Random Encounter Archives

Random Encounter 252 – Random Book Club – Fight, Magic, Items

Posted by Jonathan Logan on October 3, 2022

On this episode of Random Encounter, it’s Random Book Club again! Here at RPGFan, we love our JRPGs: Tales, Trials, and everything in between. But to understand where the genre came from, we need to look back almost forty years to two legendary Japanese creators: Yuji Horii (Dragon Quest) and Hirono… Read More »

Random Encounter 251 – Yakuza NO MORE!

Posted by Jonathan Logan on September 19, 2022

On this episode of Random Encounter, we’re tackling one of the biggest news weeks in recent memory! First up, we’re discussing the recent Nintendo Direct, speculating about the big The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom announcement, and wondering how these 2023 release dates can possibly be comi… Read More »

Random Encounter 250 – Temptation, Thy Name is Final Fantasy XIV

Posted by Jonathan Logan on September 5, 2022

On this episode of Random Encounter, Jono is, once again, tempted to play Final Fantasy XIV! With the release of the 6.2 patch of FFXIV, Mike is taking up the torch to try and convince Jono to create an account. Will he be successful? And Audra is here to chat about Dusk Diver 2, an anime-inspired a… 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 »

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 »

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 »

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 »

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 »

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 »

Random Encounter 242 – To Rogue or Not to Rogue

Posted by Jonathan Logan on May 16, 2022

On this episode of Random Encounter, we’re talking about some of the best games we’ve played so far in May! As one of the biggest fans of the Suikoden series at RPGFan, Zach relished the opportunity to dig into Eiyuden Chronicle: Rising, but did it live up to his high expectations? S… Read More »

Random Encounter 241 – Farming for DLC

Posted by Jonathan Logan on May 2, 2022

On this episode of Random Encounter, it’s time for some indie goodness down on the farm! Tarah makes her first appearance on the podcast, talking about the retro farm-sim Bit Orchard: Animal Valley for the Switch. This indie homage to Harvest Moon and Game Boy apparently makes for a very r… Read More »

Random Encounter 240 – Xenoblade Chrono-icles

Posted by Jonathan Logan on April 18, 2022

On this episode of Random Encounter, we’re taking a page from Retro Encounter and talking about some of our favorite games of the past! Tyler is here to talk about his recent feature “So You Want to Get Into the Xeno Series,” a deep dive into the series that started with Xenogears on the PSX and is… Read More »

Random Encounter 239 – RPGFans in Wonderland

Posted by Jonathan Logan on April 4, 2022

On this episode of Random Encounter, it’s tabletop RPGs, farms, and Zelda-likes. Oh my! Neal returns to Random to talk about the recent Borderlands spinoff, Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands, Brian shares his thoughts about how Rune Factory 5 has advanced the series, and Greg returns to chat about Arietta of… Read More »

Random Encounter 238 – Project Chaotic Chaos

Posted by Jonathan Logan on March 21, 2022

On this episode of Random Encounter, it’s pure chaos as the panel walks Jono through their thoughts on some of the latest RPGs! Making their first appearance on the show, Izzy is here to break down the “story of an angry man” that is Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin. Then Niki shares… Read More »

Random Encounter 237 – First Fantasies II/IV

Posted by Jonathan Logan on March 7, 2022

On this episode of Random Encounter, the panel looks back to the golden age of RPGs with the Pixel Remasters of Final Fantasy IV, V, and VI! We tackled the first three entries in the Pixel Remaster series (I, II, and III) back in Episode 221, but it’s time to move to a new generation of console, the… Read More »

Random Encounter 236 – Fromergency Elden Ring Episode

Posted by Jonathan Logan on February 28, 2022

On this emergency bonus episode of Random Encounter, we’re taking over Rhythm Encounter’s usual timeslot to talk about a game that has every RPG fan buzzing: Elden Ring! (Rhythm Encounter will return in two weeks on its regular schedule.) The latest Souls-like masterpiece from the wizards at FromSof… Read More »

Random Encounter 235 – A Whole New (Open) World

Posted by Jonathan Logan on February 21, 2022

On this episode of Random Encounter, we’re talking about two games that take place in very different types of open worlds! First up, Caitlin walks us through the expansive open world of Horizon Forbidden West, the sequel to Horizon Zero Dawn. Improving on the original in almost every way,… Read More »

Random Encounter 234 – Gotta Catch ‘Em All (Or They’ll Eat You)

Posted by Jonathan Logan on February 7, 2022

On this episode of Random Encounter, it’s time to pull out our pencil-and-paper Pokédex because we’re going back to when Pokémon ruled the Earth! Pokémon Legends: Arceus is the latest entry in the long-running Pocket Monsters series, and just about everyone is talking about how it could revitalize f… Read More »

Random Encounter 233 – The Best RPGs (and More) of 2021!

Posted by Jonathan Logan on January 24, 2022

On this episode of Random Encounter, it’s time to look at some of the best games of the previous year! RPGFan has released our annual Games of the Year feature, and this week, we’re taking a deep dive. Join Jono, Alana, Brian, and Wes as they dig into the various categories, pick out their personal… Read More »

Random Encounter 232 – The NeverEnding Story… of our Backlogs

Posted by Jonathan Logan on January 10, 2022

On this episode of Random Encounter, we’re doing a little bit of cleanup! Some super interesting games were released at the very end of 2021, and we have some folks who played them! Audra is here to talk about her experience playing both Another Eden: The Cat Beyond Time and Space and its Chrono Cro… Read More »

Random Encounter 231 – Looking Forward to 2022

Posted by Jonathan Logan on December 27, 2021

On this episode of Random Encounter, we’re taking a look in our crystal ball to preview the games of 2022! Every December, RPGFan publishes an extensive feature focusing on the games we’re most excited for in the upcoming year. And this week, we get to talk about it! Does the panel think that F… Read More »

Random Encounter 230 – It’s Awards Night!

Posted by Jonathan Logan on December 13, 2021

On this episode of Random Encounter, it’s awards night! The Game Awards 2021 were last Thursday, and so was our recording date! The resulting episode? Pure chaos! Jono, Brian, and Niki try to talk about Pokémon Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl and Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc Anniversary Ed… Read More »

Random Encounter 229 – Giving Thanks

Posted by Jonathan Logan on November 29, 2021

On this episode of Random Encounter, Greg is back! Greg and Jono reunite for Thanksgiving (despite both of them being Canadian) to talk about the fun of Final Fantasy-themed battle royales (Final Fantasy VII: The First Soldier), the joys of retro-style adventure game throwbacks (Obduction), the exci… Read More »

Random Encounter 228 – Positional Whipping

Posted by Jonathan Logan on November 15, 2021

On this episode of Random Encounter, our panel descends deep into Dracula’s Castle to deliver their thoughts about the recent Castlevania Advance Collection. Between 2001 and 2003, Konami released three landmark Castlevania titles for the Game Boy Advance (Circle of the Moon, Harmony of Dissonance,… Read More »

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