RPGFan's Random Encounter

On this week's Random Encounter, we're talking about two highly anticipated sequels (although one is slightly more anticipated than the other).

First up, Jono and Mike share their initial impressions of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, the long-awaited direct sequel to 2017's Breath of the Wild. Does it meet their sky-high expectations? And then, Audra, Mike, and Hilary get to have a good old coffee hangout chatting about Coffee Talk 2: Hibiscus & Butterfly, the sequel to 2020's Coffee Talk. Is this new entry in the series a delicious smooth brew, or does it go down bitter?

Oh, and heads up, we're posting an "emergency" Random Encounter on Saturday, May 20th for a deep dive into Tears of the Kingdom, so stay tuned for that! 

Featuring: Jono Logan, Audra Bowling, Hilary Andreff, and Mike Salbato; Edited by Jono Logan

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This Episode's Related Links:
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild Review
Coffee Talk Review
Coffee Talk Episode 2: Hibiscus & Butterfly Review

On this week's Random Encounter, we're talking about a highly anticipated piece of DLC and a very highly anticipated remake (that we were never quite sure we would EVER see)!

First up is Caitlin talking about the Horizon Forbidden West DLC, Burning Shores. In it, we visit the post-apocalyptical ruins of Los Angeles, but do Aloy's Hollywood dreams live up to Caitlin's expectations? Then, Ben fills us in about the long-delayed Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp. These eagerly-awaited remakes of GBA TRPG classics, Advance Wars and Advance Wars 2: Black Hole Rising, look terrific, but do they deliver experiences equal to the originals?

Featuring: Jono Logan, Ben Love, and Caitlin Argyros; Edited by Jono Logan

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This Episode's Related Links:
Horizon Forbidden West: The Burning Shores Review
Horizon Forbidden West Review
Advance Wars 1+2: Re-Boot Camp Review

On this week's Random Encounter, we're looking at two games (technically, 11 games) that bring us fully into cyberspace!

First, Peter downloads his thoughts on the new visual novel based on Disney's Tron franchise, TRON: IDENTITY. Does it capture the cyber-magic of the classic 80s film and its 2010s follow-up? Then, Abe confronts the monumental task of getting through all ten games included in the massive Mega Man Battle Network Legacy Collection. Do these classic GBA RPGs from the early 2000s hold up today, or are they best left in the Recycle Bin of Windows XP? Finally, the entire panel gets to discuss what remastered collections they hope to see in this year's upcoming Not-E3 season! 

Featuring: Jono Logan, Abraham Kobylanski, and Peter Triezenberg; Edited by Jono Logan

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This Episode's Related Links:
TRON: Identity Review
Mega Man Battle Network Legacy Collection Vol. 1 Review

On this week’s Random Encounter, we’re talking about two games that, frankly, we can’t believe exist.

Many of us expect certain game series to “stay in their lane.” Mega Man is a platformer. Doom is an FPS. Metroid is, well, a Metroidvania. But when a series tries something completely different in a new genre, the results can vary in quality. Audra recently reviewed two such games, one that wildly succeeded and one that spectacularly failed. First up is The Murder of Sonic the Hedgehog, a game that takes the classic platforming characters and puts them into an Ace Attorney-style adventure game/visual novel. And then we are talking about Street Fighter: Duel, a mobile game that attempts to translate the classic fighting game into an RPG.

Featuring: Jono Logan, Audra Bowling; Edited by Jono Logan

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This Episode's Related Links:
The Murder of Sonic the Hedgehog Review
Street Fighter: Duel Review

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 Logan

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This Episode's Related Links:
A Parent’s List of the Best Introductory RPGs for Kids
Bug Fables: The Everlasting Sapling Review
Kingdom Hearts Review
Pokémon Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl Review
Costume Quest Review
Dragon Quest Builders Review
Mario + 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 Logan

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This Episode's Related Links:
Theatrhythm Final Bar Line Review
PowerWash Simulator Midgar Special Pack Hands-On Preview
Final 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 Logan

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This Episode's Related Links:
Octopath Traveler II Review
Like a Dragon: Ishin! Review
Octopath Traveler Review
Octopath 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 Logan

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This Episode's Related Links:
Fire Emblem Engage Review
Fire Emblem Review
One 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 Logan

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This Episode's Related Links:
Forspoken Review
River City Girls 2 Review
Persona 3 Portable Review
Persona 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 Logan

Get in Touch:
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This Episode's Related Links:
Marvel’s Midnight Suns Review
Coffee Talk Review
Rhythm Encounter Archive