RPGFan's Retro Encounter

Zelda! The Zeldster! Zeldarino! Zelmeister! Making copies! The Legend of Zelda series has long starred a hero named Link seeking a princess named Zelda, but in 2024 the roles reversed for the first time on a Nintendo system. Echoes of Wisdom's (sort of) new protagonist also sports an item-duplicating monster-summoning Tri-Rod and explores a beautifully rendered Hyrule. Naturally, three Zelda enthusiast Retro Encounter panelists were excited to play Echoes of Wisdom last month, and convened today to discuss it front to back, spoilers included. Featuring: Michael Sollosi, Tin Manuel, Mike Salbato; Edited by Paul Dennis Opening and ending music by Miles Morkri Get in Touch: RPGFan.com RPGFan Shop Email us: retro@rpgfan.com Twitter: @rpgfancom Instagram: @rpgfancom Threads: @rpgfancom Facebook: rpgfancom Twitch: rpgfancom The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom on RPGFan

Are you ready for some Sploosh Kaboom!? Retro Encounter begins a month of Zelda celebration for a Nintendo November to remember! Five panelists draft parties of their favorite Zelda characters, items, abilities, and locations in a snake draft format, all while trying to snag their favorites before others can snipe them off the board. So what's the first overall pick? Who dared draw from the Philips CDi well? Listen to the episode to find out! Featuring: Michael Sollosi, Hilary Andreff, Aleks Franiczek, Lucas Greene, Noah Leiter; Edited by Michael Sollosi Opening and ending music by Miles Morkri Get in Touch: RPGFan.com RPGFan Shop Email us: retro@rpgfan.com Twitter: @rpgfancom Instagram: @rpgfancom Threads: @rpgfancom Facebook: rpgfancom Twitch: rpgfancom

Aren't you scared? Well that's just fine. Here at RPGFan, we don't cover dedicated horror games often (other than the odd Until Dawn or The Quarry), but we still love the excitement of being scared! To celebrate All Hallows' Eve this year, a Retro Encounter panel highlights a few of the scariest moments from RPGs. From Dark Souls monstrosities to Suikoden psychopaths to Zelda zombies, this podcast has it all. Take a chance and roll the dice on Retro Encounter! Featuring: Michael Sollosi, Audra Bowling, Lucy Gray, Dom Kim; Edited by Michael Sollosi Opening and ending music by Miles Morkri Get in Touch: RPGFan.com RPGFan Shop Email us: retro@rpgfan.com Twitter: @rpgfancom Instagram: @rpgfancom Threads: @rpgfancom Facebook: rpgfancom Twitch: rpgfancom

I learned to live half alive / Now you want me one more time Retro Encounter's host demonstrates contrition in today's episode, admitting on-air that there's at least one good Kingdom Hearts game out there. The panelists also discuss their favorite boss fights, Disney worlds, and character struggles of Kingdom Hearts, which might differ if you're playing on Normal, Proud, or Critical. Today our Dearly Beloved panel discovers their personal Sanctuary in Retro Encounter. Featuring: Michael Sollosi, Aleks Franiczek, Peter Triezenberg, Zach Wilkerson; Edited by Paul Dennis Opening and ending music by Miles Morkri Get in Touch: RPGFan.com RPGFan Shop Email us: retro@rpgfan.com Twitter: @rpgfancom Instagram: @rpgfancom Threads: @rpgfancom Facebook: rpgfancom Twitch: rpgfancom Kingdom Hearts II on RPGFan

In the night I hear 'em talk / The coldest story ever told Kingdom Hearts II, one of the most celebrated sequels in the Square Enix catalog, finally gets an episode (the first of two!) on Retro Encounter. Within, we discuss the game's dynamic combat, the earnestly made Disney worlds, and plenty about Kingdom Hearts II's mysterious black robed mostly-antagonists. Featuring: Michael Sollosi, Aleks Franiczek, Peter Triezenberg, Zach Wilkerson; Edited by Paul Dennis Opening and ending music by Miles Morkri Get in Touch: RPGFan.com RPGFan Shop Email us: retro@rpgfan.com Twitter: @rpgfancom Instagram: @rpgfancom Threads: @rpgfancom Facebook: rpgfancom Twitch: rpgfancom Kingdom Hearts II on RPGFan

The Leifthrasir Hand of Darkness When Ogre Battle retreats to the shadows, who keeps the beacons lit? When Princess Crown fails to draw an audience, who picks up the bag and keeps marching? When Japan shows a lack of interest in Starcraft, who ties the series to a tower defense game and a visual novel and waves that enticingly over the crowds? Of course, we all know when to cry out to Vanllaware, and every couple of years, we know they'll send us an answer. But where did they come from? How do they keep surviving on niche titles? And most importantly, how does our intrepid panel feel about their entire ouvre? Find the answer to these questions and more with a Very Special Episode of Retro Encounter! Featuring: Wes Iliff, Gio Castillo, Ben Love, Nick Mangiaracina; Edited by Michael Sollosi Opening and ending music by Miles Morkri Get in Touch: RPGFan.com RPGFan Shop Email us: retro@rpgfan.com Twitter: @rpgfancom Instagram: @rpgfancom Threads: @rpgfancom Facebook: rpgfancom Twitch: rpgfancom

And amidst deepest despair, Retro Encounter everlasting. In honor of the recent release of Final Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail, we decided to get a few of our biggest XIV fans together to discuss the previous expansion, Endwalker. As the end of the Hydaelyn/Zodiark arc that dominated the first decade or so of Final Fantasy XIV, there is certainly a lot to talk about, with topics ranging from our favorite hub city to the best dungeons in the expansion. Do we still love Estinien? Can anyone match Venat? Which panelist spent the last five hours of the expansion in tears? Listen in to find out! Featuring: Zach Wilkerson, Audra Bowling and 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 Instagram: @rpgfancom Threads: @rpgfancom Facebook: rpgfancom Twitch: rpgfancom Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker on RPGFan

What possible harm could an insane, mutant tentacle do? Day of the Tentacle was a tentpole release in LucasArts's excellent run of classic adventure games from the late 1980s through the late 1990s, and its very specific dialog, puzzle logic, and sense of humor made it a cult classic. But how do two Day of the Tentacle longtime fans and one relative newcomer feel about this struggle of teenager versus tentacle in 2024? Listen to find out, in our final episode of Retro Encounter's September of Adventure! Featuring: Michael Sollosi, Hilary Andreff, Jonathan Logan; Edited by Jonathan Logan Opening and ending music by Miles Morkri Get in Touch: RPGFan.com RPGFan Shop Email us: retro@rpgfan.com Twitter: @rpgfancom Instagram: @rpgfancom Threads: @rpgfancom Facebook: rpgfancom Twitch: rpgfancom Day of the Tentacle on RPGFan

One more thing, there are a couple of loose ends I'd like to tie up. Nothing important, you understand. The Case of the Golden Idol made a splash in 2022, with its compelling murder mysteries, political intrigue, and puzzle adventure gameplay. It also has a decidedly retro look to it, so naturally a few of us wanted to play it. Today, three Retro Encounter panelists break down the mechanics, story, and future of Case of the Golden Idol, including its upcoming sequel. Featuring: Michael Sollosi, Aleks Franiczek, Jonathan Logan; Edited by Michael Sollosi Opening and ending music by Miles Morkri Get in Touch: RPGFan.com RPGFan Shop Email us: retro@rpgfan.com Twitter: @rpgfancom Instagram: @rpgfancom Threads: @rpgfancom Facebook: rpgfancom Twitch: rpgfancom The Case of the Golden Idol on RPGFan

We didn't start the fire Firewatch is the only release of indie game studio Campo Santo, but made quite an impact when it came out in 2016. Four Retro Encounter panelists played Firewatch recently, and today discuss everything from Firewatch's quotidian gameplay, clever use of anticlimax, and fabulous dialog both in writing and performance. So did we find Firewatch enlightening, disappointing, or just a pleasant walk in the woods? Listen to find out! Featuring: Michael Sollosi, Aleks Franiczek, Jonathan Logan, Rob White; Edited by Michael Sollosi Opening and ending music by Miles Morkri Get in Touch: RPGFan.com RPGFan Shop Email us: retro@rpgfan.com Twitter: @rpgfancom Instagram: @rpgfancom Facebook: rpgfancom Twitch: rpgfancom Firewatch on RPGFan

The Dark Souls of Retro Encounter fantasy drafts FromSoftware has produced an excellent run of fantasy RPGs since 2009's Demon's Souls, to which point its extended family of action RPGs comprises a genre all its own. And of course, if you can organize RPGs into a series, then Retro Encounter will attempt to draft them in time for American football season. So which player seizes Anor Londo in the first round? How many big two-handed swords are drafted? What player dons a giant mech suit? Listen to find out! Featuring: Michael Sollosi, Aleks Franiczek, Rob White, Zach Wilkerson; Edited by Michael Sollosi Opening and ending music by Miles Morkri Get in Touch: RPGFan.com RPGFan Shop Email us: retro@rpgfan.com Twitter: @rpgfancom Instagram: @rpgfancom Threads: @rpgfancom Facebook: rpgfancom Twitch: rpgfancom

Trespassers will be contemplated Retro Encounter concludes its eight-month-long playthrough of the Dragon Age trilogy, with a discussion of what's wrong with the Grey Wardens, what's worse in the Winter Palace, and much more. Dragon Age: Inquisition was a phenomenon in 2014, and the panel is excited to get to its long-awaited sequel in 2024. It's bears, barbarians, Titans, and Dread Wolves in the latest episode of Retro Encounter! Featuring: Michael Sollosi, Audra Bowling, Paul Dennis, Aleks Franiczek, Wes Iliff; Edited by Paul Dennis Opening and ending music by Miles Morkri Get in Touch: RPGFan.com RPGFan Shop Email us: retro@rpgfan.com Twitter: @rpgfancom Instagram: @rpgfancom Facebook: rpgfancom Twitch: rpgfancom Dragon Age: Inquisition on RPGFan

An Inquisition that everyone saw coming. Retro Encounter played the first two Dragon Age games in the last nine months, so naturally there would come the time to finish the fight. Dragon Age: Inquisition escalates and expands the conflicts and concepts of the first two Dragon Age games, from the Mage-Templar war to the plight of Dalish Elves, in a 2014 Game of the Year contender. So how does today's Retro Encounter panel find this decade-old open-world? Listen to find out! Featuring: Michael Sollosi, Audra Bowling, Paul Dennis, Aleks Franiczek, Wes Iliff; Edited by Paul Dennis Opening and ending music by Miles Morkri Get in Touch: RPGFan.com RPGFan Shop Email us: retro@rpgfan.com Twitter: @rpgfancom Instagram: @rpgfancom Facebook: rpgfancom Twitch: rpgfancom Dragon Age: Inquisition on RPGFan

This episode free with the Podcast of the Year edition Downloadable content used to be a video game luxury, but in 2024 it's an inevitability. But while day-one patches, frivolous additions, and pay-to-win models are frustrating or bad, sometimes an RPG's extra content is worth your time and hard drive space. In today's episode of Retro Encounter, four panelists detail a few of their favorite DLCs, including postgame epilogues, optional challenging bosses, and bonus characters. Featuring: Michael Sollosi, Audra Bowling, Aleks Franiczek, Zach Wilkerson; 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 Instagram: @rpgfancom Threads: @rpgfancom Facebook: rpgfancom Twitch: rpgfancom

A, B, C, D, FF3 / Feels like a mid-rank to me Very few podcast, article, or video topics on the internet get folks more enthusiastic or more up in arms than tiers, lists, or a combination thereof. On today's emotional episode of Retro Encounter, four panelists play a fantasy-draft style game to place the main-series Final Fantasy games (plus FF Tactics) into five tiers. What quintet of RPGs land in the coveted S tier? Which panelists skipped the PS3 and PS4 entries in the series? Listen to find out! Prepare to feel feelings! Featuring: Michael Sollosi, Kyle Cantelon, Aleks Franiczek, Zach Wilkerson; Edited by Michael Sollosi Opening and ending music by Miles Morkri Get in Touch: RPGFan.com RPGFan Shop Email us: retro@rpgfan.com Twitter: @rpgfancom Instagram: @rpgfancom Threads: @rpgfancom Facebook: rpgfancom Twitch: rpgfancom

Despite everything, it's still Retro Encounter. Over six years ago, we got together to chat about the instant indie class, Undertale. But, Undertale's staying power is so strong that we decided to get together and chat about it again, this time with an all new panel. Is Papyrus still delightful every time he comes on screen? Did any of us have the heart to do a Genocide run? Hot dog? Listen in to find out! Featuring: Zach Wilkerson, Alana Hagues, Aleks Franiczek; 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 Instagram: @rpgfancom Threads: @rpgfancom Facebook: rpgfancom Twitch: rpgfancom Undertale on RPGFan

What is bravery without a dash of recklessness? Five Retro Encounter panelists recently finished the first Dark Souls, and it's every bit as impressive, intense, and moving today as it was in 2011. Today the panel talks about the game's undercooked second-half environments, the fully-realized DLC episode, and the emotional turmoil upon discovering why certain bosses were present in their current forms. Dark Souls 1 isn't punishing or unfair, just be patient! Featuring: Michael Sollosi, Gio Castillo, Aleks Franiczek, Dom Kim, Ben Love; Edited by Paul Dennis Opening and ending music by Miles Morkri Get in Touch: RPGFan.com RPGFan Shop Email us: retro@rpgfan.com Twitter: @rpgfancom Instagram: @rpgfancom Threads: @rpgfancom Facebook: rpgfancom Twitch: rpgfancom Dark Souls on RPGFan

Let's praise the sun! Doo-doo-doo-doo The Dark Souls of RPGFan podcasts has finally arrived! Dark Souls is one of the most celebrated RPGs of the 2010s, helping to establish an entire new genre of RPG. Today, one Dark Souls newcomer and four Souls-like veterans discuss this challenging, carefully-crafted RPG, from its interconnected setting to the intense boss fights of Dark Souls's first half. Featuring: Michael Sollosi, Gio Castillo, Aleks Franiczek, Dom Kim, Ben Love; Edited by Paul Dennis Opening and ending music by Miles Morkri Get in Touch: RPGFan.com RPGFan Shop Email us: retro@rpgfan.com Twitter: @rpgfancom Instagram: @rpgfancom Threads: @rpgfancom Facebook: rpgfancom Twitch: rpgfancom Dark Souls on RPGFan

There can only be one. Since time immemorial (May of 2019), Retro Encounter has hosted quiz shows to determine which Retro Encounter panelist knows the most about the subject we celebrate every day on our beloved website. Today, five former RPGFan quiz show winners duke it out in a trivia free-for-all to determine who is the true Champion of Champions. We've started, so we'll finish. Featuring: Michael Sollosi, Patrick Gann, Alana Hagues, Wes Iliff, Tyler Trosper, Zach Wilkerson; Edited by Michael Sollosi Opening and ending music by Miles Morkri Get in Touch: RPGFan.com RPGFan Shop Email us: retro@rpgfan.com Twitter: @rpgfancom Instagram: @rpgfancom Threads: @rpgfancom Facebook: rpgfancom Twitch: rpgfancom

PlayStation IV: A New Hope The PlayStation 4 was a massively successful console, with incredible sales, an official lifespan of seven years, and game releases continuing to the present day. And moreso than its predecessor, the PS4 had a rich selection of RPGs. Today, four Retro Encounter panelists each composed individual top ten lists of PS4 RPGs, and then collated those individual lists into a final top eleven (there was a tie). In this episode, our panel goes over their thoughts and feelings on these eleven titles, plus a few extras and honorable mentions. So what fan favorites make the list, or fail to make the list? Listen and find out! Featuring: Michael Sollosi, Aleks Franiczek, Kyle Cantelon, Zach Wilkerson; 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 Instagram: @rpgfancom Threads: @rpgfancom Facebook: rpgfancom Twitch: rpgfancom