RPGFan's Rhythm Encounter

With eight mainline entries, six side stories, and an entire spin-off series, Yakuza/Like a Dragon has an incredible history behind it. And what’s even more incredible is the stunning quality of music that comes with each new title. Since 2005, Yakuza has been gifting us pulse-pounding boss tracks, jaw-dropping series themes, and some of the best toe-tapping karaoke songs in video game history. On this week’s episode of Rhythm Encounter, our panel will finally be taking a deep dive into the musical legacy of this incredible RPG series! (And if you ever want to get into Yakuza, check out our series primer!)

Featuring: Jono Logan, Michael Sollosi, Gio Castillo; Edited by Jono Logan

Links for this episode

• Michael Fortunati - Into The Night
• 【TDC】バブリーダンス 登美丘高校ダンス部 Tomioka Dance Club
• Ryu ga gotoku 5 haruka hack
• 【龍が如く 5 】KONNANじゃないっ！

Tracklist
0:09:09 - Friday Night (Kensuke Inage, Yoshihiro Arai) - Yakuza 0 OST
0:10:42 - Outlaw’s Lullaby (Hidenori Shoji) - Yakuza 2 OST
0:34:07 - As You Like (Saori Yoshida feat. Mio (Castledoor)) - Yakuza 0 OST
0:36:42 - Long Drill on the Beach (Hidenori Shoji) - Lost Judgment OST
0:56:56 - So Much More ~feat. Haruka~ (Yuya Saito, Rie Kugimiya) - Yakuza 5 OST
1:02:06 - Atom no Ko (Tatsuro Yamashita) - Yakuza 6 OST
1:24:00 - Fly (Hidenori Shoji) - Yakuza 3 OST
1:29:13 - Destiny (Saori Yoshida) - Yakuza 6 OST
2:06:41 - Gio’s Bonus Track!

Album links for places to buy, stream, and more are available in our post on RPGFan.

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

The Xeno games do not make up a traditional series, with multiple sub-series and some games connected loosely and some more directly. But whether you favor Xenogears, Xenosaga, or Xenoblade, there's no denying the games' popularity in the RPG crowd. And for us on Rhythm Encounter, we have been enjoying the likes of Yasunori Mitsuda, Yuki Kajiura, Shinji Hosoe, ACE+, and many more talented composers' works in these games for nearly 25 years. So please enjoy today's Xeno-filled episode where we touch on every major game in the series (even as Mike asks where the Xenosaga: Pied Piper music is).

Featuring: Mike Salbato, Tyler Trosper, Gio Castillo, Patrick Gann; Edited by Jono Logan

Links for this episode

• Jesse's Auditorium: Reacting To Video Game Music! | Xenoblade Chronicles DE - Mechanical Rhythm (YouTube)

Tracklist
0:13:25 - MELKABA (Yasunori Mitsuda) - (Xenogears) CREID
0:20:44 - Kokoro (Yasunori Mitsuda, ft. Joanne Hogg) - Xenosaga Episode I: Der Wille zur Macht
0:47:21 - Godsibb (Yuki Kajiura) - Xenosaga III: Also Sprach Zarathustra
0:50:39 - fatal fight (Jin & Margulis) (Yuki Kajiura) - Xenosaga Episode II: Jenseits von Gut und Böse
1:08:34 - Re:Arr X (Hiroyuki Sawano) - Xenoblade Chronicles X
1:14:43 - Mechanical Rhythm (ACE+) - Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition
1:35:37 - Mor Ardain - Roaming the Wastes (Kenji Hiramatsu) - Xenoblade Chronicles 2
1:38:40 - Battle!!/Torna (Kenji Hiramatsu) - Xenoblade Chronicles 2: Torna ~ The Golden Country
2:05:07 - Tyler's Bonus Track!

Album links for places to buy, stream, and more are available in our post on RPGFan.

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

Released in 2015, episode 27 of Rhythm Encounter was all about RPG transportation themes, like chocobos, airships, mechas, and boats. Because of the variety of creative vehicles and travel in our favorite genre — and because it's been nearly eight years — it's high time for another take on this topic. Hop in your spaceship, sentient boat, or tour bus, and join our four-person panel on this journey!

Featuring: Michael Sollosi, Audra Bowling, Mario Garcia, Greg Delmage; Edited by Jono Logan

Links for this episode

• Rhythm Encounter Episode 27: Planes, Trains, and Chocobos

Tracklist
Part 1 - “Take Me Home, Country Roads”
0:03:19 - Nekaroo Races (Cedric Menendez) - Edge of Eternity OST Vol. II
0:05:46 - Land of Blue Skies (Takahiro Unisuga) - The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel OST

Part 2 - “Leaving on a Jet Plane”
0:24:33 - Aboard the Hilda Garde (Nobuo Uematsu) - Final Fantasy IX OST
0:28:38 - Fight or Flight (1999 AD) (Yasunori Mitsuda, arr. by Wiesty, The OC Jazz Collective) - Chronology: A Jazz Tribute to Chrono Trigger

Part 3 - “On the Good Ship Lollipop”
0:47:05 - Ocean (Koji Kondo, Toru Minegishi, Hajime Wakai, and Kenta Nagata) - The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker OST
0:49:45 - Departing for Death (Natsumi Kameoka) - God Eater 3 Soundtrack

Part 4 - “Groove is in the Heart”
1:10:30 - Get on the Bus! (Keiichi Suzuki and Hirokazu Tanaka) - EarthBound OST
1:12:06 - Flight into the Unknown (Hiroki Kikuta, arr. by Jorito feat. Sagnewshreds) - Bits & Bops Vol. 1 (Secret of Mana)
1:33:07 - Audra’s bonus track!

Album links for places to buy, stream, and more are available in our post on RPGFan.

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

We interrupt your regularly scheduled Rhythm broadcast to bring you some exciting new music that is worth listening to with some urgency! While the transportation episode is making its journey here and the Xeno episode is leveling up to handle its high-level composers effectively, we decided to bring a selection of music that's come out over the past year, with an emphasis on more recent releases in the last few months. We're covering a wide range of game types/series, and more than one series may be making its Rhythm debut. I'll stop trying to make WRPG Radio happen, though...as important as public radio is and however tempting the semi-ironic station name is for a site that primarily covers JRPGs. Please enjoy!

Featuring: Mike Salbato, Hilary Andreff; Edited by Jono Logan

Links for this episode

• OCTOPATH TRAVELER II Original Soundtrack | SQUARE ENIX
• "Dreams of the Past, Memories of My Soul" - Chrono Cross the Radical Dreamers Ed., Aisling McGlynn (YouTube)

Tracklist
0:06:28 - Frog's Theme Jazz Arrangement (Yasunori Mitsuda, arr. by Ryu Kawamura) - Square Enix Jazz -Chrono Trigger-
0:10:41 - Character Theme Sample Medley (Yasunori Nishiki) - Octopath Traveler II OST
0:27:28 - Shadow Hunter (Robert Holmes, arr. Troels Pleimert) - Gabriel Knight: Synths of the Father
0:35:51 - Song of Storms and Flame (Koji Kondo, arr. by ROZEN) - Shadows of Hyrule
0:49:43 - Nemea Town (Day) (Go Shiina) - Harvestella OST
0:52:57 - Freya's Theme (Nobuo Uematsu, arr. by Super Guitar Bros.) - Gentle Video Game Guitar Covers For Relaxation
1:13:23 - Hilary's Bonus Track!

Album links for places to buy, stream, and more are available in our post on RPGFan.

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

Rhythm Encounter launched its first episode in February 2013. Nearly ten years later and after some changes in leadership and a multi-year break, we have hit a milestone with our 100th episode! We decided early last year that we wanted to celebrate this occasion by inviting back our show's founders, Stephen Meyerink and Derek Heemsbergen. Their love of music birthed a (wow, this is getting weird, but...) podcast to celebrate RPG music, and we carry on to this day based on their vision.

Since leaving RPGFan, Stephen and Derek have excelled in their careers in localization, but still love RPG music. For this special episode, our guests and I (Mike) each chose three songs from 2022 releases we loved. This episode was a blast to record, as we talk about what Stephen and Derek have been doing post-RPGFan, the origins of Rhythm Encounter, and some thoughts about where the show may go in the future.

Also, we have a ton of awesome music to listen to and discuss!

Featuring: Mike Salbato, Stephen Meyerink, Derek Heemsbergen; Edited by Jono Logan

Links for this episode

• Rhythm Encounter Episode 1 – Fragile Dreamcast
• Rhythm Encounter 10 – Falcom Tomfoolery
• In the Balance - Lyric Video (YouTube)
• Alex Moukala on In the Balance (YouTube)
• Ghost Song - Lofi Remixes (YouTube)
• Stephen's Website
• Derek's Website

Tracklist
0:27:56 - Fons Sapientiae (Eddie Marianukroh) - Chained Echoes OST
0:31:22 - Little Blue (Grant Graham) - Ghost Song OST
0:33:49 - First Skirmish / Open the Shard! (Falcom Sound Team jdk) - The Legend of Heroes: Kuro no Kiseki OST
1:03:02 - The Dardala Company (mentioned as "ScalCap's Theme" in the show) (ACE (TOMOri Kudo, CHiCO)) - Atelier Online: Alchemist of Bressisle OST
1:07:20 - Battle 01 (Go Shiina) - Tales of Luminaria OST
1:10:34 - Triplet after Triplet (Hidenori Shoji) - Yakuza: Like a Dragon OST
1:34:41 - Heroic Struggle (Yoko Shimomura; Arr: Noriyuki Kamikura) - LIVE A LIVE HD-2D Remake OST
1:41:21 - In the Balance (Masayoshi Soken) - Endwalker: Final Fantasy XIV
1:45:46 - Moebius Battle M (All parts) (Yasunori Mitsuda (PROCYON STUDIO), ACE (TOMOri Kudo, CHiCO), Kenji Hiramatsu, Manami Kiyota, Mariam Abounnasr (PROCYON STUDIO), Yutaka Kunigo) - Xenoblade Chronicles 3
2:30:41 - Derek's Bonus Track!

Album links for places to buy, stream, and more are available in our post on RPGFan.

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

It's that time of year! A time of both reflection and celebration of 2022's best RPG music, and we had no shortage of great options this year. From major titles like Xenoblade Chronicles 3 to long-awaited releases like the LIVE A LIVE HD-2D remake, to indie titles like Chained Echoes and Citizen Sleeper, our five panelists today had some tough choices narrowing down their picks.

Because Music of the Year is a time to celebrate, we have a bigger-than-usual panel today, and each person got to pick one extra song compared to regular episodes, giving you sixteen wonderful songs to check out. Enjoy our selections, and be sure to let us know yours, and be on the lookout for our full Music of the Year feature soon on RPGFan!

Featuring: Mike Salbato, Hilary Andreff, Patrick Gann, Gio Castillo, Audra Bowling; Edited by Jono Logan

Tracklist

Audra's Picks
0:06:22 - Die Gefallenen ~A Duel of Friends~ (Thomas J. Peters) - Numina OST
0:10:23 - Reborn To Be a Survivor (Shunsuke Tsuchiya, Vocals/Lyrics: Shihoko Hirata) - even if TEMPEST OST
0:12:10 - In Search of Stars: The Ones I Found (Shotaro Seo) - Voice of Cards: The Beasts of Burden

Pat's Picks
0:28:01 - Live for Live (Yoko Shimomura) - Live A Live HD2D Remake Original Soundtrack
0:34:40 - Red (Grant Graham) - Ghost Song (Original Game Soundtrack)
0:37:59 - Wild Beat (Falcom Sound Team jdk (Hayato Sonoda, Takahiro Unisuga, Shuntaro Koguchi), Yukihiro Jindo, Mitsuo Singa) - The Legend of Heroes: Kuro no Kiseki OST

Gio's Picks
0:57:53 - Moebius Battle (Tomori Kudo) - Xenoblade Chronicles 3
1:03:04 - Great Cotte Falls (Day) (Manami Kiyota) - Xenoblade Chronicles 3
1:09:23 - Clue Investigation (Keisuke Ito) - AI: THE SOMNIUM FILES -nirvanA Initiative- Complete Soundtrack

Mike's Picks
1:33:38 - Never Forget Our Promise (Eddie Marianukroh) - Chained Echoes OST
1:36:33 - Flow Together (Masayoshi Soken, vocals by Amanda Achen) - Endwalker: Final Fantasy XIV OST
1:40:50 - The First City (Wobblersound) - Loot River OST

Hilary's Picks
1:57:16 - Main Theme (Ryan Ike) - Shadows Over Loathing OST
2:03:45 - Whipped Into Shape (Marskye feat. Madeleine McQueen) - Boyfriend Dungeon: Secret Weapons
2:08:40 - Shipwatching (Amos Roddy) - Citizen Sleeper OST

2:32:50 - Mike's Bonus Track!

Album links for places to buy, stream, and more are available in our post on RPGFan.

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

Welcome to a podcast between dreams and reality, mind and matter...

Okay, so it's not the Velvet Room, but it's a dedicated episode of Rhythm Encounter to celebrate it and the far-reaching and varied music in the Persona series. Join Gio of the Justice Arcana, Neal of the Death Arcana, Sollosi of the Hierophant/Hermit Arcana, and Hilary of the Strength/Fortune arcana on a journey from the first Persona game to the latest in the series and beyond to the spinoffs. We've had some Persona music on the podcast before, but there's so much more to reveal. Listen in for tracks both iconic and surprising. And Lotus Juice. Never forget Lotus Juice.

Featuring: Hilary Andreff, Michael Sollosi, Gio Castillo, Neal Chandran; Edited by Jono Logan

Tracklist
0:17:12 - School Infirmary (Former Dungeon ~ Saeko-Sensei) (Hidehito Aoki, Kenichi Tsuchiya, Misaki Okibe and Shoji Meguro) - Persona OST
0:20:14 - Mt. Katatsumuri (Toshiko Tasaki, Kenichi Tsuchiya, and Masaki Kurokawa) - Persona 2: Innocent Sin OST
0:39:09 - Memories of You (Shoji Meguro feat. Yumi Kawamura) - Persona 3 OST
0:45:06 - Time (Shoji Meguro, Mayumi Fujita, Reiko Tanaka) - Persona 3 Portable OST
1:03:44 - Pursuing My True Self (Shoji Meguro feat. Shihoko Hirata) - Persona 4 OST
1:06:47 - Princess Amagi (Traditional Taste Mix) (Atsushi Kitajoh and Toshiki Konishi) - Persona 4 Arena Original Arrange Soundtrack
1:30:47 - No More What Ifs (Shoji Meguro, Lyn, Lotus Juice) - Persona 5 Royal OST
1:34:45 - Pull the Trigger (Atsushi Kitajoh, feat. Mayumi Fujita and Lotus Juice) - Persona Q2: New Cinema Labyrinth OST
2:00:33 - Hilary's Bonus Track!

Album links for places to buy, stream, and more are available in our post on RPGFan.

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

Commuting comes in several forms, especially over the last few years. Whether you drive to work or school, take a train or bus, or simply walk, many of us have a soundtrack or playlist for our daily journeys. Whether you're pumping yourself up for the day ahead, or winding down on the ride home, what you may listen to on your commute could have as much variety as everyone's songs in today's episode! So buckle up and give it a listen - bonus points if you listen to this very episode during your commute.

Featuring: Mike Salbato, Audra Bowling, Mario Garcia, Gio Castillo, Tin Manuel; Edited by Jono Logan

Links for this episode

• The world doesn't change even so music video (YouTube)

Tracklist
0:13:01 - Traveling With Friends (Koichi Sugiyama) - Dragon Quest II
0:15:37 - The Sunleth Waterscape (Masashi Hamauzu) - Final Fantasy XIII OST
0:30:58 - Be Honest (Mazorski, vocals: Yoo SuBin) - Buried Stars OST
0:34:13 - Daughter of the Dark God (Yasunori Nishiki) - Octopath Traveler OST
0:50:18 - Beyond the Journey (Mitsuo Singa, lyrics: Kyo Hifumi, vocals: Megumi Sasaka) - The Legend of Heroes: Trails of Cold Steel III OST
0:54:59 - Locus (Masayoshi Soken) - Heavensward: Final Fantasy XIV OST
1:14:35 - Your Affection (Shoji Meguro, Atsushi Kitajo, and Ryota Kozuka) - Persona 4 OST
1:17:25 - The world doesn't change even so (Aika Ohno, Hitoshi Okamoto) - The world doesn't change even so / Aya Kamiki (428: Shibuya Scramble)
1:36:26 - Tin's Bonus Track!

Album links for places to buy, stream, and more are available in our post on RPGFan.

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

It's 2022 and 10-year-old Ash Ketchum has finally won a Pokémon Championship after 25 years. Don't think about the math too much, or you'll end up feeling the need to Go Home and Sleep. Instead, we recommend listening to a lineup of great Pokémon music, and today's panelists have you covered! From way back in the days of Pokémon Gold & Silver all the way to an arrangement just released for the current events in Pokémon Masters EX, we've got you covered. Gather your best team and enjoy a peek into the soundtrack of a Pokémon Trainer.

Featuring: Mike Salbato, Gio Castillo, Niki Fakhoori, Patrick Gann, Mario Garcia; Edited by Jono Logan

Links for this episode

• 8-Bit Music Theory explains Metric Modulation using Pokemon D/P Lake Theme

Tracklist
0:08:41 - Goldenrod City (Junichi Masuda, Go Ichinose, and Morikazu Aoki) - Pokémon Gold & Silver
0:10:20 - Lively Lillie! (Minako Adachi, Hitomi Sato) - Pokémon Sun & Moon
0:23:35 - In the Morning Sun (Arata Iiyoshi, Hideki Sakamoto, Keisuke Ito, Kenichi Saito, and Yoshihiro Maeda) - Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky
0:37:33 - Phenac City (Tsukasa Tawada) - Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness
0:51:12 - Lake (Go Ichinose) - Pokémon Diamond & Pearl
0:53:33 - Battle! (Lear) (Composer/Arranger: Haruki Yamada (ATTIC INC.)) - Pokémon Masters EX
1:12:15 - Battle! Champion Iris (Hitomi Sato) - Pokémon Black 2 & White 2: Super Music Collection
1:15:39 - Decisive Battle! (N) (Arranger: Haruki Yamada (ATTIC INC.)) - Pokémon Masters EX
1:41:10 - Niki's Bonus Track!

Album links for places to buy, stream, and more are available in our post on RPGFan.

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

While our friends at Retro Encounter just wrapped a month of graphic adventures — and by extension, a month of games featuring wolves — we wanted to record a Halloween-appropriate episode. The gothic halls of Dracula's Castle are a popular spot for spooky adventure, and the Castlevania series is known for its excellent music. The Castlevania titles that RPGFan covers began with the legendary Symphony of the Night, and in many of our choices today, are scored by the talented Michiru Yamane. Join us for some vampire killing tunes, and we promise, no tricks are in store for you today; only treats.

Featuring: Mike Salbato, Michael Sollosi, Wes Iliff; Edited by Jono Logan

Links for this episode

• Rhythm Encounter 76: Smashing Tunes

Tracklist
0:13:47 - Dracula's Castle (Michiru Yamane) - Castlevania: Symphony of the Night OST
0:15:31 - Invitation of a Crazed Moon (Yuzo Koshiro) - Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin OST
0:31:10 - A Town Called Cordova (Michiru Yamane) - Castlevania: Curse of Darkness OST
0:35:30 - Wandering the Crystal Blue (Michiru Yamane) - Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia OST
0:56:55 - Anti-Soul Mysteries Lab (Michiru Yamane) - Castlevania: Lament of Innocence OST
1:00:58 - Ebony Wings (comp. Yasuhiro Ichihashi, arr. Atsushi Sato) - Castlevania: Harmony of Despair OST (orig. Order of Ecclesia)
1:27:05 - Sollosi's Bonus Track!

Album links for places to buy, stream, and more are available in our post on RPGFan.

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