The Second Story, the second time around.

On this week's episode of Retro Encounter, we finish up the second half of Star Ocean: The Second Story. We become friends with an ancient psychic beast, gather up the last remaining party members, wast time in the aptly named Fun City, and finally take the fight to the Ten Wise Men threatening the universe. And saw so, so many endings.

Featuring: Ben Love, Audra Bowling, Matt Wardell, Rob White, Steph Sybydlo; Edited by Zach Wilkerson

Opening and ending music by Miles Morkri

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The Second Story, but first in our hearts!

On this week's episode of Retro Encounter, we got marooned on an underdeveloped planet called Expel and discussed Tri-Ace's western debut title Star Ocean: The Second Story. We compared the finer points of the PSX original with Second Evolution and Second Story R, which characters make the best party members, and how best to break the game using the special skill system!

Featuring: Ben Love, Audra Bowling, Matt Wardell, Rob White, Steph Sybydlo; Edited by Zach Wilkerson

Opening and ending music by Miles Morkri

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Women, children, the elderly...doesn't matter. If you listen to Retro Encounter, you're going to have a good time.

On this week's episode of Retro Encounter, we dive into the wild and wacky world of Yoko Taro, best known for his work on the NieR and Drakengard franchises. We discuss game design, themes, and just how many Taro games one person can play in a month without going insane. Can we make sense of Taro's madness? Listen in to find out!

Featuring: Zach Wilkerson, Aleks Franiczek, Ben Love, Pat Gann; Edited by Zach Wilkerson

Opening and ending music by Miles Morkri

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If you wish to live, choose only Retro Encounter!

On this week's episode of Retro Encounter, we finally finish Drakengard. We cry, we wail. Oh wait, that's the characters. Just how messed up are the additional endings? Can anyone ever truly be happy? Do rhythm games belong in an RPG? Listen in to find out!

Featuring: Zach Wilkerson, Aleks Franiczek, Ben Love, Steph Sybydlo; Edited by Paul Dennis

Opening and ending music by Miles Morkri

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Wise men choose Retro Encounter before war.

In this week's episode of Retro Encounter, we are in pain. Wait, I mean we're playing Yoko Taro's first directorial effort: Drakengard. We discuss the first ending, the (purposely?) frustrating gameplay, all while trying to avoid going insane. Can a game that's not fun be good? Listen in to find out!

Featuring: Zach Wilkerson, Aleks Franiczek, Ben Love, Steph Sybybldo; Edited by Paul Dennis

Opening and ending music by Miles Morkri

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What about podcasts? You guys got any podcasts?

In this week's episode of Retro Encounter, the host re-opens the RPG confessional, a place where we admit to series that we've never played before, much to our shame. Don't worry, though, we're just here to encourage our friends to play good stuff! Who has never touched the Xenoblade Chronicles series? What about the most famous RPG franchise in the world? Sure everyone has played Dragon Quest, right? Listen in to find out!

Featuring: Zach Wilkerson, Lucy Gray, Paul Skevington, Matt Wardell; Edited by Zach Wilkerson

Opening and ending music by Miles Morkri

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You've got to jump into the podcast!

This week on Retro Encounter, the panel is back to dig into the story-heavy second half of Breath of Fire II. Who can't stand the solo sections? Just how long can a final dungeon be? Is this the first time we killed God? Listen in to find out!

Featuring: Zach Wilkerson, Mike Salbato, Matt Wardell; Edited by Paul Dennis

Opening and ending music by Miles Morkri

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It is podcasts.

On this week's episode, two old veterans and one newcomer dive into the 1995 SNES RPG Breath of Fire II. A game known for its brutal grind and maybe even more brutal localization, some of the panelists still have a soft spot for it all these years later. Is the localization really that bad? How does the gameplay hold up? Do we ever get new dungeon music? Listen in to find out!

Featuring: Zach Wilkerson, Mike Salbato, Matt Wardell; Edited by Paul Dennis

Opening and ending music by Miles Morkri

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You hear that? Richie Marcus likes Retro Encounter!

In today's episode, the panel gets back together to discuss the second half of Fallout: New Vegas. Our conversation covers The Strip, the endgame, the DLC, and of course, Richie Marcus. Does The Strip live up to its name? Which ending did we pick? Who among us takes up cannibalism? Listen in to find out!

Featuring: Zach Wilkerson, Audra Bowling, Aleks Franiczek, Jono Logan, Matt Wardell; Edited by Zach Wilkerson

Opening and ending music by Miles Morkri

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We always love to celebrate birthdays here at Retro Encounter, and one of our all-time favourite RPGs/immersive sims has a big one coming up! Deus Ex is turning 25 years old! In honour of this momentous occasion, we've assembled a panel of fans to chat about each entry in the series.

Whether you're a fan of the original Deus Ex, the two more recent games Human Revolution or Mankind Divided, or maybe even Invisible War, we have you covered in this retrospective. Oh, and don't forget to check out the brand-new retro reviews of each game on RPGFan.com!

Featuring: Jono Logan, Patrick Gann, Pete Leavitt, Matt Wardell, and Tom Naylor; Edited by Jono Logan

Opening and ending music by Miles Morkri

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