About this episode
The episode discusses the controversial design and storytelling of Final Fantasy VIII with a panel of veterans and a newbie.
I dreamt I was a podcast host. On this week’s episode of Retro Encounter, a panel of four veterans and one newbie takes advantage of Zach’s absence to play the controversial but undeniably stylish Final Fantasy VIII. How do we feel about its unconventional design and storytelling choices? Is the cast of fashionable teenage soldiers brilliantly or nonsensically written? What does “Junctioning” even mean? Listen in to find out! Featuring: Aleks Franiczek, Ben Love, Paul Skevington, Steph Sybydlo, Rob White; Edited by Zach Wilkerson Opening and ending music by Miles Morkri Get in Touch: RPGFan.com RPGFan Shop Email us: retro@rpgfan.com Twitter: @rpgfancom Bluesky: @rpgfan.bsky.social Instagram: @rpgfancom Threads: @rpgfancom Facebook: rpgfancom Twitch: rpgfancom
People in this episode
Guests: Aleks Franiczek, Ben Love, Paul Skevington, Steph Sybydlo, Rob White
Topics covered
- Final Fantasy VIII
- game design
- storytelling
- video game characters
- Junctioning
- podcast discussion
Keywords
- Final Fantasy VIII
- game design
- storytelling
- Junctioning
- podcast
- RPGFan
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: RPGFan.com, RPGFan
Books & works: Final Fantasy VIII
More episodes of RPGFan's Retro Encounter
- 487 - Top 10 PSWii60 RPGs · June 4, 2026 · 2h 22m
- 486 - Final Fantasy VIII Part II · May 21, 2026 · 1h 49m
- 484 - Persona 5 Part II · April 23, 2026 · 1h 45m
- 483 - Persona 5 Part I · April 9, 2026 · 1h 15m
- 482 - Pentiment · March 26, 2026 · 1h 36m
- 481 - Best Final Bosses · March 12, 2026 · 1h 32m
Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the RPGFan's Retro Encounter podcast page.