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On this episode of Random Encounter, ex-host Random Greg Delmage returns to share his film expertise while chatting about the new Fallout TV show!
Video game adaptations are hot right now, and Amazon has just dropped what might be the best one yet: Fallout! Based on the long-running RPG series, Fallout, the show is an exploration of the far future after a nuclear war in the 21st century destroyed all of civilization. With a pitch-perfect mix of dark humor, brutal violence, and a retro-50s future aesthetic, Fallout translates everything we love about the games into a brand-new, in-continuity story set in the LA Wasteland.
Jono reviewed the entire series for the site last week (spoiler: he loved it), and he's excited to be reunited with Greg to chat about why this series should be of interest to all of the RPG fans out there!
Featuring: Jono Logan and Greg Delmage; Edited by Jono Logan
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This Episode's Related Links:Fallout Season One ReviewRetro Encounter 412 – Fallout EncounterFallout ReviewFallout 2 ReviewFallout 3 ReviewFallout: New Vegas ReviewFallout 4 ReviewFallout 76 Review

On this episode of Random Encounter, we're looking at a game-of-the-year contender and the latest from one of the industry's most visionary indie devs. 

First up, Izzy is here to chat about Dragon's Dogma 2. The sequel to Capcom's cult-classic Dragon's Dogma, DD2 is the true realization of many of the ahead-of-their-time gameplay mechanics of its predecessor. However, this positive fanfare has recently been overshadowed by the controversy of predatory microtransactions included in this full-price game. Do these money-grubbing measures really impact players' overall enjoyment of the title?

Then, Tim is here to chat about Lucas Pope's latest game, Mars After Midnight. Known for his indie classics Papers, Please and Return of the Obra Dinn, Pope has moved from consoles and PC over to the crank-enhanced handheld known as the Playdate. Does the tiny screen and simplified gameplay hurt MaM, or do the limitations inspire brilliance?

Featuring: Jono Logan, Izzy Parsons, and Tim Rattray; Edited by Jono Logan
Get in Touch:RPGFan.comRPGFan ShopEmail us: podcast@rpgfan.comTwitter: @rpgfancomInstagram: @rpgfancomFacebook: rpgfancomTwitch: rpgfancom
This Episode's Related Links:Dragon's Dogma 2 ReviewDragon's Dogma ReviewDragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen ReviewMars After Midnight ReviewReturn of the Obra Dinn Review

On this episode of Random Encounter, we're looking at two very different kinds of follow-ups to beloved games: a spiritual successor and a fan game.
First up, we're talking about a long-awaited revival of Ogre Battle-style SRPGs with Vanillaware's Unicorn Overlord (the most bizarre name for a game since Triangle Strategy). Featuring a mix of real-time strategy, turn-based party combat, and overworld exploration, Unicorn Overlord really hit the sweet spot for Josh. Is it a game for everyone, though?
And the overwhelming amount of fan content inspired by 2015's Undertale finally reaches its logical culmination with an incredible fan game that actually has the blessing of creator Toby Fox: Undertale Yellow. A prequel that follows the story of a previous soul who fell into the underground, Yellow delivers an experience that doesn't just live up to its inspiration but surpasses it in some ways. Aleks' feature, Undertale Yellow Feels Like a Legit Prequel, not only brings attention to this incredible labor of love, but also helped to open his eyes to the potential of fan games!

Featuring: Jono Logan, Joshua Lindquist, and Aleks Franiczek; Edited by Jono Logan
Get in Touch:RPGFan.comRPGFan ShopEmail us: podcast@rpgfan.comTwitter: @rpgfancomInstagram: @rpgfancomFacebook: rpgfancomTwitch: rpgfancom
This Episode's Related Links:Ogre Battle: The March of the Black Queen ReviewUnicorn Overlord ReviewUndertale Yellow Feels Like a Legit PrequelUndertale Review

On this episode of Random Encounter, we're taking a look at a long-running RPG series that has only made sporadic, but noteworthy, appearances here in the West!

Mystery Dungeon began as a Dragon Quest IV spinoff back in 1993, but since then, there have been dozens of games in the series, including crossover titles with Final Fantasy (Chocobo’s Dungeon 2) and Pokémon (Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX), along with a standalone series (Mystery Dungeon: Shiren the Wanderer). And with the release of the latest entry, Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island, we thought it would be a great time to take a deep dive into the series in preparation for our "So You Want to Get Into the Mystery Dungeon Series..." feature! Ben Love is here to walk us through these mystery dungeons and tell us everything we need to know to get started on our own JRPG rogue-like adventure! 

Featuring: Jono Logan and Ben Love; Edited by Jono Logan
Get in Touch:RPGFan.comRPGFan ShopEmail us: podcast@rpgfan.comTwitter: @rpgfancomInstagram: @rpgfancomFacebook: rpgfancomTwitch: rpgfancom
This Episode's Related Links:Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island Review

On this episode of Random Encounter, it's finally time to talk about one of the most anticipated "Part 2s" in video game history: Final Fantasy VII Rebirth!
Ever since part 1 of the FFVII remake trilogy, Final Fantasy VII Remake, was released in 2020, we've been desperate to know where the story is heading. Will it continue along as we remember it, or diverge in unexpected and, no doubt, controversial ways? Never fear, because Zach is here to chat about his review of Rebirth, sharing his thoughts about the story, characters, battle system, world, and where he thinks the final part of this trilogy might go (hopefully before 2030).
Oh, and don't worry, no spoilers will be found here about who may or may not die in the game!
Featuring: Jono Logan and Zach Wilkerson; Edited by Jono Logan
Get in Touch:RPGFan.comRPGFan ShopEmail us: podcast@rpgfan.comTwitter: @rpgfancomInstagram: @rpgfancomFacebook: rpgfancomTwitch: rpgfancom
This Episode's Related Links:Final Fantasy VII Rebirth ReviewFinal Fantasy VII Remake ReviewFinal Fantasy VII Remake Intermission DLC ReviewFinal Fantasy XVI Review

On this episode of Random Encounter, we're "cranking" up our game to chat about a farming-centric piece of DLC for a pixel-art action RPG and a rogue-like on a tiny, black-and-white screen.
First, Nick is here to share his thoughts about the farming DLC for 2021's Eastward, Eastward: Octopia. Having received solid reviews back when it was released, this new DLC strips out all of the combat and replaces it with some robust farm-sim mechanics. Coming in at around 20 hours' worth of gameplay for $6, Octopia might be an essential purchase for anyone who loves the original title or farming games!
Then, Tim makes his first appearance on Random to chat about the rogue-like RPG Under the Castle and the tiny handheld console you need to play it, the Playdate. The Playdate is a fascinating piece of hardware, looking like a tiny, high-resolution yellow Gameboy Pocket with a crank on the side. The system is pricy, but does Tim think it and Under the Castle are worth the money?

Featuring: Jono Logan, Nick Mangiaracina, and Tim Rattray; Edited by Jono Logan
Get in Touch:RPGFan.comRPGFan ShopEmail us: podcast@rpgfan.comTwitter: @rpgfancomInstagram: @rpgfancomFacebook: rpgfancomTwitch: rpgfancom
This Episode's Related Links:Eastward ReviewEastward - Octopia ReviewUnder the Castle Review