Rpg Fan's Random Encounter

- Greg and Caitlin talk about the games they've been playing recently. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild gives Greg a much-needed break from Left Alive (more on that later), Caitlin recently finished God of War and wants more, and our resident Eorzean representative is always down to pontificate on FFXIV. - Greg gets all sparkly-eyed for FFIX, now better than ever on Nintendo Switch! Should you consider playing this classic Final Fantasy again? (Spoiler: the answer is yes.) - Caitlin updates us on recent progress with indie wonder Edge of Eternity. Is it still smooth sailing for this ambitious project? - Greg wants to love Left Alive. He really does. But Left Alive doesn't want to love him. Can they make this troubled relationship work? Featuring: Greg Delmage, Caitlin Argyros Questions? Comments? Spare Potions? Email us: podcast@rpgfan.com

On this episode of Random Encounter: - Caitlin tells us about the troubled launch of Anthem. Is there any hope for a comeback from BioWare? - Greg, Caitlin, and Mike talk about the newly revealed Pokemon Sword and Pokemon Shield, and a special guest appears to share her thoughts! What are the gang looking forward to in this new generation of Pokemon? - Mike reminds us of the upcoming summer RPG-pocalypse, including Persona Q2, Judgment, Oninaki, Final Fantasy XIV: Shadowbringers, Shenmue 3, Fire Emblem: Three Houses and many more! - We wrap up the episode with a thought-provoking listener question about games we just couldn't get into, no matter how hard we tried. Featuring: Greg Delmage, Caitlin Argyros, Mike Sollosi Special Guest: Gwen Reilly Questions? Comments? Spare Potions? Email us: podcast@rpgfan.com

On this episode of Random Encounter: - Caitlin catches up on two excellent 2018 RPGs, God of War and Octopath Traveler, and also checks out The Division 2 beta. - Greg tells us about all the good doggos in Wargroove, the new SRPG from Chucklefish. - Nathan dishes on Death End re;Quest, a visual novel/turn-based JRPG hybrid where players must escape from a glitched out MMO world. - Finally, we have loads of news from the latest Nintendo Direct, including our first look at Fire Emblem: Three Houses, a new title from Tokyo RPG Factory, and new Rune Factory games! Featuring: Greg Delmage, Caitlin Argyros, Nathan Lee Questions? Comments? Spare Potions? Email us: podcast@rpgfan.com

After our smashing Games of the Year episode, we're back to our regularly scheduled RPG talk, helmed by the ebullient Greg Delmage! On this episode of Random Encounter: - Greg and Caitlin chat about the recent Anthem demo. Can BioWare outdo Bungie with their take on the Destiny formula? - Mike gushes about Tales of Vesperia: Definitive Edition. One of the best Tales games gets even better with all the added content from the PS3 version of this classic RPG. - Caitlin tells the crew about Edge of Eternity, a gorgeous indie RPG that recently entered early access. It's got an interesting premise, a fusion of ATB and SRPG combat, and a huge, beautiful world that feels inspired by the Xenoblade series. - If you're looking for a mobile game that feels like a full-fledged RPG, Another Eden: The Cat Beyond Time and Space might just be worth checking out. Greg introduces us to the sights and sounds of this cute little game. - Kingdom Hearts III is finally here! Peter tells us all about the long-awaited conclusion to th

On this episode of Random Encounter: - It's our annual Games of the Year episode! Join four of RPGFan's enthusiastic editors as we discuss the site's awards for the best RPGs of 2018. Don't forget to check out our written feature over at https://www.rpgfan.com/features/go2018/index.html. - With 2019 already in full swing, the year's first major release, Kingdom Hearts III, is only weeks away. We discuss Square Enix's update strategy for ensuring a spoiler-free launch experience. - Other news bytes include Bungie's acquisition of Destiny from Activision, release dates for Final Fantasy X/X-2 HD Remaster and Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age on Switch, and the surprise debut of Catherine Classic on PC. - We close the show with some important news about what's next for Random Encounter. Featuring: Derek Heemsbergen, Greg Delmage, Peter Triezenberg, Caitlin Argyros Questions? Comments? Spare Potions? Email us: podcast@rpgfan.com

On this episode of Random Encounter: - It's our final show of 2018! The core trio of Derek, Caitlin, and Greg get together for a leisurely chat on what we've been playing over the past few weeks, from Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together to Final Fantasy Tactics: War of the Lions. Okay, so it's a lot of games with "Tactics" in the title. - In a year packed with so many games, some were sure to slip through the cracks. Which ones did our crew miss, and which are they hoping to see under the Christmas tree this year, digital or otherwise? - We wrap with some exciting news stories, including the announcement of Ys IX: Monstrum Nox, the official date of Final Fantasy XIV Patch 4.5: A Requiem for Heroes, and the release of a Skies of Arcadia remix album courtesy of OCRemix. Featuring: Derek Heemsbergen, Greg Delmage, Caitlin Argyros Questions? Comments? Spare Potions? Email us: podcast@rpgfan.com

On this episode of Random Encounter: - The beloved casts of Persona 3 and Persona 5 take to the stage in a pair of all-new dancing games! We briefly check in with Nathan to see how they fare. - The whole crew weighs in with their thoughts on Pokemon: Let's Go, Pikachu and Pokemon: Let's Go, Eevee. Don't miss a special surprise interview with the most adorable guest we've ever had on Random Encounter. - The Game Awards 2018 upped the ante with a magnitude higher level of class than in previous years, as well as a huge number of legitimately exciting game announcements. We delve into all of the major news that came from this year's show surrounding Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3, Hades, Outer Worlds, and the (last) surprise reveal of Joker from Persona 5 as the first DLC character for Super Smash Bros Ultimate. - Other industry news continues to swirl about, including a rumored Switch port for Persona 5, the impending English release of Tales of Crestoria, and a finalized release date for YIIK: A Postmodern RPG aft

On this episode of Random Encounter: - We've got a glut of new features headed to RPGFan this holiday season, including Top 20 lists, video content, and hot takes on the hottest RPGs from...an eight-year-old's perspective?! Greg has all the details. - Derek's freshly back from a trip to Las Vegas for Final Fantasy XIV Fan Festival 2018. We've got the scoop on what to expect from the game's next expansion, Shadowbringers. - Before dawn breaks, Derek spends a Night in the Woods with Mae Borowski, meditating on the game's themes of aimlessness, depression, and millennial humor. Featuring: Derek Heemsbergen, Greg Delmage Questions? Comments? Spare Potions? Email us: podcast@rpgfan.com

On this episode of Random Encounter: - Like a bolt from the blue, Toby Fox teased and released his first follow-up to Undertale with only 24 hours of warning. Deltarune took us all by surprise. (Note: Even acknowledging what Deltarune is constitutes something of a spoiler, but we did our best not to delve too heavily into the game for the time being. We'll revisit this one somewhere down the line!) - The PlayStation Classic is out next month. We give our unfiltered thoughts on its game lineup. - Greg's finally gotten around to one of this year's first big hits, Monster Hunter World. How does it hold up at the tail end of 2018? - October may be over, but between season 2 of Netflix's Castlevania and Alana's dive into Castlevania Requiem, there are plenty of ways to stay spooky well into November. - Robert Fenner, resident expert of the bleak and esoteric (among other things--we love a multifaceted boi!), returns with his evaluation of Death Mark. A macabre stroll through dilapidated Japan, this first-person ad

On this episode of Random Encounter: - Did Derek lose two days of his life playing Timespinner, or did he perform his own quantum leap? Fenner backs up his rambling adoration for this new-but-retro action RPG in the vein of Castlevania: Symphony of the Night. - Caitlin just finished a marathon stream of everything major in Final Fantasy XIV 4.4: Prelude in Violet. How does this latest batch of content add to the tapestry of Eorzea's ever-expanding narrative? - We've also got a comprehensive discussion of Xenoblade Chronicles 2's new expansion/stand-alone prequel, Torna: The Golden Country. Caitlin takes charge and Derek pushes back! - Assassin's Creed moves even further into RPG territory with Assassin's Creed Odyssey. To whet our appetites for her impending review, Caitlin dishes on her journey through Greece as a descendant of King Leonidas. - Either hell has frozen over or someone at Nintendo is getting a raise, because Derek's playing a gacha game and is actually...enjoying himself?! Dragalia Lost is Nint

On this episode of Random Encounter: - It's a full house as former Random Encounter hosts Rob Steinman and Stephen Meyerink return (alongside veteran Caitlin Argyros) as special guests to discuss the season's hottest releases! - Metroidvanias: We love 'em, but not every one gets the formula down pat. We discuss what makes Chasm crumble in the face of contemporaries like Hollow Knight. - We tackle the dragon in the room with a lengthy discussion of Dragon Quest XI, including Stephen's experience with the Japanese 3DS version. - Rob, herald of all things Yakuza, delves into what makes Kiwami 2 the best Yakuza game yet. - Does Prey's new Mooncrash DLC surpass the game it was built around? Rob thinks it just might. - Derek can't keep Pillars of Eternity II and Divinity: Original Sin II straight, but Stephen can. He explains why it's one of the best co-op RPG experiences out there. - In the shadow of so many huge games this year, a trio of Aksys visual novels released without making a blip on the radar, but Derek'

On this episode of Random Encounter: - Xenoblade Chronicles 2 just received its final piece of pre-expansion DLC, adding Elma from Xenoblade Chronicles X to the Blade roster. Derek's got the details on how it all shakes down. - The highly-anticipated Valkyria Chronicles 4 is out in less than a month, but in the meantime, we delve into its recently-released demo to see how it holds up to its predecessors. - His recent review still wet ink on a virtual page, Greg shares detailed thoughts on Little Dragons Cafe, the latest game from Harvest Moon creator Yasuhiro Wada. - Caitlin catches up on her backlog with some of 2017's biggest titles. Are they still worth playing a year later? Featuring: Derek Heemsbergen, Caitlin Argyros, Greg Delmage Questions? Comments? Spare Potions? Email us: podcast@rpgfan.com

On this episode of Random Encounter: - It's the beefy Octopath Traveler discussion you've been waiting for! We're careful not to spoil any of the storyline, but be warned that there are some mild "gameplay spoilers" in terms of late-game features. - Chasm, one of the earliest Kickstarter success stories, is out after five-plus years of development. We delve into its depths and discover just how deep it is. - But Chasm isn't the only abyss we're plunging headfirst into; Fenner wants to make Derek relive the trauma of Operation Abyss: New Tokyo Legacy, for some reason. - Don't forget to check out new features columnist Tina Olah's first piece on RPG side quests, available under the "features" heading on our front page! Featuring: Derek Heemsbergen, Greg Delmage, Gino DiGioia, Nathan Lee, Robert Fenner Questions? Comments? Spare Potions? Email us: podcast@rpgfan.com

On this episode of Random Encounter: - Greg is back from making a movie and gallivanting in Paris (you know, just a regular couple of weeks for a star such as he) and he's here to talk up two games: hybrid dungeon crawler/item shop simulation Moonlighter and aesthetically Western but mechanically Japanese RPG Battle Chasers: Nightwar. - Meanwhile, Peter's digging into the backlog, juggling playthroughs of Shadow Hearts, Pokemon Ultra Moon, and a 100% run of Kingdom Hearts II. - The ubiquitous mobile platform continues to see a steady stream of gacha game releases. Between Star Ocean: Anamnesis, Dx2 Shin Megami Tensei Liberation, and the freshly-unveiled Idola Phantasy Star Saga, do any of them set Derek's world on fire? (Spoiler: Not a friggin' chance.) Featuring: Derek Heemsbergen, Greg Delmage, Peter Triezenberg Questions? Comments? Spare Potions? Email us: podcast@rpgfan.com

On this episode of Random Encounter: - E3 2018 has come and gone. We wrap up our final thoughts on the show with some input from the folks who couldn't attend the show in person. - Octopath Traveler is so close! Alana dishes on the preview she wrote after spending a few hours with the game, and the rest of us generally gush. - Xenoblade Chronicles 2's most substantial piece of DLC to date, an arena mode featuring Shulk and Fiora from Xenoblade Chronicles 1, had a surprise release during E3. How is it? - Ys VIII is out for Switch, and in case our three reviews on the site aren't enough, we engage in a little more discussion of this excellent title with a messy patch history. - Caitlin gives us the lowdown on two Western titles centered around player choice: the bloody Vampyr and not-so-bloody Detroit: Become Human. - Shining Resonance Refrain is out...today, actually! Alana's preparing to write her review and shares her initial impressions. - It's a good time for retro JRPGs ending in the number two, apparentl

RPGFan is back from E3 2018, and we've got a lot to talk about. Cyberpunk 2077, Kingdom Hearts III, Dragon Quest XI, and more! Join our talented crew as they discuss the best RPGs they saw and played at E3 this year. Featuring: Derek Heemsbergen, Trent Argirov, Alana Hagues, Mike Salbato, Mike Sollosi, Nathan Lee, Stephanie Sybydlo, Liz Maas Questions? Comments? Spare Potions? Email us: podcast@rpgfan.com

On this special episode of Random Encounter, five of RPGFan's fantastic ladies convene for a chat about all things RPG, including a deep dive into their personal histories with our genre of choice! Note: The artwork for this episode was created by our social media maven, Stephanie Sybydlo herself! If you like what you see, consider checking out her illustrations present throughout our Fabula Nova Anniversaris feature. You could even do one better and support her by ordering a print through her Redbubble shop or making a commission! Seriously, she's great. Featuring: Stephanie Sybydlo, Caitlin Argyros, Alana Hagues, Hilary Andreff, Liz Maas Questions? Comments? Spare Potions? Email us: podcast@rpgfan.com

On this episode of Random Encounter: - Steph and Greg share final thoughts on The Alliance Alive and The Swords of Ditto. - The crew gets into a discussion about character customization by way of Path of Exile and the Xenoblade Chronicles trilogy; how much freedom is too much freedom for our anxious host(s)? - Derek jumps back into Falcom's back catalog with the summery Nayuta no Kiseki. - E3 2018 is coming up! Square Enix and Sony just announced their conference plans, after all. Join us as we speculate on what else might be on the docket. - Miscellaneous news bytes include upcoming Switch indies like Mineko's Night Market and Minit, Final Fantasy XIV's long-awaited Patch 4.3, and more! Featuring: Derek Heemsbergen, Greg Delmage, Stephanie Sybydlo Questions? Comments? Spare Potions? Email us: podcast@rpgfan.com

On this episode of Random Encounter: - The Dad Game strikes back: Our God of War discussion comes to a close (for now) as we touch once more upon its themes and how they resonate (or don't) with each of us. No spoilers. - Sollosi gives us the rundown on Monster Hunter World's new siege event versus Kulve Taroth. - We strive to save the world in The Swords of Ditto, but how far does cartoonish charm carry it? - Caitlin's been playing something old and something new; how does choice impact Stories: The Path of Destinies and the demo for Detroit: Become Human? - We field a brief discussion on gaming phones before sharing a few moments from RPGFan's 20 Years of Milestone RPGs feature. - Happy 18th birthday, Breath of Fire IV! Listeners, what's YOUR favorite Breath of Fire? Featuring: Derek Heemsbergen, Caitlin Argyros, Mike Sollosi, Greg Delmage Questions? Comments? Spare Potions? Email us: podcast@rpgfan.com

On this episode of Random Encounter: - The critical consensus for God of War is glowing, but are its themes universally resonant? - Fenner takes us on a rocket ship ride to Diaries of a Spaceport Janitor. Existential dread and mop not included. - Alana attempts to verbally remove the hex placed upon her by Witch and the Hundred Knight 2. - Derek's been playing Grandia again, and it's as beautifully whimsical as ever. - We celebrate Xenogears' 20th anniversary! Cheers to its music, mechs, and more! - Listener mail: Is it worth revisiting Final Fantasy XV yet? Featuring: Derek Heemsbergen, Robert Fenner, Alana Hagues, Peter Triezenberg, Greg Delmage Questions? Comments? Spare Potions? Email us: podcast@rpgfan.com