327 - My Kingdom for a Horse (Girl Game)

On this episode of Random Encounter, we're doing a Random Book Club for the brand-new tome from Bitmap Books: 50 Indie Games that Changed the World.Over the last 20 years, the indie game scene has become just as important as the AAA industry, with games like Silksong showing sales numbers that many big devs would kill for! There are so many brilliant indies out there, such as Return of the Obra Dinn, Coffee Talk, and Hades, but which ones had the biggest impact on both the video game industry and the world?50 Indie Games that Changed the World aims to answer that very question! Do Jono, Hilary, and Mike agree with all of its choices? Probably not, but that's the joy of chatting about lists on the internet!Featuring: Jono Logan, Hilary Andreff, Mike Salbato; Edited by Jono LoganGet in Touch:RPGFan.comRPGFan ShopEmail us: [email protected]: @rpgfancomInstagram: @rpgfancomFacebook: rpgfancomTwitch: rpgfancomThis Episode's Related Links:50 Indie Games that Changed the WorldBitmap BooksRandom Encounter 218 – What is a JRPG? A Delightful Little Pile of Adventure!Random Encounter 247 – Random Book Club – The Art of Point-and-Click Adventure GamesRandom Encounter 305 – Random Book Club – Legends of Localization Book 3: UndertaleRandom Encounter 252 – Random Book Club – Fight, Magic, Items80 Days ReviewStardew Valley ReviewRogue Legacy ReviewHades ReviewCoffee Talk ReviewReturn of the Obra Dinn ReviewHades: Developing Hell Noclip YouTube Documentary

On this week's Random Encounter, let's head to the bazaar and see what the RPGFan stall has in stock!First up, Niki is here to chat about Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar. Harvest Moon DS: Grand Bazaar was a beloved entry in this long-running series on the Nintendo DS. Does this remake (with some updated branding) live up to the memories of the original?Then, Neal is here to share his thoughts about Quartet, a new retro-style JRPG from the developer of Shadows of Adam. While it looks like a pretty standard SNES JRPG on the surface, it is the mature storytelling and more modern mechanics that set it apart. If you miss the days of the SNES, this might be an RPG you'll want to check out!And finally, the entire panel shares what they are most excited about that was announced at Gamescom 2025!Featuring: Jono Logan, Neal Chandran, and Niki Fakhoori; Edited by Jono LoganGet in Touch:RPGFan.comRPGFan ShopEmail us: [email protected]: @rpgfancomBluesky: @rpgfan.bsky.socialInstagram: @rpgfancomThreads: @rpgfancomFacebook: rpgfancomTwitch: rpgfancomThis Episode's Related Links:Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar ReviewHarvest Moon DS: Grand Bazaar ReviewQuartet ReviewShadows of Adam Review

On this week's Random Encounter, we're discussing a mobile-based gacha spinoff of a beloved JRPG and a Wii U classic that has finally made its way to a modern console!Persona 5 has more than its share of spinoffs, including Persona 5 Royal, Persona 5 Strikers, Persona 5: Dancing in Starlight, and Persona 5 Tactica, and now there is a new game to add to the list: Persona 5: The Phantom X. This mobile and PC game is a full-fledged JRPG, but one with dozens of gacha mechanics in the way of a smooth gameplay experience. Was Audra able to get over these revenue traps to enjoy the solid game beneath?And then Ben is here to talk about the first 100 in RPGFan history: Xenoblade Chronicles X! This classic JRPG was released on the Wii U, where no one really played it (but to be fair, no one really played the Wii U either). But now it's available on the Nintendo Switch, so no one has an excuse not to play this spectacular early entry in the long-running, beloved Xenoblade series! Featuring: Jono Logan, Audra Bowling, and Ben Love; Edited by Jono LoganGet in Touch:RPGFan.comRPGFan ShopEmail us: [email protected]: @rpgfancomBluesky: @rpgfan.bsky.socialInstagram: @rpgfancomThreads: @rpgfancomFacebook: rpgfancomTwitch: rpgfancomThis Episode's Related Links:Persona 5: The Phantom X ReviewPersona 5 ReviewPersona 5 Royal ReviewPersona 5 Strikers ReviewXenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive Edition ReviewXenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition Review

On this week's Random Encounter, we're playing an updated classic, a spin-off of a modern classic, and talking about the weirdest game I have heard of in a long time!First up, Mark is taking off his nostalgia goggles to give the recent remaster of the CRPG classic Neverwinter Nights 2 an updated look! Neverwinter Nights 2: Enhanced Edition follows many other enhanced editions of classic CRPGs like Baldur's Gate and Icewind Dale. Does this new version live up to his fond memories of the original?Then, Sean is here to chat about the newest entry in the AI: The Somnium Files series, No Sleep For Kaname Date – From AI: The Somnium Files. Does it live up to his expectations of the series so far, or did it lull him to sleep unlike poor Kaname Date?Oh, and then we talk about an insane horse-girl-gacha game for a while because I honestly can't believe this thing exists! Featuring: Jono Logan, Mark Roddison, and Sean Cabot; Edited by Jono LoganGet in Touch:RPGFan.comRPGFan ShopEmail us: [email protected]: @rpgfancomBluesky: @rpgfan.bsky.socialInstagram: @rpgfancomThreads: @rpgfancomFacebook: rpgfancomTwitch: rpgfancomThis Episode's Related Links:Neverwinter Nights 2: Enhanced Edition ReviewNo Sleep For Kaname Date – From AI: The Somnium Files Review

On this week's Random Encounter, we're back to business as usual! Not-E3 and the release of the Switch 2 hit us like a hammer. But now that things have finally settled down, it's time to chat about some games!First up, Aleks gets a chance to talk up the long-awaited Chapters 3+4 of Toby Fox's follow-up to Undertale, Deltarune! Chapters 1+2 released in 2018 and 2021 respectively, so for folks out there starved for Fox's trademark meta-narratives and ear-delighting music, these new chapters are a balm to the SOUL.Then, Zek is here to talk about the new remaster of the PS2-era Atlus action RPG, Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Summoner – Raidou Kuzunoha vs. the Soulless Army, now titled RAIDOU Remastered: The Mystery of the Soulless Army! Now with improved graphics, a revamped combat system, and a slightly shorter title, will fans of Atlus' modern output like Persona 5 and Metaphor: ReFantazio find anything to love in this film-noir, detective-styled world? Featuring: Jono Logan, Aleks Franiczek, and Zek Lu; Edited by Jono LoganGet in Touch:RPGFan.comRPGFan ShopEmail us: [email protected]: @rpgfancomBluesky: @rpgfan.bsky.socialInstagram: @rpgfancomThreads: @rpgfancomFacebook: rpgfancomTwitch: rpgfancomThis Episode's Related Links:Deltarune (Chapters 1+2) ReviewRAIDOU Remastered: The Mystery of the Soulless Army ReviewShin Megami Tensei: Devil Summoner – Raidou Kuzunoha vs. the Soulless Army Review

On this week's Random Encounter, we've finally recovered from Not-E3, so now it's time to talk about the Switch 2!Nintendo's long-awaited follow-up to the Switch has finally released and, surprise, it's still the Switch! The Nintendo Switch 2 is burning up the sales charts and already consuming countless hours of folks' time. That said, there has been some controversy, including limited launch titles, 'digital' physical game cards, and major battery issues. Tune in as Jono chats with Tom and Paul about their experiences with the Switch 2 thus far and where they hope the console will go in the future!Featuring: Jono Logan, Tom Cox, and Paul Skevington; Edited by Jono LoganGet in Touch:RPGFan.comRPGFan ShopEmail us: [email protected]: @rpgfancomBluesky: @rpgfan.bsky.socialInstagram: @rpgfancomThreads: @rpgfancomFacebook: rpgfancomTwitch: rpgfancomThis Episode's Related Links:Random Encounter 324 – Not-E3 2025 Extravaganza!RPGs Coming This Week, 6/1/25

On this week's Random Encounter, the Summer Game Fest (AKA Not-E3) season is officially upon us!For video game fans, this period is like early Christmas. With nonstop gaming announcements, there is something for everyone! This week, our panel has been working hard keeping up with all the major events, so it's time to share our favourite games from across the showcases! Featuring: Jono Logan, Gio Castillo, Mike Salbato, Stephanie Sybydlo, and Zach Wilkerson; Edited by Jono LoganGet in Touch:RPGFan.comRPGFan ShopEmail us: [email protected]: @rpgfancomBluesky: @rpgfan.bsky.socialInstagram: @rpgfancomThreads: @rpgfancomFacebook: rpgfancomTwitch: rpgfancomThis Episode's Related Links:RGG Studio’s Project Century is Now Stranger Than Heaven in Summer Game Fest TeaserCode Vein II Revealed, Coming 2026Lies of P: Overture Available Now for Consoles, PCBlighted is Drinkbox Studios’ Newest Metroidvania, Releasing 2026Atomic Heart II Reveal Showcases Open-World Firefights, Mutant Wildlife & RobotsMina the Hollower to Bring Spooky 8-Bit Action on October 31stMoonlighter 2 Trailer Details Dynamic 3D Action & Shopkeeping StrategyDosa Divas to Stir Up Trouble and Serve It in 2026Here’s Our First Look at TOEM 2’s GameplayEscape Academy 2: Back 2 School Announced at Summer Game FestNeverway is a Spooky Take on Life SimsOFF To Launch Digitally on Switch, PC on August 15thPersona 4 Revival Teaser at Xbox Games Showcase 2025

On this week’s episode of Random Encounter, we’re doing a deep dive into the game everyone is talking about: Sandfall Interactive's Clair Obscur: Expedition 33.In this lengthy, full-blown spoilercast, we chat about the beautiful music, the combat, the story, and argue about who loves Esquie the most. Does the panel adore the game as much as the host? Listen in to find out!Featuring: Zach Wilkerson, Aleks Franiczek, Zek Lu, Tin Manuel, and Matt Wardell, and Zek Lu; Edited by Zach WilkersonGet in Touch:RPGFan.comRPGFan ShopEmail us: [email protected]: @rpgfancomBluesky: @rpgfan.bsky.socialInstagram: @rpgfancomThreads: @rpgfancomFacebook: rpgfancomTwitch: rpgfancomThis Episode's Related Links:Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 ReviewClair Obscur: Expedition 33 Soundtrack Review

On this episode of Random Encounter, we're looking at a stylish upcoming turn-based RPG and a remaster of a sprawling open-world classic!First, Zek is here to discuss Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, a game that might end up being his favorite JRPG of this generation. This stylish title is capturing attention with an incredible voice cast and fresh take on turn-based combat. Why does Zek think it lives up to this universal acclaim?And then, Matt revisits a childhood favorite filled with nostalgia: The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered. It boasts some excellent quality-of-life changes and a fresh coat of paint while still keeping the wonderful "jank" of the original. Will this remaster live up to Matt's cherished memories of the original?Featuring: Jono Logan, Matt Wardell, and Zek Lu; Edited by Jono LoganGet in Touch:RPGFan.comRPGFan ShopEmail us: [email protected]: @rpgfancomBluesky: @rpgfan.bsky.socialInstagram: @rpgfancomThreads: @rpgfancomFacebook: rpgfancomTwitch: rpgfancomThis Episode's Related Links:Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 ReviewThe Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered ReviewMattWardellWrites

On this episode of Random Encounter, we're looking at a new classic puzzle-adventure game and a packaged duo of some of the best RPGs ever released on the PSX!First, Gio and Tin are here to give us a walk-through tour of Blue Prince, the hit rogue-lite puzzle adventurer. This game came out of nowhere for a lot of folks, trapping them inside the shifting rooms of this puzzling mansion. Does it live up to its inspirations like Outer Wilds and Riven?And then, Zach is here to chat about a series very near and dear to us here at RPGFan: Lunar! The Lunar Remastered Collection is finally out, packaging Lunar: Silver Star Story Complete and Lunar: Eternal Blue Complete in one package! Zach has played through both games many times, but did the new quality-of-life features enhance his experience?Featuring: Jono Logan, Gio Castillo, Tin Manuel, and Zach Wilkerson; Edited by Jono LoganGet in Touch:RPGFan.comRPGFan ShopEmail us: [email protected]: @rpgfancomBluesky: @rpgfan.bsky.socialInstagram: @rpgfancomThreads: @rpgfancomFacebook: rpgfancomTwitch: rpgfancomThis Episode's Related Links:Blue Prince ReviewLunar Remastered Collection ReviewThe Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered Leaks on Dev Site