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On this week's Random Encounter, it's all about games featuring cause and effect! First up, Audra is here to chat with us about the time-travelling, Souls-like sequel to 2019's Code Vein: Code Vein II. Though it can occasionally feel like being trapped in a time loop while playing against a Souls-like boss, here the time travel is very literal as you travel back to the past to change the present. Audra has had some mixed opinions on it, so is it worth the time for Souls-like fans? And then Hilary is here to explore inkle’s newest game, TR-49. From Overboard! to 80 Days, No two inkle games are alike, and that's certainly the case here. In this narrative deduction game/audio play, you delve through the files of a World War II-era computer to find a book that could save the UK from all-out war. inkle’s incredibly detailed writing is fully on display here, but do the gameplay and presentation live up to the narrative? Featuring: Jono Logan, Audra Bowling, and Hilary Andreff; Edited by Jono Logan Get in Touch:RPGFan.comRPGFan ShopEmail us: [email protected]: @rpgfancomBluesky: @rpgfan.bsky.socialInstagram: @rpgfancomThreads: @rpgfancomFacebook: rpgfancomTwitch: rpgfancom This Episode's Related Links:Code Vein IITR-49 Review

In our first Random Encounter of 2026, we're taking a look back at 2025! While many would describe 2025 as a mixed bag (at best), there is no disputing that it was a banner year for video games. Not only did we finally get two of the most anticipated sequels of all time in Hollow Knight: Silksong and Hades II, but also brand-new original games like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Blue Prince, and Avowed. And that isn't even mentioning the several remakes and remasters of classics like the Lunar Remastered Collection, Suikoden I & II HD Remaster, and Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles. So, join the panel as we reminisce about the best games we experienced in 2025! Featuring: Zach Wilkerson, Aleks Franiczek, Audra Bowling, Matt Wardell and Paul Skevington; Edited by Jono Logan Get in Touch:RPGFan.comRPGFan ShopEmail us: [email protected]: @rpgfancomInstagram: @rpgfancomThreads: @rpgfancomFacebook: rpgfancomTwitch: rpgfancom This Episode's Related Links:Lies of P ReviewAmerzone - The Explorer's Legacy ReviewThe Legend of Heroes: Trails through Daybreak II ReviewTrails in the Sky 1st Chapter ReviewOctopath Traveler 0 ReviewCitizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector ReviewAvowed ReviewDigimon Story: Time Stranger ReviewUrban Myth Dissolution Center ReviewClair Obscur: Expedition 33 Review

In our final Random Encounter of 2025, it's time to take a look ahead to the biggest games of 2026! With the holidays in the rear view mirror, RPGFan is now building our annual most anticipated for the coming year feature. And there is no better way to wrap up 2025 than having the Random panel give everyone a preview of those titles we’re looking forward to as we wait for the calendar to turn. From Dragon Quest VII Reimagined to Mina the Hollower, it’s time to spread the spirit of the season by sharing our excitement for what 2026 has in store! Featuring: Jono Logan, Noah Leiter, Paul Skevington, and Zek Lu; Edited by Jono Logan Get in Touch:RPGFan.comRPGFan ShopEmail us: [email protected]: @rpgfancomInstagram: @rpgfancomThreads: @rpgfancomFacebook: rpgfancomTwitch: rpgfancom This Episode's Related Links:RPGFan's 30 Most Anticipated Games of 2026So you want to get into the Souls Series…The Adventures of Elliot: Millennium TalesAlabaster DawnBeast of ReincarnationThe Blood of DawnwalkerCode Vein IICoffee Talk TokyoDeltarune: Chapter 5Directive 8020Dragon Quest VII Reimagined Hands-On PreviewExodusFable (Reboot)Fire Emblem: Fortune's WeaveThe Legend of Heroes: Trails Beyond the HorizonMina the HollowerNioh 3People of NotePetal RunnerPokémon PokopiaSacriFireStarbitesTales of Berseria RemasterWitchbrookYakuza Kiwami 3 and Dark TiesYs X: Proud Nordics

On this week's Random Encounter, we're chatting about gaming's biggest night: The Game Awards 2025! But before we get to all the reveals (and actual awards, I guess), we want to talk to Zek about the new Octopath Traveler game that was just released, Octopath Traveler 0! This entry, adapted from the mobile-only gacha game Octopath Traveler: Champions of the Continent, turns a lot of the conventions of Octopath on their heads, featuring over 30 characters instead of eight and including a massive town-building mechanic. After that, it's all about The Game Awards! There were some big announcements this year, including a long-awaited sequel to Knights of the Old Republic, Star Wars: Fate of the Old Republic. We also have Larian Studios revealing their follow-up to Baldur's Gate III, Divinity, with one of the more disturbing trailers in recent memory. There is so much news, but our panel is ready to chat about it all (and Jono is ready to talk about how Blue Prince was robbed)! Featuring: Jono Logan, Hilary Andreff, Mike Salbato, and Zek Lu; Edited by Jono Logan Get in Touch:RPGFan.comRPGFan ShopEmail us: [email protected]: @rpgfancomBluesky: @rpgfan.bsky.socialInstagram: @rpgfancomThreads: @rpgfancomFacebook: rpgfancomTwitch: rpgfancom This Episode's Related Links:Octopath Traveler 0 ReviewStar Wars: Fate of the Old Republic AnnouncedLarian Studios Reveals New Divinity GameLords of the Fallen II Gets First Gameplay TrailerClair Obscur: Expedition 33 Drops ‘Thank You’ Update

On this week's Random Encounter, we're taking a look at two very different narrative adventures! Back in the 2010s, Telltale Games reinvented the point-and-click adventure game with The Walking Dead, introducing new multiple paths and lasting choices. Unfortunately, they spread themselves a little too thin, and the studio closed. Thankfully, many of those developers went off to create their own studios, and that is how we got Dispatch, the new episodic superhero adventure game! Tom has played the entire season and can confidently say that it reaches, and maybe even exceeds, the heights of Telltale's output at its prime. Then, Audra is here with an indie narrative visual novel inspired by Nintendo DS Japanese adventure games like Ace Attorney and Hotel Dusk: Detective Instinct: Farewell, My Beloved. This looks to be a classic case of, "Well, if the developer won't make any more of the games we like, we're going to do it ourselves!" In this detective game, you and your investigative partner explore crime scenes and interrogate witnesses to uncover the perpetrators of a shocking murder (maybe, you'll have to follow the clues to find out) Featuring: Jono Logan, Audra Bowling, and Tom Naylor; Edited by Jono Logan Get in Touch:RPGFan.comRPGFan ShopEmail us: [email protected]: @rpgfancomBluesky: @rpgfan.bsky.socialInstagram: @rpgfancomThreads: @rpgfancomFacebook: rpgfancomTwitch: rpgfancom This Episode's Related Links:DispatchDetective Instinct: Farewell, My Beloved Review

On this week's Random Encounter, it's time to uncover some mysteries in two adventure games!The Séance of Blake Manor has been making waves the last few weeks as one of the best mystery deductive games of the last few years. From the same devs that created the adventure game series, The Darkside Detective, Blake Manor drops the point-and-click interface and moves into the first person! Did Caitlin have an amazing time solving the mystery of why this game has been getting so much buzz? And then we have a remaster of a classic early-2000s point-and-click adventure game, Syberia - Remastered. Known for its immaculate vibes and engaging story, the original Syberia has become a cult favourite among adventure game fans (at least for those who can forgive the less-than-sensitive portrayal of a mentally challenged character). Syberia - Remastered brings the same art style, story, music, voice work, and  720p pre-rendered cutscenes, but introduces a new control interface and re-imagines the entire world space in 3D. Does the remaster/remake live up to the original? Featuring: Jono Logan, Caitlin Argyros, and Matt Wardell; Edited by Jono Logan Get in Touch:RPGFan.comRPGFan ShopEmail us: [email protected]: @rpgfancomBluesky: @rpgfan.bsky.socialInstagram: @rpgfancomThreads: @rpgfancomFacebook: rpgfancomTwitch: rpgfancom This Episode's Related Links:The Séance of Blake Manor ReviewSyberia - Remastered ReviewAmerzone – The Explorer’s Legacy ReviewSyberia Review

On this week's Random Encounter, we are looking at sequels both past and present! First up, Zach is here with his thoughts about the Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake. While DQ I could have done with a few fewer "enhancements," it sounds like the new expanded story and features have made DQ II into one of the best Dragon Quest games ever! And next, Zek is here to share his disappointment about the highly anticipated sequel to 2019's The Outer Worlds: The Outer Worlds 2. While it does have a bigger budget and scope, it sounds like it failed to capitalize on the potential of the first game. And in the world of The Outer Worlds, failing to monopolize is a capital offence! Oh, and a quick note to all of our Canadian listeners: We recorded this on Wednesday evening, long before Game 7 of the World Series, so please forgive my bright-eyed optimism and will to live, and take them with the spirit intended at the time! Featuring: Jono Logan, Zach Wilkerson, and Zek Lu; Edited by Jono Logan Get in Touch:RPGFan.comRPGFan ShopEmail us: [email protected]: @rpgfancomBluesky: @rpgfan.bsky.socialInstagram: @rpgfancomThreads: @rpgfancomFacebook: rpgfancomTwitch: rpgfancom This Episode's Related Links:Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake ReviewDragon Quest III HD-2D Remake ReviewThe Outer Worlds 2 ReviewThe Outer Worlds Review

On this week's Random Encounter, we are catching 'em all and beating 'em up! When Pokémon Legends: Arceus was released in 2022, it signalled a newer, more experimental type of Pokémon game. Now, Game Freak is back with Pokémon Legends: Z-A, the second entry in the Legends series. With a new real-time combat system, an urban environment, and giant Pokémon battles, Z-A looks like it promises everything that fans have wanted from the series, but does it pull it off? Niki has some thoughts! And then, Bob is here to chat about the new roguelike beat-'em-up RPG Absolum. It's been a long time since there was any real innovation in the beat-'em-up genre, but with a stunning animated art style, exploration, RPG mechanics, and a roguelike structure, Absolum might just be the most interesting beat-'em-up in years. Is it worth the fight? Featuring: Jono Logan, Jerry Williams, and Niki Fakhoori; Edited by Jono Logan Get in Touch:RPGFan.comRPGFan ShopEmail us: [email protected]: @rpgfancomBluesky: @rpgfan.bsky.socialInstagram: @rpgfancomThreads: @rpgfancomFacebook: rpgfancomTwitch: rpgfancom This Episode's Related Links:Pokémon Legends: Z-APokémon Legends: Arceus ReviewAbsolum Review

On this week's Random Encounter, we have a remaster of one of the greatest strategy RPGs of all time! When Final Fantasy Tactics was released on the PSX in 1997, it marked the entry point for countless RPG fans into the world of SRPGs (aka TRPGs) By piggybacking off the success of the landmark JRPG Final Fantasy VII, Tactics introduced an entirely new audience to the grid-based strategy RPG goodness seen in previous SRPGs like Fire Emblem and Shining Force. Since then, Tactics has seen numerous re-releases, including Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of the Lions for the PSP and mobile devices that gave the game a much-improved localization. But now with Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles, Square-Enix has released what is arguably the definitive version, now with sharper graphics, excellent quality-of-life features, and exceptional voice acting. Tactics also happens to be one of the favourite games of Jerry and Zach. Does this brand-new remaster live up to their high expectations? Featuring: Jono Logan, Jerry Williams, and Zach Wilkerson; Edited by Jono Logan Get in Touch:RPGFan.comRPGFan ShopEmail us: [email protected]: @rpgfancomBluesky: @rpgfan.bsky.socialInstagram: @rpgfancomThreads: @rpgfancomFacebook: rpgfancomTwitch: rpgfancom This Episode's Related Links:Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles ReviewFinal Fantasy Tactics: The War of the Lions ReviewFinal Fantasy Tactics Review

On this week's Random Encounter, we're chatting about one of the biggest indie releases of the year! Boy, between Silksong and Hades II, September has been quite a month for indie games. Everyone here at RPGFan has been eagerly awaiting the full release of Hades II since its early release last year, and our patience has finally been rewarded! Zek and Matt are here to answer all of the big questions like: Is this highly anticipated sequel as good as the original Hades? What new gameplay mechanics has Supergiant Games brought to the table? And perhaps most importantly, who can you date? Featuring: Jono Logan, Matt Wardell, and Zek Lu; Edited by Jono Logan Get in Touch:RPGFan.comRPGFan ShopEmail us: [email protected]: @rpgfancomBluesky: @rpgfan.bsky.socialInstagram: @rpgfancomThreads: @rpgfancomFacebook: rpgfancomTwitch: rpgfancom This Episode's Related Links:Hades II ReviewHades II Hands-On PreviewHades Review

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 Logan Get in Touch:RPGFan.comRPGFan ShopEmail us: [email protected]: @rpgfancomInstagram: @rpgfancomFacebook: rpgfancomTwitch: rpgfancom This 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 Logan Get in Touch:RPGFan.comRPGFan ShopEmail us: [email protected]: @rpgfancomBluesky: @rpgfan.bsky.socialInstagram: @rpgfancomThreads: @rpgfancomFacebook: rpgfancomTwitch: rpgfancom This 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 Logan Get in Touch:RPGFan.comRPGFan ShopEmail us: [email protected]: @rpgfancomBluesky: @rpgfan.bsky.socialInstagram: @rpgfancomThreads: @rpgfancomFacebook: rpgfancomTwitch: rpgfancom This 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 Logan Get in Touch:RPGFan.comRPGFan ShopEmail us: [email protected]: @rpgfancomBluesky: @rpgfan.bsky.socialInstagram: @rpgfancomThreads: @rpgfancomFacebook: rpgfancomTwitch: rpgfancom This 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 Logan Get in Touch:RPGFan.comRPGFan ShopEmail us: [email protected]: @rpgfancomBluesky: @rpgfan.bsky.socialInstagram: @rpgfancomThreads: @rpgfancomFacebook: rpgfancomTwitch: rpgfancom This 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