The tactical battles are viewed from an overhead isometric perspective with each fighter running to attack position in full motion and voicing groans and other achy sounds when hurt by an enemy. A lighted selector chooses which character to activate and move to various portions of the battlefield. Attacks are shown in fluid action with each sword swing rendered in exacting motion and magic blasts which animate beautifully with fireworks lighting up the local area. When attacking, the characters will also grunt and emote animal sounds to show their level of effort. Konami designed a Ground Elemental System where each piece of terrain is imbued with an elemental property - fire, water, earth, air, lightning, and darkness. If a player of the same elemental alignment - for example, fire on fire, lands on kindred terrain, it will heal him whereas an opposing elemental patch will drain.

NCS Game Notes
• Combination attacks may be selected from the Cooperative Attack option.

• Orchestral music plays in the background which adds a faux majesty to the atmosphere.

• The translated movement and action commands in the menu are as follows from top to bottom:

MOVE
ATTACK
RUNE
ITEM
COOPERATIVE ATTACK
TALK
STATUS
STANDBY

• Movement delimiters are more flexible than other S-RPG games with a simple icon system which shows which enemies are open to attack.

• The first printing of the game is packaged with a bonus music CD that is included inside the DVD case.

View the back cover and screenshots.

The alternate SKU number for Rhapsodia is VW286-J1.

NCS Game Notes
* The intro presents the various characters with a short description and portrait. After the introductions to the characters, a short action sequence occues and the camera pulls away across a field of grain.

* Upon starting the game, the player will be given the option of loading save data from Genso Suikoden IV and adjusting the game options such as Dual Shock vibration, game speed, sound output, and others.

* The adventure starts with an image of a book opening up and introducing the player to the story of creatures that were once used as powerful weapons. The tale begins 7 years before the Island Nations and the Kooluk Empire went to war. The first scene is titled "Long Ago in Razril," where two characters run up a flight of stairs and perform Furball patrol. The noble youth (Snowe Vingerhut) was given a new sword from his father and he plans on using it on Furballs. The objective of the first level is to defeat one Furball. Once the first one is defeated, a cinema shows the other one being defeated also.

* Battles are fought on isometric battlefields where movement and attacks are selected from a selection of options. The range of possible movement and attack options are shown with highlighted squares. The usual rules of engagement apply where attacking an opponent head-on will reduce the amount of potential damage that will be heaped on the target. Hitting from the back or the side will be rewarded with higher amounts of damage.

* As the boys are ready to call it a night, a moaning figures runs through the area and the boys contemplate their next course of action. A party of five soon runs into the two boys and they introduce themselves. The party of five call themselves Travelers, led by Walter who has his son Kyril with him. The other characters in the party are Andarc, Seneca, and a horned girl named Yohn that is introduced as Walter's partner. Snowe tells Walter about the moaning figure that ran past them earlier and offers to lead the party to where the figure ran. The party will encounter a gang of Furballs first.

* In the Furball battle, Walter will act like a doting father by protecting his son Kyril when Furballs attack him but Walter won't protect anyone else. Not even the Local Boy who he compliments earlier on his double strike technique. After defeating the Furballs, the party comes across a monster which appears to be some sort of amphibious creature. The creature speaks to the party and murmurs, "...on the ship... Pirate..." before croaking and giving up his last raspy breath. Walter and crew give the creature a burial.

* The next chapter is called, "A Chance Encounter at Sea" which takes place several years later where the crew enter Middleport. They learn that Lord Reinbach of Middleback is selling Rune Cannons and decide to pay him a visit. While in town, its possible to talk to a man, a woman, and a merchant who gives up the information on Reinbach. While in Reinbach's home, a man named Sigurd greets them and questions their pursuit of Rune Cannons. Sigurd dismisses them soon afterwards and Seneca calls him a jerk. Once the party leaves, Reinbach II makes an appearance and threatens to silence Walter and crew by way of an encounter at sea.

* The wares in Middleport are slim - the Outfitter only has tunics, robes, leather gloves, and leather armor for sale while the Blacksmith can only hone available weapons. The Rune Master however offers a lively selection of Orbs.

* While still in town, the gang runs into pirate named Hervey who offers to lead them to the Pirate Steele who has more information on the Rune Cannons. While en route to meet him, Sigurd's fleet attacks. After defeating the mercenaries and Sigurd, a Silver Medal and 1509 potch is won. One of the mercenaries will also give up a Unicorn Orb. Steele also makes an appearance by firing on the two ships before being rousted by new arrivals...

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