On this episode of Random Encounter, it's time to look at some of the best games of the previous year! RPGFan has released our annual Games of the Year feature , and this week, we're taking a deep dive. Join Jono, Alana, Brian, and Wes as they dig into the various categories, pick out their personal favorites, and (inevitably) end up adding multiple games to their backlogs for 2022! Featuring: Jono Logan, Alana Hagues, Brian Mackenzie, Wes Iliff; Edited by Jono Logan Get in Touch: RPGFan.com Ema...
Jan 24, 2022•2 hr 7 min
On this episode of Random Encounter, we're doing a little bit of cleanup! Some super interesting games were released at the very end of 2021, and we have some folks who played them! Audra is here to talk about her experience playing both Another Eden: The Cat Beyond Time and Space and its Chrono Cross -related DLC, Complex Dream . Dom is excited to chat about the recent PC port of Monster Hunter Rise . And Neal gets to delve into an incredibly long-running Japanese-only series with Super Robot W...
Jan 10, 2022•1 hr 2 min
On this episode of Random Encounter, we're taking a look in our crystal ball to preview the games of 2022! Every December, RPGFan publishes an extensive feature focusing on the games we're most excited for in the upcoming year. And this week, we get to talk about it! Does the panel think that Final Fantasy XVI will be released in 2022 or be delayed for another year? How about Starfield ? Will BOTW 2 finally get a release date and an official title? We may not have definitive answers to these que...
Dec 27, 2021•1 hr 57 min
On this episode of Random Encounter, it's awards night! The Game Awards 2021 were last Thursday, and so was our recording date! The resulting episode? Pure chaos! Jono, Brian, and Niki try to talk about Pokémon Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl and Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc Anniversary Edition, but Mr. Geoff Keighley keeps throwing brand-new game trailers at them. Can they figure out the titles of the massive games being announced while also keeping the show on track? Well, there's a ...
Dec 13, 2021•49 min
On this episode of Random Encounter, Greg is back! Greg and Jono reunite for Thanksgiving (despite both of them being Canadian) to talk about the fun of Final Fantasy-themed battle royales ( Final Fantasy VII: The First Soldier ), the joys of retro-style adventure game throwbacks ( Obduction ), the excitement of unsubstantiated rumors ( Chrono Cross remake), and the delights of visual novels! Plus, there is some big, big news about the future of Random Encounter moving forward! Happy Thanksgivin...
Nov 29, 2021•1 hr 2 min
On this episode of Random Encounter, our panel descends deep into Dracula's Castle to deliver their thoughts about the recent Castlevania Advance Collection. Between 2001 and 2003, Konami released three Castlevania titles for the Game Boy Advance (Circle of the Moon, Harmony of Dissonance, and Aria of Sorrow). These games revived the Symphony of the Night-style of 2D-exploration gameplay and cemented the term "Metroidvania" in our minds forever. In this episode, Jono and Mike get a chance to div...
Nov 15, 2021•1 hr 4 min
On this episode of Random Encounter, we're dipping our toes into some games highly inspired by the 80s and 90s! Abe is here to talk about the surprisingly excellent Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy, waxing rhapsodic about its superb story and incredible 80s soundtrack! Then, Niki dives into the earliest era of the SNES with the surprise remake of the cult-favorite hybrid side-scroller/city-builder title, Actraiser Renaissance. And finally, Jono dips into the spirit of the 90s with Kathy Rain: Di...
Nov 01, 2021•1 hr 5 min
On this episode of Random Encounter, we're talkin' Tales! RPGFan's recent feature "So You Want to Get Into the Tales Series..." took a deep dive into dozens of Tales games to help you find your best entry point. This week, we have the author of that feature, Wes Iliff, and Tales superfan, Steph Sybydlo, to talk about their experiences with the games and where YOU should start if you want to get into the beloved long-running series! Featuring: Jono Logan, Wes Iliff, Stephanie Sybydlo; Edited by J...
Oct 18, 2021•1 hr 16 min
On this episode of Random Encounter, it's the latest Yakuza Encounter! Jono is super excited to dive into the newest spinoff Yakuza game, Lost Judgment , with Caitlin, and learn more about otome games (including Olympia Soirée ) with Niki! Plus, the panel takes a look at some of the most exciting RPG Nintendo Direct news from last week, as well as come up with a definitive answer to the age-old question, "Which is the best video game animal?" Their answers may surprise you! (Hint: It's cats. It'...
Oct 04, 2021•1 hr 36 min
On this episode of Random Encounter, Abe takes two trips to Eastern Europe for the reviews of Black Book and Chernobylite , Pete takes a trip back in time to experience the glories (???) of the 3DO, and Jono ends his trip and is finally back home in Toronto! Plus, let's take a look at some of the big announcements from the recent PlayStation presentation! Will the KotOR Remake still be an RPG? Will Tiny Tina's Wonderlands be a turn-based RPG? Could Deathloop actually be an RPG? (No, sadly, but w...
Sep 20, 2021•1 hr 10 min
On this episode of Random Encounter, Jono tells us that he and the gang are taking a trip down to the lake to gossip about their new boyfriends/weapons. And by that, we assume he means that they're talking about the new mail-delivery simulator, Lake , and the dating sim/dungeon crawler, Boyfriend Dungeon ! Plus, Caitlin is here to talk about a game that ISN'T Final Fantasy XIV ( Fantasian Part II ), Audra is exploring outer space in OPUS: Echo of Starsong , and Jono is eagerly awaiting Greg's tr...
Sep 06, 2021•1 hr 3 min
On this episode of Random Encounter, our panel discusses if The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword can be redeemed on the Switch, if NieR Re[in]carnation can convince Alana to like gacha games, and how the new audio-based RPG, The Vale: Shadow of the Crown , completely blew our minds! Plus, we have some big news about the future of Random Encounter... (Don't worry, we're just changing our time slot)! Featuring: Jono Logan, Alana Hagues, Audra Bowling, Quinton O'Connor; Edited by Jono Logan Get in To...
Aug 29, 2021•1 hr 24 min
On this episode of Random Encounter, we discuss the release of the Pixel Remaster NES-era Final Fantasy games! Brian is delving into the origins of the series with the first Final Fantasy, Audra is braving the controversial SaGa-esque Final Fantasy II, and Zach is blowing through airships like a madman in the final NES entry, Final Fantasy III. How do they hold up today? And with Greg on vacation, can anyone stop Jono from changing the show to Yakuza Encounter?! Featuring: Jono Logan, Brian Mack...
Aug 14, 2021•1 hr 8 min
On this episode of Random Encounter, we're discussing some of July's hottest releases! Zach is looking into the past and future in Cris Tales, Cory is hunting some Monsties in Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin, Greg is channeling his inner cat-farmer in Kitaria Fables, and Jono is screaming Objection at any random person who walks by in The Great Ace Attorney Chronicles! Featuring: Greg Delmage, Jono Logan, Zach Wilkerson, Cory Tischbein; Edited by Jono Logan Get in Touch: RPGFan.com Email...
Jul 31, 2021•1 hr 29 min
On this episode of Random Encounter, we bring in a pinch hitter! While your usual hosts take a break, we have some interviews from LudoNarraCon 2021 that went down back in April. Eva Padilla was in attendance and snagged some interviews. So, enjoy the chats with Eve Golden-Woods and Fernando Melo! Featuring: Eva Padilla, with Special Guests: Eve Golden-Woods, Fernando Melo ; Edited by Jono Logan Get in Touch: RPGFan.com Email us: [email protected] Twitter: @rpgfancom Instagram: @rpgfancom Faceb...
Jul 22, 2021•56 min
On this episode of Random Encounter, we pore over the gorgeous book recently released from Bitmap Books, A Guide to Japanese Role-Playing Games with Hilary and Steph. Greg has returned to Legend of Mana much to his delight and shares his thoughts on the updates Square Enix brings to the remaster. An awesome listener question and plenty of asides polish another episode for your listening pleasure! Featuring: Greg Delmage, Jono Logan, Hilary Andreff, Steph Sybydlo; Edited by Jono Logan and Greg De...
Jul 05, 2021•1 hr 31 min
On this episode of Random Encounter, we sum all the various game shows that took place over the course of, well, "E3 Season." So many reveals, more details, and plenty of surprises! Ups, downs, and everything else in the show, so tune in! Featuring: Greg Delmage, Jono Logan, Steph Sybydlo, Quinton O'Connor, Mike Salbato; Edited by Jono Logan Get in Touch: RPGFan.com Email us: [email protected] Twitter: @rpgfancom Instagram: @rpgfancom Facebook: rpgfancom Twitch: rpgfancom This Episode's Related...
Jun 23, 2021•1 hr 46 min
On this episode of Random Encounter, Greg and Jono pull together an emergency panel cause it's E3! We have no idea how the show's going to shape up this year, but we're gonna' speculate over what we will see, could see, and want to see (and secretly know we won't see...) Tune in and listen to our shenanigans! Featuring: Greg Delmage, Jono Logan, Steph Sybydlo, Josh Louis; Edited by Jono Logan Get in Touch: RPGFan.com Email us: [email protected] Twitter: @rpgfancom Instagram: @rpgfancom Facebook...
Jun 05, 2021•1 hr 11 min
On this episode of Random Encounter, we gathered the crew to talk about takin' sweet pics of our favourite Pokemon! That's right, New Pokemon Snap is all kinds of delightful and RPG-adjacent, which means Niki got to review it and talk about. Also, because Pokemon, we welcome a semi-regular special guest to share her enthusiasm for the game! And just as quickly as one guest leaves, another spontaneously appears because you can't have a chat about Final Fantasy XIV and the recent Fan Festival with...
May 31, 2021•1 hr 29 min
On this episode of Random Encounter, folks have been playing games! Shocking, right? But for reals, one of the big games this week is Monster Hunter Rise , and Sollosi has been happily hunting along. We were going to get into Disco Elysium: The Final Cut , but someone surprised us all and showed up because we mentioned Lost Judgment and its announcement! THEN we get to Disco Elysium and Eva's hot takes on that brilliant game. All that and more, so take a listen! Featuring: Greg Delmage, Jono Log...
May 16, 2021•1 hr 26 min
On this episode of Random Encounter, we get to talk about some remasters and a re-release! Originally out in 2018, Hero U has made its way to the Switch, and Hilary got her glorious quest on! While we all know Jono's thoughts on SaGa , Brian has been playing SaGa Frontier Remastered and is a bit more positive about it. Lastly, Alana has gotten to revisit an old favourite of hers, as NeiR: Replicant ver.1.22474487139… makes its way internationally, giving us the purest NieR experience as it was a...
May 01, 2021•1 hr 33 min
On this episode of Random Encounter, the panel comes together to talk about Square Enix's latest offering, Outriders , that Abe's reviewing for the site. Meanwhile, Caitlin has enthusiastically jumped into the unique, artful world of Fantasian on Apple Arcade. Some random side-banter and a fun discovery for Caitlin gives us a swell little episode for your ears! Featuring: Greg Delmage, Jono Logan, Caitlin Argyros, Abe Kobylanski; Edited by Greg Delmage Get in Touch: RPGFan.com Email us: podcast@...
Apr 18, 2021•1 hr 34 min
On this episode of Random Encounter, we’ve got a panel talkin’ about nothing new but some things new to us. Most of us are still journeying through Bravely Default II ! Nicholas got through Yakuza 5 and has his sights set on Yakuza 6 , planning to make good on his 100% achievement quest. Brian’s gotten himself back into Fire Emblem: Three Houses , but with a twist, which has intrigued other FE fans! Quinton’s along for the ride and loving all of it, having dipped into most of the games discussed...
Apr 03, 2021•1 hr 31 min
On this episode of Random Encounter, the panel talks about what they've been playing lately and then dives into some RPGs with underlined titles (mostly.) The Project Triangle Strategy demo is pretty great, but needs some work. Bravely Default II is out now and it's a big one we've been looking forward to! So far, it holds up! So, come listen to some great discussion! Featuring: Greg Delmage, Jono Logan, Michael Sollosi, Nicholas Whaley, Brian Mackenzie; Edited by Greg Delmage Get in Touch: RPGF...
Mar 25, 2021•1 hr 53 min
On this episode of Random Encounter, we bring on a couple of RPGFan staff to discuss ethnic diversity and representation in games, and what that's meant to them over the years. It's a tough topic to discuss, cause it's big. In the spirit of this discussion, alongside some research, Greg is finally getting into a pair of neat games by POC developers, Aurion: Legacy of the Kori-Odan , and Treachery in Beatdown City . And of course, we can't ignore the latest news from Nintendo or the Sony State of...
Mar 02, 2021•1 hr 35 min
On this episode of Random Encounter, a whole new set of voices join our hosts to discuss the rest of the Best of the Year 2020 feature! Some new staff and special guests get into the various categories and the games that set themselves apart, as well as their individual recommendations that stole their hearts. Come listen to the second part of our big end of year bonanza! Disclaimer: There was a minor issue with some of this episode's audio, which we apologize for. Thanks for your patience with ...
Feb 22, 2021•2 hr 9 min
On this episode of Random Encounter, we look back at the best of 2020 in conjunction with the written feature of the same theme! The panel largely discusses the big contenders: Final Fantasy VII Remake , Hades and 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim . But we suitably go off on our own loves from the past year as well. Give a listen and see what's hot with the RPGFan.com crew! Get in Touch: RPGFan.com Email us: [email protected] Twitter: @rpgfancom Instagram: @rpgfancom Facebook: rpgfancom Twitch: rpgfancom...
Feb 14, 2021•59 min
On this episode of Random Encounter, Greg and Jono are stalling for time! We kid. Greg's been playing the newly launched Ocean's Heart , having a great time adventuring in this Legend of Zelda -like, which inspires some chat of the magic of the Zelda series! As for Jono, he's been playing a game... or has he? There Is No Game: Wrong Dimension has grabbed his attention, and he's been enjoying unpacking whatever it is! A fun question and idle chit chat as per usual, on this episode! Featuring: Gre...
Jan 22, 2021•1 hr 11 min
On this episode of Random Encounter, we break into 2021! We've got a few panelists chatting about some of their favourite releases of last year. Alana's been trying to catch up with some popular hits and dove into the bizarre world of Paradies Killer , finding it the ideal murder mystery to listen to while studying. Neal revealed the indie action RPG Luminous Plume and we get into some thoughts on where this one could go. Then there's the Collection of SaGa: Final Fantasy Legend that Zach's been...
Jan 11, 2021•1 hr 8 min
On this episode of Random Encounter, Jono has braved the wastes of Appalachia in Fallout 76 and, well, it's not as bad as it once was. Despite not expecting to get into it so soon, Greg has been playing Cyberpunk 2077 , and so has Tooker, so they have some thoughts to chat out on this incredibly contentious release. A fun question from our guest panelist and chatter rounds out the episode, so enjoy! Featuring: Greg Delmage, Jono Logan, John "Tooker" Tucker; Edited by Greg Delmage Get in Touch: R...
Dec 28, 2020•1 hr 20 min
