RPGFan's Rhythm Encounter

We may be well into 2015, but on Rhythm Encounter it's never too late to talk about our favorite music from the past year. We've got a full party of hosts and special guests, and so much awesome music to discuss that we couldn't fit it into just one episode. Join us for part one of a trilogy of episodes devoted to RPGFan's Music of the Year 2014!

Special Note: Due to an unforeseen technical error, you may hear a higher than normal amount of background audio interference in this episode. We apologize for this unfortunate situation, but hope that our sparkling conversation shines through regardless!

Featuring: Stephen Meyerink, Caitlin Argyros, Mike Salbato, Derek Heemsbergen, Rob Steinman, Zack Reese, Michael A. Cunningham, Michael Sollosi, Jayson Napolitano

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Episode tracklist & post on RPGFan

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Note: We had to re-number our episodes several years after publishing. This was originally Episode 20, as reflected in the audio. Don't worry, you're not missing anything!

Rhythm Encounter rings in the new year with an episode of chill tunes to warm up with. Stephen's got Etrian Odyssey (or at least series composer Yuzo Koshiro) on the brain, Caitlin rebels with a few unconventional picks, and Mike serves up some classic snowy tunes to round things out. As always, we also listen to some cool tracks from albums recently reviewed on RPGFan.

Featuring: Stephen Meyerink, Caitlin Argyros, Mike Salbato

Links for this episode:
Episode tracklist & post on RPGFan

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Note: We had to re-number our episodes several years after publishing. This was originally Episode 19, as reflected in the audio. Don't worry, you're not missing anything!

Surprise, podcast listeners! Bet you thought we were done with interviews for the year. Well, Mike still needed to get his fanboy on, so we got a hold of one of his favorite musicians, the talented violinist Taylor Davis. Tune in as we find out how Taylor got her start, how she develops her music, and-- most importantly-- what her favorite RPG soundtrack is. We also listen to some of Taylor's beautiful arrangements and original pieces, so make sure your ears can handle all the awesome.

Featuring: Stephen Meyerink, Caitlin Argyros, Mike Salbato, Taylor Davis

Links for this episode:
Episode tracklist & post on RPGFan
Taylor Davis' Official Website

Taylor Davis on YouTube

Taylor Davis on Patreon

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Note: We had to re-number our episodes several years after publishing. This was originally Episode 18, as reflected in the audio. Don't worry, you're not missing anything!

It's all about characters on this episode of Rhythm Encounter, and I'm not just talking about our colorful cast of charismatic hosts. Join us as we discuss some of our favorite character themes from RPGs both well-known and not-so-well-known. Featuring spiky-haired kids with Disney characters for friends (I'm sure you all know who picked that one), cursed princesses who hide in the shadows, one-eyed pirates piloting giant mechs, and plenty of other interesting personalities. Also, delight in some excellent new music, including tracks from the recently released Terra Battle and the eagerly anticipated Final Fantasy XV!

Featuring: Stephen Meyerink, Caitlin Argyros, Mike Salbato

Links for this episode:
Episode tracklist & post on RPGFan

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Note: We had to re-number our episodes several years after publishing. This was originally Episode 17, as reflected in the audio. Don't worry, you're not missing anything!

We're shaking things up a little in this episode of Rhythm Encounter with a new host, a (slightly) different approach to recent music, and a lot of "new game" tunes. We search RPGs both new and old, Japanese and Western for some of the finest tracks to start a fifty-hour quest with, from title screens to opening cutscenes to battle music. Stephen has a thing for vocal themes, new host Caitlin Argyros passes the rigorous Rhythm Encounter exam, and show regular Mike Salbato pays homage to the wonderful sounds of the SNES. Join us for a lot of feels, a huge helping of nostalgia, and the chance to hear Stephen rendered speechless (on several occasions) due to awesome music. And do note that we've now included timestamps on every track, for your listening convenience!

Featuring: Stephen Meyerink, Caitlin Argyros, Mike Salbato

Links for this episode:
Episode tracklist & post on RPGFan

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Note: We had to re-number our episodes several years after publishing. This was originally Episode 16, as reflected in the audio. Don't worry, you're not missing anything!

Rhythm Encounter takes a break from the usual schmoozin' to schmooze with a special guest: Sean Schafianski, the man behind the curtain that is Video Game Music Remastered. I was able to pronounce his name right on the first try. Do I get a special prize? Whether you can say it or not, listener, you'll still want to tune in to the latest episode of Rhythm Encounter to hear our interview with Sean Schafianski, the talented arranger behind VGM Remastered. Sean's covers of beloved games like Final Fantasy VI, Chrono Trigger, NieR, and more will delight your ears.

Featuring: Stephen Meyerink, Derek Heemsbergen, Sean Schafianski

Links for this episode:
Episode tracklist & post on RPGFan

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Note: We had to re-number our episodes several years after publishing. This was originally Episode 15, as reflected in the audio. Don't worry, you're not missing anything!

In the spirit of travel, Stephen takes the Rhythm Encounter ship on a trek through some of our most beloved town themes. Listen as the team gets wild with Wild ARMs, toughens up with some Brave Fencer Musashi, grins hard with Grinsia, and commits original sin with Divinity: Original Sin, among many other exciting highlights! Derek, not with us due to a freak dogsledding accident abroad, is covered for by Mike Salbato and newcomer Caitlin Argyros!

Featuring: Stephen Meyerink, Mike Salbato, Caitlin Argyros

Links for this episode:
Episode tracklist & post on RPGFan

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Note: We had to re-number our episodes several years after publishing. This was originally Episode 14, as reflected in the audio. Don't worry, you're not missing anything!

Don't just sleep there, let's get to it. Grab a pillow, there's nothing to it. The latest and laziest episode of Rhythm Encounter features a bevy of sleepy, gentle, relaxing RPG melodies. We bring you some of our favorite picks across a smattering of beloved games, from the tranquil world of Mana to the dark ambiance of Koudelka. And it wouldn't be an episode of Rhythm Encounter without Stephen including something from Yoko Shimomura and Derek fawning over Xenoblade Chronicles. Thankfully, guest Mike Salbato appears again to knock some sense into us and diversify the lineup. Keep those ears peeled (if such a thing is possible, although it sounds very painful) for the inn and/or resting jingles from classic RPGs that we've sprinkled throughout the episode, too-- and make sure to listen all the way to the end, because we're running a contest regarding those inn jingles which could net you free music!

Featuring: Stephen Meyerink, Derek Heemsbergen, Mike Salbato

Links for this episode:
Episode tracklist & post on RPGFan

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Note: We had to re-number our episodes several years after publishing. This was originally Episode 13, as reflected in the audio. Don't worry, you're not missing anything!

We're back! The dystopian future that is 2014 opens (a little late, as always) with our favorite tunes from our favorite science fiction games. We enlisted the aid of veteran RPGFanner John Tucker to seek out some of our favorite spacey, roboty, occasionally bound-to-the-earth tunes, so be sure to check out the latest and greatest Rhythm Encounter for all the delicious musical action!

Featuring: Stephen Meyerink, Derek Heemsbergen, John Tucker

Links for this episode:
Episode tracklist & post on RPGFan

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Closing off our coverage of the grand year that was 2013, we turn our ears to the music YOU most wanted to hear. Join the Rhythm Encounter crew (plus two) as we listen to absolutely anything you told us to, even if it wasn't from 2013! Blue Dragon, Sen no Kiseki, Baten Kaitos, Might and Magic—the mix here is crazy, so be sure to listen in!

Featuring: Stephen Meyerink, Derek Heemsbergen, Mike Salbato, Brian Tomlinson

Links for this episode:
Episode tracklist & post on RPGFan

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