RPGFan's Random Encounter

On this episode of Random Encounter, Greg is back! Greg and Jono reunite for Thanksgiving (despite both of them being Canadian) to talk about the fun of Final Fantasy-themed battle royales (Final Fantasy VII: The First Soldier), the joys of retro-style adventure game throwbacks (Obduction), the excitement of unsubstantiated rumors (Chrono Cross remake), and the delights of visual novels! Plus, there is some big, big news about the future of Random Encounter moving forward! Happy Thanksgivings! Featuring: Jono Logan, Greg Delmage; Edited by Jono LoganGet in Touch:RPGFan.comEmail us: podcast@rpgfan.comTwitter: @rpgfancomInstagram: @rpgfancomFacebook: rpgfancomTwitch: rpgfancomThis Episode's Related Links:Rhythm Encounter 72 – Game Music ConcertsChrono CrossFinal Fantasy VII The First SoldierRPGFan’s Essential Visual Novels

On this episode of Random Encounter, our panel descends deep into Dracula's Castle to deliver their thoughts about the recent Castlevania Advance Collection.Between 2001 and 2003, Konami released three Castlevania titles for the Game Boy Advance (Circle of the Moon, Harmony of Dissonance, and Aria of Sorrow). These games revived the Symphony of the Night-style of 2D-exploration gameplay and cemented the term "Metroidvania" in our minds forever. In this episode, Jono and Mike get a chance to dive back into some fond GBA memories while Audra and Niki get to experience the Castlevania universe for the first time! Plus, we finally get a definitive answer to the question, is the double jump the best upgrade in video game history?Featuring: Jono Logan, Audra Bowling, Niki Fakhoori, Mike Sollosi; Edited by Jono LoganGet in Touch:RPGFan.comEmail us: podcast@rpgfan.comTwitter: @rpgfancomInstagram: @rpgfancomFacebook: rpgfancomTwitch: rpgfancomThis Episode's Related Links:Castlevania Advance Collection ReviewCupid Parasite ReviewDeath’s Gambit: Afterlife ReviewCastlevania: Circle of the Moon ReviewCastlevania: Harmony of Dissonance ReviewCastlevania: Aria of Sorrow ReviewRetro Encounter 191 – Castlevania: Symphony of the Night RevisitedRetro Encounter 302 – The Great Ace Attorney SpoilercastRetro Encounter 234 – Castlevania The Animated Series

On this episode of Random Encounter, we're dipping our toes into some games highly inspired by the 80s and 90s!Abe is here to talk about the surprisingly excellent Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy, waxing rhapsodic about its superb story and incredible 80s soundtrack! Then, Niki dives into the earliest era of the SNES with the surprise remake of the cult-favorite hybrid side-scroller/city-builder title, Actraiser Renaissance. And finally, Jono dips into the spirit of the 90s with Kathy Rain: Director's Cut, a remake/remaster of the 2016 indie point-and-click adventure game. Featuring: Jono Logan, Niki Fakhoori, Abraham Kobylanski; Edited by Jono LoganGet in Touch:RPGFan.comEmail us: podcast@rpgfan.comTwitter: @rpgfancomInstagram: @rpgfancomFacebook: rpgfancomTwitch: rpgfancomThis Episode's Related Links:Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy ReviewActraiser Renaissance ReviewKathy Rain: Director’s Cut Review

On this episode of Random Encounter, we're talkin' Tales!RPGFan's recent feature "So You Want to Get Into the Tales Series..." took a deep dive into dozens of Tales games to help you find your best entry point. This week, we have the author of that feature, Wes Iliff, and Tales superfan, Steph Sybydlo, to talk about their experiences with the games and where YOU should start if you want to get into the beloved long-running series! Featuring: Jono Logan, Wes Iliff, Stephanie Sybydlo; Edited by Jono LoganGet in Touch:RPGFan.comEmail us: podcast@rpgfan.comTwitter: @rpgfancomInstagram: @rpgfancomFacebook: rpgfancomTwitch: rpgfancomThis Episode's Related Links:So You Want to Get Into the Tales Series...Tales of Vesperia: Definitive Edition ReviewTales of Berseria ReviewTales of Symphonia: Dawn of the New World ReviewTales of Arise ReviewWashington Post: The video game review process is broken. It’s bad for readers, writers and games.

On this episode of Random Encounter, it's the latest Yakuza Encounter! Jono is super excited to dive into the newest spinoff Yakuza game, Lost Judgment, with Caitlin, and learn more about otome games (including Olympia Soirée) with Niki!Plus, the panel takes a look at some of the most exciting RPG Nintendo Direct news from last week, as well as come up with a definitive answer to the age-old question, "Which is the best video game animal?" Their answers may surprise you! (Hint: It's cats. It's always cats.)Featuring: Jono Logan, Caitlin Argyros, Niki Fakhoori; Edited by Jono LoganGet in Touch:RPGFan.comEmail us: podcast@rpgfan.comTwitter: @rpgfancomInstagram: @rpgfancomFacebook: rpgfancomTwitch: rpgfancomThis Episode's Related Links:Lost Judgment ReviewOlympia Soirée ReviewDefining Joseimuke, and Attempting to Define OtomeYakuza Is For Men | GC Vazquez YouTube Video

On this episode of Random Encounter, Abe takes two trips to Eastern Europe for the reviews of Black Book and Chernobylite, Pete takes a trip back in time to experience the glories (???) of the 3DO, and Jono ends his trip and is finally back home in Toronto!Plus, let's take a look at some of the big announcements from the recent PlayStation presentation! Will the KotOR Remake still be an RPG? Will Tiny Tina's Wonderlands be a turn-based RPG? Could Deathloop actually be an RPG? (No, sadly, but we're going to be playing it anyway!)Featuring: Jono Logan, Abraham Kobylanski, Pete Leavitt ; Edited by Jono LoganGet in Touch:RPGFan.comEmail us: podcast@rpgfan.comTwitter: @rpgfancomInstagram: @rpgfancomFacebook: rpgfancomTwitch: rpgfancomThis Episode's Related Links:Black Book ReviewChernobylite ReviewWorld FlipperKnights of the Old Republic RemakeTiny Tina's Wonderland

On this episode of Random Encounter, Jono tells us that he and the gang are taking a trip down to the lake to gossip about their new boyfriends/weapons. And by that, we assume he means that they're talking about the new mail-delivery simulator, Lake, and the dating sim/dungeon crawler, Boyfriend Dungeon!Plus, Caitlin is here to talk about a game that ISN'T Final Fantasy XIV (Fantasian Part II), Audra is exploring outer space in OPUS: Echo of Starsong, and Jono is eagerly awaiting Greg's triumphant return to Random Encounter!Featuring: Jono Logan, Audra Bowling, Caitlin Argyros ; Edited by Jono LoganGet in Touch:RPGFan.comEmail us: podcast@rpgfan.comTwitter: @rpgfancomInstagram: @rpgfancomFacebook: rpgfancomTwitch: rpgfancomThis Episode's Related Links:Boyfriend Dungeon ReviewOPUS: Echo of Starsong ReviewLake ReviewFantasian (Part One) Review

On this episode of Random Encounter, our panel discusses if The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword can be redeemed on the Switch, if NieR Re[in]carnation can convince Alana to like gacha games, and how the new audio-based RPG, The Vale: Shadow of the Crown, completely blew our minds! Plus, we have some big news about the future of Random Encounter... (Don't worry, we're just changing our time slot)!Featuring: Jono Logan, Alana Hagues, Audra Bowling, Quinton O'Connor; Edited by Jono LoganGet in Touch:RPGFan.comEmail us: podcast@rpgfan.comTwitter: @rpgfancomInstagram: @rpgfancomFacebook: rpgfancomTwitch: rpgfancomThis Episode's Related Links:The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD ReviewNieR Re[in]carnation ReviewAmbition: A Minuet in Power ReviewThe Vale: Shadow of the Crown ReviewDreamscaper Review

On this episode of Random Encounter, we discuss the release of the Pixel Remaster NES-era Final Fantasy games! Brian is delving into the origins of the series with the first Final Fantasy, Audra is braving the controversial SaGa-esque Final Fantasy II, and Zach is blowing through airships like a madman in the final NES entry, Final Fantasy III. How do they hold up today? And with Greg on vacation, can anyone stop Jono from changing the show to Yakuza Encounter?! Featuring: Jono Logan, Brian Mackenzie, Audra Bowling, Zach Wilkerson; 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 Review

On this episode of Random Encounter, we're discussing some of July's hottest releases! Zach is looking into the past and future in Cris Tales, Cory is hunting some Monsties in Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin, Greg is channeling his inner cat-farmer in Kitaria Fables, and Jono is screaming Objection at any random person who walks by in The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles!Featuring: Greg Delmage, Jono Logan, Zach Wilkerson, Cory Tischbein; Edited by Jono LoganGet in Touch:RPGFan.comEmail us: podcast@rpgfan.comTwitter: @rpgfancomInstagram: @rpgfancomFacebook: rpgfancomTwitch: rpgfancomThis Episode's Related Links:Cris Tales ReviewCris Tales Video ReviewMonster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin ReviewKitaria Fables PreviewThe Great Ace Attorney Chronicles ReviewDai Gyakuten Saiban: Naruhodō Ryūnosuke no Bōken ReviewOverboard!