Rhythm Encounter Archives | Page 4 of 7

Rhythm Encounter 99 – Music of the Year 2022

Posted by Mike Salbato on December 26, 2022

It’s that time of year! A time of both reflection and celebration of 2022’s best RPG music, and we had no shortage of great options this year. From major titles like Xenoblade Chronicles 3 to long-awaited releases like the LIVE A LIVE HD-2D remake, to indie titles like Chained Echoes and Citizen Sle… Read More »

Rhythm Encounter 98 – Persona Songs for Everyone’s Souls

Posted by Hilary Andreff on December 13, 2022

Welcome to a podcast between dreams and reality, mind and matter… Okay, so it’s not the Velvet Room, but it’s a dedicated episode of Rhythm Encounter to celebrate it and the far-reaching and varied music in the Persona series. Join Gio of the Justice Arcana, Neal of the Death Arcana, Sollosi of th… Read More »

Rhythm Encounter 97 – Fast Travel: Songs for your Commute

Posted by Mike Salbato on November 28, 2022

Commuting comes in several forms, especially over the last few years. Whether you drive to work or school, take a train or bus, or simply walk, many of us have a soundtrack or playlist for our daily journeys. Whether you’re pumping yourself up for the day ahead, or winding down on the ride home, wha… Read More »

Rhythm Encounter 96 – The Very Best of Pokémon

Posted by Mike Salbato on November 21, 2022

It’s 2022 and 10-year-old Ash Ketchum has finally won a Pokémon Championship after 25 years. Don’t think about the math too much, or you’ll end up feeling the need to Go Home and Sleep. Instead, we recommend listening to a lineup of great Pokémon music, and today’s panelists have you covered! From w… Read More »

Rhythm Encounter 95 – Castlevania: Rhythm of the Night

Posted by Mike Salbato on October 31, 2022

While our friends at Retro Encounter just wrapped a month of graphic adventures — and by extension, a month of games featuring wolves — we wanted to record a Halloween-appropriate episode. The gothic halls of Dracula’s Castle are a popular spot for spooky adventure, and the Castlevania series is kno… Read More »

Rhythm Encounter 94 – Masafumi Takada: Trigger Happy Cyber Sleuth

Posted by Mike Salbato on October 17, 2022

Composer Masafumi Takada is likely not as well known as some VGM composers by name, but it’s very likely you have at least heard of the games he has worked on, especially the Danganronpa series. It’s been awhile since our last composer-centric episode—we gushed about the wonderful Kumi Tanioka in ep… Read More »

Rhythm Encounter 93 – Wild HEARTs

Posted by Mike Salbato on September 26, 2022

As soon as we learned that the creators of the Wild ARMs and Shadow Hearts series were launching a Kickstarter for two new projects, Armed Fantasia and Penny Blood, we knew it was the perfect time to talk about the music of the teams’ legacy. Also, how else would we get away with combining the music… Read More »

Rhythm Encounter 92 – Blast Processing: SEGA Genesis RPGs

Posted by Mike Salbato on September 12, 2022

Last month, we celebrated the music of the SNES with The Road SNES Traveled (episode 89), and today we turn our ears to Nintendo’s then-competition, the SEGA Genesis! While SEGA’s 16-bit console didn’t have the sheer number of RPGs found on the SNES, there are plenty of gems to be found in the likes… 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 »

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 »

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 »

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 »

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 »

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 »

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 »

Rhythm Encounter 84 – VGM for Life Events: Wedding Special!

Posted by Hilary Andreff on May 9, 2022

It’s spring, and I suppose that means wedding season is beginning soon? In any case, it’s the perfect time to debut a new series of episodes here on Rhythm Encounter: VGM for life events. Especially with the increased capacity for intricate instrumental music within soundtracks, RPGs are able to con… Read More »

Rhythm Encounter 83 – Café Vibes

Posted by Mike Salbato on April 25, 2022

Café music? You may be thinking this is more relaxing music, but it isn’t — technically. We did do that 29 episodes ago (check out parts 1 and 2 in the links below), but this time, our panelists chose music from some of our favorite video game cafés. Sometimes that’s relaxing, and sometimes it bring… Read More »

Rhythm Encounter 82 – Final Fantasy XIII Trilogy

Posted by Mike Salbato on April 11, 2022

Final Fantasy XIII isn’t the only divisive entry in Square Enix’s long-running series, but it sure evokes some passionate discussion amongst RPG fans. Love it, hate it, or in between it, the three games that follow Lightning and company’s saga all have one thing that few people can refute: absolutel… Read More »

Rhythm Encounter 81 – April Fool’s Karaoke Day!

Posted by Jonathan Logan on April 1, 2022

Do you miss the days when you and your friends would be sitting around, bored out of your minds on a Friday night, until someone randomly said “Hey! Let’s go to karaoke!” Well, you’re in luck cause the crew at RPGFan is inviting you on an RPG karaoke night you’ll never forget! To celebrate April Foo… Read More »

Rhythm Encounter 80 – Final Fantasy: Remastered Pixels

Posted by Mike Salbato on March 28, 2022

Once we heard some of the music in the Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster titles, we knew they would warrant their own episode. With Final Fantasy VI finally releasing last month, we we able to listen to the updated soundtracks to all six games, and each one is a delight. In today’s episode of Rhythm Enco… Read More »

Rhythm Encounter 79 – A Toast to Tanioka

Posted by Mike Salbato on March 14, 2022

Maybe you know Kumi Tanioka as a composer, arranger, or pianist, or maybe you don’t know her at all! But considering her immense contributions to Final Fantasy XI and the Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles series over the years, you may have heard her work, regardless. Today our small panel convenes t… Read More »

Rhythm Encounter 78 – The Power of Feelings, Baby

Posted by Mike Salbato on February 14, 2022

Ah, Valentine’s Day. That day when a little cherub works as hard as Santa Claus, flying around the world and launching volleys of heart-tipped arrows into the buttocks of potential lovers. That’s how it works, right? In this episode, our panel brings eight tracks to represent several forms of love a… Read More »

Rhythm Encounter 77 – Music of the Year 2021

Posted by Mike Salbato on January 31, 2022

Over on Random Encounter & Retro Encounter, we’ve talked about our favorite games of 2021, and now it’s time to discuss our favorite music! Four panelists come together with an extra-large playlist today, covering a wide range of music released throughout the year. Yes, Final Fantasy XIV: Endwal… Read More »

Rhythm Encounter 76 – Smashing Tunes

Posted by Mike Salbato on January 17, 2022

Whether or not you play Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, you may know that Nintendo’s latest entry in its fighter series features more than a few characters from RPGs: 31 of its 82 characters are from our beloved genre, and that number grows if you want to bend the rules and include Mario characters beca… Read More »

Rhythm Encounter 75 – Cocktail Concerto

Posted by Mike Salbato on January 3, 2022

Once upon a time, an RPGFan editor remarked that Chrono Cross (where’s that remaster?) smelled like a piña colada. This little side comment sparked an idea with our own Michael Sollosi about what other RPG and drink pairings might sound and taste like. Over a year later, four panelists have chosen s… Read More »

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