Rpg Fan's Random Encounter

On this week's Random Encounter, we're stepping into the wrestling ring and exploring an anti-RPG!First, Neal gets into his tights and fights for the title with WrestleQuest, a pixel RPG that echoes the golden era of professional wrestling. Filled with iconic wrestles and thrilling moves, does it pin Neal's attention? Then, Ben explores the mysterious world of 24 Killers, an anti-RPG in the style of Moon. Filled with quirky characters, unexpected twists, and absurd plot twists, does it live up to the classic PSX-era of anti-RPGs?Featuring: Jono Logan, Neal Chandran, and Ben Love; Edited by Jono LoganGet in Touch:RPGFan.comRPGFan ShopEmail us: podcast@rpgfan.comTwitter: @rpgfancomInstagram: @rpgfancomFacebook: rpgfancomTwitch: rpgfancomThis Episode's Related Links:WrestleQuest Showcases Gameplay in Developer Walkthrough24 Killers ReviewMoon Review

On this week's Random Encounter, we're looking at a lost Nintendo game, and what might become one of the greatest RPG soundtracks of all time.If you are from the West, you may not have heard of Marvelous: Another Treasure Island. This late-era SNES/Super Famicom title was never localized, but it had a massive impact on gaming history, especially for The Legend of Zelda franchise. Josh chats with us about if the game holds up today, or if it is a link best left in the past. And then Patrick is here for a mini-Rhythm Encounter to talk about a potential "Music of the Year" contender, the Octopath Traveler II soundtrack! Let's break and boost!Featuring: Jono Logan, Patrick Gann, and Joshua Lindquist; Edited by Jono LoganGet in Touch:RPGFan.comRPGFan ShopEmail us: podcast@rpgfan.comTwitter: @rpgfancomInstagram: @rpgfancomFacebook: rpgfancomTwitch: rpgfancomThis Episode's Related Links:Marvelous: Another Treasure Island ReviewOctopath Traveler II Original Soundtrack ReviewOctopath Traveler II Review

On this week's Random Encounter, we're finally breaking free of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, Not-E3, and Final Fantasy XVI! Time to talk about some (other) games!First up, Audra delights in the RPG crossover to end all RPG crossovers, The Legend of Heroes: Trails into Reverie. Probably not the game you want to try to get into the Trails series, but if you're a fan, it's a must-play. And then Peter takes a deep dive into the world of anime detectives and sexy ghosts in the new title from the creator of Danganronpa, Master Detective Archives: Rain Code.Featuring: Jono Logan, Audra Bowling, and Peter Triezenberg; Edited by Jono LoganGet in Touch:RPGFan.comRPGFan ShopEmail us: podcast@rpgfan.comTwitter: @rpgfancomInstagram: @rpgfancomFacebook: rpgfancomTwitch: rpgfancomThis Episode's Related Links:The Legend of Heroes: Trails into Reverie ReviewSo you want to get into The Trails Series…Master Detective Archives: Rain Code Review

On this week's Random Encounter, we're talking about Final Fantasy XVI!It's been six years since the last numbered Final Fantasy game, but the wait is finally over, and Final Fantasy XVI has finally arrived! There's so much to talk about that we're dedicating an entire episode to it, hosted by our FFXVI reviewer, Zach! Whether you've just started the demo or have already beaten the game, there is something in this Random Encounter for everyone who is excited about this brand-new fantasy epic!Featuring: Zach Wilkerson, Ben Love, Caitlin Argyros, David Silbert, & Des Miller; Edited by Jono LoganGet in Touch:RPGFan.comRPGFan ShopEmail us: podcast@rpgfan.comTwitter: @rpgfancomInstagram: @rpgfancomFacebook: rpgfancomTwitch: rpgfancomThis Episode's Related Links:Final Fantasy XVI Review

On this week's Random Encounter, it's all about Not-E3! If you're a video game fan, Not-E3 week is like Christmas, Easter, and Halloween all rolled into one! Though a few shows are still coming up next week, the big ones are all finished, and our panel is here to discuss the massive amount of RPG and adventure game news and trailers that dropped! It's one of the biggest episodes of the year, and we've assembled a fantastic panel, so let's talk about some games!Featuring: Jono Logan, Alvin Lim, Hilary Andreff, Mike Salbato, & Stephanie Sybydlo; Edited by Jono LoganGet in Touch:RPGFan.comRPGFan ShopEmail us: podcast@rpgfan.comTwitter: @rpgfancomInstagram: @rpgfancomFacebook: rpgfancomTwitch: rpgfancomThis Episode's Related Links:Final Fantasy VII Rebirth Coming Early 2024 on Two DiscsKiryu Returns As Joryu in Like a Dragon Gaiden, Launching November 9thAction RPG Sand Land Highlights Akira Toriyama’s Signature Style in Debut TrailerBaldur’s Gate III Reveals Actor Jason Isaacs To Voice Antagonist Enver Gorta

On this week's Random Encounter, we're seeing the beginnings of the Not-E3 season!If you're a video game fan, it's getting close to the most wonderful time of the year! There are slightly under two weeks until Summer Game Fest, but we still have a ton of news to discuss from Wednesday's PlayStation Showcase and Thursday's Marvelous Game Showcase, including Final Fantasy XVI, Dragon's Dogma 2, and Rune Factory 6. Join our panel to learn all about the RPGs and adventure games we will be playing in 2023 and 2024 (and heck, we might also talk about some games that aren't RPGs)!Featuring: Jono Logan, Alvin Lim, Des Miller, Izzy Parsons; Edited by Jono LoganGet in Touch:RPGFan.comRPGFan ShopEmail us: podcast@rpgfan.comTwitter: @rpgfancomInstagram: @rpgfancomFacebook: rpgfancomTwitch: rpgfancomThis Episode's Related Links:Phantom Blade Zero Announced for PlayStation 5Cat Quest: Pirates of the Purribean Drops Anchor in 2024New “Salvation” Trailer for Final Fantasy XVIFinal Fantasy XVI Preview: The First 5 HoursGranbl

On this Saturday's emergency Random Encounter, we're discussing The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom!We've assembled a panel of three people who loved Breath of the Wild, one who liked it, and one who just wasn't a fan. The plan was to meet up to talk about the entirety of TOTK, beginning to end. Unfortunately, that plan ran directly into a major roadblock, which was that TOTK has got to be one of the most massive games ever made. So, here are our 40+-hour impressions instead! Is it as good as we all hoped? Featuring: Jono Logan, Des Miller, Izzy Parsons, Joshua Lindquist, and Mike Salbato; Edited by Jono LoganGet in Touch:RPGFan.comRPGFan ShopEmail us: podcast@rpgfan.comTwitter: @rpgfancomInstagram: @rpgfancomFacebook: rpgfancomTwitch: rpgfancomThis Episode's Related Links:The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the KingdomThe Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild ReviewRandom Encounter 268 - A Latte to the PastThe Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds Review

On this week's Random Encounter, we're talking about two highly anticipated sequels (although one is slightly more anticipated than the other).First up, Jono and Mike share their initial impressions of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, the long-awaited direct sequel to 2017's Breath of the Wild. Does it meet their sky-high expectations? And then, Audra, Mike, and Hilary get to have a good old coffee hangout chatting about Coffee Talk 2: Hibiscus & Butterfly, the sequel to 2020's Coffee Talk. Is this new entry in the series a delicious smooth brew, or does it go down bitter? Oh, and heads up, we're posting an "emergency" Random Encounter on Saturday, May 20th for a deep dive into Tears of the Kingdom, so stay tuned for that! Featuring: Jono Logan, Audra Bowling, Hilary Andreff, and Mike Salbato; Edited by Jono LoganGet in Touch:RPGFan.comRPGFan ShopEmail us: podcast@rpgfan.comTwitter: @rpgfancomInstagram: @rpgfancomFacebook: rpgfancomTwitch: rpgfancomThis Episode's Related Links:The Legend of Zeld

On this week's Random Encounter, we're talking about a highly anticipated piece of DLC and a very highly anticipated remake (that we were never quite sure we would EVER see)! First up is Caitlin talking about the Horizon Forbidden West DLC, Burning Shores. In it, we visit the post-apocalyptical ruins of Los Angeles, but do Aloy's Hollywood dreams live up to Caitlin's expectations? Then, Ben fills us in about the long-delayed Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp. These eagerly-awaited remakes of GBA TRPG classics, Advance Wars and Advance Wars 2: Black Hole Rising, look terrific, but do they deliver experiences equal to the originals?Featuring: Jono Logan, Ben Love, and Caitlin Argyros; Edited by Jono LoganGet in Touch:RPGFan.comRPGFan ShopEmail us: podcast@rpgfan.comTwitter: @rpgfancomInstagram: @rpgfancomFacebook: rpgfancomTwitch: rpgfancomThis Episode's Related Links:Horizon Forbidden West: The Burning Shores Review Horizon Forbidden West ReviewAdvance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp Review

On this week's Random Encounter, we're looking at two games (technically, 11 games) that bring us fully into cyberspace!First, Peter downloads his thoughts on the new visual novel based on Disney's Tron franchise, TRON: IDENTITY. Does it capture the cyber-magic of the classic 80s film and its 2010s follow-up? Then, Abe confronts the monumental task of getting through all ten games included in the massive Mega Man Battle Network Legacy Collection. Do these classic GBA RPGs from the early 2000s hold up today, or are they best left in the Recycle Bin of Windows XP? Finally, the entire panel gets to discuss what remastered collections they hope to see in this year's upcoming Not-E3 season! Featuring: Jono Logan, Abraham Kobylanski, and Peter Triezenberg; Edited by Jono LoganGet in Touch:RPGFan.comRPGFan ShopEmail us: podcast@rpgfan.comTwitter: @rpgfancomInstagram: @rpgfancomFacebook: rpgfancomTwitch: rpgfancomThis Episode's Related Links:TRON: IdentityMega Man Battle Network Legacy Collection

On this week’s Random Encounter, we’re talking about two games that, frankly, we can’t believe exist. Many of us expect certain game series to “stay in their lane.” Mega Man is a platformer. Doom is an FPS. Metroid is, well, a Metroidvania. But when a series tries something completely different in a new genre, the results can vary in quality. Audra recently reviewed two such games, one that wildly succeeded and one that spectacularly failed. First up is The Murder of Sonic the Hedgehog, a game that takes the classic platforming characters and puts them into an Ace Attorney-style adventure game/visual novel. And then we are talking about Street Fighter: Duel, a mobile game that attempts to translate the classic fighting game into an RPG.Featuring: Jono Logan, Audra Bowling; Edited by Jono LoganGet in Touch:RPGFan.comRPGFan ShopEmail us: podcast@rpgfan.comTwitter: @rpgfancomInstagram: @rpgfancomFacebook: rpgfancomTwitch: rpgfancomThis Episode's Related Links:The Murder of Sonic the HedgehogStreet Fighter: Duel

On this episode of Random Encounter, we’re talking about how to introduce your children to video games, specifically RPGs.We’re far away from the 1980s, back when most parents saw video games as a “fad” or “waste of time.” Instead, parents nowadays see games as a legitimate form of entertainment at worst and an art form at best. So, how should parents today introduce their children to the world of video games? Jimmy explored this question in his recent feature, A Parent’s List of the Best Introductory RPGs for Kids, and we’re going to dive even deeper with the help of two other parents on staff, Monica and Wes. Also, childless Jono is here to “helpfully” provide his clueless point of view on parenting!Featuring: Jono Logan, Wes Iliff, Monica Rose, James Turner; Edited by Jono LoganGet in Touch:RPGFan.comRPGFan ShopEmail us: podcast@rpgfan.comTwitter: @rpgfancomInstagram: @rpgfancomFacebook: rpgfancomTwitch: rpgfancomThis Episode's Related Links:A Parent’s List of the Best Introductory RPGs for KidsBug Fables:

On this episode of Random Encounter, we're diving into some recent non-RPG Final Fantasy spin-offs!First up, we have the first console entry in the long-running Final Fantasy rhythm game series, Theatrhythm Final Bar Line. Offering over 380 songs from every Final Fantasy game (with more songs from other Square Enix series on the way), it could be the ultimate entry of Theatrhythm, but does it get Bob tapping his toes along with the music? And then, the Shinra Electric Power Company puts our EiC Mike Salbato to work cleaning instruments of death in the Final Fantasy VII Remake DLC of PowerWash Simulator. Will he manage to clean the nooks and crannies of the Scorpion Sentinel in time to stop the criminal terrorist group, Avalanche? Find out in this week's Random Encounter!Featuring: Jono Logan, Bob Richardson, Mike Salbato; Edited by Jono LoganGet in Touch:RPGFan.comRPGFan ShopEmail us: podcast@rpgfan.comTwitter: @rpgfancomInstagram: @rpgfancomFacebook: rpgfancomTwitch: rpgfancomThis Episode's Related Links:The

On this episode of Random Encounter, we're talking about two big recent RPGs, Octopath Traveler II and Like a Dragon: Ishin!When the original Octopath Traveler came out in 2018, we'd never seen anything like its HD-2D art style. Now, Square Enix is back with a sequel, Octopath Traveler II, that addresses many of the criticisms leveled at the game five years ago. Does Zach think that OTII measures up? And speaking of games we've been waiting years for, Ryū ga Gotoku Ishin was a samurai spin-off from the Yakuza series, never released in the West. Thankfully, that's changed with its recent remake, Like a Dragon: Ishin! Jono has been losing his mind since he got his hands on it, but does this remake of a pre-Yakuza 0 entry of the series stand up to more modern games?Featuring: Jono Logan, Zach Wilkerson; Edited by Jono LoganGet in Touch:RPGFan.comRPGFan ShopEmail us: podcast@rpgfan.comTwitter: @rpgfancomInstagram: @rpgfancomFacebook: rpgfancomTwitch: rpgfancomThis Episode's Related Links:Octopath Traveler II Revi

On this episode of Random Encounter, we're digging into all the news from the Feb 2023 Nintendo Direct!Here at RPGFan, we look forward to Nintendo Directs like children look forward to Santa Claus. The only difference is that we KNOW when the man in red is supposed to arrive, but Nintendo always keeps us guessing. Thankfully, the wait is over for the first Direct of the year, and we got a massive sack of RPG presents! This week, the panel discusses all of the big news, chats about the most recent Fire Emblem game, Fire Emblem Engage, and takes a close look at One Piece Odyssey and if it's a decent way to break into the seemingly impenetrable One Piece franchise!Featuring: Jono Logan, Wes Iliff, and Brian Mackenzie; Edited by Jono LoganGet in Touch:RPGFan.comRPGFan ShopEmail us: podcast@rpgfan.comTwitter: @rpgfancomInstagram: @rpgfancomFacebook: rpgfancomTwitch: rpgfancomThis Episode's Related Links:Fire Emblem Engage ReviewFire Emblem ReviewOne Piece Odyssey Review

On this episode of Random Encounter, we're talking about two games: one controversial, one not!Square Enix's recent release, Forspoken, had a rough ride during its development, and it doesn't look like that ended with its release. While many think it's a perfectly fine action RPG, others feel it's a disaster. Where does Izzy fall on that spectrum? Then, Brian indulges in his love of the beat-'em-up genre with the release of the RPG-infused River City Girls 2! And finally, should dated or problematic content in remasters and re-releases of old games be discussed in reviews? Jono passionately argues, yes. And also, he should probably drink less caffeine before recording these things...Featuring: Jono Logan, Brian Mackenzie, and Izzy Parsons; Edited by Jono LoganGet in Touch:RPGFan.comRPGFan ShopEmail us: podcast@rpgfan.comTwitter: @rpgfancomInstagram: @rpgfancomFacebook: rpgfancomTwitch: rpgfancomThis Episode's Related Links:Forspoken ReviewRiver City Girls 2 ReviewPersona 3 Portable ReviewPersona 4 Golden Revi

On this episode of Random Encounter, the panel REALLY gets into talking about Marvel Comics and music!A surprise hit of 2022 was Marvel's Midnight Suns. Audra recently reviewed the supernatural-tinged strategy RPG, giving both Audra and Jono an opportunity to nerd the heck out about Marvel! Then, Mike gets a chance to chat with Audra about Coffee Talk, one of his favorite games of the last few years. And then suddenly, a wild Rhythm Encounter appears! Enjoy this brief but fun delve into the incredible music of Coffee Talk (and check out our sister podcast, Rhythm Encounter, while you're at it)!Featuring: Jono Logan, Audra Bowling, and Mike Salbato; Edited by Jono LoganGet in Touch:RPGFan.comRPGFan ShopEmail us: podcast@rpgfan.comTwitter: @rpgfancomInstagram: @rpgfancomFacebook: rpgfancomTwitch: rpgfancomThis Episode's Related Links:Marvel’s Midnight Suns ReviewCoffee Talk ReviewRhythm Encounter Archive

On this episode of Random Encounter, we're talking about two awesome RPGs released at the tail end of 2022.First up, Caitlin talks about her experience with the retro-indie JRPG, Chained Echoes. Primarily developed by a single person for the last seven years, this incredible JRPG evokes all those feelings back in the 16-bit age but with a ton of modern touches. It's simply an astonishing achievement. And Abe is here to discuss a ground-up remake of a classic Squaresoft Super Famicom TRPG that we missed out on back in the 90s, Front Mission 1st: Remake. Is it as good as the original, or does it just miss the mark? Featuring: Jono Logan, Caitlin Argyros, and Abraham Kobylanski; Edited by Jono LoganGet in Touch:RPGFan.comRPGFan ShopEmail us: podcast@rpgfan.comTwitter: @rpgfancomInstagram: @rpgfancomFacebook: rpgfancomTwitch: rpgfancomThis Episode's Related Links:Chained Echoes ReviewFront Mission 1st: Remake Review

On this episode of Random Encounter, we're talking about the games we're most excited about in 2023!Each and every December, RPGFan publishes one of the year's biggest features: a look ahead at the upcoming year. And this week on the show, our panel gets to geek out over it! What games do we think will be delayed? What games do we think are going to be disappointments? And what games will end up eating months of our lives? Find out in this week's episode! Featuring: Jono Logan, Tom Cox, Sam-James Gordon, Tin Manuel, Zach Wilkerson; Edited by Jono LoganGet in Touch:RPGFan.comRPGFan ShopEmail us: podcast@rpgfan.comTwitter: @rpgfancomInstagram: @rpgfancomFacebook: rpgfancomTwitch: rpgfancomThis Episode's Related Links:RPGFan's 35 Most Anticipated Games of 2023

On this episode of Random Encounter, we're catching up on some of the biggest and best RPGs over the last few weeks and months.First, Niki walks us through the bug-laden fields of Pokémon Scarlet & Violet! Then, Des flies us into the great beyond with his thoughts about Star Ocean: The Divine Force! And finally, Hilary and Jono get to geek out at the surprise drop of a brand-new game from the creators of Kingdom of Loathing and West of Loathing: Shadows Over Loathing!Featuring: Jono Logan, Hilary Andreff, Niki Fakhoori, Des Miller; Edited by Jono LoganGet in Touch:RPGFan.comRPGFan ShopEmail us: podcast@rpgfan.comTwitter: @rpgfancomInstagram: @rpgfancomFacebook: rpgfancomTwitch: rpgfancomThis Episode's Related Links:Star Ocean: The Divine Force ReviewShadows Over Loathing ReviewWest of Loathing Review