RPGFan's Retro Encounter

Retro Encounter looks back fondly on Sega's last games console. The Dreamcast had a limited library of RPGs, but the ones it did have certainly didn't disappoint. It branched out into online gaming at a time where it seemed impossible. The Retro Crew look back at the console's classic RPGs and what makes them so great, as well as unearth some hidden gems. Just how well do these games still hold up...

This is the epic conclusion to Retro Encounter's deliberation on what games deserve to be on the first ever Essential Ten. What games will make the illustrious final list? Featuring: Josh Curry, Mike Sollosi, Peter Triezenberg, Marcos Gaspar Note: We had to re-number our episodes several years after publishing. This was originally an un-numbered Bonus Round. Don't worry, you're not missing anythin...

Retro Encounter talks about our favorite RPGs of all time as we fight over which games belong on the Retro Encounter Essential Ten. Featuring: Josh Curry, Mike Sollosi, Peter Triezenberg, Marcos Gaspar Note: We had to re-number our episodes several years after publishing. This was originally an un-numbered Bonus Round. Don't worry, you're not missing anything! Get in Touch: RPGFan.com Email us: re...

Retro Encounter completes our journey of South Park: The Stick of Truth in a fiery explosion of farts. Come listen as we provide our final thoughts, favorite party member, our excitement for the sequel and our favorite moments of the game. Featuring: Josh Curry, Chris Gebauer, Mike Sollosi Note: We had to re-number our episodes several years after publishing. This was originally Episode 17-2. Don'...

Retro Encounter absolutely loves South Park: The Stick of Truth! We start off with a discussion of our history with the show and how that translates into a game. Then we move onto talking about which classes we played, censorship in games, our surprise that games can be so funny and our overall excitement for how great The Stick of Truth is. Featuring: Josh Curry, Chris Gebauer, Mike Sollosi Note:...

The Retro Encounter crew is back, but with one man down will they be able to make it to the end of Xenogears? With disc 2's sharp shift to a narrative focus, the gang discusses the major reveals of the game, the psychology behind its characters, and what Xenogears might have been like if Square had been given more time on it. Featuring: Caitlin Argyros, Alana Hagues, Robert Fenner Note: We had to...

This week, two of the Retro Crew take a look at Root Double: Before Crime * After Days, a nuclear meltdown visual novel by Takumi Nakzawa (Ever17, I/O) not wholly unlike Zero Escape. It's a mushroom cloud of mystery! Featuring: Davi Tesnovich, Robert Fenner Note: We had to re-number our episodes several years after publishing. This was originally an un-numbered Bonus Round. Don't worry, you're not...

Retro Encounter sits down to talk about the Square classic: Xenogears. We discuss the Xeno-universe, whether Xenogears has aged well, symbolism, the puzzle-esque boss fights, the combat system as a whole and our overall impressions of the early portion of the game. Featuring: Josh Curry, Alana Hagues, Caitlin Argyros, Robert Fenner Note: We had to re-number our episodes several years after publish...

Retro Encounter finished The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask and is ready to break down our experiences. What was our favorite dungeon? Which one did we hate? Did we have a favorite mask? Were we crazy enough to try to collect all the masks? All will be revealed in the this exciting episode of Retro Encounter! Featuring: Josh Curry, Alana Hagues, Stephanie Sybydlo Note: We had to re-number our epis...

In this Bonus Round of Retro Encounter we talk about all things Persona 4. We share our favorite characters and moments, argue about whether we got frisky with a certain nurse and discuss the general impact Persona has had on the industry. Also, don't worry; there are at least a couple bear jokes in honor of Teddie. Featuring: Josh Curry, Chris Gebauer, Mike Sollosi Note: We had to re-number our e...

Retro Encounter embarks on a journey in The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask to beat the Skull Kid and his menacing moon. We discuss our history with Zelda, what makes Majora's Mask both special and different from the other games in the series and the plethora of upgrades to the 3DS port. Finally, there is plenty of talk surrounding the time mechanic and how that affects the experience. Featuring: J...

Retro Encounter is hit with a wave of nostalgia as we reminisce about the SNES. We talk about our favorite games, its effect on the gaming industry and how the US missed out on so many great games. We wrap up by giving suggestions to Josh on what games he should try. Featuring: Josh Curry, Mike Sollosi, Davi Tesnovich Note: We had to re-number our episodes several years after publishing. This was...

Retro Encounter finishes The World Ends With You but remains confused on some details of the story. In turn, we talk about the Reaper's Game and try to parse out how it came into being. However, the main thrust of the conversation focuses on the characters, their story arcs and how your partners aid in Neku's transformation. Featuring: Josh Curry, Mike Sollosi Note: We had to re-number our episode...

Retro Encounter traverses Tokyo in this episode in hopes of winning the Reapers' Game. We focus the discussion on The World Ends With You's combat system and our thoughts on the characters. We agree that Neku is unlikeable during the first couple days but will we ultimately find him to be endearing? Featuring: Josh Curry, Mike Sollosi Note: We had to re-number our episodes several years after publ...

Retro Encounter puts on our detective hats as we decipher the unexpected betrayals, surprise twists and multiple endings of NieR. This podcast heavily focuses on plot as we talk about the Emil's coming of age, Kaine's cycle of death and resurrection and our favorite moments, characters and bosses of NieR. Featuring: Josh Curry, Peter Triezenberg, Chris Gebauer, Alana Hagues Note: We had to re-numb...

Retro Encounter goes on an epic adventure to save our daughter and destroy the shades in the process. We discuss the combat, the crazy story, talking books and of course, Kaine's outfit. Featuring: Josh Curry, Peter Triezenberg, Chris Gebauer, Alana Hagues Note: We had to re-number our episodes several years after publishing. This was originally Episode 13-1. Don't worry, you're not missing anythi...

Retro Encounter discusses how Tetris revolutionized video games, won the Cold War and still had time to be the best RPG of all-time with its memorable characters and riveting plot. This is not an episode that you will want to miss!! Featuring: Josh Curry, Mike Sollosi, Peter Triezenberg, Marcos Gaspar, John Tucker Note: We had to re-number our episodes several years after publishing. This was orig...

Retro Encounter finds a refreshing experience in Juniper's Knot. We put away our swords and grinding attitudes to experience this emotional story of two individuals who find companionship in one another. We discuss how the story excels, our thoughts on the characters and of course that ending. Featuring: Josh Curry, Davi Tesnovich, Chris Gebauer, Marcos Gaspar Note: We had to re-number our episode...

Retro Encounter sifts through timelines and memories as we try to give a man his dying wish in To the Moon. We discuss the effectiveness of the narrative, if Johnny was a good person, and how sad the tragic tale of Johnny and River is. Featuring: Josh Curry, Davi Tesnovich, Mike Sollosi, Peter Triezenberg Note: We had to re-number our episodes several years after publishing. This was originally Ep...

Retro Encounter returns home only to find it empty. Listen as we discuss our experiences uncovering the mysteries in Gone Home. We have a spirited debate on the quality of the story, characters and method of storytelling. Ultimately, we examine the emotional resonance the game had on each of us. Featuring: Josh Curry, Davi Tesnovich, Chris Gebauer, Robert Fenner Note: We had to re-number our episo...

Retro Encounter finishes our quest to be Pokémon masters as we defeat the Elite Four and live to share our experiences. In this episode we talk about if babies are like Pokémon, what makes a good party and what our perfect Pokémon game would be. We wrap up the podcast by listening to Josh rant about amiibos. Featuring: Josh Curry, Mike Sollosi, Peter Triezenberg, Marcos Gaspar, Chris Gebauer Note:...

Retro Encounter plays every generation of Pokémon to get a thorough perspective of pocket monsters. We talk about our history with the series, how we pick a starter Pokémon, and whether a good offense is the best defense. Better yet, we answer what a Nuzlocke challenge is. Featuring: Josh Curry, Mike Sollosi, Peter Triezenberg, Marcos Gaspar, Chris Gebauer Note: We had to re-number our episodes se...

Retro Encounter answers all the hard questions as we record our final podcast of 2015. What is our favorite game covered by Retro Encounter? What do we want to be covered on the podcast in the future? What games do we think Retro Encounter will never play? Finally, what were some of our favorite games we played in 2015? Featuring: Josh Curry, Caitlin Argyros, Peter Triezenberg, Mike Sollosi, Davi...

Estelle is at it again. Retro Encounter is here to follow her on her travels as we discuss Estelle's character development, what is new and improved from the First Chapter and if Trails in the Sky Second Chapter supplies an ending with a proper resolution. We wrap up the show by talking about the newly released Trails of Cold Steel and what we expect from the game. Featuring: Josh Curry, Davi Tesn...

Parasite Eve closes with an interesting ending that demands we talk about what it means. There is a discussion on the end bosses and which we had the most difficulty with. We debate the value of playing games without guides before we end with questions about why there has never been a good Parasite Eve sequel and if cinematic RPGs are still viable in today's market. Featuring: Josh Curry, Caitlin...