RPGFan's Random Encounter

On this episode of Random Encounter, we're checking out the latest entries in two long-running and beloved series. First up, Matt is here to chat about the newest installment in the Castlevania series, Castlevania: Belmont's Curse . This is not just a direct sequel to 1989's Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse , but also the first real entry in the series in twelve years (eighteen if you only count t...

On this episode of Random Encounter, we're talking about one of the biggest gaming shows of the year! Every year, RPGFan covers the biggest RPGs and adventure games to come out of the Tokyo Game Show , but this year, we had a reporter on the floor! Matt Wardell was there to check out every booth he could, play every game they’d let him, and now he is here to give us the lowdown about his full expe...

On this episode of Random Encounter , we're talking about two of the biggest games out this fall. First up, The Blood of Dawnwalker is a long-awaited title from a new studio made up of many of the creators behind The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt . And while that CD Projekt Red DNA is all over this project, it does a ton of new things that push forward the genre of open-world RPGs. Zek absolutely loved it,...

On this episode of Random Encounter , we’re talking about the critically acclaimed MMORPG Final Fantasy XIV , with an expanded free trial which you can play through the entirety of A Realm Reborn … Yeah, we’re sure that you’ve heard the marketing meme before, but here at RPGFan, FFXIV is one of the most beloved RPGs of all time (At least, the 2.0 version. 1.0 was a notorious disaster). And now tha...

On this episode of Random Encounter , we're taking a figurative deep dive into some DLC and a remake of a classic game! First, Ben is following up on his glowing Pokémon Pokopia review with a look at the game's new DLC, Bubbly Basin . Just like in the base game, you play as a Ditto rebuilding society, but this time you're doing it under the sea! With a wealth of quality-of-life features, a new tow...

On this episode of Random Encounter , we poke Nintendo's lawyers with a stick. They don't notice. First up, we are exploring the latest entry in a long-running series of RPG-esque board games, Culdcept Begins ! This soft reboot of the series features a new graphical style and streamlined gameplay. But does its Monopoly -meets- Magic: The Gathering -style gameplay hit the board game nostalgic spot...

On this episode of Random Encounter, we're chatting about new DLC for a game that spent over a decade in development, and another title that feels like it should have been released a decade ago. First up, Audra is here to chat about Endless Ragnarok , the new DLC for the action RPG Granblue Fantasy: Relink . The base game was our "returning champion" on our most anticipated list from 2020 through...

On this episode of Random Encounter, we have a new chapter of a beloved game and a new release from a beloved studio! First up, Aleks is here to chat about the newly released fifth chapter of Deltarune . It sounds like we are going to be getting seven of them, so they are very much in the home stretch now! In this chapter, we see an excellent example of how Toby Fox has fun with video game genres...

On this week's Random Encounter, the 2026 Summer Game Fest season is officially upon us! For video game fans, mid-June is still basically early Christmas. Even though E3 is firmly in the history books, the nonstop gaming announcements haven't slowed down and, this year, there are a lot of presents under the tree for RPG fans! Our panel has been working overtime keeping up with all the major digita...

On this episode of Random Encounter, we're digging for some sweet, sweet caffeine! First up, Bob is here to chat about Yacht Club Games' newest title, Mina the Hollower . Yacht Club struck gold a decade ago with their retro side-scroller Shovel Knight and its various campaigns, but since then, they've apparently been on the bubble financially. Well, that doesn't seem to be a problem anymore becaus...

On this episode of Random Encounter, it's all about the aliens! First up, Directive 8020 . The latest game in Supermassive Games' The Dark Pictures Anthology series, 8020 brings choice-based horror movie vibes into space. Pulling from the classic horror sci-fi films The Thing and Alien , did this interactive space adventure have Paul hiding behind the couch? Then, Radical Fish Games, the maker of...

On this episode of Random Encounter, we're talking all about two older games that have recently been revitalized with new gameplay! First up, Starfield . When it was released in 2023, it was divisive, to put it mildly. Some said it was one of the best games ever, some said it was the worst game ever, but most greeted it with a disappointed "meh." Now, Bethesda has finally released the game on PS5,...

On this episode of Random Encounter, we're talking all about some of the RPGs and adventure games found at this year's PAX East! Originally known as the Penny Arcade Expo, both PAX East and West have become long-running institutions in the video game industry. This year, our fearless editor-in-chief braved the masses and delivered a ton of articles about the event! And we have him right here on Ra...

On this episode of Random Encounter, we talk about cars ramming one another and time travel. And no, for once, this isn't a Back to the Future reference (although it could be)! First up is Matt chatting about the big grand finale of the Life is Strange franchise, Life Is Strange: Reunion (although we're sure there will be another one coming out in a few years). After the disappointment of the prev...

On this episode of Random Encounter, it’s the end of the world as we know it, and Ditto feels fine! First up, Ben is here to chat about the latest Pokémon spin-off, Pokémon Pokopia . Man is dead, and the Pokémon rule. We don’t think that anyone expected that we’d get a post-apocalyptic Pokémon game, but it turns out that it may have been the delightful life sim we were all waiting for! Ben certain...

On this week's Random Encounter, we're talking about two new games that both take place on very different islands! First, Bob is here to chat about the standalone sequel to 2023's Paranormasight: The Seven Mysteries of Honjo , Paranormasight: The Mermaid's Curse . This visual novel brilliantly mixes real-world history with folklore to create a compelling tale with a tinge of 80s nostalgia (and a C...

On this week's Random Encounter, we're talking about two "old" games (though one is significantly older than the other)! First up, Audra is here to share her thoughts on Ys X: Proud Nordics . But wait, didn't Ys X: Nordics just release in 2024? Yes, it did! But now, an even more complete version is here! Is it worth the upgrade if you bought the original? And if you are a Ys fan who hasn't played...

On this week's Random Encounter, it's all about games featuring cause and effect! First up, Audra is here to chat with us about the time-travelling, Souls-like sequel to 2019's Code Vein : Code Vein II . Though it can occasionally feel like being trapped in a time loop while playing against a Souls-like boss, here the time travel is very literal as you travel back to the past to change the present...

In our first Random Encounter of 2026, we're taking a look back at 2025! While many would describe 2025 as a mixed bag (at best), there is no disputing that it was a banner year for video games. Not only did we finally get two of the most anticipated sequels of all time in Hollow Knight: Silksong and Hades II , but also brand-new original games like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 , Blue Prince , and...

In our final Random Encounter of 2025, it's time to take a look ahead to the biggest games of 2026! With the holidays in the rear view mirror, RPGFan is now building our annual most anticipated for the coming year feature. And there is no better way to wrap up 2025 than having the Random panel give everyone a preview of those titles we’re looking forward to as we wait for the calendar to turn. Fro...

On this week's Random Encounter, we're chatting about gaming's biggest night: The Game Awards 2025! But before we get to all the reveals (and actual awards, I guess), we want to talk to Zek about the new Octopath Traveler game that was just released, Octopath Traveler 0 ! This entry, adapted from the mobile-only gacha game Octopath Traveler: Champions of the Continent , turns a lot of the conventi...

On this week's Random Encounter, we're taking a look at two very different narrative adventures! Back in the 2010s, Telltale Games reinvented the point-and-click adventure game with The Walking Dead , introducing new multiple paths and lasting choices. Unfortunately, they spread themselves a little too thin, and the studio closed. Thankfully, many of those developers went off to create their own s...

On this week's Random Encounter, it's time to uncover some mysteries in two adventure games! The Séance of Blake Manor has been making waves the last few weeks as one of the best mystery deductive games of the last few years. From the same devs that created the adventure game series, The Darkside Detective , Blake Manor drops the point-and-click interface and moves into the first person! Did Caitl...

On this week's Random Encounter, we are looking at sequels both past and present! First up, Zach is here with his thoughts about the Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake . While DQ I could have done with a few fewer "enhancements," it sounds like the new expanded story and features have made DQ II into one of the best Dragon Quest games ever! And next, Zek is here to share his disappointment about...

On this week's Random Encounter, we are catching 'em all and beating 'em up! When Pokémon Legends: Arceus was released in 2022, it signalled a newer, more experimental type of Pokémon game. Now, Game Freak is back with Pokémon Legends: Z-A , the second entry in the Legends series. With a new real-time combat system, an urban environment, and giant Pokémon battles, Z-A looks like it promises everyt...