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RPGFan's Retro Encounter

RPGFan.com

Join the RPGFan crew as they play through and discuss classic RPGs and adventure games!

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  • 21 episodes
  • fortnightly
  • Avg 1 hr 44 min
  • English

Episodes 21

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  • Thursday · 1 hr 37 min

    493 - Romancing SaGa 2 Part I

    A group of four panelists rise up and face a merciless RPG. This week on Retro Encounter we do something we haven't done before: we discuss the SaGa series! Specifically, we dive into the opening hours of the recently remastered Romancing SaGa 2. Can we figure out the mechanics? Can we figure out where we're supposed to go? Is SaGa actually worth playing? Which panelist is insane enough to play the original? Listen in to find out! Featuring: Zach Wilkerson, Aleks Franiczek, Ben Love, Matt Wardell; Edited by Zach Wilkerson Opening and ending music by Miles Morkri Get in Touch: RPGFan.com RPGFan Shop Email us: retro@rpgfan.com Twitter: @rpgfancom Bluesky: @rpgfan.bsky.social Instagram: @rpgfancom Threads: @rpgfancom Facebook: rpgfancom Twitch: rpgfancom

  • August 13 · 1 hr 27 min

    492 - The Best and Worst Kids in RPGs

    Being off Retro Encounter makes Cuno sad! This week on Retro Encounter, our host returns to talk about a topic near and dear to him: the best and worst kids in RPGs. We know know children are usually the worst in media, so what does a good one look like? How many of them are secretly much older? Which games will some panelists never play after this conversation? Listen in to find out! Featuring: Zach Wilkerson, Aleks Franiczek, Ben Love, Paul Skevington; Edited by Zach Wilkerson Opening and ending music by Miles Morkri Get in Touch: RPGFan.com RPGFan Shop Email us: retro@rpgfan.com Twitter: @rpgfancom Bluesky: @rpgfan.bsky.social Instagram: @rpgfancom Threads: @rpgfancom Facebook: rpgfancom Twitch: rpgfancom

  • July 30 · 1 hr 28 min

    491 - The Legend of Zelda Tier List Part II

    Your tier list met with a terrible fate, hasn’t it? This week brings Part 2 of Retro Encounter’s legendary The Legend of Zelda tier list. There are still 11 more entries to cover and the final ranking to decide. How do less popular entries like Spirit Tracks stack up against classics like A Link to the Past? How much can these guys yap about their favorite and least favorite Zeldas? Find out what our group’s Frankenstein list looks like by listening now! Featuring: Aleks Franiczek, Ben Love, Mike Salbato, Matt Wardell; Edited by Zach Wilkerson Opening and ending music by Miles Morkri Get in Touch: RPGFan.com RPGFan Shop Email us: retro@rpgfan.com Twitter: @rpgfancom Bluesky: @rpgfan.bsky.social Instagram: @rpgfancom Threads: @rpgfancom Facebook: rpgfancom Twitch: rpgfancom

  • July 16 · 1 hr 58 min

    490 - The Legend of Zelda Tier List Part I

    Retro! Retro! Kooloo-Limpah! This week’s Retro Encounter marks the return of the tier list! This time around we’re ranking 20 entries in The Legend of Zelda franchise. What better way to celebrate 40 years of the beloved series than for our four panelists to upset each other with their differing takes? Apparently, opinions were so strong and thorough that we had to divide the lengthy recording into two episodes. What games did we prioritize for our first nine picks? What ranked higher: Zelda II: Adventure of Link or Tears of the Kingdom? The answer may or may not surprise you, and you'll have to listen in to find out! Featuring: Aleks Franiczek, Ben Love, Mike Salbato, Matt Wardell; Edited by Zach Wilkerson Opening and ending music by Miles Morkri Get in Touch: RPGFan.com RPGFan Shop Email us: retro@rpgfan.com Twitter: @rpgfancom Bluesky: @rpgfan.bsky.social Instagram: @rpgfancom Threads: @rpgfancom Facebook: rpgfancom Twitch: rpgfancom

  • July 2 · 2 hr 6 min

    489 - Xanadu Next Part II

    Three years hence the War of the Knights...The old ways rang of their death knell, a fresh wind began to blow. The path the one knight chose, he continued being a knight even after. This week on Retro Encounter, our panel returns to discuss the second half of Falcom's oft-forgotten dark fantasy action RPG Xanadu Next. We cover the game's creative boss fights, the emergence of Castle Strangerock from the depths of Lake Orwell, and wax poetically about the bittersweet ending sequence. Give it a listen and find out why Xanadu Next remains one of Falcom's all-time classic titles. Featuring: Aleks Franiczek, Ben Love, Audra Bowling; Edited by Zach Wilkerson Opening and ending music by Miles Morkri Get in Touch: RPGFan.com RPGFan Shop Email us: retro@rpgfan.com Twitter: @rpgfancom Bluesky: @rpgfan.bsky.social Instagram: @rpgfancom Threads: @rpgfancom Facebook: rpgfancom Twitch: rpgfancom

  • June 18 · 1 hr 31 min

    488 - Xanadu Next Part I

    Still...An ancient castle that only appears in the mist, and a holy sword that rests therein...It's like a fairy tale! Just hearing about it makes my heart beat faster! This week on Retro Encounter, a panel of Falcom afficianados (and one relative newcomer) explores the ruins of Xanadu Next's Harlech Island. Released all the way back in 2005 (and brought to US shores courtesy of XSEED Games in 2016), Xanadu Next is one of Falcom's oft-forgotten classics, with a dark, somber tone and slower pace influenced by Yasumi Matsuno's Ivalice universe (Vagrant Story in particular). We discuss Charlotte Wells and our unnamed protagonist knights' inauspicious start to their investigation of Harlech Island's ancient mysteries, how the game's combat compares to other isometric action RPGs like Diablo, and the merits of interconnected world design. Give it a listen if you love Falcom's golden era of PC releases, or if you're curious about the game's ingenious (at times frustrating) key economy. Featuring: Aleks Franiczek, Ben Love, Audra Bowling; Edited by Zach Wilkerson Opening and ending music by Miles Morkri Get in Touch: RPGFan.com RPGFan Shop Email us: retro@rpgfan.com Twitter: @rpgfancom Bluesky: @rpgfan.bsky.social Instagram: @rpgfancom Threads: @rpgfancom Facebook: rpgfancom Twitch: rpgfancom

  • June 4 · 2 hr 22 min

    487 - Top 10 PSWii60 RPGs

    This podcast is historically accurate. You can attack its weak point for massive damage. The era of the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and Wii was a monumental one. The advent of high-definition visuals, the improvement of online play for consoles, and unprecedented console processsing power lead to seven-plus years of generation-defining video games. Naturally, we're here today to talk about the RPGs. Today, four RPGFan panelists compiled a list of ten RPGs that debuted on one or more of the above consoles, and they have a lot to say about them. So which panelist thinks highly of Folklore? How many BioWare games made the cut? How does Final Fantasy XIII figure into this? Listen for all that and more, in today's Retro Encounter! Featuring: Michael Sollosi, Aleks Franiczek, Ben Love, Matt Wardell; Edited by Zach Wilkerson Opening and ending music by Miles Morkri Get in Touch: RPGFan.com RPGFan Shop Email us: retro@rpgfan.com Twitter: @rpgfancom Bluesky: @rpgfan.bsky.social Instagram: @rpgfancom Threads: @rpgfancom Facebook: rpgfancom Twitch: rpgfancom

  • May 21 · 1 hr 49 min

    486 - Final Fantasy VIII Part II

    …Whatever. This week on Retro Encounter, the panel is back to offer their thoughts on all the (beautiful?) nonsense that happens in the second half of Final Fantasy VIII. Which one of us prefers Triple Triad over the entire rest of the game? Did our positive impressions crumble under the weight of the many, many plot twists? Wait. What's even going on here... and does it matter? Listen in for our definitive breakdown of the game’s achievements, flaws, and that whole trippy ending sequence. Featuring: Aleks Franiczek, Ben Love, Paul Skevington, Steph Sybydlo, Rob White; Edited by Zach Wilkerson Opening and ending music by Miles Morkri Get in Touch: RPGFan.com RPGFan Shop Email us: retro@rpgfan.com Twitter: @rpgfancom Bluesky: @rpgfan.bsky.social Instagram: @rpgfancom Threads: @rpgfancom Facebook: rpgfancom Twitch: rpgfancom

  • May 7 · 1 hr 42 min

    485 - Final Fantasy VIII Part I

    I dreamt I was a podcast host. On this week’s episode of Retro Encounter, a panel of four veterans and one newbie takes advantage of Zach’s absence to play the controversial but undeniably stylish Final Fantasy VIII. How do we feel about its unconventional design and storytelling choices? Is the cast of fashionable teenage soldiers brilliantly or nonsensically written? What does “Junctioning” even mean? Listen in to find out! Featuring: Aleks Franiczek, Ben Love, Paul Skevington, Steph Sybydlo, Rob White; Edited by Zach Wilkerson Opening and ending music by Miles Morkri Get in Touch: RPGFan.com RPGFan Shop Email us: retro@rpgfan.com Twitter: @rpgfancom Bluesky: @rpgfan.bsky.social Instagram: @rpgfancom Threads: @rpgfancom Facebook: rpgfancom Twitch: rpgfancom

  • April 23 · 1 hr 44 min

    484 - Persona 5 Part II

    Quit the idle chit-chat and let's listen to Retro Encounter. This week on Retro Encounter, we dive into the second half of Persona 5, including all the post-game Royal content. Did this game really need to be longer? What do we think of the new content? Just how long can one game be? Listen in to find out! Featuring: Zach Wilkerson, Audra Bowling, Michael Sollosi; Edited by Zach Wilkerson Opening and ending music by Miles Morkri Get in Touch: RPGFan.com RPGFan Shop Email us: retro@rpgfan.com Twitter: @rpgfancom Bluesky: @rpgfan.bsky.social Instagram: @rpgfancom Threads: @rpgfancom Facebook: rpgfancom Twitch: rpgfancom

  • April 9 · 1 hr 15 min

    483 - Persona 5 Part I

    Looking cool, Retro Encounter. This week on Retro Encounter, we dive into the first half of Persona 5. We discuss the dazzling style, combat, and the sometimes less than dazzling structure. Who do we want to romance? Does the game still hold up? Does Morgana ever let us do anything but sleep? Listen in to find out! Featuring: Zach Wilkerson, Audra Bowling, Michael Sollosi; Edited by Zach Wilkerson Opening and ending music by Miles Morkri Get in Touch: RPGFan.com RPGFan Shop Email us: retro@rpgfan.com Twitter: @rpgfancom Bluesky: @rpgfan.bsky.social Instagram: @rpgfancom Threads: @rpgfancom Facebook: rpgfancom Twitch: rpgfancom

  • March 26 · 1 hr 36 min

    482 - Pentiment

    Retro Encounter is the only reason to do anything in this life. This week on Retro Encounter, we dive into the 2022 Obsidian masterpiece Pentiment, a game about murder, religion and the stories we tell about those things. Is there a right answer? Who do we accuse? Why are Socrates and God on the same screen? Listen in to find out! Featuring: Zach Wilkerson, Hilary Andreff, Aleks Franiczek, Ben Love, Matt Wardell; Edited by Zach Wilkerson Opening and ending music by Miles Morkri Get in Touch: RPGFan.com RPGFan Shop Email us: retro@rpgfan.com Twitter: @rpgfancom Bluesky: @rpgfan.bsky.social Instagram: @rpgfancom Threads: @rpgfancom Facebook: rpgfancom Twitch: rpgfancom

  • March 12 · 1 hr 32 min

    481 - Best Final Bosses

    The only thing we can believe in, with absolute certainty, is Retro Encounter, Jack. This week on Retro Encounter, we chat about bosses. But not just any bosses--no, we talk about final bosses. They're supposed to be a final challenge, but are they always? Do we even want a challenge at the end? How many bosses do we love that lose to the power of friendship? Listen in to find out! Featuring: Zach Wilkerson, Alana Hagues, Matt Wardell; Edited by Zach Wilkerson Opening and ending music by Miles Morkri Get in Touch: RPGFan.com RPGFan Shop Email us: retro@rpgfan.com Twitter: @rpgfancom Bluesky: @rpgfan.bsky.social Instagram: @rpgfancom Threads: @rpgfancom Facebook: rpgfancom Twitch: rpgfancom

  • February 26 · 1 hr 30 min

    480 - Fire Emblem: The Blazing Blade Part II

    ...wrong. I am a podcast. This week on Retro Encounter we dive into the second half of Fire Emblem: The Blazing Blade. How much of the story do we actually get to experience? How much do we enjoy the late game maps? What are our favorite support conversations? Listen in to find out! Featuring: Zach Wilkerson, Audra Bowling, Ben Love, Lucas Greene; Edited by Zach Wilkerson Opening and ending music by Miles Morkri Get in Touch: RPGFan.com RPGFan Shop Email us: retro@rpgfan.com Twitter: @rpgfancom Bluesky: @rpgfan.bsky.social Instagram: @rpgfancom Threads: @rpgfancom Facebook: rpgfancom Twitch: rpgfancom

  • February 12 · 1 hr 28 min

    479 - Fire Emblem: The Blazing Blade Part I

    For years, I've podcasted. Now, let those podcasts show their worth! This week on Retro Encounter we're discussing the first half of the first game localized to the West of that most famous SRPG series: Fire Emblem: The Blazing Blade. Does the host jive with the squares and the RNG? Do we even discuss the story? Who is the early game MVP? Listen in to find out! Featuring: Zach Wilkerson, Audra Bowling, Ben Love, Lucas Greene; Edited by Zach Wilkerson Opening and ending music by Miles Morkri Get in Touch: RPGFan.com RPGFan Shop Email us: retro@rpgfan.com Twitter: @rpgfancom Bluesky: @rpgfan.bsky.social Instagram: @rpgfancom Threads: @rpgfancom Facebook: rpgfancom Twitch: rpgfancom

  • January 29 · 1 hr 56 min

    478 - RPGs That Deserve a Perfect Score

    All you need to do is close your eyes and concentrate. Retro Encounter enfolds you. On this week's episode of Retro Encounter, we discuss something that has only been awarded once at RPGFan: a perfect score. So, each panelist brings on one game they think deserves a perfect score and defend it against the panel. But there can be only one! Who will be our winner? Listen in to find out! Featuring: Zach Wilkerson, Matt Wardell, Aleks Franiczek, Ben Love; Edited by Zach Wilkerson Opening and ending music by Miles Morkri Get in Touch: RPGFan.com RPGFan Shop Email us: retro@rpgfan.com Twitter: @rpgfancom Bluesky: @rpgfan.bsky.social Instagram: @rpgfancom Threads: @rpgfancom Facebook: rpgfancom Twitch: rpgfancom

  • January 15 · 1 hr 27 min

    477 - 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim - Part II

    I love you, and that's why I gotta listen to Retro Encounter. On this week's episode of Retro Encounter, we chat about the twisty, turny second half of 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim. Do all the plot points land? Who was our favorite character? Is there actually a reason they're naked in the Sentinels? Listen in to find out! Featuring: Zach Wilkerson, Aleks Franiczek, Ben Love; Edited by Zach Wilkerson Opening and ending music by Miles Morkri Get in Touch: RPGFan.com RPGFan Shop Email us: retro@rpgfan.com Twitter: @rpgfancom Bluesky: @rpgfan.bsky.social Instagram: @rpgfancom Threads: @rpgfancom Facebook: rpgfancom Twitch: rpgfancom

  • January 8 · 1 hr 27 min

    476 - 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim - Part I

    I don't trust much in this post-war world, but if there's one exception, it's my Retro Encounter. On this week’s episode of Retro Encounter, we're jumping through time and getting inside our mechs in the first half of Vanillaware's 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim. We talk about our first impressions of the game, some frustrating encounters with crepes and cats, and the basic but addictive nature of Destruction Mode. Featuring: Zach Wilkerson, Aleks Franiczek, Ben Love; Edited by Zach Wilkerson Opening and ending music by Miles Morkri Get in Touch: RPGFan.com RPGFan Shop Email us: retro@rpgfan.com Twitter: @rpgfancom Bluesky: @rpgfan.bsky.social Instagram: @rpgfancom Threads: @rpgfancom Facebook: rpgfancom Twitch: rpgfancom

  • Dec 18, 2025 · 1 hr 59 min

    475 - 1995 Year in Review

    I sure hope this episode isn't BadBad. On this week's episode of Retro Encounter, we cover the most interesting RPGs of the year, but this time, we flash it back to 1995. We discuss design decisions, varying localization quality, and those insane encounter rates. Does someone bring on a really bad RPG just for the fun of it? Listen in to find out! Featuring: Zach Wilkerson, Lucas Greene, Ben Love, Mike Salbato; Edited by Zach Wilkerson Opening and ending music by Miles Morkri Get in Touch: RPGFan.com RPGFan Shop Email us: retro@rpgfan.com Twitter: @rpgfancom Bluesky: @rpgfan.bsky.social Instagram: @rpgfancom Threads: @rpgfancom Facebook: rpgfancom Twitch: rpgfancom

  • Dec 4, 2025 · 2 hr 5 min

    474 - Dragon Quest Tier List

    I hope there is something really amazing on top. If we dont find Dragon Quest V, it is all your fault. This week on Retro Encounter, we undertake a difficult endeavor yet again: making a tier list of one of the most popular RPG franchises. This time, it's Dragon Quest! Do things get heated? Who really loves a 100 hour game? Does anything finish in D tier? Listen in to find out! Featuring: Zach Wilkerson, Aleks Franiczek, Michael Sollosi; Edited by Zach Wilkerson Opening and ending music by Miles Morkri Get in Touch: RPGFan.com RPGFan Shop Email us: retro@rpgfan.com Twitter: @rpgfancom Bluesky: @rpgfan.bsky.social Instagram: @rpgfancom Threads: @rpgfancom Facebook: rpgfancom Twitch: rpgfancom

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