RPGFan's Random Encounter

On this episode of Random Encounter, we're checking out the latest entries in two long-running and beloved series.First up, Matt is here to chat about the newest installment in the Castlevania series, Castlevania: Belmont's Curse. This is not just a direct sequel to 1989's Castlevania III: Dracula's Curse, but also the first real entry in the series in twelve years (eighteen if you only count the 2D entries). The team behind the game was also behind all the DLC for Dead Cells, including Return to Castlevania, so you would expect them to deliver a fantastic experience. Do they pull it off?Then, Ben dives into the absolutely massive new Fire Emblem game for the Switch 2, Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave. Since its first entry on the Famicom in 1990, the Fire Emblem series has been super popular... in Japan. It wasn't until 2003's Fire Emblem for the GBA that we got a chance to try it in the West. Since then, the series has had its share of ups and downs, but it looks like it is about to see a big "up" with this latest entry!Featuring: Jono Logan, Ben Love, and Matt Wardell; Edited by Jono LoganGet in Touch:RPGFan.comRPGFan ShopEmail us: [email protected]: @rpgfancomBluesky: @rpgfan.bsky.socialInstagram: @rpgfancomThreads: @rpgfancomFacebook: rpgfancomTwitch: rpgfancomThis Episode's Related Links:Castlevania: Belmont’s CurseCastlevania: Symphony of the Night ReviewFire Emblem: Fortune’s WeaveFire Emblem: Path of Radiance ReviewKotaku - Inside The Failed Fight To Unionize One Of Gaming’s Most Idealized Studios  Kotaku - Our Interview With Tim Schafer About Unionization At Psychonauts Studio Double Fine

On this episode of Random Encounter, we're talking about one of the biggest gaming shows of the year!Every year, RPGFan covers the biggest RPGs and adventure games to come out of the Tokyo Game Show, but this year, we had a reporter on the floor! Matt Wardell was there to check out every booth he could, play every game they’d let him, and now he is here to give us the lowdown about his full experience at TGS 2026! From Final Fantasy VII Revelation to Stranger Than Heaven, he got to play them all! And if after listening to this, you would like to hear more about his time at the show, check out the RPGFan home page for all of his articles, including some spectacular photos from the show floor! Featuring: Jono Logan, Matt Wardell, and Mike Salbato; Edited by Jono LoganGet in Touch:RPGFan.comRPGFan ShopEmail us: [email protected]: @rpgfancomBluesky: @rpgfan.bsky.socialInstagram: @rpgfancomThreads: @rpgfancomFacebook: rpgfancomTwitch: rpgfancomThis Episode's Related Links:Persona 4 Revival Hands-On Preview: It’s Time to (Re)Make History, Yeah! | RPGFanStranger Than Heaven Hands-On Preview: This Oldboy Has a Few New Tricks | RPGFanDecapolice Hands-On Preview: Dial “RPG” For Murder | RPGFanCastlevania: Belmont’s Curse Hands-On Preview: What a Wonderful Night to Have a Curse | RPGFanFlawless Abbey Hands-On Preview: To Sleep, Perchance to Dream | RPGFanFinal Fantasy VII Revelation Hands-On Preview: Once More, With Feeling | RPGFanBlades of Mirage Hands-On Preview: Water You Waiting For? | RPGFanTokyo Stories Hands-On Preview: The Night is Short, Walk On Girl | RPGFanSnack World: Reloaded Hands-On Preview: Fun to Play With, Not to Eat | RPGFanHellheart Breaker Hands-On Preview: | RPGFan

On this episode of Random Encounter, we're talking about two of the biggest games out this fall.First up, The Blood of Dawnwalker is a long-awaited title from a new studio made up of many of the creators behind The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. And while that CD Projekt Red DNA is all over this project, it does a ton of new things that push forward the genre of open-world RPGs. Zek absolutely loved it, thinking that, in many ways, it was even better than The Witcher 3!Then, Bob is here to talk about the new turn-based strategy Star Wars game, Star Wars Zero Company. Heavily inspired by XCOM, Zero Company is set during the Clone Wars, introducing an entirely new cast of characters (while also having some cameos from some old favorites who hate sand). Are XCOM and Star Wars a great combination? Bob certainly seems to think so!Featuring: Jono Logan, Jerry Williams, and Zek Lu; Edited by Jono LoganGet in Touch:RPGFan.comRPGFan ShopEmail us: [email protected]: @rpgfancomBluesky: @rpgfan.bsky.socialInstagram: @rpgfancomThreads: @rpgfancomFacebook: rpgfancomTwitch: rpgfancomThis Episode's Related Links:The Blood of Dawnwalker ReviewStar Wars Zero Company Review

On this episode of Random Encounter, we’re talking about the critically acclaimed MMORPG Final Fantasy XIV, with an expanded free trial which you can play through the entirety of A Realm Reborn…Yeah, we’re sure that you’ve heard the marketing meme before, but here at RPGFan, FFXIV is one of the most beloved RPGs of all time (At least, the 2.0 version. 1.0 was a notorious disaster). And now that it has been released on the Switch 2, we figured this was the perfect time to take a deep dive into this critically acclaimed MMORPG (okay, fine, we’ll stop) and see why it is so loved. Mike and Caitlin, two of the most passionate FFXIV players on the site, are here to try to convince Jono to play it. Will they succeed?Featuring: Jono Logan, Caitlin Argyros, and Mike Salbato; Edited by Jono LoganGet in Touch:RPGFan.comRPGFan ShopEmail us: [email protected]: @rpgfancomBluesky: @rpgfan.bsky.socialInstagram: @rpgfancomThreads: @rpgfancomFacebook: rpgfancomTwitch: rpgfancomThis Episode's Related Links:Final Fantasy XIV – Review Journal 1Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn – 1. Review Journal Book I: IntroFinal Fantasy XIV: Shadowbringers – 19. Review Journal Book XIX: The Dark Which Illuminates the WorldFinal Fantasy XIV: Stormblood ReviewFinal Fantasy XIV: Endwalker ReviewFinal Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail Review

On this episode of Random Encounter, we're taking a figurative deep dive into some DLC and a remake of a classic game!First, Ben is following up on his glowing Pokémon Pokopia review with a look at the game's new DLC, Bubbly Basin. Just like in the base game, you play as a Ditto rebuilding society, but this time you're doing it under the sea! With a wealth of quality-of-life features, a new town, and a ton of new Pokémon, is this DLC worth buying?Then, Hagen is making his first appearance on Random Encounter to chat about a remake of one of his all-time favorites, Gothic 1 Remake. When the original was released in 2001, it became a cult classic that is still loved today. Unlike many remakes, this one is shockingly faithful to the original! Does Hagen love it just as much now as he did way back when?Featuring: Jono Logan, Ben Love, and Hagen McMenemy; Edited by Jono LoganGet in Touch:RPGFan.comRPGFan ShopEmail us: [email protected]: @rpgfancomBluesky: @rpgfan.bsky.socialInstagram: @rpgfancomThreads: @rpgfancomFacebook: rpgfancomTwitch: rpgfancomThis Episode's Related Links:Pokemon Pokopia ReviewGothic 1 Remake Review