History VideoGame / RhapsodyAMusicalAdventure

Not to be confused with the 2000 OAV anime ''Karakuri no Kimi'' (Puppet Princess).

* BigEater: Gao, implied.
* BladeOnAStick: Kid, the youngest of the three Egg Brother puppets, wields one.

''Rhapsody: A Musical Adventure'', known in Japan as ''Marl Oukoku no Ningyou-hime'' (The Puppet Princess of Marl Kingdom), is a game developed by Creator/NipponIchi for the UsefulNotes/PlayStation in 1998. It was later remade for the UsefulNotes/NintendoDS in 2008, and later again as part of the ''Prinny Presents NIS Classics Vol. 3'' CompilationRerelease alongside ''VideoGame/LaPucelle: Ragnarok'' for the UsefulNotes/Nintendo Switch and PC in 2022. It is the first game by the company to be released in the United States, and one of the first games to be developed before the company's love of insane PowerLevels.

The game would eventually receive two sequels. The first one, ''Rhapsody II: Ballad of the Little Prince'', was also released on the Playstation and follows the adventures of Cornet's daughter. The second sequel, ''Rhapsody III: Memories of Marl Kingdom'', was released on the ''UsefulNotes/Playstation2'', and is a VignetteEpisode adventure, telling additional stories that focus on Cornet, her daughter, and various other characters in the Marl Kingdom, taking place within the time frame of both games as well as the world's past and future. The sequels didn't receive an international release until 2023 in the form of ''Rhapsody: Marl Kingdom Chronicles'', a CompilationRerelease for the Nintendo Switch, UsefulNotes/Playstation5, and PC. These games laid the groundwork for ''VideoGame/LaPucelle'' and, eventually, the ''Franchise/{{Disgaea}}'' series.

''Rhapsody: A Musical Adventure'', known in Japan as ''Marl Oukoku no Ningyou-hime'' (The Puppet Princess of Marl Kingdom), is a game developed by Creator/NipponIchi for the UsefulNotes/PlayStation (and later remade for the UsefulNotes/NintendoDS, and later again as part of the ''Prinny Presents NIS Classics Vol. 3'' CompilationRerelease alongside ''VideoGame/LaPucelle: Ragnarok''). It is the first game by the company to be released in the United States, and one of the first games to be developed before the company's love of insane PowerLevels.

There were also two sequels (''Rhapsody II: Ballad of the Little Princess'' and ''Rhapsody III: Memories of Marl Kingdom''), as well as a majhong and puzzle game, none of which have been [[NoExportForYou released outside of Japan]] (at least until 2023 with the release of the ''Rhapsody: Marl Kingdom Chronicles'' collection). However, these games laid the groundwork for ''VideoGame/LaPucelle'' and, eventually, ''Franchise/{{Disgaea}}''.

There were also two sequels (Little Princess and Angel's Present), as well as a majhong and puzzle game, none of which have been [[NoExportForYou released outside of Japan]]. However, these games laid the groundwork for ''VideoGame/LaPucelle'' and, eventually, ''Franchise/{{Disgaea}}''. Website/GameFAQs translations of Little Princess and Angel's Present can be read [[http://www.gamefaqs.com/ps/576455-little-princess-maru-oukoku-no-ningyou-hime-2/faqs/43034 here]] and [[http://www.gamefaqs.com/ps2/580294-tenshi-no-present-marle-oukoku-monogatari/faqs/45630 here]]. Additionally, it gained a SpiritualSuccessor in the form of the Japan-only '' Princess Antiphona’s Hymn: Angel’s Score Op. A'' which includes a Marl Kingdom prince and Marjoly.

* VainSorceress: Marjoly, who falls under {{Stripperiffic}} and does quite a lot of {{Gainaxing}}, too.

* The attract mode song has Kururu and Cornet sing about ''[[{{Troperiffic}} every single trope]]'' of the game's own genre, with Kururu effectively telling Cornet [[ThisIsReality that's not how the world works.]]
* In a scene at the beginning of the game, Kururu tells Cornet that if she dies, "it's game over. You'll have to watch this scene again and again."

''Rhapsody: A Musical Adventure'', known in Japan as ''Marl Oukoku no Ningyou-hime'' (The Puppet Princess of Marl Kingdom), is a game developed by Creator/NipponIchi for the UsefulNotes/PlayStation (and later remade for the UsefulNotes/NintendoDS, and later again as part of the ''Prinny Presents NIS Classics Vol. 3'' CompilationRerelease alongside ''''VideoGame/LaPucelle: Ragnarok''). It is the first game by the company to be released in the United States, and one of the first games to be developed before the company's love of insane PowerLevels.

''Rhapsody: A Musical Adventure'', known in Japan as ''Marl Oukoku no Ningyou-hime'' (The Puppet Princess of Marl Kingdom), is a game developed by Creator/NipponIchi for the UsefulNotes/PlayStation (and later remade for the UsefulNotes/NintendoDS, and later again as part of the ''Prinny Presents NIS Classics Vol. 3'' CompliationRerelease alongside ''''VideoGame/LaPucelle: Ragnarok''). It is the first game by the company to be released in the United States, and one of the first games to be developed before the company's love of insane PowerLevels.

''Rhapsody: A Musical Adventure'', known in Japan as ''Marl Oukoku no Ningyou-hime'' (The Puppet Princess of Marl Kingdom), is a game developed by Creator/NipponIchi for the UsefulNotes/PlayStation (and later remade for the UsefulNotes/NintendoDS). It is the first game by the company to be released in the United States, and one of the first games to be developed before the company's love of insane PowerLevels.

* BullyingADragon: After Majoraly turns Ferdinand to stone, Cornet provokes her by calling her an "old maid," even getting everyone in the room (including Majorlay's QuirkyMiniBossSquad) joins in. Majoraly is '''pissed''' at this and sicks her QuirkyMiniBossSquad on Cornet, leading to the above mentioned HopelessBossFight. Turns out mocking the BigBad, even one who her own followers mock at every possible opportunity, is a bad idea.

* ContinuityNod: Hornard, one of the main characters of ''VideoGame/LaPucelle'' turns out to be Cornet's grandson.
** The main character of the sequel, Little Princess, is Cornet's daughter, named Kurusale. [[spoiler: who just happens to be the resurrected soul of Kururu, who ''just happens'' to be the resurrected soul of her mother...]]
** Cornet's rival Etoile is just a [[Fiction500 stereotypical rich girl]] in the first game. In the second game, she gains a particularly memorable leitmotif... since her family name is '''''[=RosenQueen=]''''', meaning her family effectively runs every single store in Nippon Ichi's games since Videogame/LaPucelle!

* CrutchCharacter: Kururu (PromotedToPlayable in the DS remake), is very strong but disappears during the very last chapter.

* ForgottenSuperweapon: The "Ancient Weapon[[spoiler:s as in more then one]]".
* GermansLoveDavidHasselhoff: In universe with the people of Frogburg, who seem to think that Golonzzo is extremely handsome and not that bad a guy.

* IAmSong / IWantSong: In every game in the Marl Kingdom series, characters frequently break into musical numbers for the flimsiest of reasons. When one of Marjoly's minions cameos in ''VideoGame/PhantomBrave'' she's mystified as to why people don't spontaneously burst into song.

* LastOfHisKind: [[spoiler:Cornet, who is the last successor of the LostTechnology used to make and control the puppets... Well, until she and Ferdinand have their daughter, anyway.]]
* LonelyRichKid: Etoile. Thanks to Cornet, By the second game, [[HeelFaceTurn she's got much better.]]

** In the Frog Kingdom, the King orders Michael to help you retrieve the Earthstone in order to earn his respect. He succeeds... but [[spoiler:the King just adds his defeating the guardian to his list of crimes and executes him on the spot, in full view of his lover]]. Soon afterwards, his lover, the princess, [[spoiler:takes his body to the Ice Temple and is DrivenToSuicide in order to be with him again.]]
* MovingTheGoalposts: [[spoiler: The King of the Frogs']] behavior is either this or full out ILied.

** In order to obtain a MacGuffin, both Cornet and a random group of villagers kill two dragons. It turns out that the dragons were the ones keeping the local volcano from erupting...
** There's an ''optional'' NiceJobBreakingItHero moment during the raid on the Ninetails Tower. If Cornet chooses to kill the tower's guardian and obtain the MacGuffin it carries, she saves the life of one person... At the cost of the entire town becoming cursed and hating her guts. [[spoiler:If you refuse to kill the guardian, Cornet will fight Gao instead, who is always after the Thunderstone. Defeating her results in you getting the Holystone instead of the Thunderstone, and also changes one of the 5 bosses at the bottom of Cape Hope.]]
** Marjoly is a villainous example of this trope, as she accidentally petrifies the prince while trying to cast a charm spell on him. Later, she is HoistByHerOwnPetard while fighting the [[spoiler:Ancient Weapon.]]

* NoFourthWall: If you beat the worm right heart on the 6th turn (as Etoile told you too) on the first time fighting it, Etoile will come in asking what you're doing. Cornet's reply? "Hey you! Yeah, the one with the controller in your hand! Did you make me mess up?" Etoile admits she screwed up worrying about you screwing up. But then later she gets mad at you and blames you anyways.
* NotQuiteSavedEnough: [[spoiler: Michael.]]

* {{Ojou}} / RichBitch: Etoile Rosenqueen, who adheres to ScrewTheRulesIHaveMoney, is a big fan of MoreDakka, and also happens to be Cornet's [[TheRival Rival]].

* ParentalMarriageVeto: The King of the Frog Kingdom doesn't approve of his daughter Caroline marrying the lower-class Michael. [[spoiler: And he ultimately executes him just to prevent it. Technically it works, [[TogetherInDeath but]]...]]

* SchizoTech: A world of Medieval tech, but also has modern guns and assault rifles. The second game even has Etoile loan Kurusale her ''airship''...

** The main character of the sequel, Little Princess, is Cornet's daughter, named Kururu.

* IAmSong / IWantSong: The game frequently breaks into musical numbers. When one of Marjoly's minions cameos in ''VideoGame/PhantomBrave'' she's mystified as to why people don't spontaneously burst into song.

* LampshadeHanging: In a scene at the beginning of the game, Kururu tells Cornet that if she dies, "it's game over. You'll have to watch this scene again and again."

%%* LonelyRichKid: Etoile.

* SchizoTech: A world of Medieval tech, but also has modern guns and assault rifles.

* ShoutOut: A later-game enemy is a [[ComicBook/{{Spawn}} Hellspawn]].

* RealityEnsues: After Majoraly turns Ferdinand to stone, Cornet provokes her by calling her an "old maid," even getting everyone in the room (including Majorlay's QuirkyMiniBossSquad) joins in. Majoraly is '''pissed''' at this and sicks her QuirkyMiniBossSquad on Cornet, leading to the above mentioned HopelessBossFight. Turns out mocking the BigBad, even one who her own followers mock at every possible opportunity, is a bad idea.

The story is set in the aforementioned Marl Kingdom, and stars a young girl named Cornet, who possesses the ability to talk to puppets and dolls. She has a big-time crush on Prince Ferdinand, who [[KnightInShiningArmor rescued her from an evil]] CatGirl. However, just as she nearly succeeds in winning the prince's heart, the witch [[BigBad Marjoly]] attacks the castle and [[TakenForGranite turns the prince to stone]], and then kidnaps him. Determined to win her beloved Prince Ferdinand back, Cornet sets out on a magical and musical adventure all over Marl Kingdom with her FairyCompanion Kururu and an assortment of other puppets.

* CopyAndPasteEnvironments: Done to the point of nauseum. When the (literally) god-forsaken ''netherworld'' looks like every castle/tower you've roamed through throughout the game, something is clearly wrong.
* CrutchCharacter: Kururu in the DS remake, who is very strong but disappears during the very last chapter.

%%* MusicalAssassin: Cornet.

* * WholePlotReference: Burg's Diner where a monster cat chef Burg asks you how you want to be cooked is lifted straight out of ''[[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Restaurant_of_Many_Orders The Restaurant of Many Orders.]]''

* BabiesEverAfter: You eventually get to meet one of their descendants in your party in ''VideoGame/LaPucelle''.

* ContinuityNod: One of the main characters of ''VideoGame/LaPucelle'' turns out to be Cornet's grandson.

* ParentalMarriageVeto: The King of the Frog Kingdom doesn't approve of his [[EverythingsBetterWithPrincesses daughter Caroline]] marrying the lower-class Michael. [[spoiler: And he ultimately executes him just to prevent it. Technically it works, [[TogetherInDeath but]]...]]

''Rhapsody'' appeals to a different demographic than most [=RPGs=]. On the surface it seems aimed at young girls, but it has become a CultClassic, mostly due to {{Moe}} appeal. Besides, the tunes are [[EarWorm catchy!]]

* HopelessBossFight: Three. The battles against Etoile in chapter 2, the QuirkyMiniBossSquad in chapter 3, and Myao and her cat minions at the end of chapter 4.

* ContinuityNod: One of the main characters of LaPucelle turns out to be Cornet's grandson.

* LonelyRichKid: Etoile.
* LostForever: Two of the puppets who can join Cornet's party become LostForever if you miss out on the sequences necessary to obtain them.
** The first, an {{Expy}} of ComicBook/{{Spawn}}, can only be obtained if Cornet subscribes to Ferdinand's InstantFanClub's newsletter during the early chapters.
** The second is even easier to miss. After being sent out on your MacGuffin FetchQuest, you must immediately return to Cornet's hometown to learn that a local boy's dog has died and then head over to its grave to have it join you as a doll. If you don't, the little boy will die as well, and his dog will be LostForever.

* MusicalAssassin: Cornet.
* NiceJobBreakingItHero: In order to obtain a MacGuffin, both Cornet and a random group of villagers kill two dragons. It turns out that the dragons were the ones keeping the local volcano from erupting...
** There's also an ''optional'' NiceJobBreakingItHero moment during the raid on the Ninetails Tower. If Cornet chooses to kill the tower's guardian and obtain the MacGuffin it carries, she saves the life of one person... At the cost of the entire town becoming cursed and hating her guts. [[spoiler:If you refuse to kill the guardian, Cornet will fight Gao instead, who is always after the Thunderstone. Defeating her results in you getting the Holystone instead of the Thunderstone, and also changes one of the 5 bosses at the bottom of Cape Hope.]]

* RescueRomance: Cornet and Ferdinand.

* StarCrossedLovers / TogetherInDeath: [[spoiler:The anthropomorphic frogs Michael and Caroline. Caroline's father has Michael killed, so Caroline is DrivenToSuicide. They come back as a pair of puppets when Cornet visits their gravesite.]]

* UndergroundMonkey

There were also two sequels (Little Princess and Angel's Present), as well as a majhong and puzzle game, none of which have been [[NoExportForYou released outside of Japan]]. However, these games laid the groundwork for ''VideoGame/LaPucelle'' and, eventually, ''Franchise/{{Disgaea}}''. GameFAQs translations of Little Princess and Angel's Present can be read [[http://www.gamefaqs.com/ps/576455-little-princess-maru-oukoku-no-ningyou-hime-2/faqs/43034 here]] and [[http://www.gamefaqs.com/ps2/580294-tenshi-no-present-marle-oukoku-monogatari/faqs/45630 here]]. Additionally, it gained a SpiritualSuccessor in the form of the Japan-only '' Princess Antiphona’s Hymn: Angel’s Score Op. A'' which includes a Marl Kingdom prince and Marjoly.

There were also two sequels (Little Princess and Angel's Present), as well as a majhong and puzzle game, none of which have been [[NoExportForYou released outside of Japan]]. However, these games laid the groundwork for ''LaPucelle'' and, eventually, ''Franchise/{{Disgaea}}''. GameFAQs translations of Little Princess and Angel's Present can be read [[http://www.gamefaqs.com/ps/576455-little-princess-maru-oukoku-no-ningyou-hime-2/faqs/43034 here]] and [[http://www.gamefaqs.com/ps2/580294-tenshi-no-present-marle-oukoku-monogatari/faqs/45630 here]]. Additionally, it gained a SpiritualSuccessor in the form of the Japan-only '' Princess Antiphona’s Hymn: Angel’s Score Op. A'' which includes a Marl Kingdom prince and Marjoly.

* JamesBondage: Ferdinand. Ironically, he made his entrance by saving Cornet...

* MagicMisfire: Happens twice to Marjoly. Once when she accidentally [[TakenForGranite takes Ferdinand for granite]] instead of putting him to sleep so she can kidnap him, and again when she's about to finish off the FinalBoss. The second time, her spell literally blows up right in her face, leaving her incapacitated and causing the defeat of the boss to be [[ItsUpToYou up to you.]]

* TheOjou / RichBitch: Etoile Rosenqueen, who adheres to ScrewTheRulesIHaveMoney, is a big fan of MoreDakka, and also happens to be Cornet's [[TheRival Rival]].

* QuirkyMiniBossSquad: Myao, Gao, and Crowdia.

* UpdatedRerelease: The DS version, which [[GenreShift Shifts Genres]] from TurnBasedStrategy, to [[RolePlayingGame Role Playing]], and adds Kururu as a usable party member. [[CrutchCharacter Until the last chapter, that is.]] It also included an extra scenario related to the third Marl Kingdom game. However, it was taken out in the U.S. version due to localization issues.

* VillainSong: "Evil Queen", courtesy of Marjoly, her QuirkyMiniBossSquad, and a bunch of talking cats.