Party Chat: A JRPG Podcast

Check out our Patreon if you'd like to support the podcast and get exclusive bonus episodes! https://www.patreon.com/c/partychatjrpgpodJoin our Discord! https://discord.gg/VUZAXJryT9Everything continues to be bad as Sony pulls the chord on disc production in 2028. Xbox begins its "hard reset" selling and releasing several key studios and over three thousand employees over the next year. Cam and Kevin go over it all.

Cameron got to play the first 30 minutes of Orbitals the latest co-op adventure title that features an art direction stripped out of animes of the 90s.Check out our Patreon if you'd like to support the podcast and get exclusive bonus episodes! https://www.patreon.com/c/partychatjrpgpodJoin our Discord! https://discord.gg/VUZAXJryT9

Check out our Patreon if you'd like to support the podcast and get exclusive bonus episodes! https://www.patreon.com/c/partychatjrpgpodJoin our Discord! https://discord.gg/VUZAXJryT9Cam and Kevin go over the Persona TV show announcement, an update on Xbox's future, Splatoon Raiders Direct and more. Cam gives some light thoughts on the upcoming roguelike mode in Granblue Fantasy Relink Endless Ragnarok. Kevin reviews Star Fox. For Topic of the Show we go over Video Game Adaptations. What works, what doesn't and some of our favorites.

Check out our Patreon if you'd like to support the podcast and get exclusive bonus episodes! https://www.patreon.com/c/partychatjrpgpodJoin our Discord! https://discord.gg/VUZAXJryT9Cam and Kevin discuss the pricing of the Steam Machine and what the console actually is and who it's for. We give our impressions on The Adventures of Elliot. For Topic of the Show we give our thoughts, theories, and predictions on what gaming will look like in the next 10 to 20 years.Timestamps!0:00 Intro10:19 Steam Machine34:42 What Exactly is OD43:13 Sega Sales Numbers54:20 The Rest of the News55:28 We've Been Playing Elliot1:04:11 The Future of Gaming

Check out our Patreon if you'd like to support the podcast and get exclusive bonus episodes! https://www.patreon.com/c/partychatjrpgpodJoin our Discord! https://discord.gg/VUZAXJryT9Cam and Kevin discuss the ongoing fallout between multiple first party studios at Xbox. Cam and Kevin preview Erosion, Crimson Moon, and Nekome: Nazi Hunter. For Topic of the Show we do a temperature check and go over every major release till the end of the year.

Check out our Patreon if you'd like to support the podcast and get exclusive bonus episodes! https://www.patreon.com/c/partychatjrpgpodJoin our Discord! https://discord.gg/VUZAXJryT9Cam and Kevin are back from Summer Game Fest and have a lot of catching up to do! We go over all the announcements from the SGF Showcase, Xbox Presentation, and Nintendo Direct.0:00 Intro6:28 SGF1:10:01 Xbox Showcase1:28:57 Nintendo Direct

Check out our Patreon if you'd like to support the podcast and get exclusive bonus episodes! https://www.patreon.com/c/partychatjrpgpodJoin our Discord! https://discord.gg/VUZAXJryT9Cam and Kevin got to go hands-on for an hour with RGG's newest IP Stranger Than Heaven.

We just wrapped up SGF 2026 and have a bunch of games we want to talk about! First up we're gonna dash through all of our favorites that we're allowed to share thoughts on now, with more dedicated coverage coming up for even more games soon!Timestamps!0:00 Intro2:31 Silent Hill Townfall 8:46 Sonic Pico Park11:52 Sea of Remnants14:13 Petal Runner18:04 Gungrave G.O.R.E. Blood Heat20:46 Crazy Taxi25:55 D-topia29:00 Avatar Legends32:47 Demi and the Fractured Dream33:48 Forever Ago36:55 Dungeon Lurker39:41 Blood Dungeon45:35 Valor Mortis

Check out our Patreon if you'd like to support the podcast and get exclusive bonus episodes! https://www.patreon.com/c/partychatjrpgpodJoin our Discord! https://discord.gg/VUZAXJryT9Cam and Kevin go over everything revealed during this week's State of Play including Marvel's Wolverine, Until Dawn 2, and God of War LaufeyTime stamps!0:00 Intro6:15 Crimson Desert getting Story Patches15:30 New DQ Monsters coming sooner than we thought?17:41 The rest of the news20:32 Cam’s been playing FF7 Rebirth for Switch 227:14 Kevin’s been playing the new Elliot Demo31:00 Topic of the show - The Summer State of Play32:40 Wolverine 44:40 Marvel Tokon Fighting Souls52:02 Until Dawn 258:35 God of War Laufey1:21:03 The Rest of the State of Play

Check out our Patreon if you'd like to support the podcast and get exclusive bonus episodes!https://www.patreon.com/c/partychatjrpgpodJoin our Discord! https://discord.gg/VUZAXJryT9Cam and Kevin give their thoughts on everything announced at the Dragon Quest Update presentation. We both give our thoughts on Mina the Hollower. For Topic of the Show we discuss our predictions and theories on what we might see at SGF, the Xbox showcase, and the next Nintendo Direct.Timestamps0:00 Intro11:57 Dragon Quest 40th Anniversary Reveals38:18 Steam Deck Price Increase52:02 The Rest of the News57:58 Cam and Kevin have been playing Mina the Hollower1:14:15 SGF Predictions

Check out our Patreon if you'd like to support the podcast and get exclusive bonus episodes! https://www.patreon.com/c/partychatjrpgpodJoin our Discord! https://discord.gg/VUZAXJryT9Cam and Kevin are joined by Taylor Hoyt aka The Gaming Shelf to talk about next week's Indie Quest Showcase. Sony announces a new State of Play. Cam gives impressions on Nitro Gen Omega. For Topic of the Show we talk about some of favorite indie JRPGs.Timestamps:0:00 Intro2:29 Welcoming Taylor and talking Indie Quest14:30 PlayStation announces State of Play20:15 PlayStation Single Player Games no longer coming to PC35:20 PlayStation Plus Price Increase36:52 The Rest of the News38:40 Taylor’s been playing NTE44:30 Cam’s been playing Nitro Gen Omega1:03:32 This Week’s Topic - Our Favorite Indie RPGs

Check out our Patreon if you'd like to support the podcast and get exclusive bonus episodes! https://www.patreon.com/c/partychatjrpgpodJoin our Discord! https://discord.gg/VUZAXJryT9Thanks to Square Enix, Kevin got the chance to go hands on with a new preview for The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales. Taking a look at what's changed since the last demo, and what the game looks like in its later hours.

Check out our Patreon if you'd like to support the podcast and get exclusive bonus episodes!https://www.patreon.com/c/partychatjrpgpodJoin our Discord! https://discord.gg/VUZAXJryT9Cameron and Kevin theorize on what we may see during Dragon Quests 40th anniversary livestream. The Switch 2 gets a pay increase. Kevin previews Mina the Hollower. For Topic of the Show we make a Top 10 list of essential JRPGs.Time stamps!0:00 Intro7:23 Dragon Quest Presentation incoming13:33 Switch 2 Price Increase16:11 Nagoshi Studio Website Down20:17 Harada Joins SNK23:59 Shift Up News Later This Year27:50 CyGames Bringing Back Lost Order?29:53 Stein’s Gate Reboot32:01 The Rest of the News34:03 Kevin’s Been Playing Leon Must Die Forever35:28 Kevin’s Been Playing Mina the Hollower44:30 Topic of the Show - Ten Essential JRPGs

Cameron shares his thought on Starbites, the new turn based RPG published by NIS and developed by Ikina Games. After playing for about 10 hours, here's what he has to say on the story so far, the combat system, the characters, side quests, and more! 

Check out our Patreon if you'd like to support the podcast and get exclusive bonus episodes! https://www.patreon.com/c/partychatjrpgpodJoin our Discord! https://discord.gg/VUZAXJryT9Cam and Kevin react to the random Star Fox Direct, and what it could mean for the future of the franchise. Stranger Than Heaven got a 30 minute showcase showing why it should be on people's watchlist. For Topic of the Show we talk about some of the most divisive JRPGs.Time stamps:0:00 Intro7:00 Star Fox 64 Remake Reveal27:23 Stranger than Heaven Presentation52:01 Mario Galaxy 3 happening?55:00 Mina the Hollower Release date1:03:14 Trails from Zero and Azure PS5/Switch 2 rerelease1:07:42 Tales of Eternia Remaster leaked?1:09:46 Dragon Quest XI Switch 2 Version1:12:27 The Rest of the News1:16:22 Topic of the Show - Divisive JRPGs

Check out our Patreon if you'd like to support the podcast and get exclusive bonus episodes! https://www.patreon.com/c/partychatjrpgpodJoin our Discord! https://discord.gg/VUZAXJryT9Cam and Kevin discuss the ongoing PlayStation controversy regarding DRM licensing. Final Fantasy XIV is getting a new expansion. For Topic of the Show we talk about what games we're hoping to get to before the year ends.Timestamps!0:00 Intro10:07 PlayStation new DRM14:17 FFXIV News21:06 Metroid Movie Rumors25:14 More Pokemon Wind/Wave Leaks29:05 Steam Controller Release Date33:46 Toei Games Lineup42:11 US not getting the special Trails 2nd Chapter Preorder Bonus47:09 The Rest of the News54:49 Kevin’s been playing Fate/Samurai Remnant1:04:09 Topic of the Show - Backlogs

Check out our Patreon if you'd like to support the podcast and get exclusive bonus episodes! https://www.patreon.com/c/partychatjrpgpodJoin our Discord! https://discord.gg/VUZAXJryT9Cam and Kevin talk about the founding of Toei Games. Cam gives Pragmata impressions. For Topic of the Show we look at the rest of this year's releases, what we're excited for and what could still be confirmed for 2026.Timestamps!0:00 Intro8:35 News this week - Toei forms a Game Studio13:11 Splatoon Raiders Release Date Announced19:30 Xenosaga Pied Piper ported in Japan22:35 James Woods probably leaks KH4 news soon26:19 Trails in the Sky 2nd Chapter Release date29:12 Gamepass Price Drop33:54 The Rest of the News36:42 Cam’s been playing Pragmata46:57 Topic of the Show - What we know is dropping this year

Check out our Patreon if you'd like to support the podcast and get exclusive bonus episodes! https://www.patreon.com/c/partychatjrpgpodJoin our Discord! https://discord.gg/VUZAXJryT9Cameron and Kevin discuss their hopes and expectations for the freshly announced Bloodborne Animated Film, as well as draft a list of favorite JRPG things including games, characters, composers, and creators!

Check out our Patreon if you'd like to support the podcast and get exclusive bonus episodes! https://www.patreon.com/c/partychatjrpgpodJoin our Discord! https://discord.gg/VUZAXJryT9Cameron has played Dosa Divas the latest game from indie developer Outerloop Games known from previous titles including Falcon Age and Thirsty Suitors. This JRPG focuses on family drama, cooking, and sick robots. If you're a fan of Octopath Traveler or Super Mario RPG, check this out!

Check out our Patreon if you'd like to support the podcast and get exclusive bonus episodes! https://www.patreon.com/c/partychatjrpgpodJoin our Discord! https://discord.gg/VUZAXJryT9Kevin has rolled credits on Pragmata, the newest IP from Capcom and gives his thoughts on whether or not it continues the developers ongoing win streak. A sci-fi adventure where a man name Hugh teams up with a robotic girl named Diana with a goal to get back to Earth.

Check out our Patreon if you'd like to support the podcast and get exclusive bonus episodes! https://www.patreon.com/c/partychatjrpgpodJoin our Discord! https://discord.gg/VUZAXJryT9Cameron and Kevin discuss the potential games we will see during the upcoming Level 5 Vision Showcase. Cam is planning a trip to Japan and discusses his plans while Kevin gives advice and tips for first timers.

Cameron gets the opportunity to sit with Rain98 Director Shoon T to discuss the debut project from Japanese indie developer C#4R4CT3R about the influences and choices made to create the upcoming Visual Novel.

Check out our Patreon if you'd like to support the podcast and get exclusive bonus episodes! https://www.patreon.com/c/partychatjrpgpodJoin our Discord! https://discord.gg/VUZAXJryT9Cam gives his thoughts on the latest JRPG People of Note, a game filled to the brim with music (Literally!)

Check out our Patreon if you'd like to support the podcast and get exclusive bonus episodes! https://www.patreon.com/c/partychatjrpgpodJoin our Discord! https://discord.gg/VUZAXJryT9Cam and Kevin talk about our thoughts on the highly rumored 2026 coming from Nintendo including a new Star Fox and Ocarina of Time Remake. The PlayStation 5 is getting another price hike. Stranger Than Heaven gives us a new trailer and for Topic of the Show we go over several indie JRPGs releasing in 2026 and beyond.Timestamps!0:00 Intro14:59 Nintendo Leaks37:32 PS5 Price increases46:27 Switch 2 splits Digital and Physical Prices51:05 Stranger than Heaven55:41 Shift Up & Shinji Mikami1:01:10 The Rest of the News1:08:30 Kevin’s been playing Pokopia1:16:43 Upcoming Indie JRPGs of 2026

Check out our Patreon if you'd like to support the podcast and get exclusive bonus episodes! https://www.patreon.com/c/partychatjrpgpodJoin our Discord! https://discord.gg/VUZAXJryT9Cam is joined by The Level Up Legacy Podcast and Branden Johnson aka Just The Gems to talk about all the games we got to go hands-on with while in Boston at PAX East. We talk Brigidine Abyss, Disgaea Mayhem, Rain98, Mina the Hollower and more!

Cameron and Kevin give their hope of announcements from the upcoming Xbox Partner Preview Showcase. Cameron previews a new upcoming Visual Novel Adventure title Rain98. Kevin gives updated thoughts on Crimson Desert as well as early impressions on Final Fantasy Dissidia Duellum. For Topic of the Show we go over the idea of a true ending and what can make them a complicated narrative device.

Check out our Patreon if you'd like to support the podcast and get exclusive bonus episodes! https://www.patreon.com/c/partychatjrpgpodJoin our Discord! https://discord.gg/VUZAXJryT9Cam and Kevin speculate on Xbox's next generation of hardware Project Helix. The Switch 2 just got a significant new feature. PS Portal and PS5 Pro receive new upgrades and we go over GameRadar's Best 15 JRPGs to Play in 2026.Timestamps!0:00 Intro9:00 News: Project Helix Revealed25:35 Nintendo Switch 2 22.0.0 update30:42 PS Portal and PS5 Pro Updates37:42 Falcom News and Future Game hints45:23 DLSS 5 Debacle52:06 The Rest of the News1:05:33 Cam’s Been Playing more Legends Z-A1:09:23 Topic of the Show - Games Radar’s top 15 JRPGs

Check out our Patreon if you'd like to support the podcast and get exclusive bonus episodes! https://www.patreon.com/c/partychatjrpgpodJoin our Discord! https://discord.gg/VUZAXJryT9Thanks to Capcom Kevin got the chance to play some more Pragmata, taking a look at some of the game's later systems and mechanics. Here's how the games various upgrade systems work, how levels are structured, and a bit of a better idea at what the whole shape of this game really looks like. 

Check out our Patreon if you'd like to support the podcast and get exclusive bonus episodes! https://www.patreon.com/c/partychatjrpgpodJoin our Discord! https://discord.gg/VUZAXJryT9Cameron and Kevin go over the new SAO game that Bandai teased last week. NetEase strips funding of Gang of Dragon. Kevin gives early impressions on Chained Echoes. We tierlist every mainline Pokémon game.Time Stamps!0:00 Intro4:53 News this week: New SAO Game8:00 Gang of Dragon troubles14:25 New Xenoblade Rumors18:46 Yuji Horii on Localization37:21 Capcom news and Quickies46:21 Kevin’s been playing Chained Echoes53:40 Pokemon Series Tier List

Check out our Patreon if you'd like to support the podcast and get exclusive bonus episodes! https://www.patreon.com/c/partychatjrpgpodJoin our Discord! https://discord.gg/VUZAXJryT9Cameron reviews the latest entry in the Monster Hunter Stories franchise releasing on PS5, Switch 2, Xbox Series systems, and PC.

Check out our Patreon if you'd like to support the podcast and get exclusive bonus episodes! https://www.patreon.com/c/partychatjrpgpodJoin our Discord! https://discord.gg/VUZAXJryT9Cam and Kevin give their thoughts on what the new RPG from Bandai Namco could be. Cam previews the upcoming indie JRPG People of Note. For topic of the show we tier list JRPG franchises. Surely everyone will agree with how our list turns out.Timestamps!0:00 - Intro8:35 - News this week: Bandai Namco Tease14:06 - Capcom Showcase29:54 - Nintendo Indie World Showcase36:54 - Kevin’s Playing Pokemon FireRed40:29 - Cam’s Playing People of Note Demo56:10 - Today’s Topic: JRPG Franchise Tierlist

Check out our Patreon if you'd like to support the podcast and get exclusive bonus episodes! https://www.patreon.com/c/partychatjrpgpodJoin our Discord! https://discord.gg/VUZAXJryT9Kevin has had the opportunity to play Crimson Desert for about 4 hours, playing the opening of the game with a fresh save file, as well as checking out a bit of late game content. Here's his thoughts on everything he got to see on this incredibly ambitious game from Pearl Abyss. 

Cam and Kevin talk about the unexpected depature of Xbox Head Phil Spencer and Sony's closure of Bluepoint Studio. Cam gives his early thoughts on Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties. For topic of the show we discuss everything announced at the Pokémon Presents including the introduction of Generation 10.

Check out our Patreon if you'd like to support the podcast and get exclusive bonus episodes! https://www.patreon.com/c/partychatjrpgpodJoin our Discord! https://discord.gg/VUZAXJryT9Kevin's rolled credits on Resident Evil Requiem and shares his thoughts on how the game stacks up to the series's momentum. Blending the best parts of two very different styles of games, Requiem strikes a balance of the best the series has had to offer both past and present.

Check out our Patreon if you'd like to support the podcast and get exclusive bonus episodes! https://www.patreon.com/c/partychatjrpgpodJoin our Discord! https://discord.gg/VUZAXJryT9Cam and Kevin talk about the new .hack game announcement from CyberConnect2. Cam gives updated thoughts on The Legend of Dragoon and Ys X Proud Nordics. For Topic of the Show we share what we expect to see in what should be a Pokemon Presents next week.Timestamps!00:00 - Intro5:40 - A quick TMNT Magic chat15:59 - News this week36:33 - What we’ve been playing57:23 - Pokemon Presents predictions

Check out our Patreon if you'd like to support the podcast and get exclusive bonus episodes! https://www.patreon.com/c/partychatjrpgpodJoin our Discord! https://discord.gg/VUZAXJryT9Cameron and Kevin go over the (false) rumors about a remake of the original Kingdom Hearts and we go over everything that was announced at this week's State of Play.

Check out our Patreon if you'd like to support the podcast and get exclusive bonus episodes! https://www.patreon.com/c/partychatjrpgpodJoin our Discord! https://discord.gg/VUZAXJryT9Cameron and Kevin have both finished up Romeo is a Deadman and share their thoughts on where the game excels and where it struggles. From simple and fun combat to some chaotic story telling vibes, here's their full thoughts.

Cam and Kevin go over everything that was announced during the Nintendo Direct Partner Showcase.

Cameron and Kevin share their thoughts on Dragon Quest VII Reimagined after both having finished the main game.

Here's a way to help what's going on in Minneapolis! https://www.givemn.org/organization/MiracCheck out our Patreon if you'd like to support the podcast and get exclusive bonus episodes! https://www.patreon.com/c/partychatjrpgpodCam and Kevin talk about what Game Freak showed of Beast of Reincarnation at last week's Developer Direct. Nintendo has released many new updates for original Switch titles. For Topic of the Show we talk about what we look for and take issue with in the JRPG genre.

Check out our Patreon if you'd like to support the podcast and get exclusive bonus episodes! https://www.patreon.com/c/partychatjrpgpodJoin our Discord! https://discord.gg/VUZAXJryT9Cameron and Kevin are joined this week by Nintendo Force Staff Writer, Co-Host of the Level Up Legacy podcast, and the #1 Elaine Auclair fan in the world Maggie Jones Lutey aka AvengerMags. We talk about a lot of Trails (sorry Kevin) and what we're looking forward to and expecting from Nintendo in 2026.Timestamps!0:00 Intro+Favorite Trails Characters21:01 News this week: Yakuza 3 delisting and more35:45 What we’ve been playing: Mags on Trails Beyond the Horizon49:40 Today’s Topic: Nintendo’s 2026 plans

Check out our Patreon if you'd like to support the podcast and get exclusive bonus episodes! https://www.patreon.com/c/partychatjrpgpodJoin our Discord! https://discord.gg/VUZAXJryT9Cameron and Kevin discuss the incoming reveal of Beast of Reincarnation at Xbox's upcoming Developer Direct and what other surprises may come. Cam talks about his experience of the Dragon Quest VII Reimagined and Parasite Mutant demos. For Topic of the Show we go over IGN's Top 40 Mario Games of All Time

Check out our Patreon if you'd like to support the podcast and get exclusive bonus episodes! https://www.patreon.com/c/partychatjrpgpodJoin the Discord: https://discord.gg/VUZAXJryT9Cameron and Kevin share their thoughts on developer comments going into 2026 and we participate in a fantasy games draft.0:00 - Intro16:08 - Weekly News: Hashino on Persona38:00 - Falcom’s plans for 202642:00 - Tales Remasters are gonna keep coming49:17 - Topic of the show: 2026 Video Game Draft

Check out our Patreon if you'd like to support the podcast and get exclusive bonus episodes! https://www.patreon.com/c/partychatjrpgpodJoin the Discord: https://discord.gg/VUZAXJryT9Cameron has rolled credits on The Legend of Heroes: Trails Beyond the Horizon and gives his spoiler-free thoughts on the latest entry of Falcom's prolific franchise.

Check out our Patreon if you'd like to support the podcast and get exclusive bonus episodes! https://www.patreon.com/c/partychatjrpgpodJoin the Discord: https://discord.gg/VUZAXJryT9Cameron and Kevin got to go hands on for two hours with the latest title from developer Grasshopper Manufacture and creative mind Suda51 and share their thoughts on how the game is shaping up leading to its full release next month.

Cam and Kev talk about their time at The Game Awards as well as the major announcements from the show. For Topic of the Show we go over several Best of categories celebrating the JRPG releases of 2025

For Party Chat's 50th Episode we do a mini spoilercast of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and we declare our favorite JRPGs king of the hill styletime stamps!0:00 Introduction2:20 This week in the news21:08 TGA Reveal Predictions52:17 Kevin's thoughts on Metroid Prime 4 and Octopath traveler 01:07:22 Cam has finally finished Expedition 331:19:11 Expedition 33 Spoiler talk2:03:14 JRPG King of the Hill (Sadly not as in Hank Hill)

Cameron and Kevin discuss Yuji Hori's recent comments on Final Fantasy versus Dragon Quest. We give our final thoughts on Dragon Quest II HD-2D Remake. For topic of the show we discuss the idea of "JRPG" and "RPG" being outdated terms.

Thanks to Square Enix Cam has gotten the chance to put about 35 hours into Octopath Traveler 0, and wants to share his thoughts on everything he's seen so far. Here's what he thinks about the new combat adjustments for an 8 character party, how the different storytelling framework works out, and just how much of a distraction the town building can be.

Cameron and Kevin are joined by Retro Brandon from Level Up Legacy Podcast. We go over Persona Directors Hashino's recent description of the term JRPG 3.0. Cameron previews Octopath Traveler 0. Kevin shares his experience at the Metaphor Round 1 collaboration and we talk about our favorite remakes and remasters. Also there are tangents. Many, many, tangents.