RPGFan's Retro Encounter

On this episode of Retro Encounter, we take a look back at one of the most divisive sequels in gaming history. When you're following up on what many consider to be the greatest RPG ever made, it would be easy to stick to the tried-and-true, but Chrono Cross does anything but. The Yang to Chrono Trigger's Yin, we discuss our initial reactions to this PS1 classic, its colorful cast of characters, its luscious audiovisual presentation, and more. The quest for the Frozen Flame begins here, so join us on this journey.Featuring: Peter Triezenberg, Marcos Gaspar, Tyler Trosper, Kyle SeeleyGet in Touch:Email us: retro@rpgfan.comTwitter: @rpgfancomRelated Links:RPGFan.com

Retro Encounter's producer takes inspiration from another of his favorite podcasts in today's episode all about the sorceror clown of Final Fantasy VI, Kefka. Three panelists examine Kefka's deeds, motivations, and impact with questions like "is there any good in Kefka?" and "why does Cid dress so poorly?" What makes this legendary RPG evildoer tick?Featuring: Michael Sollosi, Stephanie Sybydlo, Zach WilkersonGet in Touch:Email us: retro@rpgfan.comTwitter: @rpgfancomRelated Links:RPGFan.com

Classic Editions! Nintendo and Sony recently created three bespoke boxes full of classic video games, but none of them have enough RPGs. Today's Retro Encounter episode is wishful thinking about the three high-profile mini consoles and theorycrafting some that may not exist yet. Sadly, this episode recorded before the recent announcement of the Sega Genesis Mini.Featuring: Michael Sollosi, Lucy Gray, Peter Triezenberg, Zach WilkersonGet in Touch:Email us: retro@rpgfan.comTwitter: @rpgfancomRelated Links:RPGFan.com

Adol Christin and three panelists conclude their visit to the hometown of Dogi the Wall Crusher in a new Retro Encounter episode on Ys: The Oath in Felghana. Is this the greatest Ys game? Is The Oath in Felghana too short? Is Chester a mean jerk? All of these questions answered, and more. (Maybe, No, and Yes).Featuring: Michael Sollosi, Hilary Andreff, Tina OlahGet in Touch:Email us: retro@rpgfan.comTwitter: @rpgfancomRelated Links:RPGFan.com

Ys is a decades-old series centered on the travels of the adventurer Adol Christin as he explores derelict civilizations, clashes with ambitious imperialists, and battles ancient evils. Ys: The Oath in Felghana is a remake of the third Ys game, in which Adol goes on a vacation with his best pal Dogi and ends up doing the civilizations / imperialists / evils thing again in a total coincidence. Adol can't seem to stay out of trouble, and Retro Encounter is here to get into some.Featuring: Michael Sollosi, Hilary Andreff, Tina OlahGet in Touch:Email us: retro@rpgfan.comTwitter: @rpgfancomRelated Links:RPGFan.com

Character classes! Job systems! From Wizardry to Final Fantasy to World of Warcraft to Octopath Traveler, many RPG characters are defined by player-selected classes and jobs. In today's episode we discuss the strengths and weaknesses of job systems in RPGs, mostly concentrating on Japanese RPGs in general and Final Fantasy in particular. There was so much to discuss that there are plans to record a Job Search Part II.Featuring: Michael Sollosi, Audra Bowling, Greg Delmage, Peter TriezenbergGet in Touch:Email us: retro@rpgfan.comTwitter: @rpgfancomRelated Links:RPGFan.com

Lufia II is a timeless classic and continues to capture the hearts of gamers to this very day so let's bring our Lufia love to its bittersweet conclusion in this weeks episode. Whether you're travelling to work by boat, submarine or paraglider pop in those headphones and find out just how tricky is the worlds most difficult trick is, if a broken mirror really is seven years bad luck and do mermaids dream of aquatic sheep?Featuring: Leona McCallum, Katherine Kortvely, Zach WilkersonGet in Touch:Email us: retro@rpgfan.comTwitter: @rpgfancomRelated Links:RPGFan.com

Retro Encounter jumps into 2019 and, following on from January's Kingdom Hearts discussion, decided to spoil the hell out of the long awaited conclusion to the Xehanort Saga, Kingdom Hearts III! Three huge Kingdom Hearts get together to discuss the awesome Disney worlds, gorgeous action, and baffling story. But under all of the bombast and beauty, is it all worth it?Featuring: Peter Triezenberg, Alana Hagues, Zach WilkersonGet in Touch:Email us: retro@rpgfan.comTwitter: @rpgfancomRelated Links:RPGFan.com

Lufia II: Rise of the Sinistrals is a bonfide classic on the SNES, with an epic story, great characters, fiendish puzzles, and tons of superlative side content including raising pet monsters and challenging a 100-floor dungeon. But don't take only my word for it! Three Retro Encounter panelists played Lufia II over February and March and enthusiastically gab about it for today's podcast.Featuring: Leona McCallum, Katherine Kortvely, Zach WilkersonGet in Touch:Email us: retro@rpgfan.comTwitter: @rpgfancomRelated Links:RPGFan.com

Wolf Team, a small Japanese developer active in the 1990s, has a surprising legacy of RPG creators lasting to the present day. tri-Ace, Namco Tales Studio, and several others have their roots in Wolf Team, which splintered after finishing the Super Famicom classic Tales of Phantasia. We explore the past of an influential studio on a Retro Encounter episode with a bittersweet final minute.Featuring: Robert Fenner, Alana Hagues, Michael SollosiGet in Touch:Email us: retro@rpgfan.comTwitter: @rpgfancomRelated Links:RPGFan.com