Podcast Archives | Page 5 of 23

Retro Encounter 341 – Final Fantasy XIII Part II

Posted by Michael Sollosi on September 3, 2022

How clear is Final Fantasy XIII’s story? Not exactly Crystal. Final Fantasy XIII has a wild ride to the finish, and three Retro Encounter panelists cap off their personal experiences playing it by reacting to FF XIII’s remarkable design changes, confusing character motivations, and beautiful i… Read More »

Rhythm Encounter 91 – At Least the Music is Great

Posted by Mike Salbato on August 29, 2022

On Rhythm Encounter, we enjoy discussing games and music we love, but sometimes excellent RPG music comes from unlikely places. Our panelists’ challenge this time around was to find games that generally don’t make it to any “best of” lists, whether based on our personal preferences or a wider critic… Read More »

Retro Encounter 340 – Final Fantasy XIII Part I

Posted by Michael Sollosi on August 25, 2022

Thunderbolts and Lightning / Very very frightening Final Fantasy XIII, one of the most divisive games in the world’s most popular Japanese RPG series, is certainly old enough to be considered Retro, but its style and tone are anything but. Our panelists are one FF XIII veteran, one FF XIII neophyte,… Read More »

Random Encounter 249 – RPGFan is A-OFK

Posted by Jonathan Logan on August 22, 2022

On this episode of Random Encounter, we’re going virtual! First, Caitlin examines the origins of a virtual band in the music biopic game, We Are OFK. Then, Brian steps into a virtual fantasy world in one of the only full-scale JRPGs available on VR platforms, RuinsMagus. And finally, Jono… Read More »

Retro Encounter 339 – Story vs. Gameplay

Posted by Michael Sollosi on August 18, 2022

What’s the story, RPGFan? Do you think it’s worth a look? It seems kinda familiar, like a story from a book. RPGs and adventure games very often have an outsize focus on storytelling, in part because so many of them are about a group of characters growing and changing over the course of their… Read More »

Rhythm Encounter 90 – Tropical Tunes

Posted by Mike Salbato on August 15, 2022

As the summer heat goes on for many of us, what’s a better way to chill out than with a cold drink? A cold drink AND an episode of Rhythm Encounter packed full of summer-y tropical music! Today we sail the seas, spend time in port, and visit an oasis, island, and even an archipelago, with music span… Read More »

Retro Encounter 338 – Three Truths and a Lie Part II

Posted by Michael Sollosi on August 11, 2022

Don’t ask me no questions, and I won’t tell you no lies. We here at Retro Encounter love talking about video games, but decided to spend this episode getting to know each other a little better. In a sequel to a 2020 episode, four RPGFan panelists play a game in which they try to tell fact from… Read More »

Random Encounter 248 – Switch RPG Roundup!

Posted by Jonathan Logan on August 8, 2022

On this episode of Random Encounter, we’re going handheld with two highly anticipated RPGs for the Nintendo Switch… First, Izzy digs into the HD-2D remake of the classic Super Famicom/Super Nintendo RPG, LIVE A LIVE. Now, not only do Western audiences FINALLY learn how the title is pronounced, but w… Read More »

Retro Encounter 337 – Tales of Xillia Part II

Posted by Michael Sollosi on August 4, 2022

Hey Jude, don’t make it bad / Take a spirit, and make her better / Remember to let her into your heart / Then you can start to save the planet. Three RPGFan staff played through Tales of Xillia in July 2022, and left Rieze Maxia and Elympios feeling satisfied. By game’s end, the panelists were… Read More »

Rhythm Encounter 89 – The Road SNES Traveled

Posted by Hilary Andreff on August 1, 2022

Look out, you podcasters! It’s an extended ROBERT FROST REFERENCE. But at least it describes this episode. Several games in an afternoon,And sorry I could not play them allAnd be one gamer, long I pausedAnd stared one down, to start it soonNoting its lauded soundtrack’s call; Then took the other, mu… Read More »

Random Encounter 247 – Random Book Club – The Art of Point-and-Click Adventure Games

Posted by Jonathan Logan on July 25, 2022

On this episode of Random Encounter, it’s Random Book Club time! Do you know what we love almost as much as video games? Books ABOUT video games! Bitmap Books just released their third edition of The Art of Point-and-Click Adventure Games, and Hilary got an exclusive first look at this incredible vo… Read More »

Retro Encounter 336 – Tales of Xillia Part I

Posted by Michael Sollosi on July 21, 2022

We’re all doing our best, but there is always room for Progress Tales of Xillia made a big splash on the PS3 in the early 2010s, with beautifully-rendered characters and frenetic combat. The usual Tales Of standards are here, from a climate crisis connected to Mana Spirits to cumbersomely-named batt… Read More »

Rhythm Encounter 88 – Square Dance

Posted by Mike Salbato on July 18, 2022

You don’t need to couple up for this square dance, since today we talk about strategy RPG music. Strategy RPGs don’t always set their battles on a square-based grid, but since there’s only so many that use circles, hexagons, and other non-square shapes, we felt the name was apt. Our four panelists b… Read More »

Retro Encounter 335 – Gaming Accessibility

Posted by Hilary Andreff on July 15, 2022

Did you know that RPGs, especially more traditional text-based RPGs, are generally considered to be among the more accessible videogame types? And that’s a wonderful distinction, because accessibility means that the greatest possible number of players can actually play and enjoy it. Join our intrepi… Read More »

Random Encounter 246 – The Sun Also (Monster Hunter) Rises

Posted by Jonathan Logan on July 11, 2022

On this episode of Random Encounter, we’re talking about the joy of hunting monsters! First, the panel chats about the RPGs and adventure games that caught their attention in the highly-anticipated June Nintendo Direct. Then, Jono gives Dom and Des a chance to geek out at length about the new expans… Read More »

Retro Encounter 334 – RPGFan Quiz Show: Gaiden

Posted by Michael Sollosi on July 7, 2022

The chase is on in our pointless quiz show! Retro Encounter engages in friently competition for the fifth time, with four RPGFan staff members taking on the quizmaster’s queue of questions. This quiz is a slightly different format from previous shows, with the four contestants playing simultaneously… Read More »

Rhythm Encounter 87 – Lunar Encounter

Posted by Mike Salbato on July 4, 2022

If you know your RPGFan history very well, you’ll know that when we started in 1997, we started under the name of LunarNET. While we didn’t exclusively cover Lunar, the love of this series and Grandia (also from Game Arts) was essential to our founding. Since the SegaCD version of Lunar: The Silver… Read More »

Retro Encounter 333 – Suikoden I Part II

Posted by Michael Sollosi on June 30, 2022

Young master… listen to this episode. That is my first… and last… request. Determined duels! Shocking departures! Sudden but inevitable betrayal! The second half of Suikoden the first is not lacking in drama, and four Retro Encounter panelists relish it, whether they’re experiencing it for the… Read More »

Random Encounter 245 – Sequels and the RPGFans Who Love Them

Posted by Jonathan Logan on June 27, 2022

On this episode of Random Encounter, we’re talking about sequels and demos! Zach chats about his time with AI: The Somnium Files – nirvanA Initiative, the new sequel to the beloved “mystery box” game. Mike shares some of his favorite RPG and adventure game demos from the 2022 Steam Next Fest. And th… Read More »

Retro Encounter 332 – Suikoden I Part I

Posted by Michael Sollosi on June 23, 2022

Odessa told me: “A talkative man who doesn’t have a podcast is a coward.” One of the very first RPGs on the PlayStation, Suikoden created a legion of new fans in 1995, spawning nearly a dozen sequels and spinoffs over the next decade-plus. Retro Encounter has discussed multiple Suikoden sequels in o… Read More »

Rhythm Encounter 86 – RPG Music from the Future

Posted by Hilary Andreff on June 20, 2022

I am here in the present with a podcast recorded in the not-too-distant past because we all had an urgent need to discuss SONGS FROM THE FUTURE. Not really sure what sort of fate we’re trying to promote or avoid by bringing you these tunes, but rest assured this music is an enjoyable listen. We’ve p… Read More »

Retro Encounter 331 – Suikoden Fantasy Draft

Posted by Michael Sollosi on June 16, 2022

Hundreds of heroes hire an agent, only thirty-two get the call Retro Encounter returns from its 77-day hiatus to deliver three Suikoden episodes in a row! But before we get to our journal through the first Suikoden, we’re going to draft Suikoden characters through the lifetime of the entire series,… Read More »

Random Encounter 244 – Not-E3 Extravaganza!

Posted by Jonathan Logan on June 14, 2022

On this episode of Random Encounter, it’s Not-E3 time! Even though the illustrious gaming show is skipping a year, that doesn’t mean there isn’t a ridiculous amount of gaming news to sift through. Our panel talks about their favorite games of each day of the “show,” and discusses what the future mig… Read More »

Random Encounter 243 – Vampire Fighter 2

Posted by Jonathan Logan on May 30, 2022

On this episode of Random Encounter, the panel breaks down everything they’ve played over the last few weeks! Caitlin survives her first experience with the children of the night in Vampire: The Masquerade – Swansong. Audra enjoys a bit of video game nostalgia with Arcade Spirits: The New… Read More »

Rhythm Encounter 85 – Analyzing RPG Music with 8-bit Music Theory

Posted by Hilary Andreff on May 28, 2022

Here at Rhythm Encounter, we have the unique opportunity to bring listeners two interview episodes in a row! No, it’s not MAGFest (though we do enjoy going there when we get the opportunity). We had the chance to chat with 8-Bit Music Theory, head of the fascinating and fun YouTube channel about mus… Read More »

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