RPGFan's Random Encounter

On this episode of Random Encounter, we're looking at a remake of an 18-year-old game and the release of a game that felt like it took 18 years to come out.

Since its announcement in 2016, Granblue Fantasy: Relink has been on many RPG fans' most anticipated lists (it was on ours in 2020, 2022, 2023 AND 2024). And after seven years, it's finally here! Des dives into this long-awaited action RPG to discover if it can possibly live up to expectations! Then, Aleks revisits a new iteration of an old favorite: Persona 3 Reload. There have been many versions of Persona 3 since its first release in 2006 (including the original, FES, and Portable). Can this brand-new remake live up to Aleks' memories of this beloved classic turn-based RPG?

Featuring: Jono Logan, Aleks Franiczek, and Des Miller; 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:
Granblue Fantasy: Relink Review
Persona 3 Reload Review

On this episode of Random Encounter, we're chatting about the latest installment in the Yakuza franchise, Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, and the indie point-and-click adventure game, Lil' Guardsman.

First, Jono dives into Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, the direct sequel to 2020's Yakuza: Like a Dragon. Does Infinite Wealth live up to the lofty turn-based JRPG expectations set by its predecessor? Then, Audra mans the review guardshed with the Canadian indie title, Lil' Guardsman. Does she let this adorable, cartoon-inspired point-and-click adventure pass into the Editor's Choice club? Finally, the entire panel discusses the state of the games industry in 2024. After what can only be described as a monumental 2023, will the big releases this year be able to live up to that standard?

Featuring: Jono Logan, Audra Bowling, and Mike Sollosi; 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:
Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth Review
Yakuza: Like a Dragon Review
Lil' Guardsman Review

Welcome to 2024! This year at Random Encounter, we're on the road to episode 300, so let's start the new year right by chatting about some games!

First up, Jerry is here to talk about the experimental visual novel, Slay the Princess. In complete opposition to just about every video game plot ever, here you need to kill the princess or the world is doomed! Or is it? With a ton of endings and twists around every choice, Slay the Princess has captured Jerry's attention as a potentially overlooked gem of 2023.

And speaking of overlooked gems, Aleks has another one for you from 1999 with Planet Laika, a Japanese-only game from Quintet, the developer of Soul Blazer, Illusion of Gaia, and Terranigma. This lost 32-bit-era adventure/RPG hybrid features a highly experimental narrative, mind-bending graphics, and a philosophical bent that would have sent any translator in the late 1990s into a stress-related leave (which might be why it was never localized). Thankfully, Planet Laika now has a high-quality fan translation! So, let's find out what we missed out on!

Featuring: Jono Logan, Aleks Franiczek, and Jerry Williams; 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:
Slay the Princess Review
Planet Laika Review

On the final 2023 episode of Random Encounter, we're chatting about all the games we're excited about that are coming in 2024!

At the end of December, RPGFan publishes one of the year's biggest features: our most anticipated games expected to come out next year. And that means a chance to get together on Random Encounter to have a year-end freak out about all the games that will inevitably be added to our backlogs!

2023 was a banner year for gaming, but will 2024 follow in its footsteps? From Final Fantasy VII Rebirth to Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth to Metaphor: ReFantazio, here are our thoughts about what's to come in the year ahead!

Featuring: Jono Logan, Hilary Andreff, Joshua Lindquist, Mike Salbato, and 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:
RPGFan’s 30 Most Anticipated Games of 2024
RPGFan Shop: RPGFan Review Card Collection

On this episode of Random Encounter, we chat all of the news from the 2023 Game Awards, and delve into two recent indie RPGs.

First, The Game Awards came and went faster than the music playing off the winners! Baldur's Gate 3 was the champion of the evening with Best Game, but Alan Wake 2 walked away with a good share of the awards, as well. Join the panel as we gossip about the absolute boatload of game announcements that we can expect in 2024 and 2025 (and, if we're being really honest, probably 2026 and beyond)! 

Then, Abe walks us through the dark, foreboding woods to chat about Little Goody Two Shoes, an indie horror RPG with life-sim, dating-sim, arcade, and roguelike elements. Is this fairytale-inspired game a "Grimm" experience, or does it deliver a happy ending? Then, Izzy dives into the timestream with the time-looping indie RPG, In Stars and Time. Do the game get tiresome, or do they want to replay it again and again?

Featuring: Jono Logan, Abraham Kobylanski, and Izzy Parsons; 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:
Baldur's Gate 3 Review
Little Goody Two Shoes Review
In Stars and Time Review

On the next Random Encounter, we delve into the vibrant worlds of Super Mario RPG and Persona 5 Tactica, and tackle the complex issue of redemption arcs in game publishing.

First, Caitlin unpacks the Super Mario RPG Remake. Despite some minor frame rate drops and easy difficulty, does the game's timeless appeal shine through in this newly revitalized Switch release? Following that, Ben explores Persona 5 Tactica. Diverging from the gameplay of previous Persona SRPGs and instead pulling from XCOM, does it still deliver a solid Persona 5 experience while exploring new characters?

Finally, the panel discusses redemption arcs in game publishing. What are the implications of companies releasing flawed games and then improving them over time? We'll delve into whether this trend benefits the industry and gamers, or if it sets a concerning precedent for game quality at launch.

Featuring: Jono Logan, Ben Love, and Caitlin Argyros; 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:
Super Mario RPG Remake
Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars
Persona 5 Tactica Review
Cyberpunk 2077 Review
Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty Review
Fallout 76 Review

On the next Random Encounter, we're taking a deep dive into Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name, Star Ocean: The Second Story R, and Dave the Diver!

First, Jono discovers the yakuza's latest crisis in Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name. Does this shorter Yakuza tale live up to its pedigree? Then Izzy Parsons gets to relive their childhood with the recent remake, Star Ocean: The Second Story R. Does this remake do justice to the original PSX game? Finally, Sollosi talks us through his experience with the indie sensation Dave the Diver, and how it kind of reminds him of both Like a Dragon and Hades!

Featuring: Jono Logan, Izzy Parsons, and Michael Sollosi; 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:
Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name Review
Star Ocean: The Second Story R Review
Dave the Diver
Retro Encounter 391 – Essential Fan Translations

On the next Random Encounter, we're exploring the narrative horror depths of World of Horror and the deep strategic and colorful layers of Wargroove 2.

First, Bob Richardson will guide us through World of Horror. With its unique 1-bit artistic style and roguelike narrative structure, does the game offer a lasting experience that keeps players coming back for more? Following that, Ben Love will share his thoughts on Wargroove 2. The game brings new gameplay mechanics and thematic elements to the table, but does it manage to build on the success of its predecessor and meet the high expectations of fans?

To round out the episode, we'll address a reader question about the increasing presence of RPG elements in games that aren't traditionally part of the RPG genre. Is this a positive development that enriches the gaming experience, or does it risk diluting what makes RPGs unique and special?

Featuring: Jono Logan, Bob Richardson, and Ben Love; 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:
World of Horror Review
Videoverse Review
Wargroove Review
Wargroove 2 Review

On this week’s Random Encounter, Zach steps in as your host to guide us through RPGFan’s 25th-anniversary special, Revisiting RPGFan Games of the Year: Bracket Battle. Joining Zach are Audra, Jimmy, and Aleks, each bringing their own perspectives on what makes a Game of the Year truly deserving of the title. But the final choice of the best GOTY in 25 years doesn’t lie with them; it lies with you!

So, tune in and get ready to cast your votes. After all, the ultimate GOTY is in your hands.

Featuring: Zach Wilkerson, Aleks Franiczek, Audra Bowling, and Jimmy Turner; Edited by Paul Dennis

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

This Episode's Related Links:
Xenoblade Chronicles 3 Review
Final Fantasy VII Remake Review
Skies of Arcadia Review
Star Ocean: Till the End of Time Review
Mass Effect 2 Review
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Review
Final Fantasy X Review
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic Review
Persona 5 Review
Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker Review
Final Fantasy XV Review
Final Fantasy XII Review
Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age Review
The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings Review
Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King Review
Dragon Age: Origins Review
Suikoden III Review
Lunar: Silver Star Story Complete Review
Final Fantasy XIV: Shadowbringers – 19. Review Journal Book XIX: The Dark Which Illuminates the World Review
Dragon Age: Inquisition Review
Mass Effect 3 Review
Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 3 Review
Fallout 3 Review
Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn – 1. Review Journal Book I: Intro Review

On this week's Random Encounter, we're diving into a piece of DLC that redeems one of gaming's biggest disappointments, a Souls-like that cannot tell a lie, and a classic celebrating its 30th anniversary.

First, Aleks guides us through the shadowy world of Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty. Does this DLC redeem 2020's Cyberpunk 2077, or does it miss the mark? Following that, Noah takes us into the steampunk-inspired, puppet-filled realm of Lies of P. Does it distinguish itself in the crowded Souls-like genre, or does it deserve to be swallowed by a whale (or shark, depending on which version of Pinocchio you're familiar with)?

To round out the episode, it's the 30th anniversary of the classic Squaresoft action RPG, Secret of Mana. Does it still hold its own in today's gaming landscape? As we've recently learned, regardless of your answer, it's sure to inflame opinions online!

Featuring: Jono Logan, Aleks Franiczek, and Noah Leiter; 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:
Cyberpunk 2077 Review
Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty Review
Lies of P Review
Secret of Mana Retro Review