Podcast Archives

Random Encounter 329 – Come to the RPGFan Bazaar!

Posted by Jonathan Logan on August 25, 2025

On this week’s Random Encounter, let’s head to the bazaar and see what the RPGFan stall has in stock! First up, Niki is here to chat about Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar. Harvest Moon DS: Grand Bazaar was a beloved entry in this long-running series on the Nintendo DS. Does this remake (with some upd… Read More »

Rhythm Encounter 164 – Sean Schafianski: The Sequel

Posted by Mike Salbato on August 18, 2025

It’s been almost exactly 11 years to the day since we last welcomed video game arranger, producer, and saxophonist Sean Schafianski onto Rhythm Encounter, so it’s long past time we had him on again! With a string of excellent new arrangement albums throughout last year and this year, there’s so much… Read More »

Retro Encounter 466 – RPG Confessional IV

Posted by Zach Wilkerson on August 14, 2025

What about podcasts? You guys got any podcasts? In this week’s episode of Retro Encounter, the host re-opens the RPG confessional, a place where we admit to series that we’ve never played before, much to our shame. Don’t worry, though, we’re just here to encourage our friends to play good stuff! Who… Read More »

Random Encounter 328 – The Phantom X Menace

Posted by Jonathan Logan on August 11, 2025

On this week’s Random Encounter, we’re discussing a mobile-based gacha spinoff of a beloved JRPG and a Wii U classic that has finally made its way to a modern console! Persona 5 has more than its share of spinoffs, including Persona 5 Royal, Persona 5 Strikers, Persona 5: Dancing in Starlight, and P… Read More »

Rhythm Encounter 163 – Princes, Expeditions, Dating, the 1980s, and More

Posted by Mike Salbato on August 4, 2025

Call it spring, some spring and some summer, or the most accurate but boring moniker, “Q2 2025,” but the second quarter of this year saw the release of some VERY musically important titles in RPGFan’s coverage. While Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 looms over everything in the RPG space for this time pe… Read More »

Retro Encounter 465 – Breath of Fire II Part II

Posted by Zach Wilkerson on July 31, 2025

You’ve got to jump into the podcast! This week on Retro Encounter, the panel is back to dig into the story-heavy second half of Breath of Fire II. Who can’t stand the solo sections? Just how long can a final dungeon be? Is this the first time we killed God? Listen in to find out! Featuring: Zach Wil… Read More »

Random Encounter 327 – My Kingdom for a Horse (Girl Game)

Posted by Jonathan Logan on July 21, 2025

On this week’s Random Encounter, we’re playing an updated classic, a spin-off of a modern classic, and talking about the weirdest game I have heard of in a long time! First up, Mark is taking off his nostalgia goggles to give the recent remaster of the CRPG classic Neverwinter Nights 2 an updated lo… Read More »

Rhythm Encounter 162 – A Very Nintendo Summer

Posted by Mike Salbato on July 20, 2025

The Switch 2 is here! Is what we would have opened with had this episode gone up on time. Still, Nintendo’s latest is the newest console on the market and it’s doing pretty well, so we gathered up some fans of Nintendo music for this one. To try something new and to celebrate a wider range of Ninten… Read More »

Retro Encounter 464 – Breath of Fire II Part I

Posted by Zach Wilkerson on July 17, 2025

It is podcasts. On this week’s episode, two old veterans and one newcomer dive into the 1995 SNES RPG Breath of Fire II. A game known for its brutal grind and maybe even more brutal localization, some of the panelists still have a soft spot for it all these years later. Is the localization really th… Read More »

Rhythm Encounter 161 – Mobile RPG Music Medley

Posted by Mike Salbato on July 7, 2025

Say what you want about your average mobile game, but there are a growing number of great RPGs you can play on your phone. Sure, some have hostile gacha mechanics, and many of the best get shut down eventually, but the care, budget, attention, and talent that goes into some mobile RPG soundtracks is… Read More »

Retro Encounter 463 – Fallout: New Vegas Part II

Posted by Zach Wilkerson on July 3, 2025

You hear that? Richie Marcus likes Retro Encounter! In today’s episode, the panel gets back together to discuss the second half of Fallout: New Vegas. Our conversation covers The Strip, the endgame, the DLC, and of course, Richie Marcus. Does The Strip live up to its name? Which ending did we pick?… Read More »

Random Encounter 326 – Back to Business as Usual

Posted by Jonathan Logan on June 30, 2025

On this week’s Random Encounter, we’re back to business as usual! Not-E3 and the release of the Switch 2 hit us like a hammer. But now that things have finally settled down, it’s time to chat about some games! First up, Aleks gets a chance to talk up the long-awaited Chapters 3+4 of Toby Fox’s follo… Read More »

Rhythm Encounter 160 – Foliage Ocean: The Second Story

Posted by Mike Salbato on June 23, 2025

It’s been nearly nine years since we published our first episode about RPG forest music, so it is high time we revisited the topic! Forest music comes in several varieties, from contemplative to mysterious, upbeat to foreboding, and many more. Today’s long-awaited episode covers RPG music with a rea… Read More »

Retro Encounter 462 – Deus Ex RetroSpective

Posted by Jonathan Logan on June 19, 2025

We always love to celebrate birthdays here at Retro Encounter, and one of our all-time favourite RPGs/immersive sims has a big one coming up! Deus Ex is turning 25 years old! In honour of this momentous occasion, we’ve assembled a panel of fans to chat about each entry in the series. Whether you’re… Read More »

Random Encounter 325 – Time for a Switch 2!

Posted by Jonathan Logan on June 16, 2025

On this week’s Random Encounter, we’ve finally recovered from Not-E3, so now it’s time to talk about the Switch 2! Nintendo’s long-awaited follow-up to the Switch has finally released and, surprise, it’s still the Switch! The Nintendo Switch 2 is burning up the sales charts and already consuming cou… Read More »

Random Encounter 324 – Not-E3 2025 Extravaganza!

Posted by Jonathan Logan on June 9, 2025

On this week’s Random Encounter, the Summer Game Fest (AKA Not-E3) season is officially upon us! For video game fans, this period is like early Christmas. With nonstop gaming announcements, there is something for everyone! This week, our panel has been working hard keeping up with all the major even… Read More »

Retro Encounter 461 – Fallout: New Vegas Part I

Posted by Zach Wilkerson on June 5, 2025

You know, I tried to measure my charisma on Retro Encounter once. The microphone burst into flames. On this week’s episode of Retro Encounter, we’re chatting about the opening hours of the 2010 Obsidian classic Fallout: New Vegas. Can the host finally get his head around a WRPG? Do any of us actuall… Read More »

Random Encounter 323 – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Spoilercast

Posted by Zach Wilkerson on May 26, 2025

On this week’s episode of Random Encounter, we’re doing a deep dive into the game everyone is talking about: Sandfall Interactive’s Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. In this lengthy, full-blown spoilercast, we chat about the beautiful music, the combat, the story, and argue about who loves Esquie the mos… Read More »

Retro Encounter 460 – Top 10 90s RPGs

Posted by Zach Wilkerson on May 22, 2025

This podcast are sick. This week on Retro Encounter, we do the impossible: try to create a top 10 list for 90s RPGs. Does the best game finish at the top? Do we have anything except JRPGs on our list? Did we leave out your favorites? Listen in to find out! Featuring: Zach Wilkerson, Aleks Franiczek,… Read More »

Retro Encounter 459 – Suikoden II Revisited

Posted by Zach Wilkerson on May 8, 2025

Listeners. Do you want…our podcast? On this week’s episode of Retro Encounter, four of our panelists take a deep dive into Suikoden II. Who defends Jowy? Is Shu still be the best? How much Neclord hate can the host take? Listen in to find out! Featuring: Zach Wilkerson, Paul Dennis, Aleks Franicze… Read More »

Random Encounter 322 – Clairly Oblivious

Posted by Jonathan Logan on May 5, 2025

On this episode of Random Encounter, we’re looking at a stylish upcoming turn-based RPG and a remaster of a sprawling open-world classic! First, Zek is here to discuss Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, a game that might end up being his favorite JRPG of this generation. This stylish title is capturing at… Read More »

Rhythm Encounter 159 – Press Start Again: More RPG Title Screen Music

Posted by Mike Salbato on April 28, 2025

RPG title screens bear a heavy burden. They’re one of the first things we see in a game, making them one of the best places to leave a strong first impression. And often, a key component of that is the music. Several years ago, we highlighted eight standout title screen tracks in episode 71, and tod… Read More »

Retro Encounter 458 – Suikoden Revisited

Posted by Zach Wilkerson on April 24, 2025

All of this podcasting in front of a children. In this week’s episode of Retro Encounter, four enthusiastic series veterans and one newbie get together to discuss the original Suikoden to celebrate the recent remaster. Does the game still hold up? Can we stop ourselves from talking about the series… Read More »

Random Encounter 321 – Lunar Eternal Blue Prince

Posted by Jonathan Logan on April 21, 2025

On this episode of Random Encounter, we’re looking at a new classic puzzle-adventure game and a packaged duo of some of the best RPGs ever released on the PSX! First, Gio and Tin are here to give us a walk-through tour of Blue Prince, the hit rogue-lite puzzle adventurer. This game came out of nowhe… Read More »

Retro Encounter 457 – BioWare Draft

Posted by Wes Iliff on April 10, 2025

It doesn’t matter how many draft picks get stolen. We will hold the line! Oh yes, it’s time for another draft episode! This time around, we’re drafting from some of BioWare’s most celebrated games…alongside one or two that are a bit less celebrated. Who will steal Garrus before anyone else? How many… Read More »

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