RPGFan's Retro Encounter

A 2021 Retro Encounter sequel podcast drops its sequel episode, establishing a new Essential Ten for a new decade. Five panelists argue a list of twenty RPGs and visual novels down to an esteemed list of ten newly enshrined Retro Encounter Hall of Fame RPGs. By the end, the five RPGFan staff show a mix of accomplishment, fatigue, and sulky dissatisfaction, but we got there, doggone it.

Which Final Fantasy game gets dumped? Do one, two, or zero Lunar games make the cut? Listen and find out!

Featuring: Michael Sollosi, Alana Hagues, Eva Padilla, Peter Triezenberg, Zach Wilkerson; Edited by Micah Coates

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Retro Encounter's most notorious two-part episode, a 2016 structured argument that resulted in a top ten RPGs deemed "essential" by Retro Encounter, is getting a sequel five years later. It's a new decade, and five Retro Encounter regulars will spend two podcasts and over four hours arguing a list of 35 RPGs to 10, and this is the first.

Friendships are challenged and feelings are hurt (but not really) in the latest Retro Encounter!

Featuring: Michael Sollosi, Alana Hagues, Eva Padilla, Peter Triezenberg, Zach Wilkerson; Edited by Michael Sollosi

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Retro Encounter did two episodes on NieR: Gestalt in 2016, but the recent Replicant remaster gives us new occasion to discuss the Square-Enix cult classic. We have Teen Nier, Automata context, and deeply personal narratives all up for discussion in a mostly-happy podcast about a sad, angry RPG.

How far would you go for a podcast you love?

Featuring: Michael Sollosi, Alana Hagues, Zach Wilkerson; Edited by Brian Ingemanson

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NieR: Replicant on RPGFan
NieR: Gestalt on RPGFan

The stunning conclusion to Knights in the Nightmare is here, and holy plot Batman, that was a doozy! And with a remaster just announced for Japan this week, we cannot wait for more folks to dig in to this fascinating experience!

(no relation to NiGHTS into Dreams for Sega Saturn)

Featuring: Eva Padilla, Pete Leavitt; Edited by Micah Coates

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Knights in the Nightmare on RPGFan

What is dead may never die! On this Game Journal, two panelists dive into Sting's weirdo-bullet heck SRPG Knights in the Nightmare!  Can this duo find the strength to make it out of this deep slumber in one piece? Find out on this week's episode of Retro Encounter!

Dust off your late-2000s handheld, folks!

Featuring: Eva Padilla, Pete Leavitt; Edited by Micah Coates

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Knights in the Nightmare on RPGFan

Retro Encounter's miniseries on Final Fantasy XIV concludes this week with an episode all about Shadowbringers, Final Fantasy XIV"s most recent and most fantastical expansion. Three panelists discuss the changes Shadowbringers made to the FFXIV job system, how Shadowbringers subverts a few central tenets of Final Fantasy, and the unmatched passion and dedication of the FFXIV team, only a few short months away from Endwalker.

Listen, and remember us.

Featuring: Michael Sollosi, Caitlin Argyros, Marcos Gaspar; Edited by Micah Coates

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Final Fantasy XIV: Shadowbringers on RPGFan

Monster Hunter: World has peaked and Monster Hunter Rise has risen, and with several RPGFan staff hunting Rathalos recently it was high time we recorded a Monster Hunter podcast for the first time in more than three years. Three panelists talk about the peaks and valleys of the fifth generation of Monster Hunter, which is stronger than ever sixteen games in.

Sharpen your weapons, eat a hearty meal, then let's get to hunting.

Featuring: Michael Sollosi, Dom Kim, Peter Triezenberg; Edited by Brian Ingemanson

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Monster Hunter World on RPGFan
Monster Hunter Rise on RPGFan

Psaro, the very motivated main antagonist of Dragon Quest IV, is the best video game villain of the NES era and is definitely worth a podcast. But what's the most awful thing Psaro attempts in DQ4? Is he the true villain of the game? These and more addressed in today's Retro Encounter!

For the first time in many months, this... is RPG Villains.

Featuring: Michael Sollosi, Alana Hagues, Zach Wilkerson; Edited by Michael Sollosi

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Dragon Quest IV on RPGFan

Five Retro Encounter panelists rolled credits on Dragon Quest IV, and the feeling on the 1990 classic are unanimous: Dragon Quest IV is ahead of its time. From the villain's motivations to the quest design to Akira Toriyama's badass women, Dragon Quest IV is a treat. Listen to us gush about it.

Does Alena love Kiryl, or just hate doors?

Featuring: Michael Sollosi, Audra Bowling, Alana Hagues, Wes Iliff, Zach Wilkerson; Edited by Michael Sollosi

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Dragon Quest IV on RPGFan

Five chosen panelists meet a chosen hero (or heroine) and his (or her) seven companions in today's podcast on 1990's Dragon Quest IV: Chapters of the Chosen, making today's Retro Encounter one of the most retro we've ever done. Scottish accents, kickass princesses, and talented business wives all enter the discussion. 

Which chapter was our favorite? We don't say, but listen anyway! 

Featuring: Michael Sollosi, Audra Bowling, Alana Hagues, Wes Iliff, Zach Wilkerson; Edited by Michael Sollosi

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Dragon Quest IV on RPGFan