Random Encounter Archives

Random Encounter 283 – Super Mario RPG is Back!

Posted by Jonathan Logan on November 27, 2023

On the next Random Encounter, we delve into the vibrant worlds of Super Mario RPG and Persona 5 Tactica, and tackle the complex issue of redemption arcs in game publishing. First, Caitlin unpacks the Super Mario RPG Remake. Despite some minor frame rate drops and easy difficulty, does the game’s tim… Read More »

Random Encounter 282 – Like a Fisherman

Posted by Jonathan Logan on November 13, 2023

On the next Random Encounter, we’re taking a deep dive into Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name, Star Ocean: The Second Story R, and Dave the Diver! First, Jono discovers the yakuza’s latest crisis in Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name. Does this shorter Yakuza tale live… Read More »

Random Encounter 281 – World of War Doggos

Posted by Jonathan Logan on October 30, 2023

On the next Random Encounter, we’re exploring the narrative horror depths of World of Horror and the deep strategic and colorful layers of Wargroove 2. First, Bob Richardson will guide us through World of Horror. With its unique 1-bit artistic style and roguelike narrative structure, does the game o… Read More »

Random Encounter 280 – The All-Star Lineup in RPGFan’s GOTY Bracket Battle

Posted by Aleks Franiczek on October 16, 2023

On this week’s Random Encounter, Zach steps in as your host to guide us through RPGFan’s 25th-anniversary special, Revisiting RPGFan Games of the Year: Bracket Battle. Joining Zach are Audra, Jimmy, and Aleks, each bringing their own perspectives on what makes a Game of the Year truly deserving of t… Read More »

Random Encounter 279 – We Cannot Tell a Lie!

Posted by Jonathan Logan on October 2, 2023

On this week’s Random Encounter, we’re diving into a piece of DLC that redeems one of gaming’s biggest disappointments, a Souls-like that cannot tell a lie, and a classic celebrating its 30th anniversary. First, Aleks guides us through the shadowy world of Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty. Does… Read More »

Random Encounter 278 – The Farm Show

Posted by Jonathan Logan on September 18, 2023

On this week’s Random Encounter, we’re delving into two recent farm-sim RPGs, exploring if they bring anything new to the genre. First, Niki takes us through the remaster/remake of the classic DS farm-sim Rune Factory 3 Special. Is there anything genuinely special about it, or should you stick with… Read More »

Random Encounter 277 – Sea of Starfield

Posted by Jonathan Logan on September 4, 2023

On this week’s Random Encounter, we’re blasting off to new galaxies and sailing through enchanted seas with two of the most anticipated RPGs of 2023! First, Noah navigates the cosmic expanses of Starfield, Bethesda’s highly anticipated space exploration RPG. With the expectations of “Skyrim in Space… Read More »

Random Encounter 276 – Epic Fantasy (With a Musical Interlude)

Posted by Jonathan Logan on August 21, 2023

On this week’s Random Encounter, we’re diving into the realms of fantasy and musical adventure! First, Abe takes on the epic challenge of reviewing Baldur’s Gate III, the long-awaited CRPG sequel that brings Dungeons & Dragons to life! With intricate storytelling, deep character customization, a… Read More »

Random Encounter 275 – A WrestleQuest Cage Match with 24 Killers

Posted by Jonathan Logan on August 7, 2023

On this week’s Random Encounter, we’re stepping into the wrestling ring and exploring an anti-RPG! First, Neal gets into his tights and fights for the title with WrestleQuest, a pixel RPG that echoes the golden era of professional wrestling. Filled with iconic wrestles and thrilling moves, does it p… Read More »

Random Encounter 274 – I Met This Perfectly Marvelous Game

Posted by Jonathan Logan on July 24, 2023

On this week’s Random Encounter, we’re looking at a lost Nintendo game, and what might become one of the greatest RPG soundtracks of all time. If you are from the West, you may not have heard of Marvelous: Another Treasure Island. This late-era SNES/Super Famicom title was never localized, but… Read More »

Random Encounter 273 – Master Podcaster Archives: Trails into Random

Posted by Jonathan Logan on July 10, 2023

On this week’s Random Encounter, we’re finally breaking free of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, Not-E3, and Final Fantasy XVI! Time to talk about some (other) games! First up, Audra delights in the RPG crossover to end all RPG crossovers, The Legend of Heroes: Trails into Reverie. Pr… Read More »

Random Encounter 272 – Finally, We Have Final Fantasy XVI!

Posted by Zach Wilkerson on June 26, 2023

On this week’s Random Encounter, we’re talking about Final Fantasy XVI! It’s been six years since the last numbered Final Fantasy game, but the wait is finally over, and Final Fantasy XVI has finally arrived! There’s so much to talk about that we’re dedicating an entire episode to it, hosted by our… Read More »

Random Encounter 271 – Not-E3 2023 Extravaganza!

Posted by Jonathan Logan on June 12, 2023

On this week’s Random Encounter, it’s all about Not-E3! If you’re a video game fan, Not-E3 week is like Christmas, Easter, and Halloween all rolled into one! Though a few shows are still coming up next week, the big ones are all finished, and our panel is here to discuss the massive amount of RPG an… Read More »

Random Encounter 270 – The First Stirrings of Not-E3

Posted by Jonathan Logan on May 29, 2023

On this week’s Random Encounter, we’re seeing the beginnings of the Not-E3 season! If you’re a video game fan, it’s getting close to the most wonderful time of the year! There are slightly under two weeks until Summer Game Fest, but we still have a ton of news to discuss from Wednesday’s PlayStation… Read More »

Random Encounter 269 – Ain’t Nobody Crying in This Kingdom!

Posted by Jonathan Logan on May 20, 2023

On this Saturday’s emergency Random Encounter, we’re discussing The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom! We’ve assembled a panel of three people who loved Breath of the Wild, one who liked it, and one who just wasn’t a fan. The plan was to meet up to talk about the entirety of TOTK, beginning to e… Read More »

Random Encounter 268 – A Latte to the Past

Posted by Jonathan Logan on May 15, 2023

On this week’s Random Encounter, we’re talking about two highly anticipated sequels (although one is slightly more anticipated than the other). First up, Jono and Mike share their initial impressions of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, the long-awaited direct sequel to 2017’s Breath of the… Read More »

Random Encounter 267 – Advancing Onto the Burning Shores

Posted by Jonathan Logan on May 8, 2023

On this week’s Random Encounter, we’re talking about a highly anticipated piece of DLC and a very highly anticipated remake (that we were never quite sure we would EVER see)! First up is Caitlin talking about the Horizon Forbidden West DLC, Burning Shores. In it, we visit the post-apocalyptical ruin… Read More »

Random Encounter 266 – Welcome to Cyberspace!

Posted by Jonathan Logan on April 24, 2023

On this week’s Random Encounter, we’re looking at two games (technically, 11 games) that bring us fully into cyberspace! First, Peter downloads his thoughts on the new visual novel based on Disney’s Tron franchise, TRON: Identity. Does it capture the cyber-magic of the classic 80s film and its 2010s… Read More »

Random Encounter 265 – The Games that SHOULDN’T BE!

Posted by Jonathan Logan on April 10, 2023

On this week’s Random Encounter, we’re talking about two games that, frankly, we can’t believe exist. Many of us expect certain game series to “stay in their lane.” Mega Man is a platformer. Doom is an FPS. Metroid is, well, a Metroidvania. But when a series tries something completely differen… Read More »

Random Encounter 264 – Parental Guidance is Advised

Posted by Jonathan Logan on March 27, 2023

On this episode of Random Encounter, we’re talking about how to introduce your children to video games, specifically RPGs. We’re far away from the 1980s, back when most parents saw video games as a “fad” or “waste of time.” Instead, parents nowadays see games as a legitimate form of entertainment at… Read More »

Random Encounter 263 – We’re Feeling the Theatrhythm!

Posted by Jonathan Logan on March 13, 2023

On this episode of Random Encounter, we’re diving into some recent non-RPG Final Fantasy spin-offs! First up, we have the first console entry in the long-running Final Fantasy rhythm game series, Theatrhythm Final Bar Line. Offering over 380 songs from every Final Fantasy game (with m… Read More »

Random Encounter 262 – We Walk Many Paths (At Least 8)

Posted by Jonathan Logan on February 27, 2023

On this episode of Random Encounter, we’re talking about two big recent RPGs, Octopath Traveler II and Like a Dragon: Ishin! When the original Octopath Traveler came out in 2018, we’d never seen anything like its HD-2D art style. Now, Square Enix is back with a sequel, … Read More »

Random Encounter 261 – Nintendo Direct, Engage!

Posted by Jonathan Logan on February 13, 2023

On this episode of Random Encounter, we’re digging into all the news from the Feb 2023 Nintendo Direct! Here at RPGFan, we look forward to Nintendo Directs like children look forward to Santa Claus. The only difference is that we KNOW when the man in red is supposed to arrive, but Nintendo always ke… Read More »

Random Encounter 260 – Is Forspoken Really All That Bad?

Posted by Jonathan Logan on January 30, 2023

On this episode of Random Encounter, we’re talking about two games: one controversial, one not! Square Enix’s recent release, Forspoken, had a rough ride during its development, and it doesn’t look like that ended with its release. While many think it’s a perfectly fine action RPG, others feel… Read More »

Random Encounter 259 – Marvel Talk

Posted by Jonathan Logan on January 16, 2023

On this episode of Random Encounter, the panel REALLY gets into talking about Marvel Comics and music! A surprise hit of 2022 was Marvel’s Midnight Suns. Audra recently reviewed the supernatural-tinged strategy RPG, giving both Audra and Jono an opportunity to nerd the heck out about Marvel! Then, M… Read More »

Random Encounter(s) Archive