RPGFan's Random Encounter

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 worst and an art form at best. So, how should parents today introduce their children to the world of video games? Jimmy explored this question in his recent feature, A Parent’s List of the Best Introductory RPGs for Kids, and we’re going to dive even deeper with the help of two other parents on staff, Monica and Wes. Also, childless Jono is here to “helpfully” provide his clueless point of view on parenting!Featuring: Jono Logan, Wes Iliff, Monica Rose, James Turner; Edited by Jono LoganGet in Touch:RPGFan.comRPGFan ShopEmail us: podcast@rpgfan.comTwitter: @rpgfancomInstagram: @rpgfancomFacebook: rpgfancomTwitch: rpgfancomThis Episode's Related Links:A Parent’s List of the Best Introductory RPGs for KidsBug Fables: The Everlasting Sapling ReviewKingdom Hearts ReviewPokémon Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl ReviewCostume Quest ReviewDragon Quest Builders ReviewMario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope Review

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 more songs from other Square Enix series on the way), it could be the ultimate entry of Theatrhythm, but does it get Bob tapping his toes along with the music? And then, the Shinra Electric Power Company puts our EiC Mike Salbato to work cleaning instruments of death in the Final Fantasy VII Remake DLC of PowerWash Simulator. Will he manage to clean the nooks and crannies of the Scorpion Sentinel in time to stop the criminal terrorist group, Avalanche? Find out in this week's Random Encounter!Featuring: Jono Logan, Bob Richardson, Mike Salbato; Edited by Jono LoganGet in Touch:RPGFan.comRPGFan ShopEmail us: podcast@rpgfan.comTwitter: @rpgfancomInstagram: @rpgfancomFacebook: rpgfancomTwitch: rpgfancomThis Episode's Related Links:Theatrhythm Final Bar Line ReviewPowerWash Simulator Midgar Special Pack Hands-On PreviewFinal Fantasy VII Remake Review

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, Octopath Traveler II, that addresses many of the criticisms leveled at the game five years ago. Does Zach think that OTII measures up? And speaking of games we've been waiting years for, Ryū ga Gotoku Ishin was a samurai spin-off from the Yakuza series, never released in the West. Thankfully, that's changed with its recent remake, Like a Dragon: Ishin! Jono has been losing his mind since he got his hands on it, but does this remake of a pre-Yakuza 0 entry of the series stand up to more modern games?Featuring: Jono Logan, Zach Wilkerson; Edited by Jono LoganGet in Touch:RPGFan.comRPGFan ShopEmail us: podcast@rpgfan.comTwitter: @rpgfancomInstagram: @rpgfancomFacebook: rpgfancomTwitch: rpgfancomThis Episode's Related Links:Octopath Traveler II ReviewLike a Dragon: Ishin! ReviewOctopath Traveler ReviewOctopath Traveler: Champions of the Continent Review

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 keeps us guessing. Thankfully, the wait is over for the first Direct of the year, and we got a massive sack of RPG presents! This week, the panel discusses all of the big news, chats about the most recent Fire Emblem game, Fire Emblem Engage, and takes a close look at One Piece Odyssey and if it's a decent way to break into the seemingly impenetrable One Piece franchise!Featuring: Jono Logan, Wes Iliff, and Brian Mackenzie; Edited by Jono LoganGet in Touch:RPGFan.comRPGFan ShopEmail us: podcast@rpgfan.comTwitter: @rpgfancomInstagram: @rpgfancomFacebook: rpgfancomTwitch: rpgfancomThis Episode's Related Links:Fire Emblem Engage ReviewFire Emblem ReviewOne Piece Odyssey Review

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 it's a disaster. Where does Izzy fall on that spectrum? Then, Brian indulges in his love of the beat-'em-up genre with the release of the RPG-infused River City Girls 2! And finally, should dated or problematic content in remasters and re-releases of old games be discussed in reviews? Jono passionately argues, yes. And also, he should probably drink less caffeine before recording these things...Featuring: Jono Logan, Brian Mackenzie, and Izzy Parsons; Edited by Jono LoganGet in Touch:RPGFan.comRPGFan ShopEmail us: podcast@rpgfan.comTwitter: @rpgfancomInstagram: @rpgfancomFacebook: rpgfancomTwitch: rpgfancomThis Episode's Related Links:Forspoken ReviewRiver City Girls 2 ReviewPersona 3 Portable ReviewPersona 4 Golden Review

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, Mike gets a chance to chat with Audra about Coffee Talk, one of his favorite games of the last few years. And then suddenly, a wild Rhythm Encounter appears! Enjoy this brief but fun delve into the incredible music of Coffee Talk (and check out our sister podcast, Rhythm Encounter, while you're at it)!Featuring: Jono Logan, Audra Bowling, and Mike Salbato; Edited by Jono LoganGet in Touch:RPGFan.comRPGFan ShopEmail us: podcast@rpgfan.comTwitter: @rpgfancomInstagram: @rpgfancomFacebook: rpgfancomTwitch: rpgfancomThis Episode's Related Links:Marvel’s Midnight Suns ReviewCoffee Talk ReviewRhythm Encounter Archive

On this episode of Random Encounter, we're talking about two awesome RPGs released at the tail end of 2022.First up, Caitlin talks about her experience with the retro-indie JRPG, Chained Echoes. Primarily developed by a single person for the last seven years, this incredible JRPG evokes all those feelings back in the 16-bit age but with a ton of modern touches. It's simply an astonishing achievement. And Abe is here to discuss a ground-up remake of a classic Squaresoft Super Famicom TRPG that we missed out on back in the 90s, Front Mission 1st: Remake. Is it as good as the original, or does it just miss the mark? Featuring: Jono Logan, Caitlin Argyros, and Abraham Kobylanski; Edited by Jono LoganGet in Touch:RPGFan.comRPGFan ShopEmail us: podcast@rpgfan.comTwitter: @rpgfancomInstagram: @rpgfancomFacebook: rpgfancomTwitch: rpgfancomThis Episode's Related Links:Chained Echoes ReviewFront Mission 1st: Remake Review

On this episode of Random Encounter, we're talking about the games we're most excited about in 2023!Each and every December, RPGFan publishes one of the year's biggest features: a look ahead at the upcoming year. And this week on the show, our panel gets to geek out over it! What games do we think will be delayed? What games do we think are going to be disappointments? And what games will end up eating months of our lives? Find out in this week's episode! Featuring: Jono Logan, Tom Cox, Sam-James Gordon, Tin Manuel, Zach Wilkerson; Edited by Jono LoganGet in Touch:RPGFan.comRPGFan ShopEmail us: podcast@rpgfan.comTwitter: @rpgfancomInstagram: @rpgfancomFacebook: rpgfancomTwitch: rpgfancomThis Episode's Related Links:RPGFan's 35 Most Anticipated Games of 2023

On this episode of Random Encounter, we're catching up on some of the biggest and best RPGs over the last few weeks and months.First, Niki walks us through the bug-laden fields of Pokémon Scarlet & Violet! Then, Des flies us into the great beyond with his thoughts about Star Ocean: The Divine Force! And finally, Hilary and Jono get to geek out at the surprise drop of a brand-new game from the creators of Kingdom of Loathing and West of Loathing: Shadows Over Loathing!Featuring: Jono Logan, Hilary Andreff, Niki Fakhoori, Des Miller; Edited by Jono LoganGet in Touch:RPGFan.comRPGFan ShopEmail us: podcast@rpgfan.comTwitter: @rpgfancomInstagram: @rpgfancomFacebook: rpgfancomTwitch: rpgfancomThis Episode's Related Links:Star Ocean: The Divine Force ReviewShadows Over Loathing ReviewWest of Loathing Review

On this episode of Random Encounter, Jono and Michael Sollosi team up to speak with the gang behind Zeboyd Games about their latest title: This Way Madness Lies!Robert Boyd and William Stiernberg at Zeboyd Games have been turning out innovative indie RPGs since Breath of Death VII: The Beginning in 2010. And in their latest release, This Way Madness Lies, they improbably mash up the popular Japanese anime genre of Magical Girls with the works of the English Bard himself, William Shakespeare! Somehow, Robert and Bill managed to take some time out of their hectic release-week schedule to sit down and talk with us about the origins of the game, its development, and where Zeboyd might be going from here!Featuring: Jono Logan, Michael Sollosi, Robert Boyd, William Stiernberg; Edited by Jono LoganGet in Touch:RPGFan.comRPGFan ShopEmail us: podcast@rpgfan.comTwitter: @rpgfancomInstagram: @rpgfancomFacebook: rpgfancomTwitch: rpgfancomThis Episode's Related Links:Zeboyd 2022 Reddit AMAThis Way Madness Lies Review