RPGFan's Random Encounter

You can't say we don't listen to the fans. Wait, that double negative has me all confused now. Anywho, the podcast crew wades into the JRPG space this week with a look at Hyperdimension Neptunia MK2 and (one of Stephen's favorite games) Tales of the Abyss. The conversation ends up completely off track when Rob and John focus on what draws them into a video game. Zack returns from his college adventures to talk news, and the whole crew agrees that we should have probably trademarked the name Random Encounter. Oh well! Featuring: Robert Steinman, John McCarroll, Stephen Meyerink and Zachary Pintchik Questions? Comments? Spare Potions? Email us: podcast@rpgfan.com

Remember when the first quarter was a slow time of the year? Yeah, fat chance of us getting a break around here with these major releases! Final Fantasy 13-2 is here and ready to usher in the New Year with moogles, time travel, and the cast of Kingdom Hearts. Wait, what? We brought Derek back on the show because, well, he found every freakin' doodad in the game! That's dedication, folks! After that, we head straight into the fantasy realm of Amalur, as Stephen spent the better part of the week splitting the heads of various fae folk and raining death on the countryside. John brings it all together with news while Rob cries in the corner over the latest information on the release of Diablo 3. Featuring: Robert Steinman, John McCarroll, Stephen Meyerink and Derek Heemsbergen Questions? Comments? Spare Potions? Email us: podcast@rpgfan.com

Square-Enix graced the US with the demo for Final Fantasy XIII-2, and it's up to the podcast crew to tear into this mammoth JRPG. Did the developers listen to the complaints from the original game? Will this sequel bring new and old fans to the fold? We may not have concrete answers, but we certainly have some initial thoughts. You also get to hear the beginnings of a retrospective look at the franchise that will (hopefully) take on a larger form down the line. John battles with the recent news as we also get a demo for Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning, The Old Republic receives a content update, and the death (rebirth?) of the infamous Fallout MMO sends ripples through the industry. Featuring: Robert Steinman, John McCarroll, Stephen Meyerink and Kimberley Wallace Questions? Comments? Spare Potions? Email us: podcast@rpgfan.com

We certainly promised you guys a big end of the year episode, and by God did we ever deliver. The crew starts by sitting down for an in-depth discussion of 2011. From Dragon Age 2 to Skyrim, the podcast gang analyzes the major releases and trends in the genre (and industry) we all love. In the second segment, Rob, John, Kyle and Dave talk about Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning, one of the first big RPGs of 2012. Finally, the podcasters take a look into the RPGFan Crystal Ball (TM) and come up with some predictions for the new year. Will we finally get Persona 5? What about Mass Effect 3? Is Diablo 3 destined to be the best game of 2014?! Only time will tell.... Featuring: Robert Steinman, John McCarroll, Stephen Meyerink, Zachary Pintchik, Dave Yeager and Kyle Miller Questions? Comments? Spare Potions? Email us: podcast@rpgfan.com

We certainly promised you guys a big end of the year episode, and by God did we ever deliver. The crew starts by sitting down for an in-depth discussion of 2011. From Dragon Age 2 to Skyrim, the podcast gang analyzes the major releases and trends in the genre (and industry) we all love. In the second segment, Rob, John, Kyle and Dave talk about Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning, one of the first big RPGs of 2012. Finally, the podcasters take a look into the RPGFan Crystal Ball (TM) and come up with some predictions for the new year. Will we finally get Persona 5? What about Mass Effect 3? Is Diablo 3 destined to be the best game of 2014?! Only time will tell.... Note: Due to the length of our End of the Year Spectacular, we've decided to offer it in two versions. This is Part 1 of 2, covering the games of 2011 and a preview of Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning. For our look ahead at 2012 make sure to download Part 2 of the show, or if you'd prefer to listen to all three segments in one episode, download the full version! Featuring: Robert Steinman, John McCarroll, Stephen Meyerink, Zachary Pintchik, Dave Yeager and Kyle Miller Questions? Comments? Spare Potions? Email us: podcast@rpgfan.com

We certainly promised you guys a big end of the year episode, and by God did we ever deliver. The crew starts by sitting down for an in-depth discussion of 2011. From Dragon Age 2 to Skyrim, the podcast gang analyzes the major releases and trends in the genre (and industry) we all love. In the second segment, Rob, John, Kyle and Dave talk about Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning, one of the first big RPGs of 2012. Finally, the podcasters take a look into the RPGFan Crystal Ball (TM) and come up with some predictions for the new year. Will we finally get Persona 5? What about Mass Effect 3? Is Diablo 3 destined to be the best game of 2014?! Only time will tell.... Note: Due to the length of our End of the Year Spectacular, we've decided to offer it in two versions. This is Part 1 of 2, covering the games of 2011 and a preview of Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning. For our look ahead at 2012 make sure to download Part 2 of the show, or if you'd prefer to listen to all three segments in one episode, download the full version! Featuring: Robert Steinman, John McCarroll, Stephen Meyerink, Zachary Pintchik, Dave Yeager and Kyle Miller Questions? Comments? Spare Potions? Email us: podcast@rpgfan.com

Our trip through the frozen lands of Skyrim comes to a close with a few final thoughts on Bethesda's epic. But the latest Elder Scrolls title wasn't the only big game to come out in November. Nintendo decided to throw the Wii a going away party in the best possible way with The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword. However, that's not all, weary traveler. Rob and Stephen were recently blessed with the Diablo 3 beta, and they certainly have lots to say about the Lord of Terror's return to the land of Sanctuary. Zack brings the podcast home with a great deal of news, including something that should make Operation: Rainfall members very happy. Finally, in another developer interview, Chris Wilson of Grinding Gear Games joins Rob and podcast newbie Bob Richardson to talk about Path of Exile. Featuring: Robert Steinman, Stephen Meyerink, Zachary Pintchik and Derek Heemsbergen Special Guests: Bob Richardson (Reviews Editor, RPGFan) and Chris Wilson (Producer and Lead Designer, Grinding Gear Games) Questions? Comments? Spare Potions? Email us: podcast@rpgfan.com

Guys! Guys! Skyrim is here! The Bethesda epic we've all been waiting for has finally arrived and the editors of RPGFan are here to share their opinions on the game. Tales of werewolves, assassinations and lots of dragons abound in this weeks episode of Random Encounter! Stay tuned after the show for an interview with Cesar Bittar and Katie Hallahan of Phoenix Online Studios on their upcoming game Cognition. Featuring: Robert Steinman, John McCarroll, Stephen Meyerink and Kyle Miller Special Guests: Cesar Bittar and Katie Hallahan, Phoenix Online Studios Questions? Comments? Spare Potions? Email us: podcast@rpgfan.com

With the horror that is Dark Souls behind them, the editors of RPGFan enjoy a return to some sort of normalcy as John talks The Lord of the Rings: War in the North, Kim and Derek riff on Rune Factory: Tides of Destiny, as Rob sinks his teeth into... more Dark Souls, and Stephen wraps us up with this week's RPG news. Featuring: Robert Steinman, John McCarroll, Stephen Meyerink, Kimberley Wallace and Derek Heemsbergen Questions? Comments? Spare Potions? Email us: podcast@rpgfan.com

Asking how many deaths it takes to beat Dark Souls is like asking how many licks it takes to get to the center of a Tootsie Pop. But with the last bonfires well behind them, the editors of RPGFan regain their humanity (and their sanity) and discuss this behemoth of an action/horror RPG. Join us in jolly co-operation as we go over the ins and outs of what makes FROM Software's latest foray into pain simulators oh-so-satisfying. Is the masochism of Dark Souls too much for you? MMOs more your speed? Then stay tuned after the news as John, Rob and podcast newbie Dave Yeager get their force with impressions of The Old Republic Press Beta. Featuring: Robert Steinman, John McCarroll, Stephen Meyerink, Zachary Pintchik and Dave Yeager Questions? Comments? Spare Potions? Email us: podcast@rpgfan.com