RPGFan's Random Encounter

On this episode of Random Encounter, two first-timers are joining us to chat about two of the year's biggest games! First up, Zek is joined by Zach to rave about Atlus' latest RPG, Metaphor: ReFantazio . Known for the Shin Megami Tensei and Persona series, Metaphor offers a brand-new world full of all the things you love about previous Atlus games: close character relationships, incredible world-b...

On this episode of Random Encounter, it's time to chat about some recent game compilations! Game compilations are not only a fantastic way to re-experience older games, but they also offer excellent value for your money! Even if the games are a little old, you're still getting multiple games for the price of one. And if you're lucky, the developer will have gone the extra mile to add quality-of-li...

On this episode of Random Encounter, Jono and Hilary geek out over a fantastic book focusing on the localization of beloved indie RPG, Undertale . Video game localizations have come a long way since the days of spoony bards. When we usually think about game localization, we think Japanese to English. But what about the other way around? Legends of Localization is a book series written by professio...

On this episode of Random Encounter, we're talking politics! Well, no, not really, but there are some jokes about politics in here... First up, Izzy has played the first new Mana game since 2020's Trials of Mana remake, Visions of Mana ! With spiky hair, lush landscapes, and real-time RPG action, it's undeniably a Mana game, but does it live up to the heights of the series' golden age on the SNES?...

On this episode of Random Encounter, we're chatting about some of video game history's most prolific anthropomorphic animal crimefighters! First up, Jono binge-plays the brand-new remaster of the third season of Telltale Games' Sam & Max series: The Devil's Playhouse . Lovingly remastered by Skunkape Games, does this remaster bring the 2010 point-and-click up to speed? Or is it left as roadkil...

On this episode of Random Encounter, we’re chatting about heisting steam-powered robots and the foggiest post-apocalyptic city you've ever seen. First up, Ben embraces his inner robot pirate with the sequel to 2015's TRPG, Steamworld Heist , Steamworld Heist II . The latest entry in the multi-genre Steamworld series, Heist II delivers a side-scrolling, turn-based spin on XCOM -style gameplay with...

On this episode of Random Encounter, we’re diving into a magical alpine journey and revisiting a classic RPG. First up, Abe joins us to discuss Dungeons of Hinterberg . This action RPG with Zelda and Persona -like elements is set in a beautiful Austrian resort town, combining combat, puzzles, and social interactions. How do these elements come together to create a memorable adventure (and vacation...

On this episode of Random Encounter, we're celebrating our 300th episode with a special draft! Four years is a long time in the video game industry, so we’re making predictions about what things will be like when we record our 400th episode in April 2028. Jono has gathered all the hosts from the RPGFan podcasts to make their picks. Whoever gets the most predictions right in four years will win a v...

On this episode of Random Encounter, we're breaking down all the RPG news from the June 2024 Nintendo Direct and chatting about the recent re-release of Monster Hunter Stories and its sequel! As usual, Nintendo's latest showcase brought the house down with a flurry of surprises. Far from the Switch going out with a whisper, this Direct made it clear that Nintendo intends to go out with a bang! Did...

On this week's Random Encounter, we're all in on Not-E3 2024! For video game fans, this is one of the biggest weekends of the year, with nonstop announcements, trailers, and demos to fill your every waking hour! They've sure been filling ours, and that's why we've assembled an expert panel to break down the biggest RPG news from the shows for you. From Summer Game Fest to the Xbox Showcase, it's N...

On this episode of Random Encounter, we're chatting about the early access release of one of the most anticipated games in recent memory: Hades II . In October 2020, Supergiant Games' roguelike masterpiece Hades finally exited early access and entered the Steam and Epic libraries of countless gamers. And now, its direct sequel, Hades II , has entered early access. But this isn't a barebones experi...

On this episode of Random Encounter, Jono invites two of the folks behind the recent indie game  Lil' Guardsman  onto the show to chat about its development. Back in the early days of the pandemic, Toronto-based composer Scott Christian and his business partner Artiom Komarov made the remarkable decision to leave their successful careers and jump into the indie dev scene. Recruiting a small but pa...

On this episode of Random Encounter, Zach joins the party to chat about the recent spiritual successor to the Suikoden series, Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes , and the new DLC for Final Fantasy XVI , The Rising Tide . Hundred Heroes has been one of our most anticipated JRPGs since its Kickstarter back in 2020. Led by Suikoden creator Yoshitaka Murayama, Hundred Heroes promised a return to the s...

On this episode of Random Encounter, ex-host Random Greg Delmage returns to share his film expertise while chatting about the new Fallout TV show! Video game adaptations are hot right now, and Amazon has just dropped what might be the best one yet: Fallout ! Based on the long-running RPG series, Fallout , the show is an exploration of the far future after a nuclear war in the 21st century destroye...

On this episode of Random Encounter, we're looking at a game-of-the-year contender and the latest from one of the industry's most visionary indie devs.  First up, Izzy is here to chat about Dragon's Dogma 2 . The sequel to Capcom's cult-classic Dragon's Dogma , DD2 is the true realization of many of the ahead-of-their-time gameplay mechanics of its predecessor. However, this positive fanfare has r...

On this episode of Random Encounter, we're looking at two very different kinds of follow-ups to beloved games: a spiritual successor and a fan game. First up, we're talking about a long-awaited revival of Ogre Battle -style SRPGs with Vanillaware's Unicorn Overlord (the most bizarre name for a game since Triangle Strategy ). Featuring a mix of real-time strategy, turn-based party combat, and overw...

On this episode of Random Encounter, we're taking a look at a long-running RPG series that has only made sporadic, but noteworthy, appearances here in the West! Mystery Dungeon began as a Dragon Quest IV spinoff back in 1993, but since then, there have been dozens of games in the series, including crossover titles with Final Fantasy ( Chocobo’s Dungeon 2 ) and Pokémon ( Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Re...

On this episode of Random Encounter, it's finally time to talk about one of the most anticipated "Part 2s" in video game history: Final Fantasy VII Rebirth ! Ever since part 1 of the FFVII remake trilogy, Final Fantasy VII Remake , was released in 2020, we've been desperate to know where the story is heading. Will it continue along as we remember it, or diverge in unexpected and, no doubt, controv...

On this episode of Random Encounter, we're "cranking" up our game to chat about a farming-centric piece of DLC for a pixel-art action RPG and a rogue-like on a tiny, black-and-white screen. First, Nick is here to share his thoughts about the farming DLC for 2021's Eastward , Eastward: Octopia . Having received solid reviews back when it was released, this new DLC strips out all of the combat and r...

On this episode of Random Encounter, we're looking at a remake of an 18-year-old game and the release of a game that felt like it took 18 years to come out. Since its announcement in 2016, Granblue Fantasy: Relink has been on many RPG fans' most anticipated lists (it was on ours in 2020, 2022, 2023 AND 2024). And after seven years, it's finally here! Des dives into this long-awaited action RPG to...

On this episode of Random Encounter, we're chatting about the latest installment in the Yakuza franchise,  Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth , and the indie point-and-click adventure game, Lil' Guardsman . First, Jono dives into Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth , the direct sequel to 2020's Yakuza: Like a Dragon . Does Infinite Wealth live up to the lofty turn-based JRPG expectations set by its predece...

Welcome to 2024! This year at Random Encounter, we're on the road to episode 300, so let's start the new year right by chatting about some games! First up, Jerry is here to talk about the experimental visual novel, Slay the Princess . In complete opposition to just about every video game plot ever, here you need to kill the princess or the world is doomed! Or is it? With a ton of endings and twist...

On the final 2023 episode of Random Encounter, we're chatting about all the games we're excited about that are coming in 2024! At the end of December, RPGFan publishes one of the year's biggest features: our most anticipated games expected to come out next year. And that means a chance to get together on Random Encounter to have a year-end freak out about all the games that will inevitably be adde...

On this episode of Random Encounter, we chat all of the news from the 2023 Game Awards, and delve into two recent indie RPGs. First, The Game Awards came and went faster than the music playing off the winners! Baldur's Gate 3 was the champion of the evening with Best Game, but Alan Wake 2 walked away with a good share of the awards, as well. Join the panel as we gossip about the absolute boatload...

On the next Random Encounter, we delve into the vibrant worlds of Super Mario RPG and Persona 5 Tactica , and tackle the complex issue of redemption arcs in game publishing. First, Caitlin unpacks the Super Mario RPG Remake. Despite some minor frame rate drops and easy difficulty, does the game's timeless appeal shine through in this newly revitalized Switch release? Following that, Ben explores P...