RPGFan's Retro Encounter

The worldwide release of Ryu Ga Gotoku 7 made a big splash in 2020, as the first Yakuza game with turn-based combat, the first Yakuza game not to star Kazuma Kiryu, and the first Yakuza game in 15 years with English-language voice acting. At least four RPGFan staff were enchanted by Yakuza's new look last year, and took very little persuading to have a 2021 discussion on Yakuza: Like A Dragon, chock-full of story spoilers. Listen to our podcast on the way to picking up some decadent Peking Duck! Featuring: Michael Sollosi, Caitlin Argyros, Jonathan Logan, Zach Wilkerson; Edited by Brian IngemansonGet in Touch:RPGFan.comEmail us: retro@rpgfan.comTwitter: @rpgfancomInstagram: @rpgfancomFacebook: rpgfancomTwitch: rpgfancomRelated Links:RPGFan's Yakuza: Like a Dragon review

Baten Kaitos: Eternal Wings and the Lost Ocean ramps up the drama on disc 2! In part 2 of our deep dive into Monolith Soft's forgotten classic, the three panelists return to talk about that now-famous betrayal, grumble about difficulty spikes, and most importantly, gush about the Children of the Earth!Now, is that rain, or is that the world crying out in pain?Featuring: Alana Hagues, Pete Leavitt, Tyler Trosper; Edited by Micah CoatesGet in Touch:RPGFan.comEmail us: retro@rpgfan.comTwitter: @rpgfancomInstagram: @rpgfancomFacebook: rpgfancomTwitch: rpgfancomRelated Links:RPGFan's Baten Kaitos review

Only the second game to be released by Monolith Soft, Baten Kaitos: Eternal Wings and the Lost Ocean swaps space and mechs for a card game, but keeps the dead gods. Three panelists explore disc one of this weird and wonderful game, from the beautiful pre-rendered visuals, to the engaging world and battle system. Where will the Mighty Ocean guide us? Tune in to this week's episode of Retro Encounter to find out!Featuring: Alana Hagues, Pete Leavitt, Tyler Trosper; Edited by Micah CoatesGet in Touch: RPGFan.comEmail us: retro@rpgfan.comTwitter: @rpgfancomInstagram: @rpgfancomFacebook: rpgfancomTwitch: rpgfancomRelated Links: RPGFan's Baten Kaitos review

Retro Encounter's episode on Hades marks the fourth SuperGiant Games episode of the podcast in six weeks, but we discussed the Hell out of this roguelike RPG of gods and monsters.  Our favorite Zagreus builds, our mythological romantic preferences, and our warm, fuzzy feelings of progress and accomplishment all feature prominently in today's dark and bloody episode.  Rhymes with "ladies," not with "blades." Featuring: Michael Sollosi, Niki Fakhoori, Alana Hagues, Dom Kim, Leona McCallum; Edited by Brian IngemansonGet in Touch: RPGFan.comEmail us: retro@rpgfan.comTwitter: @rpgfancomInstagram: @rpgfancomFacebook: rpgfancomTwitch: rpgfancomRelated Links:RPGFan's Hades Review

What happens when you cross NBA Jam, Oregon Trail, and SuperGiant Games' distinct style and flavor?  The 2017 indie narrative game Pyre, which is hard to describe in just a few sentences, so we recorded an entire podcast about it instead!  Part three (out of four) of our miniseries on SuperGiant Games.  She shoots, she douses! Featuring: Michael Sollosi, Alana Hagues, Eva Padilla; Edited by Michael SollosiGet in Touch: RPGFan.comEmail us: retro@rpgfan.comTwitter: @rpgfancomInstagram: @rpgfancomFacebook: rpgfancomTwitch: rpgfancomRelated Links: RPGFan's Pyre review

On the last day of 2020, Retro Encounter celebrates the year's video games while offering good riddance to essentially everything else.  From roguelikes that play like Diablo to open worlds that play like Persona to Japanese adventure games of multiple narratives to Irish adventure games of self-discovery, the Retro Encounter panel discusses their favorites in 2020 RPGs and podcasts.  From all of us here at Retro Encounter, thank you for listening. Featuring: Michael Sollosi, Alana Hagues, Nathan Lee, Eva Padilla, Zach Wilkerson; Edited by Micah CoatesGet in Touch: RPGFan.comEmail us: retro@rpgfan.comTwitter: @rpgfancomInstagram: @rpgfancomFacebook: rpgfancomTwitch: rpgfancom

Retro Encounter examines another entry in the Supergiant Games catalog in an episode all about Transistor, the 2014 action RPG that rewards careful planning with swift execution of its customizable abilities.  The beautiful visual and audio presentation, 2nd-person narration, creative boss fights, and Function loadouts of Transistor take center stage in today's Retro Encounter! Retro Encounter waits for their Turn and kills the podcast Process in the second episode of Supergiant Month!  Featuring: Michael Sollosi, Alana Hagues, Eva Padilla; Edited by Micah CoatesGet in Touch: RPGFan.comEmail us: retro@rpgfan.comTwitter: @rpgfancomInstagram: @rpgfancomFacebook: rpgfancomTwitch: rpgfancomRelated Links: RPGFan's Transistor review

Retro Encounter loves Tales Of RPGs, and Retro Encounter's host loves ludicrous fantasy drafts.  Naturally those two passions collided in a podcast, in which five Retro Encounter panelists discuss their (mostly) favorite Tales Of characters and relationships in the format of a fantasy sports draft.  Who is the first overall pick?  Which Tales of Symphonia summon is stolen?  Who are the president, vice president, and treasurer of the Crop Top Boyz?  Listen and find out!  Sorry, fantasy auctions are way to much to deal with in podcast form. Featuring: Michael Sollosi, Kaleb Curry, Niki Fakhoori, Alana Hagues, Stephanie Sybydlo; Edited by Michael SollosiGet in Touch: RPGFan.comEmail us: retro@rpgfan.comTwitter: @rpgfancomInstagram: @rpgfancomFacebook: rpgfancomTwitch: rpgfancom

Retro Encounter kicks off Supergiant Games Month with a podcast all about Bastion, SG's breakout 2011 title in which a Kid wakes up in a mysterious broken city with only a voice to guide him and a hammer to smash things up.  In this episode three panelists discuss The Kid's journey, including his arsenal of weapons, the beautiful accompanying soundtrack, and a few bold story choices.  You know how many times The Podcast went off the rails?  ...about 5 times. Featuring: Michael Sollosi, Alana Hagues, Eva Padilla; Edited by Brian IngemansonGet in Touch: RPGFan.comEmail us: retro@rpgfan.comTwitter: @rpgfancomInstagram: @rpgfancomFacebook: rpgfancomTwitch: rpgfancomRelated Links: RPGFan's Bastion review

Final Fantasy X-2. Great job system, great battle system, well-made pop songs.  But how about the rest of the game? Our panel has some criticisms about the side quests, main story, and overall presentation of FFX-2, but they try to balance the bad with some good in the newest Retro Encounter. Well, that sure was a video game. Featuring: Michael Sollosi, Eva Padilla, Peter Triezenberg; Edited by Micah CoatesGet in Touch: RPGFan.comEmail us: retro@rpgfan.comTwitter: @rpgfancomInstagram: @rpgfancomFacebook: rpgfancomTwitch: rpgfancomRelated Links: Final Fantasy X-2 review