"Secret of Mana: Help, I’ve Fallen and I Can’t Get Up!" SNES. 1993.
A lot of us played this game when we were kids. A lot of us also didn’t – but despite being 20 years old, Secret of Mana still holds up well as a solid title in the retro gaming scene. Is multiplayer really that good? What about some of the insane grinding that you must do in order to level up your weapons and magic? And why does Lightning slip in and out of this extremely awful British accent at times? All of this awaits you and more!

Secret of Mana—Help, I’ve Fallen and I Can’t Get Up (RPG Roundup Episode 14)

We like RPGs. In fact, we like RPGs so much that we’ve decided to talk about them. Our premise is simple: we play an RPG from start to finish, and then we tell it like it is on our podcast. We plan to cover all types of role-playing games on various platforms – JRPGs, Western RPGs, retro games, RPGs out on current generation consoles, and games released on handheld systems. Whether you’re here for some nostalgia or want to pick up a new game, give our podcast a listen. 

Upcoming games: Shining Force 2, Dragon Warrior, and Bravely Default.

Find older episodes at talrpg.com!

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"Over and Over and Over Again" (RPG Roundup Episode 36). So what have we been playing? Lots of stuff! Today’s episode laments some of the more repetitive elements of Bravely Default and also questions some of the -um- wardrobe decisions of the denizens of Star Ocean 5. We also discuss Final Fantasy II, King’s Quest: Episode 1, and our progress in Dragon Warrior! Some FFXIV, FFXI, and Shining Force 2 also sprinkled in.

Segue Episode #2–Over and Over and Over Again (RPG Roundup Episode 36)

Persona 4 Golden – You are Yu! (RPG Roundup Episode 35). PlayStation Vita. 2011. What happens when your parents go to work in some foreign country and you move to a little town called Inaba? Murder, that’s what happens! Join Yu Narukami and pals as they learn the power of Persona, bond over beach escapades and boring school trips, and of course try to solve the murder mystery! Turn-based combat married to an intriguing social link system makes for a great 100 hours, especially on the newer Vita version. Disclaimer: we did misremember a few things in retrospect, so try not to mind when we get a few things wrong. We also couldn’t discuss everything we wanted to, given how long the game was.

Persona 4 Golden – You are Yu! (RPG Roundup Episode 35)

"Segue Episode #1 – Oh Where Have the JRPGs Gone?" We're now splitting up our What We've Been Playing and review episodes – have no fear, Persona 4 Golden should be out in about a month!  Today we talk about Persona 5, Shining Force 2, and South Park: the Stick of Truth, among other games, and also about this year’s rather disappointing E3, although a few games piqued our interests. And what’s this terrible game called Magikarp Jump that we’ve been playing? Find out if you dare!

Segue Episode #1 – Oh Where Have the JRPGs Gone? (RPG Roundup Episode 34)

"Disgaea 5: Alliance of Vengeance – the Eyeliner of Evil Returns." PlayStation 4. 2015. Now coming out on the Nintendo Switch! Although a little more simplistic than its predecessors, Disgaea 5 still has its merits, with a fun tactical battle system, larger than life characters, and fixations with curry that border on the obscene. Why does main character of Killia want revenge on the powerful overlord Void Dark? All this and more, to include some spoiler-free Persona 5 talk and discussion on our travails through Final Fantasy XI.

Disgaea 5: Alliance of Vengeance – the Eyeliner of Evil Returns (RPG Roundup Episode 33)

"Conception 2 – The One With the Boobs." Recorded in early January – episode may not sound up to date with what we’re playing now. So…boobs. This game has a lot of boobs. It also has boring dungeons, painful battle mechanics, and repetitive cutscenes. Listen to us as we ramble about (of course) boobs, baby mechas (no lies there), and sleep aids (you won’t need any after playing this game).

Secret of Mana—Help, I’ve Fallen and I Can’t Get Up (RPG Roundup Episode 14)

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