348 - Mina the Barista

On this episode of Random Encounter, we're digging for some sweet, sweet caffeine! First up, Bob is here to chat about Yacht Club Games' newest title, Mina the Hollower. Yacht Club struck gold a decade ago with their retro side-scroller Shovel Knight and its various campaigns, but since then, they've apparently been on the bubble financially. Well, that doesn't seem to be a problem anymore because Mina the Hollower appears to be a hit! This top-down, Link's Awakening-esque and Castlevania-esque soulslike currently has everyone talking, and Bob and Jono certainly can't stop chatting about it! Spoiler alert: it's absolutely fantastic! Next, Audra and Mike are here for a steaming cup of Coffee Talk Tokyo. As the third entry in this lo-fi, relaxing visual novel series, the game moves its setting from rainy Seattle to neon Tokyo. Does the charm of Coffee Talk successfully make the jump across the Pacific? Oh, and we also chat about our hopes for next week's Not-E3 (and be sure to stay tuned for our 2026 Not-E3 Extravaganza episode)! Featuring: Jono Logan, Audra Bowling, Mike Salbato, and Jerry Williams; Edited by Jono Logan Get in Touch: RPGFan.com RPGFan Shop Email us: podcast@rpgfan.com Twitter: @rpgfancom Bluesky: @rpgfan.bsky.social Instagram: @rpgfancom Threads: @rpgfancom Facebook: rpgfancom Twitch: rpgfancom This Episode's Related Links: Mina the Hollower Coffee Talk Tokyo Coffee Talk Review Coffee Talk 2: Hibiscus & Butterfly Review Dragon Quest XII: Beyond Dreams