RPGFan's Random Encounter

336 - Farewell, My Beloved Superheroes

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.com [https://www.rpgfan.com/] RPGFan Shop [https://www.rpgfan.com/shop] Email us: podcast@rpgfan.com [podcast@rpgfan.com] Twitter: @rpgfancom [https://twitter.com/rpgfancom/] Bluesky: @rpgfan.bsky.social [https://bsky.app/profile/rpgfan.bsky.social] Instagram: @rpgfancom [https://www.instagram.com/rpgfancom] Threads: @rpgfancom [https://www.threads.net/@rpgfancom] Facebook: rpgfancom [https://www.facebook.com/rpgfancom] Twitch: rpgfancom [https://www.twitch.tv/rpgfancom] This Episode's Related Links: Dispatch [https://www.rpgfan.com/game/dispatch/] Detective Instinct: Farewell, My Beloved Review [https://www.rpgfan.com/review/detective-instinct-farewell-my-beloved/]

335 - To the "Manor" Born

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.com [https://www.rpgfan.com/] RPGFan Shop [https://www.rpgfan.com/shop] Email us: podcast@rpgfan.com [podcast@rpgfan.com] Twitter: @rpgfancom [https://twitter.com/rpgfancom/] Bluesky: @rpgfan.bsky.social [https://bsky.app/profile/rpgfan.bsky.social] Instagram: @rpgfancom [https://www.instagram.com/rpgfancom] Threads: @rpgfancom [https://www.threads.net/@rpgfancom] Facebook: rpgfancom [https://www.facebook.com/rpgfancom] Twitch: rpgfancom [https://www.twitch.tv/rpgfancom] This Episode's Related Links: The Séance of Blake Manor Review [https://www.rpgfan.com/review/the-seance-of-blake-manor/] Syberia - Remastered Review [https://www.rpgfan.com/review/syberia-remastered/] Amerzone – The Explorer’s Legacy Review [https://www.rpgfan.com/review/amerzone-the-explorers-legacy/] Syberia Review [https://www.rpgfan.com/review/syberia/]

334 - Swing and a Hit, Swing and a Miss

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.com [https://www.rpgfan.com/] RPGFan Shop [https://www.rpgfan.com/shop] Email us: podcast@rpgfan.com [podcast@rpgfan.com] Twitter: @rpgfancom [https://twitter.com/rpgfancom/] Bluesky: @rpgfan.bsky.social [https://bsky.app/profile/rpgfan.bsky.social] Instagram: @rpgfancom [https://www.instagram.com/rpgfancom] Threads: @rpgfancom [https://www.threads.net/@rpgfancom] Facebook: rpgfancom [https://www.facebook.com/rpgfancom] Twitch: rpgfancom [https://www.twitch.tv/rpgfancom] This Episode's Related Links: Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake Review [https://www.rpgfan.com/review/dragon-quest-i-ii-hd-2d-remake/] Dragon Quest III HD-2D Remake Review [https://www.rpgfan.com/review/dragon-quest-iii-hd-2d-remake/] The Outer Worlds 2 Review [https://www.rpgfan.com/review/the-outer-worlds-2-2/] The Outer Worlds Review [https://www.rpgfan.com/review/the-outer-worlds/]

333 - Gotta Beat 'Em All!

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.com [https://www.rpgfan.com/] RPGFan Shop [https://www.rpgfan.com/shop] Email us: podcast@rpgfan.com [podcast@rpgfan.com] Twitter: @rpgfancom [https://twitter.com/rpgfancom/] Bluesky: @rpgfan.bsky.social [https://bsky.app/profile/rpgfan.bsky.social] Instagram: @rpgfancom [https://www.instagram.com/rpgfancom] Threads: @rpgfancom [https://www.threads.net/@rpgfancom] Facebook: rpgfancom [https://www.facebook.com/rpgfancom] Twitch: rpgfancom [https://www.twitch.tv/rpgfancom] This Episode's Related Links: Pokémon Legends: Z-A [https://www.rpgfan.com/game/pokemon-legends-z-a/] Pokémon Legends: Arceus Review [https://www.rpgfan.com/review/pokemon-legends-arceus/] Absolum Review [https://www.rpgfan.com/review/absolum/]

332 - Tactical Fantasies

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.com [https://www.rpgfan.com/] RPGFan Shop [https://www.rpgfan.com/shop] Email us: podcast@rpgfan.com [podcast@rpgfan.com] Twitter: @rpgfancom [https://twitter.com/rpgfancom/] Bluesky: @rpgfan.bsky.social [https://bsky.app/profile/rpgfan.bsky.social] Instagram: @rpgfancom [https://www.instagram.com/rpgfancom] Threads: @rpgfancom [https://www.threads.net/@rpgfancom] Facebook: rpgfancom [https://www.facebook.com/rpgfancom] Twitch: rpgfancom [https://www.twitch.tv/rpgfancom] This Episode's Related Links: Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles Review [https://www.rpgfan.com/review/final-fantasy-tactics-the-ivalice-chronicles/] Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of the Lions Review [https://www.rpgfan.com/review/final-fantasy-tactics-the-war-of-the-lions/] Final Fantasy Tactics Review [https://www.rpgfan.com/review/final-fantasy-tactics-2/]