Panzer Dragoon Saga is gamingโs most well-hidden masterpiece. And while it is not necessarily cloaked in underground obscurity nor buried under obtuse design, playing it legitimately today requires a monetary devotion that is practically unachievable for all but the extremely wealthy, making it a raโฆ Read More »
There can only be one. Since time immemorial (May of 2019), Retro Encounter has held quiz shows to determine which Retro Encounter panelist knows the most about the subject we celebrate every day on our beloved website. Today, five former RPGFan quiz show winners duke it out in a trivia free-for-allโฆ Read More »
The release history of Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories is a somewhat long and strange one. Commercially overshadowed by its immediate predecessor and successor, it was initially released for the Game Boy Advance in 2004. After several years, the game got a remake in 3D for the PlayStation 2 as Kinโฆ Read More »
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 weโre 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 RPGโฆ Read More »
This edition of RPGs Coming This Week is, once again, for the visual novel enjoyers. And yet, I feel like now’s a good time for unversed folks to check it out. With everything going on lately, I know for sure I’d love a quiet evening reading an engrossing tale on my Nintendo Switch. If that sounds lโฆ Read More »
Itโs now par de course for ATLUS to release expanded follow-up releases of their titles, the first being Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 3: FES back in 2008. Nearly 20 years later, with almost as much of a mouthful of a title, we have been blessed with Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance. This version-1.5 gโฆ Read More »
When the lights go out after the show, what do you do when you get an unexpected encore? Stray Gods: Orpheus, a DLC follow-up to Stray Gods: The Roleplaying Musical, invites you to step into the shoes of the long-suffering Orpheus after the main game’s conclusion. Orpheus, idling during his eternityโฆ Read More »
In The Legend of Heroes: Trails through Daybreak, the blurry line between law and chaos is painted with shades of gray. You play as Van Arkride, a โsprigganโ taking on all types of jobs for people that fall between the cracks of society so long as they don’t overstep his honor code. Located in the Rโฆ Read More »
PlayStation IV: A New Hope The PlayStation 4 was a massively successful console, with incredible sales, an official lifespan of seven years, and game releases continuing to the present day. And moreso than its predecessor, the PS4 had a rich selection of RPGs. Today, four Retro Encounter panelists eโฆ Read More »
Claton Stevenson My first impressions of Grandia II was initially to cringe, particularly at the abrasive and often misogynistic sass coming out of main protagonist Ryudoโs mouth. Thankfully, though, Ryudo is quickly given opportunities to soften and grow, as the narrative reveals more about his lifโฆ Read More »
It’s 1997, and you just sat down in the computer room on a summer evening to relax and stay up late playing videogames without worrying about school. You boot up Riven and enter a dimly lit, expansive stone chamber, seemingly underground yet not cramped or claustrophobic. Intricate carvings extend aโฆ Read More »
Almost exactly a year ago, we published a fun episode on jazz and funk RPG music. Today we are back with a spiritual sequel, talking about jazz, funk, but especially city pop. All our tracks in this episode represent one or more of these genres, but all are excellent listens. So sit back and listenโฆ Read More »
Wizardry: Proving Grounds of the Mad Overlord turned me into a quivering wreck. Over this last week or so, the sheer thought of losing yet more brave adventurers to enemy blades, of being teleported to a distant part of a trap-laden dungeon, or of having to return to the safety of the surface with hโฆ Read More »
Would you rather choose dawn, or daybreak? This edition of RPGs Coming This Week dares to ask, “Why not both?” Also on the docket are two Chinese titles, including the latest free-to-play feast for the senses from industry giant HoYoverse. Join us as we roll out the red carpet for these blockbustersโฆ Read More »
Are you too cool for school? I’m certainly not, especially if it’s the magical school featured in today’s game of choice. Introducing Arcadia Fallen II, the standalone follow-up to 2021’s enchanting visual novel from Galdra Studios.
Chocoboโs Dungeon: The Board Game is a light cooperative board game that captures the feeling of the video game series through its charming visuals and dungeon-diving course of play. For those whose hearts have been foraged by this tenacious avian, Chocoboโs Dungeon is sure to scratch that chibi artโฆ Read More »
Beloved Rapture is a game I’ve been eagerly anticipating for quite some time since it is a throwback to classic, turn-based RPGs promising a narrative centered around bonds and LGBT undertones. Admittedly, what first drew me to Beloved Rapture is how pretty it looks and the developer’s descriptionsโฆ Read More »
Deep fried Retro! This week we get the panelists back together to chat about the second half of Grandia II. Listen in while we talk about late game changes in tone, how well the pacing holds up, and if Ryudo is still endlessly hilarious. Featuring: Zach Wilkerson, Ben Love, Claton Stevenson; Editedโฆ Read More »
Thunderful Gothenburg wowed me nearly a decade ago with their tightly-tuned turn-based strategy tile SteamWorld Heist. Taking a 2D side-scrolling approach to strategy proved to be a stroke of genius, relying on steady aim and careful positioning of your colorful cast of Steambots rather than behind-โฆ Read More »
We covered the reveal of Infinity Knights: Xross from Timesea Studio a couple weeks ago. This up-and-coming Australian studio is run by three brothers who grew up on video games and decided to harness that passion and knowledge to build their own action RPG. Infinity Knights: Xross aims to deliver sโฆ Read More »
Martial arts and the power of words combine in interactive anime-styled turn-based RPG Wander Stars! Step into the role of aspiring martial artist Ringo as she reluctantly joins forces with the enigmatic and somewhat shady Wolfe in a star system-spanning adventure to find the pieces of the mythic Waโฆ Read More »
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 Switchโฆ Read More »
In this edition of RPGs Coming This Week: visual novels! We have multiple high-profile VNs launching in quick succession this week, plus an adventure game that (literally) hits close to home. I’m excited. You’re excited. Let’s check them out! Until Then โ June 25th (PS5, Windows, Linux) Now here’s sโฆ Read More »
Ever since Pokรฉmon came onto the scene in the mid-90s, monster-collecting RPGs have been a mainstay subgenre. A surge of similar games hit the market in that era, most adopting a similar turn-based RPG format. While most major publishers have abandoned experimenting with the subgenre outside of a haโฆ Read More »
When people think of the “cozy RPG” subgenre, a prime example that comes to mind is Stardew Valley. With its happy blend of farming, community building, and exploration, Stardew Valley has amassed a strong and loyal following. Carbon & Kay’s debut title, Little-Known Galaxy, is best described asโฆ Read More »
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