RandomNPC – Video Game RPG Reviews, Editorials, and Features

Hello again, ladies and gents. Dragon Age: Origins is on a few of our playlists, and while I was waiting for it to arrive, I wrapped up my mandated quarterly playthrough of an older Bioware/Black Isle joint. It goes without saying that the Baldur’s Gate series is critically acclaimed, but it’s got problems; big ones that not everyone can overlook. I wonder sometimes how I got past them, how it became one of my favorite series. Was it in spite of its flaws, or because of them?

Do note that this was recorded a few days ago, just prior to the game arriving. In any case, let’s chat, shall we?
Continue reading ‘NPCast 14: Baldur’s Gate – Better Living Through Ham and Cheese’ »

 Standard Podcast [23:22m]: Download

Let the outtakes commence! Fresh from our last Radio Free Jeuno and Better Know a Dev Team podcasts, we’ve got a pile of audio goofs and silly antics that didn’t quite make the cut. Nerdboy once again instructs us on the proper way to spell tri-Ace, we find out why people ever bother singing in the first place, and good times are had by all. Enjoy!

Continue reading ‘August Podcast Omake: Gone With the Belchwave’ »

 Standard Podcast [23:58m]: Download

This week’s podcast features Nerdboy, CactuarJoe, and SlayerGhaleon talking about tri-Ace, the company that created Star Ocean, Valkyrie Profile, and Radiata Stories. This podcast was actually recorded last week, but it took us a long time to upload all the awesomeness to our server. Enjoy!

Continue reading ‘NPCast 13: tri-Ace, Not to be Confused with tri-Crescendo’ »

 Standard Podcast [67:00m]: Download

Radio Free Jeuno returns! It’s been over two weeks since the update alongside the release of A Moogle Kupo d’Etat, and we’ve had time to partially digest the changes both have brought. Our impressions: mixed, to be charitable. Join Nerdboy, Alethea, and myself as we discuss the new things lurking about the wilds of Vana’Diel. Also, Nerdboy assaults the elderly. Like, a lot. Eight times.

We are accepting mailbag requests for a Q&A session in our next podcast, so please, fire off those comments and feedback… things! Whatever the plural noun form of feedback is. FFXI stuff, general stuff, questions about fanfiction that I wrote when I was young and stupid two weeks ago, it’s all good. Lay it on us, we’ll answer it. Continue reading ‘NPCast XI-2: This is Three Chocobo! Waaaaaark!’ »

 Standard Podcast [44:11m]: Download

As some of you may have surmised – because we suggested as such in the actual podcast – our latest recording was fraught with difficulty and indeed peril. Behold some of our less shining attempts at getting thirty-six minutes of coherent audio. Nerdboy echoes, Cactuar has a plan ™, Roku types with drama and panache, and Harvest Moon curses our attempts at earnest dialog. I apologize in advance. Continue reading ‘July Podcast Omake: It’s Japanese For Something, I’m Told’ »

 July 09 Omake [11:18m]: Download

Hiya folks. Got another podcast for y’all, fresh out of the oven. This time around, Nerdboy, Slayer, Roku, and Cactuar join me in discussing some of the latest news, and introducing our new segment discussing various developer teams and their wacky exploits. This week, we delve into the shadowy backstory of Game Freak, perhaps best known as the dudes behind Pokemon. Also, Nerdboy abuses “medication” and discusses the finer points of Engrish. Behold! Continue reading ‘NPCast 12: Jerly Boy’ »

 Jerly Boy [36:22m]: Download

Howdy, Vana’Dielians! Some of you may have noticed that Squenix has gotten in on the episodic content thing with their MMOPRG, for which they are doling out mini-expansions at ten bucks a pop. Paired with them are totally free updates, of course. But are they worth it? Fellow Final Fantasy XI denizens Alethea and Nerdboy join myself for a discussion on the latest update notes and how silly they are. Also, this (lack of a usable) chair is an eyesore. Behold! Continue reading ‘NPCast XI: Radio Free Jeuno’ »

 Standard Podcast [60:40m]: Download

Hey, everything else hooks up to that accursed site, so why not?

Hiya folks! Gathered here is roughly fifty-seven minutes of our E3 Away Team knocking heads over corporate theater and glitchy alphas of unreleased games. Alethea fangirls over Mass Effect 2, J calls out Project Natal, Roku does his postapocalyptic janitor thing, and I wish I’d brought more microphones. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll wonder what it takes to get better acoustics. The answer to that is “More than you’d think.” Anyway, give a listen, won’t you? Continue reading ‘E3 2009: Our Podcast is Now Compatible With Facebook’ »

 E3 2009 [56:38m]: Download

Howdy-o, people. With Second Evolution and Last Hope safely behind me, I feel I’ve sufficiently distanced myself from both titles to calmly and rationally tear one of them to pieces. Which one? That would be telling. (It’s Last Hope.) Take a listen, and let us all see how biases form and express themselves. Extreme spoilers beyond this point: you have been warned. Continue reading ‘NPCast 09 – Spoiler Ocean’ »

 Spoiler Ocean [16:38m]: Download

Once upon a time, there was a rock radio station that, shall we say, presided over my heart – a role that would only be matched by one John Henry Eden a decade later. The station’s life, and death, had a profound impact on how I view the entertainment industry, and has led to a pair of questions about the things I enjoy. As usual, these aren’t questions I know how to answer, but I think they’re important nonetheless. Join me, won’t you? Continue reading ‘NPCast 08 – Anecdotal Questions’ »

 Anecdotal Questions [11:16m]: Download

And just like that we’re back with another podcast, starring none other than myself. This time around I pose the question of what keeps us playing those older games, even as newer ones sit on the shelf just itching to be played. (I promise I’ll get back to you soon, Red Alert 3!) Through examples, the answer turns out to be kind of complicated. Have a listen, won’t you? Continue reading ‘NPCast 07 – Keep Coming Back for More’ »

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RandomNPC’s staff discusses how the site got started, its first year, and its future. Continue reading ‘RandomNPC’s First Birthday Podcast’ »

 

 First Birthday: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

At long last, I return! My PC is, somehow, back in working order and I get back to talking about stuff you have all probably talked to death: some noteworthy titles due out in the months and years to come. Observe! Or, listen actually. Continue reading ‘NPCast 06 – Coming Soon to a Home Theater Near You’ »

 NPCast 06 - Coming Soon to a Home Theater Near You [8:36m]: Download

Evening all. Now that our staff has grown a bit, we thought it might be fun to have a roundtable discussion every now and then. This one isn’t entirely serious; instead, it’s more of a way to get to know us other folks who will be chiming in during future weeks since you already know Karlinn. Maybe not so much me since I’m about as talkative as your typical silent RPG protagonist, but the other guys at least. As such, this isn’t quite our final format for them, but it’ll probably at least give you a decent enough idea of what’s to come. I hope you enjoy it, and feedback is appreciated as always.

Ah yes, I should also note that these will absolutely not be replacing Karlinn’s solo podcasts.
Continue reading ‘NPCast 05 – Roundtable Introduction’ »

 NPCast 05 - Roundtable Introduction [30:08m]: Download

Hello hello, folks. Back again with another NPCast, and this time we’re talking about something near and dear to the hearts of millions. Just a few feet away in the back of the car they’re driving, actually. How can this magical mystery burn-liquid have an impact on escapist male power fantasies and puzzle-oriented dating sims involving catgirls? Mankind may never know. Not that this stops me from opining on the subject, of course.
Continue reading ‘NPCast 04 – Then What Will You Doooooooo? o/~’ »

 NPCast 04 - Then What Will You Doooooooo? o/~ [6:17m]: Download

Note to self: The unofficial Tales of Symphonia drinking game you read about on the internets is not to be played by the faint of stomach.  Taking a shot every time somebody has an aside and then says “…oh, nothing,” when somebody asks them about it basically means you might as well just start drinking as soon as you start the game.  Believe me, it’ll catch up.

In any case, the title sums up this cast’s content; ‘the Topic of’ added to respectfully differentiate this from the surprisingly good On Writing by Stephen King.  Yes, that Stephen King.  Also, the Metal Wolf Chaos plug can adequately be explained by watching this documentary of the American electoral process.
Continue reading ‘NPCast 03 – On the Topic of Writing’ »

 NPCast 03 - On the Topic of Writing: Download