RPGFan's Random Encounter

On this episode of Random Encounter, it’s tabletop RPGs, farms, and Zelda-likes. Oh my!Neal returns to Random to talk about the recent Borderlands spinoff, Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands, Brian shares his thoughts about how Rune Factory 5 has advanced the series, and Greg returns to chat about Arietta of Spirits! Plus, Jono and the entire panel chats about the recent E3 cancelation and if the former giant of gaming conferences will be missed!Featuring: Jono Logan, Neal Chandran, Greg Delmage, Brian Mackenzie; Edited by Jono LoganGet in Touch:RPGFan.comEmail us: podcast@rpgfan.comTwitter: @rpgfancomInstagram: @rpgfancomFacebook: rpgfancomTwitch: rpgfancomThis Episode's Related Links:Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands First ImpressionsRune Factory 5 ReviewFire Emblem Gaiden Review

On this episode of Random Encounter, it's pure chaos as the panel walks Jono through their thoughts on some of the latest RPGs!Making their first appearance on the show, Izzy is here to break down the "story of an angry man" that is Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin. Then Niki shares her thoughts about Square Enix's latest 2D-HD entry, Triangle Strategy. And Des (another first-timer!) climbs in a futuristic mech to chat about the upcoming space strategy RPG, Relayer!Featuring: Jono Logan, Niki Fakhoori, Des Miller, Izzy Parsons; Edited by Jono LoganGet in Touch:RPGFan.comEmail us: podcast@rpgfan.comTwitter: @rpgfancomInstagram: @rpgfancomFacebook: rpgfancomTwitch: rpgfancomThis Episode's Related Links:Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin ReviewProject Triangle Strategy’s Invisible Feature and the Trials of Gaming while Colorblind

On this episode of Random Encounter, the panel looks back to the golden age of RPGs with the Pixel Remasters of Final Fantasy IV, V, and VI!We tackled the first three entries in the Pixel Remaster series (I, II, and III) back in Episode 221, but it's time to move to a new generation of console, the Super Nintendo! Cory dives into the first SNES entry, Final Fantasy IV, to see if it still holds up (it absolutely does). Alana gushes about her love of the Final Fantasy V job system and its general sense of adventure. And Audra has played Final Fantasy VI for the very first time, and (spoiler alert), she adored it!Featuring: Jono Logan, Audra Bowling, Alana Hagues, Cory Tischbein; Edited by Jono LoganGet in Touch:RPGFan.comEmail us: podcast@rpgfan.comTwitter: @rpgfancomInstagram: @rpgfancomFacebook: rpgfancomTwitch: rpgfancomThis Episode's Related Links:Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster ReviewFinal Fantasy II Pixel Remaster ReviewFinal Fantasy III Pixel Remaster ReviewFinal Fantasy IV Pixel Remaster ReviewFinal Fantasy V Pixel Remaster ReviewFinal Fantasy VI Pixel Remaster ReviewRandom Encounter 221 - First FantasiesRetro Encounter 316 – Final Fantasy V Part IRetro Encounter 317 – Final Fantasy V Part II

On this emergency episode of Random Encounter, we're talking about a game that has every RPG fan buzzing: Elden Ring!The latest Souls-like masterpiece from the wizards at FromSoftware, Elden Ring looks to be the current front-runner for Game of the Year (and maybe Game of the Decade if these crazy-high review scores are to be believed). This week, Jono is talking with Bob Richardson about what makes Elden Ring's open world special, the innovations it brings to the Souls-like genre, and how the title didn't just meet, but completely blew away our expectations! Featuring: Jono Logan, Bob Richardson; Edited by Jono LoganGet in Touch:RPGFan.comEmail us: podcast@rpgfan.comTwitter: @rpgfancomInstagram: @rpgfancomFacebook: rpgfancomTwitch: rpgfancomThis Episode's Related Links:Elden Ring Review

On this episode of Random Encounter, we're talking about two games that take place in very different types of open worlds!First up, Caitlin walks us through the expansive open world of Horizon Forbidden West, the sequel to Horizon Zero Dawn. Improving on the original in almost every way, Forbidden West allows you to adventure in a world full of post-apocalyptic beauty (with better climbing mechanics, thank heavens)! We then take a deep dive (literally) with Dom into the world of fishing in Moonglow Bay. Taking place on the east coast of Canada, Moonglow Bay offers a small open world of a poor fishing village that you can upgrade through hard work (and lobster traps) into a thriving community!Featuring: Jono Logan, Caitlin Argyros, Dom Kim; Edited by Jono LoganGet in Touch:RPGFan.comEmail us: podcast@rpgfan.comTwitter: @rpgfancomInstagram: @rpgfancomFacebook: rpgfancomTwitch: rpgfancomThis Episode's Related Links:Horizon Zero Dawn ReviewHorizon Zero Dawn: The Frozen Wilds ReviewHorizon Forbidden West ReviewMoonglow Bay Review

On this episode of Random Encounter, it's time to pull out our pencil-and-paper Pokédex because we're going back to when Pokémon ruled the Earth!Pokémon Legends: Arceus is the latest entry in the long-running Pocket Monsters series, and just about everyone is talking about how it could revitalize future titles. Our panel discusses what they think about the new semi-open world, beautiful 19th-century presentation, and apparently blood-thirsty Pokémon. We are also talking with Abe about Drinkbox Studios' newest Action RPG, Nobody Saves the World. With a Saturday-Morning-Cartoon graphic style and innovative combat, the title seems to continue Drinkbox's high standards of quality games (Have you played Guacamelee? It's pretty awesome!). Featuring: Jono Logan, Abraham Kobylanski, Joshua Lindquist, Niki Fakhoori; Edited by Jono LoganGet in Touch:RPGFan.comEmail us: podcast@rpgfan.comTwitter: @rpgfancomInstagram: @rpgfancomFacebook: rpgfancomTwitch: rpgfancomThis Episode's Related Links:Pokémon Legends: ArceusNobody Saves the World Review

On this episode of Random Encounter, it's time to look at some of the best games of the previous year!RPGFan has released our annual Games of the Year feature, and this week, we're taking a deep dive. Join Jono, Alana, Brian, and Wes as they dig into the various categories, pick out their personal favorites, and (inevitably) end up adding multiple games to their backlogs for 2022! Featuring: Jono Logan, Alana Hagues, Brian Mackenzie, Wes Iliff; Edited by Jono LoganGet in Touch:RPGFan.comEmail us: podcast@rpgfan.comTwitter: @rpgfancomInstagram: @rpgfancomFacebook: rpgfancomTwitch: rpgfancomThis Episode's Related Links:RPGFan Games of the Year 2021: Overall AwardsRPGFan Games of the Year 2021: Editors’ AwardsBravely Default II ReviewDisgaea 6: Defiance of Destiny ReviewDoki Doki Literature Club Plus! ReviewEastward ReviewFantasian (Part One) ReviewFantasian (Part Two) ReviewFinal Fantasy VII Remake ReviewFinal Fantasy VII Remake Episode INTERmission ReviewFinal Fantasy XIV: Endwalker – 25. Review Journal Book XXV: Footfalls ReviewGenshin Impact ReviewImpostor Factory ReviewLoop Hero ReviewMarvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy ReviewMass Effect: Legendary Edition ReviewMonster Hunter Rise ReviewNew Pokémon Snap ReviewNieR Re[in]carnation ReviewNieR Replicant ver.1.22474487139... ReviewScarlet Nexus ReviewShin Megami Tensei V ReviewSuper Robot Wars 30 ReviewSuper Smash Bros. UltimateTales of Arise ReviewThe Great Ace Attorney Chronicles Review

On this episode of Random Encounter, we're doing a little bit of cleanup! Some super interesting games were released at the very end of 2021, and we have some folks who played them!Audra is here to talk about her experience playing both Another Eden: The Cat Beyond Time and Space and its Chrono Cross-related DLC, Complex Dream. Dom is excited to chat about the recent PC port of Monster Hunter Rise. And Neal gets to delve into an incredibly long-running Japanese-only series with Super Robot Wars 30! Plus, Jono rants a little bit about finally playing Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age. (Spoiler: He doesn't love it! Shock and gasp!)Featuring: Jono Logan, Audra Bowling, Dom Kim, Neal Chandran; Edited by Jono LoganGet in Touch:RPGFan.comEmail us: podcast@rpgfan.comTwitter: @rpgfancomInstagram: @rpgfancomFacebook: rpgfancomTwitch: rpgfancomThis Episode's Related Links:Another Eden: The Cat Beyond Time and Space ReviewAnother Eden: The Cat Beyond Time and Space – Complex Dream ReviewMonster Hunter Rise (PC) ReviewSuper Robot Wars 30 ReviewDragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age – Definitive Edition Review

On this episode of Random Encounter, we're taking a look in our crystal ball to preview the games of 2022!Every December, RPGFan publishes an extensive feature focusing on the games we're most excited for in the upcoming year. And this week, we get to talk about it! Does the panel think that Final Fantasy XVI will be released in 2022 or be delayed for another year? How about Starfield? Will BOTW 2 finally get a release date and an official title? We may not have definitive answers to these questions, but we have lots of speculation!Featuring: Jono Logan, Mike Salbato, Mike Sollosi, Steven Mattern; Edited by Jono LoganGet in Touch:RPGFan.comEmail us: podcast@rpgfan.comTwitter: @rpgfancomInstagram: @rpgfancomFacebook: rpgfancomTwitch: rpgfancomThis Episode's Related Links:Square Enix Responds to Continued Final Fantasy XIV CongestionSea of Stars Confirmed for Nintendo Switch Release With New TrailerRPGFan’s 30 Most Anticipated Games of 2022Forspoken PreviewRetro Encounter 302 – The Great Ace Attorney SpoilercastSo you want to get into the Tales Series…

On this episode of Random Encounter, it's awards night! The Game Awards 2021 were last Thursday, and so was our recording date! The resulting episode? Pure chaos! Jono, Brian, and Niki try to talk about Pokémon Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl and Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc Anniversary Edition, but Mr. Geoff Keighley keeps throwing brand-new game trailers at them. Can they figure out the titles of the massive games being announced while also keeping the show on track? Well, there's a first time for everything...Featuring: Jono Logan, Brian Mackenzie, Niki Fakhoori; Edited by Jono LoganGet in Touch:RPGFan.comEmail us: podcast@rpgfan.comTwitter: @rpgfancomInstagram: @rpgfancomFacebook: rpgfancomTwitch: rpgfancomThis Episode's Related Links:Pokémon Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl ReviewDanganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc Anniversary Edition Review