RPGFan's Random Encounter

On this week's Random Encounter, we have a remaster of one of the greatest strategy RPGs of all time! When Final Fantasy Tactics was released on the PSX in 1997, it marked the entry point for countless RPG fans into the world of SRPGs (aka TRPGs) By piggybacking off the success of the landmark JRPG Final Fantasy VII , Tactics introduced an entirely new audience to the grid-based strategy RPG goodn...

On this week's Random Encounter, we're chatting about one of the biggest indie releases of the year! Boy, between Silksong and Hades II , September has been quite a month for indie games. Everyone here at RPGFan has been eagerly awaiting the full release of Hades II since its early release last year, and our patience has finally been rewarded! Zek and Matt are here to answer all of the big questio...

On this episode of Random Encounter, we're doing a Random Book Club for the brand-new tome from Bitmap Books: 50 Indie Games that Changed the World . Over the last 20 years, the indie game scene has become just as important as the AAA industry, with games like Silksong showing sales numbers that many big devs would kill for! There are so many brilliant indies out there, such as Return of the Obra...

On this week's Random Encounter, let's head to the bazaar and see what the RPGFan stall has in stock! First up, Niki is here to chat about Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar . Harvest Moon DS: Grand Bazaar was a beloved entry in this long-running series on the Nintendo DS. Does this remake (with some updated branding) live up to the memories of the original? Then, Neal is here to share his thoughts ab...

On this week's Random Encounter, we're discussing a mobile-based gacha spinoff of a beloved JRPG and a Wii U classic that has finally made its way to a modern console! Persona 5 has more than its share of spinoffs, including Persona 5 Royal , Persona 5 Strikers , Persona 5: Dancing in Starlight , and Persona 5 Tactica , and now there is a new game to add to the list: Persona 5: The Phantom X . Thi...

On this week's Random Encounter, we're playing an updated classic, a spin-off of a modern classic, and talking about the weirdest game I have heard of in a long time! First up, Mark is taking off his nostalgia goggles to give the recent remaster of the CRPG classic Neverwinter Nights 2 an updated look! Neverwinter Nights 2: Enhanced Edition follows many other enhanced editions of classic CRPGs lik...

On this week's Random Encounter, we're back to business as usual! Not-E3 and the release of the Switch 2 hit us like a hammer. But now that things have finally settled down, it's time to chat about some games! First up, Aleks gets a chance to talk up the long-awaited Chapters 3+4 of Toby Fox's follow-up to Undertale , Deltarune ! Chapters 1+2 released in 2018 and 2021 respectively, so for folks ou...

On this week's Random Encounter, we've finally recovered from Not-E3, so now it's time to talk about the Switch 2! Nintendo's long-awaited follow-up to the Switch has finally released and, surprise, it's still the Switch! The Nintendo Switch 2 is burning up the sales charts and already consuming countless hours of folks' time. That said, there has been some controversy, including limited launch ti...

On this week's Random Encounter, the Summer Game Fest (AKA Not-E3) season is officially upon us! For video game fans, this period is like early Christmas. With nonstop gaming announcements, there is something for everyone! This week, our panel has been working hard keeping up with all the major events, so it's time to share our favourite games from across the showcases!  Featuring: Jono Logan, Gio...

On this week’s episode of Random Encounter, we’re doing a deep dive into the game everyone is talking about: Sandfall Interactive's Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 . In this lengthy, full-blown spoilercast, we chat about the beautiful music, the combat, the story, and argue about who loves Esquie the most. Does the panel adore the game as much as the host? Listen in to find out! Featuring: Zach Wilker...

On this episode of Random Encounter, we're looking at a stylish upcoming turn-based RPG and a remaster of a sprawling open-world classic! First, Zek is here to discuss Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 , a game that might end up being his favorite JRPG of this generation. This stylish title is capturing attention with an incredible voice cast and fresh take on turn-based combat. Why does Zek think it li...

On this episode of Random Encounter , we're looking at a new classic puzzle-adventure game and a packaged duo of some of the best RPGs ever released on the PSX! First, Gio and Tin are here to give us a walk-through tour of Blue Prince , the hit rogue-lite puzzle adventurer. This game came out of nowhere for a lot of folks, trapping them inside the shifting rooms of this puzzling mansion. Does it l...

On this episode of Random Encounter, we chat about everything that happened last week and, BOY, did a lot happen last week! First up, Dom is here to talk about the recent sci-fi Souls-like AI LIMIT . Does it live up to its inspirations, or does it fall just as flat as AI does in the real world? Then, Zach joins the panel to chat about the Switch 2 Direct! In many ways, the full reveal was everythi...

On this episode of Random Encounter , it's time to sink into the shadows and brew some tea, because we're talking about Assassin's Creed Shadows and Wanderstop ! Assassin's Creed Shadows is finally here! This long-awaited game has been delayed multiple times over the last year, but was that extra time well spent? Tom is here to tell us his thoughts about the latest entry in the long-running series...

On this episode of Random Encounter, it's time to chat about a remaster and a new game in two long-running series! First up, Zach's prayers have been answered: Suikoden I&II HD Remaster: Gate Rune & Dunan Unification Wars is finally out! This remaster of the first two Suikoden games has been highly anticipated for years by fans of the series, but does it live up to their hopes? Then, Zek c...

On this episode of Random Encounter, we're talking about two of the most highly anticipated games of 2025! We've been eagerly awaiting Obsidian's answer to Skyrim for years, and Avowed is finally here. A spin-off of the beloved CRPG Pillars of Eternity series, Avowed replaces the isometric view and strategic "real-time-with-pause" combat with an FPS perspective. Jerry is a massive Pillars fan, so...

On this episode of Random Encounter, we're celebrating all things Canadian! For absolutely no reason (certainly not related to any current events in February 2024), Jono has gathered a few of his fellow Canucks at RPGFan to chat about some of their favourite Canadian games. The thing about games from up north is, much like Canadians themselves, you might not realize they are Canadian at first glan...

On this episode of Random Encounter , it’s a double dose of sci-fi and fantasy! First, Aleks joins us to talk about Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector , a sci-fi RPG with a strong tabletop influence. As a sequel to 2022’s Citizen Sleeper , Starward Vector expands its universe with multiple settings and companions. If you love tabletop RPGs, then this could be the sleeper hit of 2025! Next, Paul di...

On this episode of Random Encounter , Jono is back to chat with the panel about two recent big January releases! First up, Wes has managed to fight through hundreds upon hundreds of foes to deliver their verdict on Dynasty Warriors: Origins ! This latest entry in the long-running series dramatically cuts back on playable characters and weapons to provide a much more streamlined action-RPG experien...

On this first episode of Random Encounter for 2025, Jono is missing, and it's up to the panel to find him! Just kidding; we aren't a semi-educational game from the 1990s. Jono has bronchitis this week, so it's up to the brand-new full-time host of Retro Encounter, Zach Wilkerson, to fill in for him! Joining Zach is Neal, who is chatting about the recent remake of one of the first RPG indie hits ev...

In our final Random Encounter of 2024, we’re diving into the games we’re most excited to play in 2025! Every December, RPGFan unveils one of our biggest features: a list of the most anticipated games for the year ahead. What better way to close out 2024 than by joining our panel on Random Encounter to celebrate the titles we’re excited for as we count down to the new year? From Avowed to the Drago...

On this episode of Random Encounter, we're chatting about gaming's biggest night: The Game Awards 2024 ! After a few rocky years, The Game Awards have finally hit their stride for their 10th anniversary. There were some astonishing reveals, wonderful tributes, and a surprising amount of empathy for those struggling in today's gaming industry. With announcements ranging from the epic ( The Witcher...

On this episode of Random Encounter, we're chatting about previews of two games we're excited for in 2025! First up is a hands-on preview of Obsidian's newest first-person RPG, Avowed . A spin-off from the beloved Pillars of Eternity series, Avowed is being presented as Obsidian's answer to Skyrim . That said, it has an identity all its own, avoiding the full-on open world for a series of expansiv...

On this episode of Random Encounter, we are chatting about a long-awaited remake and an unexpected spin-off! First, Zach is here to share his experience with the Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake . This ground-up remake of the beloved Famicom/NES JRPG has been a long time coming, first announced in 2021. With updated graphics, mechanics, storyline, and scope, this second coming of DQIII (or given prio...

On this episode of Random Encounter, we have another two GOTY contenders for you! First up is Dragon Age: The Veilguard , the first new Dragon Age in a decade ! After BioWare's last two flops, they desperately needed a win, and it certainly sounds like they got one with this new installment of the long-running and beloved series! Audra is here to share all of her thoughts on how Dragon Age has evo...