Podcast Archives

Retro Encounter 481 – Best Final Bosses

Posted by Zach Wilkerson on March 12, 2026

The only thing we can believe in, with absolute certainty, is Retro Encounter, Jack. This week on Retro Encounter, we chat about bosses. But not just any bosses–no, we talk about final bosses. They’re supposed to be a final challenge, but are they always? Do we even want a challenge at the end? How… Read More »

Random Encounter 342 – Adventure Islands!

Posted by Jonathan Logan on March 2, 2026

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 r… Read More »

Retro Encounter 480 – Fire Emblem: The Blazing Blade Part II

Posted by Zach Wilkerson on February 26, 2026

…wrong. I am a podcast. This week on Retro Encounter we dive into the second half of Fire Emblem: The Blazing Blade. How much of the story do we actually get to experience? How much do we enjoy the late game maps? What are our favorite support conversations? Listen in to find out! Featuring: Zach… Read More »

Random Encounter 341 – Proud RPGFans

Posted by Jonathan Logan on February 16, 2026

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 h… Read More »

Retro Encounter 479 – Fire Emblem: The Blazing Blade Part I

Posted by Zach Wilkerson on February 12, 2026

For years, I’ve podcasted. Now, let those podcasts show their worth! This week on Retro Encounter we’re discussing the first half of the first game localized to the West of that most famous SRPG series: Fire Emblem: The Blazing Blade. Does the host jive with the squares and the RNG? Do we even disc… Read More »

Random Encounter 340 – Cause and Effect

Posted by Jonathan Logan on February 3, 2026

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-li… Read More »

Retro Encounter 478 – RPGs That Deserve a Perfect Score

Posted by Zach Wilkerson on January 29, 2026

On this week’s episode of Retro Encounter, we discuss something that has only been awarded once at RPGFan: a perfect score. So, each panelist brings on one game they think deserves a perfect score and defend it against the panel. But there can be only one! Who will be our winner? Listen in to find o… Read More »

Random Encounter 339 – 2025 Year in Review

Posted by Zach Wilkerson on January 19, 2026

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 an… Read More »

Retro Encounter 477 – 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim Part II

Posted by Zach Wilkerson on January 15, 2026

I love you, and that’s why I gotta listen to Retro Encounter. On this week’s episode of Retro Encounter, we chat about the twisty, turny second half of 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim. Do all the plot points land? Who was our favorite character? Is there actually a reason they’re naked in the Sentinels? Lis… Read More »

Rhythm Encounter 174 – Music of the Year 2025

Posted by Mike Salbato on January 13, 2026

Well hello there, and yes, it is time for a super-sized episode of Rhythm Encounter to celebrate many of the excellent RPG soundtracks, arrangements, and more from 2025. That’s right, it’s Music of the Year 2025 time! With four panelists who each brought on three songs, this is certainly our longest… Read More »

Retro Encounter 476 – 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim Part I

Posted by Zach Wilkerson on January 8, 2026

I don’t trust much in this post-war world, but if there’s one exception, it’s my Retro Encounter. On this week’s episode of Retro Encounter, we’re jumping through time and getting inside our mechs in the first half of Vanillaware’s 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim. We talk about our first impressions of the… Read More »

Rhythm Encounter 173 – Investigating Fall Music

Posted by Mike Salbato on January 5, 2026

Given the monumental releases throughout most of 2025, it would be easy to think we saw the best of what last year had to offer by September. But nay! The last quarter of 2025 graced us with many excellent releases, and today we discuss a couple of arrangement albums worth your time, plus four brand… Read More »

Random Encounter 338 – RPGFan’s Most Anticipated Games of 2026

Posted by Jonathan Logan on December 29, 2025

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… Read More »

Rhythm Encounter 172 – Happy Jólabókaflóðið!

Posted by Hilary Andreff on December 22, 2025

We’re getting festive today on Rhythm Encounter, but maybe not in the way you’d expect. It’s the end of year holiday season, and we are taking inspiration from a holiday that celebrates another thing I like as much as video game music: books! Jólabókaflóðið — which roughly translates to “Christmas b… Read More »

Retro Encounter 475 – 1995 Year in Review

Posted by Zach Wilkerson on December 18, 2025

I sure hope this episode isn’t BadBad. On this week’s episode of Retro Encounter, we cover the most interesting RPGs of the year, but this time, we flash it back to 1995. We discuss design decisions, varying localization quality, and those insane encounter rates. Does someone bring on a really bad R… Read More »

Rhythm Encounter 171 – Une Vie À Musique

Posted by Mike Salbato on December 10, 2025

Well we finally did it: An episode all about one of this generation’s most stunning soundtracks, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. We talk about the beauty, the melancholy, the cellos, the feelings, and really, the feelings that Lorien Testard and Alice Duport-Percier evoke every time we play the game or… Read More »

Random Encounter 337 – Merry Game Awards 2025!

Posted by Jonathan Logan on December 8, 2025

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… Read More »

Retro Encounter 474 – Dragon Quest Tier List

Posted by Zach Wilkerson on December 4, 2025

I hope there is something really amazing on top. If we don’t find Dragon Quest V, it is all your fault. This week on Retro Encounter, we undertake a difficult endeavor yet again: making a tier list of one of the most popular RPG franchises. This time, it’s Dragon Quest! Do things get heated? Who rea… Read More »

Random Encounter 336 – Farewell, My Beloved Superheroes

Posted by Jonathan Logan on December 1, 2025

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 t… Read More »

Rhythm Encounter 170 – Elements of the Rhythm Nation

Posted by Mike Salbato on November 25, 2025

In the distant past of 2021, our panel on Rhythm Encounter 74 chose songs based around eight elements of their choosing. Today we follow up on this elemental idea, but focused on four core elements of water, earth, fire, and air. With each element represented by two people, we compare and contrast e… Read More »

Retro Encounter 473 – Obsidian Encounter

Posted by Aleks Franiczek on November 20, 2025

Who is the greatest Western RPG developer? [Intelligence] “Obsidian” [Lie] “Not Obsidian” This week on Retro Encounter, we’re discussing the legendary history and output of Obsidian Entertainment. Four Obsidian-heads form a party and break down the developer’s different eras, from their beginnings a… Read More »

Random Encounter 335 – To the “Manor” Born

Posted by Jonathan Logan on November 17, 2025

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 De… Read More »

Rhythm Encounter 169 – Electro-Bangers Galore!

Posted by Mike Salbato on November 10, 2025

Throughout the planning for this episode, we jokingly used the term “Electro-Bangers,” with credit to panelist Rob White, knowing full well we wouldn’t use it in the end. But then we figured… why not? This episode is full of excellent electronic music and they are all bangers, so there you have it… Read More »

Retro Encounter 472 – Final Fantasy Tactics Revisited

Posted by Zach Wilkerson on November 6, 2025

What we need is Retro Encounter and a way to listen. On this week’s episode of Retro Encounter, we revisit one of the host’s favorites: Final Fantasy Tactics. Three veterans and one newcomer discuss the job system, combat, death sounds, and that excellent story. How does the new version stack up to… Read More »

Random Encounter 334 – A Swing and a Hit, A Swing and a Miss

Posted by Jonathan Logan on November 3, 2025

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 in… Read More »

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