Podcast Archives | Page 2 of 28

Rhythm Encounter 146 – Spooky Edition 2024

Posted by Mike Salbato on October 21, 2024

Somehow it’s been four years since Rhythm Encounter’s last Halloween episode, back in 2020’s episode 56. Well, it’s time we rectified that. A sequel to that episode and a spiritual successor to our previous episode about the works of Michiru Yamane, our panel dug into our gaming experiences to find… Read More »

Retro Encounter 439 – Kingdom Hearts II Part I

Posted by Michael Sollosi on October 17, 2024

In the night I hear ’em talk / The coldest story ever told Kingdom Hearts II, one of the most celebrated sequels in the Square Enix catalog, finally gets an episode (the first of two!) on Retro Encounter. Within, we discuss the game’s dynamic combat, the earnestly made Disney worlds, and plenty abou… Read More »

Random Encounter 307 – Social Links to the Past

Posted by Jonathan Logan on October 14, 2024

On this episode of Random Encounter, two first-timers are joining us to chat about two of the year’s biggest games! First up, Zek is joined by Zach to rave about Atlus’ latest RPG, Metaphor: ReFantazio. Known for the Shin Megami Tensei and Persona series, Metaphor offers a brand-new world full of al… Read More »

Retro Encounter 438 – Vanillaware Encounter

Posted by Wes Iliff on October 10, 2024

The Leifthrasir Hand of Darkness When Ogre Battle retreats to the shadows, who keeps the beacons lit? When Princess Crown fails to draw an audience, who picks up the bag and keeps marching? When Japan shows a lack of interest in Starcraft, who ties the series to a tower defense game and a visual nov… Read More »

Rhythm Encounter 145 – Nocturnes & Counterpoint: Michiru Yamane

Posted by Mike Salbato on October 7, 2024

We are at the beginning of “spooky season,” and while this isn’t (yet) our Halloween episode, October is a fine time to shine a spotlight on composer Michiru Yamane, known in our parts for her excellent work on the Castlevania and Suikoden series. That means some games you may expect, but definitely… Read More »

Retro Encounter 437 — Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker

Posted by Zach Wilkerson on October 3, 2024

And amidst deepest despair, Retro Encounter everlasting. In honor of the recent release of Final Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail, we decided to get a few of our biggest XIV fans together to discuss the previous expansion, Endwalker. As the end of the Hydaelyn/Zodiark arc that dominated the first decade or so… Read More »

Random Encounter 306 – Compiling the Compilations

Posted by Jonathan Logan on September 30, 2024

On this episode of Random Encounter, it’s time to chat about some recent game compilations! Game compilations are not only a fantastic way to re-experience older games, but they also offer excellent value for your money! Even if the games are a little old, you’re still getting multiple games for the… Read More »

Retro Encounter 436 – Day of the Tentacle

Posted by Michael Sollosi on September 26, 2024

What possible harm could an insane, mutant tentacle do? Day of the Tentacle was a tentpole release in LucasArts’s excellent run of classic adventure games from the late 1980s through the late 1990s, and its very specific dialog, puzzle logic, and sense of humor made it a cult classic. But how… Read More »

Rhythm Encounter 144 – Inspiring RPGs FTW

Posted by Mike Salbato on September 23, 2024

There are countless reasons we play and love RPGs, and often those that become our favorites have powerful stories and characters. But pitting your party against often overwhelming odds requires inspirational music for the optimal effect. In this episode we share both music and RPGs that have inspir… Read More »

Retro Encounter 435 – The Case of the Golden Idol

Posted by Michael Sollosi on September 19, 2024

One more thing, there are a couple of loose ends I’d like to tie up. Nothing important, you understand. The Case of the Golden Idol made a splash in 2022, with its compelling murder mysteries, political intrigue, and puzzle adventure gameplay. It also has a decidedly retro look to it, so naturally a… Read More »

Random Encounter 305 – Random Book Club – Legends of Localization Book 3: Undertale

Posted by Jonathan Logan on September 16, 2024

On this episode of Random Encounter, Jono and Hilary geek out over a fantastic book focusing on the localization of beloved indie RPG, Undertale. Video game localizations have come a long way since the days of spoony bards. When we usually think about game localization, we think Japanese to English.… Read More »

Retro Encounter 434 – Firewatch

Posted by Michael Sollosi on September 12, 2024

We didn’t start the fire Firewatch is the only release of indie game studio Campo Santo, but made quite an impact when it came out in 2016. Four Retro Encounter panelists played Firewatch recently, and today discuss everything from Firewatch’s quotidian gameplay, clever use of anticlimax, and fabulo… Read More »

Rhythm Encounter 143 – Lo-fi for RPG Fans (Only)

Posted by Mike Salbato on September 9, 2024

With fall (or autumn, if you prefer) around the corner for many of us, it feels like a good time for relaxing music. While we did a pair of episodes focused on relaxing RPG music about four years ago (see Episode 54 and Episode 55), this time, RPGFan’s biggest lo-fi fans got together to listen and c… Read More »

Retro Encounter 433 – Draft Souls

Posted by Michael Sollosi on September 7, 2024

The Dark Souls of Retro Encounter fantasy drafts FromSoftware has produced an excellent run of fantasy RPGs since 2009’s Demon’s Souls, to which point its extended family of action RPGs comprises a genre all its own. And of course, if you can organize RPGs into a series, then Retro Encounter w… Read More »

Random Encounter 304 – Czar of Mana

Posted by Jonathan Logan on September 2, 2024

On this episode of Random Encounter, we’re talking politics! Well, no, not really, but there are some jokes about politics in here… First up, Izzy has played the first new Mana game since 2020’s Trials of Mana remake, Visions of Mana! With spiky hair, lush landscapes, and real-time RPG action, it’… Read More »

Retro Encounter 432 – Dragon Age: Inquisition Part II

Posted by Michael Sollosi on August 29, 2024

Trespassers will be contemplated Retro Encounter concludes its eight-month-long playthrough of the Dragon Age trilogy, with a discussion of what’s wrong with the Grey Wardens, what’s worse in the Winter Palace, and much more. Dragon Age: Inquisition was a phenomenon in 2014, and the panel is excited… Read More »

Rhythm Encounter 142 – Seize the Artifact For Tallness

Posted by Mike Salbato on August 26, 2024

So many of our beloved RPG soundtracks are filled with great music, and often have songs named in the same dramatic flair as the games and their narratives. And then sometimes, we find great tracks in our RPGs with names like “No No I don’t die Noooo!” or “Rouen ‘But-dad-dead-bed’,” and those are th… Read More »

Retro Encounter 431 – Dragon Age: Inquisition Part I

Posted by Michael Sollosi on August 22, 2024

An Inquisition that everyone saw coming. Retro Encounter played the first two Dragon Age games in the last nine months, so naturally there would come the time to finish the fight. Dragon Age: Inquisition escalates and expands the conflicts and concepts of the first two Dragon Age games, from t… Read More »

Random Encounter 303 – Anthropomorphic Crime Fighting

Posted by Jonathan Logan on August 19, 2024

On this episode of Random Encounter, we’re chatting about some of video game history’s most prolific anthropomorphic animal crimefighters! First up, Jono binge-plays the brand-new remaster of the third season of Telltale Games’ Sam & Max series: The Devil’s Playhouse. Lovingly remastered by Skun… Read More »

Retro Encounter 430 – DLC Encounter

Posted by Michael Sollosi on August 15, 2024

This episode free with the Podcast of the Year edition Downloadable content used to be a video game luxury, but in 2024 it’s an inevitability. But while day-one patches, frivolous additions, and pay-to-win models are frustrating or bad, sometimes an RPG’s extra content is worth your time and hard dr… Read More »

Rhythm Encounter 141 – Best PSP RPG Music

Posted by Mike Salbato on August 12, 2024

Part two of our handheld RPG music celebration continues — and concludes — today! Last time, we brought you some of our favorite tracks from Nintendo DS RPGs, and this time we talk about the DS’ competition, the Sony PSP. The PSP was a haven for RPGs, especially considering its support of playing PS… Read More »

Retro Encounter 429 – Final Fantasy Series Tier List

Posted by Michael Sollosi on August 8, 2024

A, B, C, D, FF3 / Feels like a mid-rank to me Very few podcast, article, or video topics on the internet get folks more enthusiastic or more up in arms than tiers, lists, or a combination thereof. On today’s emotional episode of Retro Encounter, four panelists play a fantasy-draft style game to plac… Read More »

Random Encounter 302 – A Trip to Steamy London Town

Posted by Jonathan Logan on August 5, 2024

On this episode of Random Encounter, we’re chatting about heisting steam-powered robots and the foggiest post-apocalyptic city you’ve ever seen. First up, Ben embraces his inner robot pirate with the sequel to 2015’s TRPG, SteamWorld Heist, SteamWorld Heist II. The latest entry in the multi-genre St… Read More »

Retro Encounter 428: Undertale Revisited

Posted by Zach Wilkerson on August 1, 2024

Despite everything, it’s still Retro Encounter. Over six years ago, we got together to chat about the instant indie class, Undertale. But, Undertale’s staying power is so strong that we decided to get together and chat about it again, this time with an all new panel. Is Papyrus still delightful ever… Read More »

Rhythm Encounter 140 – Best Nintendo DS RPG Music

Posted by Mike Salbato on July 31, 2024

It’s a handheld celebration! We had so much fun with our Game Boy Advance music episode last fall, we’re back for two more handheld episodes, starting with the Nintendo DS! Nintendo’s little experimental handheld made waves upon its announcement, and once the dust settled on many gimmicky titles, so… Read More »

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