RPGFan's Random Encounter

On this episode of Random Encounter, we're going handheld with two highly anticipated RPGs for the Nintendo Switch...

First, Izzy digs into the HD-2D remake of the classic Super Famicom/Super Nintendo RPG, LIVE A LIVE. Now, not only do Western audiences FINALLY learn how the title is pronounced, but we have the opportunity to enjoy this seven-character epic with stunning graphics and remastered music! Then, both Zach and Izzy wax rhapsodic to Jono about the incredible new entry of the Xeno series, Xenoblade Chronicles 3!

Featuring: Jono Logan, Izzy Parsons, Zach Wilkerson; Edited by Jono Logan

Get in Touch:
RPGFan.com
RPGFan Shop
Email us: [email protected]
Twitter: @rpgfancom
Instagram: @rpgfancom
Facebook: rpgfancom
Twitch: rpgfancom

This Episode's Related Links:
LIVE A LIVE Review
So you want to get into the Xeno Series…
Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition Review
Xenoblade Chronicles 2 Review
Xenoblade Chronicles 2: Torna – The Golden Country Review

On this episode of Random Encounter, it's Random Book Club time!

Do you know what we love almost as much as video games? Books ABOUT video games! Bitmap Books just released their third edition of The Art of Point-and-Click Adventure Games, and Hilary got an exclusive first look at this incredible volume. You know what that means, right? It means that Jono and Hilary get to geek out about adventure games for an hour! No, YOU fight like a cow! 

Featuring: Jono Logan, Hilary Andreff; 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 Links:
RPGFan Chapters Exclusive Review: The Art of Point-and-Click Adventure Games, Third Edition
YouTube: Jonathan Coulton - All This Time (Official Video)
Old Skies Steam Next Fest 2022 Demo Impressions
Kathy Rain: Director’s Cut Review
Whispers of a Machine Review
YouTube: Double Fine Adventure

On this episode of Random Encounter, we're talking about the joy of hunting monsters!

First, the panel chats about the RPGs and adventure games that caught their attention in the highly-anticipated June Nintendo Direct. Then, Jono gives Dom and Des a chance to geek out at length about the new expansion to Monster Hunter Rise, Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak!
 

Featuring: Jono Logan, Des Miller, Dom Kim; 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 Links:
Monster Hunter Rise Review (Des)
Monster Hunter Rise Review (Dom)

On this episode of Random Encounter, we're talking about sequels and demos! 

Zach chats about his time with AI: The Somnium Files – nirvanA Initiative, the new sequel to the beloved "mystery box" game. Mike shares some of his favorite RPG and adventure game demos from the 2022 Steam Next Fest. And the entire panel breaks down the big news stories of the week, including the Final Fantasy VII Rebirth announcement and the Xenoblade Chronicles 3 Direct!

Featuring: Jono Logan, Mike Salbato, Zach Wilkerson; 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 Links:
AI: The Somnium Files – nirvanA Initiative Review
Xenoblade Chronicles 3 Direct Delivers New Trailer, Gameplay and Expansion Pass Details
Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII Reunion Coming to All Major Platforms This Winter
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth Comes to PS5 Next Winter as Part 2 of a Trilogy

On this episode of Random Encounter, it's Not-E3 time!

Even though the illustrious gaming show is skipping a year, that doesn't mean there isn't a ridiculous amount of gaming news to sift through. Our panel talks about their favorite games of each day of the "show," and discusses what the future might hold for E3 and other gaming events in 2023 and beyond!

Featuring: Jono Logan, Brian Mackenzie, Mario Garcia, Wes Iliff; 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 Links:
Final Fantasy XVI
Bear and Breakfast
Marvel’s Midnight Suns
One Piece Odyssey
Honkai: Star Rail
Gotham Knights
9 Years of Shadows
The Unliving
Symphony of War: The Nephilim Saga
SacriFire
Paper Animal RPG
WrestleQuest
Sunday Gold
Persona 4 Golden
Persona 5 Royal
Starfield
Pentiment

On this episode of Random Encounter, the panel breaks down everything they’ve played over the last few weeks!

Caitlin survives her first experience with the children of the night in Vampire: The Masquerade – Swansong. Audra enjoys a bit of video game nostalgia with Arcade Spirits: The New Challengers, a visual novel that celebrates the world of arcades. And Jono digs into his comfort food of Fallout 4 by adding in mods that dramatically change the way the game is played! 

Featuring: Jono Logan, Audra Bowling, Caitlin Argyros; 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 Links:
Vampire: The Masquerade – Swansong Review
Arcade Spirits Review
Arcade Spirits: The New Challengers Review
Fallout 4 Review

On this episode of Random Encounter, we're talking about some of the best games we've played so far in May! 

As one of the biggest fans of the Suikoden series at RPGFan, Zach relished the opportunity to dig into Eiyuden Chronicle: Rising, but did it live up to his high expectations? Sollosi revisits the past with Prinny Presents NIS Classics Vol. 2, giving him another opportunity to enjoy two tactical RPGs from his college years. And now that it's out of early access, Jono can't stop playing Rogue Legacy 2! All in all, a pretty solid mid-May for RPG gaming! 

Featuring: Jono Logan, Michael Sollosi, Zach Wilkerson; 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 Links:
Eiyuden Chronicle: Rising Review
Makai Kingdom: Chronicles of the Sacred Tome Review
Z.H.P.: Unlosing Ranger vs Darkdeath Evilman Review
Rogue Legacy 2 (Early Access) Review
So you want to get into The Suikoden Series…

On this episode of Random Encounter, it's time for some indie goodness down on the farm!

Tarah makes her first appearance on the podcast, talking about the retro farm-sim Bit Orchard: Animal Valley for the Switch. This indie homage to Harvest Moon and Game Boy apparently makes for a very relaxing time (provided that you don't need to catch any frogs)! Next, Audra returns to Random to chat about the fun, if slightly underwhelming, dungeon crawler Anuchard. And then, Jono has been plowing through RPG DLC at a rapid pace, sharing his thoughts about CrossCode: A New Home and Lost Judgment: The Kaito Files.

Featuring: Jono Logan, Audra Bowling, Izzy Parsons, Tyler Trosper; 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 Links:
Anuchard Review
Lost Judgment: The Kaito Files Review
CrossCode: A New Home DLC Review

On this episode of Random Encounter, we're taking a page from Retro Encounter and talking about some of our favorite games of the past!

Tyler is here to talk about his recent feature "So You Want to Get Into the Xeno Series," a deep dive into the series that started with Xenogears on the PSX and is heading toward Xenoblade Chronicles III on the Switch this September. Izzy and Jono get into a deep discussion about Chrono Cross and Chrono Trigger's freshly-localized visual novel sequel, Radical Dreamers. And in honor of its 30th anniversary, Audra has finally played The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past for the first time (spoiler alert, she loved it)!

Featuring: Jono Logan, Audra Bowling, Izzy Parsons, Tyler Trosper; 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 Links:
So you want to get into the Xeno series…
Chrono Cross: The Radical Dreamers Edition Review
Radical Dreamers – Le Trésor Interdit Review
The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past Review
Earthbound Review

On this episode of Random Encounter, it’s tabletop RPGs, farms, and Zelda-likes. Oh my!

Neal returns to Random to talk about the recent Borderlands spinoff, Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands, Brian shares his thoughts about how Rune Factory 5 has advanced the series, and Greg returns to chat about Arietta of Spirits! Plus, Jono and the entire panel chats about the recent E3 cancelation and if the former giant of gaming conferences will be missed!

Featuring: Jono Logan, Neal Chandran, Greg Delmage, Brian Mackenzie; 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 Links:
Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands First Impressions
Rune Factory 5 Review
Fire Emblem Gaiden Review