RPGFan's Retro Encounter

What RPG uses dice-roll physics, requires rare drops from Skeleton Mages, and is exclusive to the 3DS Shop? Crimson Shroud and absolutely nothing else! Yasumi Matsuno (Tactics Ogre, Final Fantasy XII) teamed up with Level-5 (Dark Cloud, Dragon Quest VIII) to produce one of the most unique RPGs for the 3DS way back in 2012, and we're absolutely here for it. After playing this game, you'll start feeling bad for goblins and hatred for skeletons. Featuring: Michael Sollosi, Audra Bowling, Eva Padilla; Edited by Michael SollosiGet in Touch:RPGFan.comEmail us: retro@rpgfan.comTwitter: @rpgfancomInstagram: @rpgfancomFacebook: rpgfancomTwitch: rpgfancomRelated Links:Crimson Shroud on RPGFan

Final Fantasy XIV's 2017 expansion had players visit the highlands of Gyr Abania and the steppes of Othard, but not as a tourist. Stormblood is a game about casting the light of liberation unto an oppressed people, and helping them tear down an imperialist regime. Stormblood is quite personal and political for an MMORPG expansion, but we're here for it. Raise your weary head and heed the call to arms ringing in your heart in today's episode of Retro Encounter! Featuring: Michael Sollosi, Eva Padilla, Mark TjanGet in Touch:RPGFan.comEmail us: retro@rpgfan.comTwitter: @rpgfancomInstagram: @rpgfancomFacebook: rpgfancomTwitch: rpgfancomRelated Links:Final Fantasy XIV: Stormblood on RPGFan

One of the most common reader or listener comments that RPGFan social media receives is "not an RPG," and we take some umbrage at that. RPGFan prides itself on covering a diverse array of games, which includes some games that might be considered hybrid RPGs or RPG-adjacent. Today, Retro Encounter responds to that query directly, assembling a set of questionable RPGs, and deciding once and for all if they are indeed RPGs. Do we think Zelda is an RPG? How about Dissidia? Listen and find out! Featuring: Michael Sollosi, Quinton O'Connor, Eva Padilla, Stephanie SybydloGet in Touch:RPGFan.comEmail us: retro@rpgfan.comTwitter: @rpgfancomInstagram: @rpgfancomFacebook: rpgfancomTwitch: rpgfancom

Two Retro Encounter panelists played through four Muramasa: The Demon Blade endings and still can't stop gushing over the 2D action RPG's gorgeous backgrounds. But those backdrops aren't the only shiny things in Vanillaware's theatrical tour de force - there's also the lusciously animated food, the Hitoshi Sakimoto soundtrack, and our smiling faces.  "If anything is worth doing, do it with all your heart." -The Buddha, who is literally in this video game. Featuring: Michael Sollosi, Eva Padilla: edited by Michael SollosiGet in Touch:RPGFan.comEmail us: retro@rpgfan.comTwitter: @rpgfancomInstagram: @rpgfancomFacebook: rpgfancomTwitch: rpgfancomRelated Links:RPGFan's Muramasa: Rebirth review (Vita)

Before 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim (but after Odin Sphere) the art-focused JRPG developer Vanillaware made Muramasa: The Demon Blade, an action RPG steeped in Japanese folklore and following a long tradition of ninja action arcade games. But how compelling are the characters, animations, and other elements of Muramasa?  Listen and learn!  This podcast won't possess your body and displace your soul, probably. Featuring: Michael Sollosi, Eva Padilla; edited by Micah CoatesGet in Touch:RPGFan.comEmail us: retro@rpgfan.comTwitter: @rpgfancomInstagram: @rpgfancomFacebook: rpgfancomTwitch: rpgfancomRelated Links:RPGFan's Muramasa: Rebirth review (Vita)

It was early in 1996 when a couple of modest, lightly-janky Gameboy games were released in Japan, beginning a phenomenon that is persisting (and thriving) to this day. Those games were Pokemon Red and Green, the very first generation of Satoshi Tajiri and Game Freak's monster-catching series! A quarter century on, Pokemon is now the biggest multimedia franchise in the world, and what began as a respectable 151 creatures has ballooned to an incredible 893.On this episode of Retro Encounter, 5 panelists discuss the history of this storied series: where it's been and our hopes for where it could go in the future, for trainers of all ages. It's a great big world out there, and we're glad Pokemon's a part of it!Featuring: Eva Padilla, Niki Fakhoori, Josh Louis, Quinton O'Connor, Peter Triezenberg; Edited by Eva PadillaGet in Touch:RPGFan.comEmail us: retro@rpgfan.comTwitter: @rpgfancomInstagram: @rpgfancomFacebook: rpgfancomTwitch: rpgfancomRelated Links: Intro Song: "Pokemon GSC Is What I Like" by Botanic Sage

In 2015, Final Fantasy XIV players trekked to the north and looked to the sky in Heavensward, the fan-favorite expansion game that raised character levels to 60 and introduced Eorzeans to Ishgard.  Three Retro Encounter panelists and FFXIV players of varying experience levels discuss their love of Heavensward and Ishgard, from the friendly bugs of Dravania to the Warring Triad of Azys La, in the second part of our Final Fantasy XIV podcast miniseries!   We're seeking the peace of reason in the latest episode of Retro Encounter! Featuring: Michael Sollosi, Liz Maas, Zach Wilkerson; Edited by Micah CoatesGet in Touch:RPGFan.comEmail us: retro@rpgfan.comTwitter: @rpgfancomInstagram: @rpgfancomFacebook: rpgfancomTwitch: rpgfancomRelated Links:RPGFan's Final Fantasy XIV: Heavensward review

Retro Encounter's panel finished Radiant Historia earlier this month, and dissects the endgame of Stocke and his companions.  The time traveling, turn-stealing, wheelin' and dealin' son of a king has some major decisions to make.  Is Radiant Historia stylin' and profilin' to Retro Encounter's preferences?  Listen and find out! Featuring: Michael Sollosi, Kaleb Curry, Alana Hagues, Pete Leavitt; Edited by Michael SollosiGet in Touch:RPGFan.comEmail us: retro@rpgfan.comTwitter: @rpgfancomInstagram: @rpgfancomFacebook: rpgfancomTwitch: rpgfancomRelated Links:RPGFan's Radiant Historia review

Radiant Historia found many RPG fans in the last days of the Nintendo DS, and today Retro Encounter celebrates it on the 10th anniversary of its North American release. Parallel timelines, shoving enemies around a grid, Yoko Shimomura tunes, and suspicious botanical practices all take center stage in the latest Retro Encounter!  Does this podcast exist until you listen? Who knows. Download us into being. Featuring: Michael Sollosi, Kaleb Curry, Alana Hagues, Pete Leavitt; Edited by Michael SollosiGet in Touch:RPGFan.comEmail us: retro@rpgfan.comTwitter: @rpgfancomInstagram: @rpgfancomFacebook: rpgfancomTwitch: rpgfancomRelated Links:RPGFan's Radiant Historia review

In advance of the 2021 release of Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker, Retro Encounter is recording four Final Fantasy XIV episodes in 2021! Each will feature a different panel and focus on the panelists' personal experiences with Final Fantasy XIV, then discuss the characters, stories, and contents on one particular expansion. Today two Mikes and a Peter go through the Final Fantasy XIV 2013 reboot, A Realm Reborn. 1.0? What do you mean? Never happened. Featuring: Michael Sollosi, Mike Salbato, Peter Triezenberg; Edited by Micah CoatesGet in Touch:RPGFan.comEmail us: retro@rpgfan.comTwitter: @rpgfancomInstagram: @rpgfancomFacebook: rpgfancomTwitch: rpgfancomRelated Links:RPGFan's Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn review