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/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.

Cameron and Kevin discuss the nominees of The Game Awards and review IGN's Top 100 Nintendo Games of All Time

Kevin got the opportunity to play a preview of Dragon Quest VII Reimagined thanks to Square Enix and shares all his thoughts from what he got to play. From the new visuals to combat and class building, as well as a number of new quality of life features, here's what we've learned.

This week we are joined by SlamZany of the Level Up Legacy Podcast. We talk about all the news that came out of this week's State of Play Japan. Kevin and Slam give their thoughts on the Octopath Traveler Zero demo. Cameron gives thoughts on Super Mario RPG. For Topic of the Show we talk about our thoughts on the Persona franchise. Our likes, dislikes and how we would like to see the franchise change in the future.

As our first year is coming to a close soon, we want to discuss our current plans for the podcast going into 2026 along with changes coming to the Patreon. Not only that, we're looking for all the feedback we can get from our listeners on what changes you might like to see, or Patreon benefits that would appeal to you! Please let us know your thoughts in the comments. 

Cameron and Kevin discuss the newly announced Animal Crossing New Horizon Nintendo Switch 2 Edition. Kevin gives first impressions for Dispatch. Cameron talks about his experience with Legends of Dragaea: Idle Dungeons. For Topic of the Show we discuss what we look for in a Collector's Edition, the ongoing backlash of Limited Run Games, and the trends of Collector's Editions from publishers over the past few years.

Cameron and Kevin discuss the news of the two Tales of projects in development and updated thoughts on Dragon Quest I+II HD-2D Remake. For Topic of the Show we go over our hopes and predictions of what to expect from the Dragon Quest franchise in the coming years.

Cameron and Kevin share their thoughts on Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake after having completed the first game, and making a solid dent in the second. Going over the shiny new visuals, combat updates, and the considerably expanded story.

Cameron and Kevin discuss respond to more Final Fantasy news from Naoki Hamaguchi. We give our early impressions of Pokémon Legends Z-A. For Topic of the Show we go through the 2026 release calendar and give our excitement levels for upcoming JRPGs and Eastern titles.

Cameron and Kevin dive into the massive Pokémon leak detailing the tentative plans of the next five years of the franchise.

Cameron and Kevin discuss what news may come during Metaphor's one year anniversary. Cameron reviews Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter and Digimon Time Stranger. Kevin and Cam give their first impressions on Ghost of Yotei. For topic of the show we create a 25 game library of JRPGs that we would put together on a dedicated console.

Cameron and Kevin talk new details on Dragon Quest VII Reimagined and more announcements out of Tokyo Game Show. Kevin gives first impressions of Silent Hill f. Cameron gives first impressions of Lost Soul Aside. For Topic of the Show we discuss what we look for in game presentations and how they have become a reflection of how gaming has changed over the past years.

Cameron and Kevin go over a ton of news pouring out of TGS, including presentations from PlayStation, Xbox, Kojima Productions, and RRG, as well as a lot of individual pieces of news coming from multiple devs as well. Episode originally had some audio problems around the 30 minute mark, but those how now been fixed!

Cameron got the chance to play Atelier Resleriana, and shares his thoughts after playing for about 20 hours, including the idea that this just might be the best way to break into the series if you haven't yet.

Kevin had the chance to work through the new Remake of Final Fantasy Tactics, and shares his thoughts with Cam regarding all the various updates, whether or not they improve the game, and reflecting on what made the original so good.