it for anyone that wants a somewhat short, cute, and wholesome RPG.”
