Curl up with a hot cup of coffee (or did I lie and it's actually cold?) and warm up by the agidyne+3 because it's time to discuss our favourite frosty friends in RPGs. From ice-based monsters to wielders of frost magicks, it's the guys (of any gender) that keep things cool. Plus, the Keighleys have come and gone and it's our journalistic duty to cover them. What was announced, who won, and why it's all a frustrating ordeal to think about. It's Cold Guys and Hot Takes here on a very chilly episode of Axe of the Blood God! Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod, subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod and celebrate our 10th Anniversary with new merch at https://shop.bloodgodpod.com Also in this episode: Which Shiva scissors the most? Let's WendiGOOOOOO! Why we love to hate The Game Awards Kat Bailey Presents Divinity Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Sweeps Timestamps: 9:20 - Main Topic - Cold Guys 1:02:32 - Random Tavern Encounters Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III] Pub - [Lunar Knights] A Snow Light - [Tales of Symphonia] Jingle Bells - [Linda^3] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
With a name like "Wishvale" there's no way that town wasn't going to get torched at the beginning of an RPG.Does this adaptation of a gacha mobage manage to sell itself as a standalone single-player console RPG? Eric, Nadia, and special guest Jesse Vitelli are here to discuss Octopath Traveler 0 and whether it can come in under the wire as a contender for RPG of the Year. All this and so much more on this episode of Axe of the Blood God! Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod, subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod and celebrate our 10th Anniversary with new merch at https://shop.bloodgodpod.com Also in this episode: Missed opportunities with character skits Final Fantasy XIV Patch 7.4 Promise Mascot Agency Metroid Prime 4 Timestamps: 15:04 - Main Topic - Octopath Traveler 0 1:00:00 - Random Encounters - FFXIV Patch 7.4 1:17:42 - Random Encounters - Promise Mascot Agency 1:24:46 - Nadia’s Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III] Pub - [Lunar Knights] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Battle 1 - [Octopath Traveler 16-Bit Arrangements] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Happy American Thanksgiving! We're taking the week off but as a very special treat we're pulling one of our favourite Pantheon episodes out from behind the paywall. To celebrate the upcoming 30th anniversary it's our deep-dive into Sakura Wars for the Sega Saturn! If you can find 3 entire hours to sneak away from your family this Thanksgiving, it's a rollercoaster ride of emotions and packed with history and context for one of Sega's most important franchises. All the original show notes, including the further reading, are included below so please enjoy this blooming episode of Pantheon of the Blood God! -------------For our $10-and-up patrons, it's the longest Pantheon episode yet. Sakura Wars never came out in the West but its massive success in Japan in the late 90s and early 2000s gives it an often-unseen influence on RPGs. Can this forgotten SEGA franchise surpass the language barrier and make its way into the Pantheon? We talk about: For the last time, it's not a visual novel The history of western theatre in Japan Subversions of gender essentialism The single set of footprints in the sand is when Sakura Wars was carrying the Saturn and also fighting Satan. Further Reading:The Origin of Visual Novels - Bowl of Lentilshttps://youtu.be/7wOtv-J7tOI?si=tRyGSp0Hzd1Yyc4r25 Years With an Invisible Elephant in the Room - Tom Jameshttps://freelansations.medium.com/25-years-with-an-invisible-elephant-in-the-room-6e5402c93960Skies of Arcadia 2019 Developer Interviewhttps://youtu.be/BPngEZ80xnU?si=jMX2dffTcaR0BaS1Sakura Wars Retrospective Playlist - Matt Bhttps://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFMXcpj1mOa7AYfYPMZ80LzAwE3zl-ftVSakura Wars - Kimimi (not mentioned in the episode but good coverage of the series)https://kimimithegameeatingshemonster.com/sakura-wars-corner/Timestamps: 6:56 - Our History with Sakura Wars 18:00 - Development and History 2:08:00 - SPOILERS BEGIN 2:11:00 - SPOILERS END 2:38:48 - Verdict Music Used in This Episode: Move Out! - [Sakura Wars] Geki! Teikoku Kagekidan - [Sakura Wars] Blooming Maidens - [Sakura Wars] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Call us Hamburger Helper because this week we're cooking with beef!Eric, Nadia, and special guest John Learned are here to discuss only the rawest slabs of DPS meat. What's appealing about the unga bunga and how does it fit into the party composition? Get ready for a list full of himbos and fur bikinis! Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod, subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod and celebrate our 10th Anniversary with new merch at https://shop.bloodgodpod.com Also in this episode: Lord of the Rings tangents Steins;Gate Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment Demonschool Timestamps: 8:00 Main Topic - The Beefy Boys 28:36 - Surprise Eric Pit 1:17:42 - Random Encounters 1:17:20 - The Tavern - Age of Imprisonment and Demonschool 1:42:56 - Nadia’s Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III] Pub - [Lunar Knights] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Road Taken - [Fire Emblem Fates] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
I'm pulling a Retronauts and calling this "Part One" because we barely even got around to talking about the games themselves; instead, Victor, Eric, and Nadia wax philosophical about the seemingly-universal appeal of card games, the stories that can be told with a deck of cards, and how they fit perfectly into the systems and structure of both tabletop games and video games. Maybe in Part Two we'll talk about actual specific video games. Maybe Part Two will be the upcoming Mega Man Battle Network 2 Pantheon episode! Who can say? Go and get a tarot reading and find out! Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod, subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod and celebrate our 10th Anniversary with new merch at https://shop.bloodgodpod.com Also in this episode: Corpse Party cancelled Octopath Traveler 0 Impressions Canadian Cooking Shows and Human Anatomy Timestamps: 6:20 Main Topic - Card-Based RPGs 26:44 - History of Decks of Cards 1:17:42 - Random Encounters 1:21:12 - The Tavern - Octopath Traveler 0 Impressions 1:30:40 - Nadia’s Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III] Pub - [Lunar Knights] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] The Valedictory Elegy (for guitar) - [Baten Kaitos Origins] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
May the Falz be with you!Award-winning creator of the Phantasy Star Tabletop RPG, Rich Lescouflair, joins Victor for an in-depth interview all about adapting a beloved JRPG into tabletop form, the joys of freeing oneself from the shackles of narrative canon, and why Phantasy Staar Online Episode III: CARD Recolution actually kicks ass.This is one multiplayer Phantasy Star that doesn't require a Hunter's License!Plus, Nadia, Eric, and Victor address why a 'Good Year For Games' isn't always a good year for the people who make them. All that and more on this episode of Axe of the Blood God! Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod, subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod and celebrate our 10th Anniversary with new merch at https://shop.bloodgodpod.com Skydawn Games:https://skydawngames.com/ Liz Bushouse's Comparison of Phantasy Star Scripts:https://lizbushouse.com/phantasy-star-1-script-comparison-sega-ages-gba-part-1/ SkysNotTheLimit Phantasy Star Online Lore Channel:https://www.youtube.com/feed/subscriptions/UCUKqjgQUXrAGlQ35d4Aqn4Q Tom's Bluesky Thread About the Importance of Square's Human QA:https://bsky.app/profile/iiotenki.bsky.social/post/3m4yqll6bdk2h Also in this episode: Layoffs at Square Enix and QA being replaced by AI Happy N7 Day! Mass Effect is definitely still alive! The Game Awards confirms the Future Class is gone Exciting updates to Final Fantasy XI Hyrule Warriors, and Zelda's history of busty villainnesses Timestamps: 8:56 - Main Topic - Phantasy Star Tabletop RPG Interview w/ Rich Lescouflair 1:16:18 - Random Encounters 1:41:58 - The Tavern - Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment 1:56:00 - Nadia’s Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Rune - [Phantasy Star IV] Valentine - [Phantasy Star Online] Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III] Pub - [Lunar Knights] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Chaotic Bar - [Phantasy Star Online] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
A podcast draws near!Eric, Nadia, and special guest Lucas White are here to discuss the latest Dragon Quest HD2D remake(s)! Is this collection of the first two entires in the seminal series a must-play or should you puff-puff pass? Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod, subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod and celebrate our 10th Anniversary with new merch at https://shop.bloodgodpod.com Contribute to Jen's Gofundme:https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-jen-recover-from-mg-crisis Nadia's Review:https://gameinformer.com/review/dragon-quest-i-ii-hd-2d-remake/level-up-and-up Lucas' Review:https://www.shacknews.com/article/146558/dragon-quest-1-2-hd-2d-remake-review-score Also in this episode: What's the current state of Dragon Quest? We give Naoki Ikushima his flowers The Seance of Blake Manor New episodes of Dispatch Artis Impact Simogo Legacy Collection Final Fantasy House Timestamps: 8:48 Main Topic - Dragon Quest I&II HD2D 57:44 - Random Encounters 59:12 - The Tavern - Pokemon Hate 1:32:48 - Nadia’s Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III] Pub - [Lunar Knights] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Settings Menu (Intermezzo I) - [Theathrythm Dragon Quest] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Note: Microsoft and the Xbox brand remain subjects of the BDS (Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions) movement for their complicity in the ongoing apartheid and genocide of Palestine. In the interest of journalism we've chosen to cover Microsoft but encourage you to visit https://www.bdsmovement.net/microsoft for more information.Capitalism. In space!Eric and Nadia have been spending time with Outer Worlds 2, Victor and Nadia have been redistributing the world's supply of umbrellas to themselves, and Triple Triad is bringing cultures together. All this and more on a very special episode of Axe of the Blood God! Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod, subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod and celebrate our 10th Anniversary with new merch at https://shop.bloodgodpod.com Also in this episode: How to get free umbrellas Upcoming 'Tales of' Remaster news! We hope Final Fantasy VII Part 3 doesn't make the same mistakes a Rebirth The creators we love (and Palworld) who say hell no to genAI Pokemon's cottage industry of outrage Eric's Twin Peaks: The Return update! Dispatch What games were YOU playing in 1992? How to solve a slide puzzle Timestamps: 13:40 Main Topic - Outer Worlds 2 42:24 - Random Encounters 59:12 - The Tavern - Pokemon Hate 1:32:48 - Nadia’s Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III] Pub - [Lunar Knights] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Sunflower Girl 2 - [Lunar Knights] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
During this month of Every Game Finally Coming Out, Victor, Nadia, Eric, and special guest Giovanni Colantonio talk Pokemon Z-A, walkable cities in games, and what makes a good sidequest.Plus, Eric gives us the (vampire) rundown on Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines and why you probably shouldn't wait 20 years to make a sequel. Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod, subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod and celebrate our 10th Anniversary with new merch at https://shop.bloodgodpod.com Also in this episode: Dissidia Duellum fashion Phantasy Star Tabletop Impressions Where that expensive pokemon coffee comes from Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III] Pub - [Lunar Knights] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Lavender Town - [Pokemon Red/Blue] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Vampires are so last year.Call your local Hex Maniac because Victor, Nadia, and Eric are holding a seance to determine the best spectres, phantoms, ghasts, and frights across the history of RPGs. It's time to talk ghosts!From the cutest to the cultists, from friendly to frightening, it's all ghosts all the time. Just don't mess around with a ouija board while listening to this episode. Or if you do, don't tell Eric. Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod, subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod and celebrate our 10th Anniversary with new merch at https://shop.bloodgodpod.com Also in this episode: Sharlayan Dropouts News TRUE Encounter With REAL GHOSTS!! Unfortunate news for Heart Machine Timestamps: 11:12 Main Topic - The Best Ghosts in RPGs 1:20:28 - Random Encounters 1:29:20 - The Future of Sharlayan Dropouts 1:34:08 - Nadia’s Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III] Pub - [Lunar Knights] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Lavender Town - [Pokemon Let's Go] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Digi-see? Digi-hear? Digi-know it was coming?Your digi-destiny starts today and Eric, Nadia, and special guests, Kenneth Shepard, and Jesse Vitelli are your digi-guides through it all. Time Stranger, the latest in the Digimon Story sub-series of RPGs is finally here and it might just be a perfect entry point into the digital world. Learn al about it on this prodigious episode of Axe of the Blood God!And you better not suggest that Digimon don't have feelings or you're getting banned from bluesky. Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod, subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod and celebrate our 10th Anniversary with new merch at https://shop.bloodgodpod.com Also in this episode: Why doesn't Nadia care about Digimon? Protomen Act III Bad News For EA Timestamps: 8:00 Main Topic - Digimon Story: Time Stranger 43:12 - Random Encounters 46:00 - The Tavern - The Protomen, EA Has Gone Private 1:04:16 - Ken Plays Fortnite for KPop Demon Hunters 1:20:40 - Nadia’s Nostalgia Nook, Sort of... Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III] Pub - [Lunar Knights] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Central Park - [Digimon World 3] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Cheerio! Kat is moving to the UK and we celebrate with a mail bag AMA centered on her experience serving the Blood God, and you know it wouldn’t be a Kat episode without delving into the worlds of soccer and Magic The Gathering. - Plus, discussion of Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles - The meaning of “mature” storylines - Whether or not Mario is a superhero. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
As we prepare for our fearless leader's graduation, it's time to celebrate the RPGs that made her. From tactics to action, from sim to rogue-lite, Kat, Eric, and Victor discuss Kat's idea of the perfect RPG library. Plus, Eric's been playing Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter; is this the Trails games that will hook newcomers? Listen to this perfectly bitter-sweet episode of Axe of the Blood God to find out! Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod, subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod and celebrate our 10th Anniversary with new merch at https://shop.bloodgodpod.com Also in this episode: Vampire: The Masquerade Bloodlines 2 Baroque is back, baby! How easy it is to play old games Timestamps: 3:12 - Big News! 10:52 Main Topic - Kat's Perfect RPG Library 22:32 - Tactics 35:12 - Turn-Based 47:28 - Action 56:48 - Dungeon Crawler 1:05:36 - Simulation 1:13:52 - CRPG 1:20:16 - Rogue-lite 1:26:48 - Monster Collecting 1:27:18 - Wildcards 1:32:08 - Random Encounters 1:53:20 - The Tavern - Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter Remake 1:36:08 - Nadia’s Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III] Pub - [Lunar Knights] Cityscape - The Sun Rises for Ones Who Smile - [Etrian Odyssey V] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Pick a god and pray; Fire Emblem is back along with a deluge of news from the latest Nintendo Direct. Slow-life Pokemon, collections of Mega Mans, and remakes of good Dragon Quests. Kat, Nadia, and Victor discuss all this and more on the this episode of Axe of the Blood God! Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod, subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod and celebrate our 10th Anniversary with new merch at https://shop.bloodgodpod.com Also in this episode: You can just play old games. Nothing is stopping you. Super Robot Wars brings us together Timestamps: 3:30 - Main Topic - Nintendo Direct Reactions - Fire Emblem 18:52 - Dragon Quest VII 29:28 - Pokemon Pokopia 35:34 - Virtual Boy 44:02 - Hades 2 45:08 Persona 3 Reload 46:44 - Danganronpa 48:20 - Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment 52:00 - Mega Man: Star Force 1:05:12 - Random Encounters 1:10:24 - Remembering the PlayStation on its 30th Birthday 1:36:08 - Nadia’s Nostalgia Nook - 40 Years of Super Mario Brothers Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III] Pub - [Lunar Knights] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Shooting Star - [Mega Man Star Force] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Final Fantasy Tactics you played back on the PS1 is not the real Final Fantasy Tactics. In fact, if you played it in the West you missed out on entire games-within-games that not only flesh out the world of Ivalice, but hold clues to the future of Square Enix. And these secrets are all tucked away in... Sound Novels!That's right, this week Victor and Nadia are joined by experts in the history of Japanese adventure games, Tom James and BowlofLentils, to discuss how The Ivalice Chronicles is steering us back onto the path of understanding the lineage of this misunderstood genre. Visual novels, sound novels, adventures games, point-and-clicks, text adventures, dating sims, oteme games, galge? What do they have in common and what makes them completely different? Find out on this expository episode of Axe of the Blood God! Sorry if you thought this was going to be about like, the nature of remakes or adaptations and the Ship of Theseus or whatever, but we've got sound novels to talk about! Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod, subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod and celebrate our 10th Anniversary with new merch at https://shop.bloodgodpod.com Also in this episode: Eternal Sonata Vanillaware's alternate Princess Maker timeline Doshin the Giant Why Inspector Gadget owes his life to Lupin III We mention Hollow Knight: Silksong purely for SEO purposes 428 Shibuya Scramble Famicom Detective Club FURTHER READING: BowlofLentils Youtube Channel:https://www.youtube.com/@bowloflentils Tom James' Blog:https://dateemups.com/ Sharlayan Dropouts - The Veil of Wiyu:https://bloodgodpod.com/sharlayan-dropouts-lore-veil-of-wiyu/ Timestamps: 7:20 Main Topic - Ivalice Chronicles Resurrecting the Lost Sound Novels 1:32:08 - Random Encounters 1:36:08 - Nadia’s Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Contact - [YU-NO: a girl who chants love at the bound of this world] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Kat, Nadia, Eric, and Victor discuss their favorite weddings in RPGs, whether they serve the plot or they just think they’re neat! If you get married in FFXIV you get a sick Chocobo mount (the good kind of sick). Does marrying Shane in Stardew Valley fix him? No, girl, run! Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod, subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod and celebrate our 10th Anniversary with new merch at https://shop.bloodgodpod.com Also in this episode: A tier list of Final Fantasy XIII characters. Final Fantasy XIV third party mods controversy. Turning your wedding table into a sovereign nation. Timestamps: 9:41 Main Topic - Weddings in RPGS 1:03:32 - Random Encounters 1:27:08 - The Tavern 1:57:30 - Nadia’s Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III] Pub - [Lunar Knights] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Stand By Me - [Final Fantasy XV] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
They grow Geoff Keighleys in Europe too?!A bevy of announcements have poured in from Gamescom so Kat, Nadia, and Eric are here to sift through it all and give you the straight dope.Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod, subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod and celebrate our 10th Anniversary with new merch at https://shop.bloodgodpod.comNote: Microsoft and the Xbox brand remain subjects of the BDS (Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions) movement for their complicity in the ongoing apartheid and genocide of Palestine. In the interest of journalism we've chosen to cover Microsoft but encourage you to visit https://www.bdsmovement.net/microsoft for more information. Also in this episode: BSG but it's FTL! Monster Hunter Wilds x Final Fantasy XIV Performance on Switch 2: Elden Ring, Cyberpunk, and more Bottles of Brownie Batter Vampire: The Masquerade: Bloodlines 2's development hell Pokemon TCG Pocket Updates Zero Parades Magic: The Gathering Update Lads and Bros playing Footy Bizarre Print Ads Timestamps: 3:28 - Main Topic 56:40 - Random Encounters 1:02:28 - The Tavern - Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter, PlayStation Price Increase 1:39:28 - Bonus Mailbag! Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III] Pub - [Lunar Knights] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] eScape - [Final Fantasy XIV: Stormblood] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
More like Lame Key Cards. Kat, Nadia, Eric, and Victor discuss the pros and cons of physical vs digital and what it means specifically to the history and culture of RPGs. Could it be that sometimes BOTH approaches are appropriate and that instead of pitting them against each other we should be addressing the underlying corporate systems that prevent us from experiencing art as anything other than consumers? Probably!Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod, subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod and celebrate our 10th Anniversary with new merch at https://shop.bloodgodpod.comNote: Microsoft and the Xbox brand remain subjects of the BDS (Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions) movement for their complicity in the ongoing apartheid and genocide of Palestine. In the interest of journalism we've chosen to cover Microsoft but encourage you to visit https://www.bdsmovement.net/microsoft for more information. Also in this episode: The joy of getting a map with a game The frustration of downloading mandatory patches EA really is the worst What Tales game needs a remaster Hernias and Ronald McDonald Timestamps: 6:30 - Main Topic - Game Key Cards and the Importance of Physical Game Releases 1:05:14 - Random Encounters 1:11:04-ish - The Tavern - Dragon Age and Mass Effect Remasters, Tales of Xillia Remaster 1:34:00 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III] Pub - [Lunar Knights] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] The Hollow City - [Tales of Xillia 2] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
To HD-2D, or not to HD-2D? That is the question Eric, Nadia, and special guest Timothy Monbleau are asking on this week's episode.From retro revivals like Live-A-Live and Dragon Quest to brand-new throwbacks like Octopath Traveler and The Adventures of Elliot, Square sure loves its depth-of-field-and-bloom-filled pixel-art dioramas! But should EVERY mid-budget RPG be adopting this style or is there a time and place for this look? All that and more on a very anachronistically aliased episode of Axe of the Blood God!Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod, subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod and celebrate our 10th Anniversary with new merch at https://shop.bloodgodpod.com Also in this episode: Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound Super Smash Bros Beach Volleyball He Is Coming Eric's in his Movie Era Nadia hates Casablanca Timestamps: 8:48 - Main Topic - Adventures of Elliot and the Future of HD-2D 57:36 - Mailbag 1:03:20 - Random Encounters 1:04:28 - The Tavern 1:28:10 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III] Pub - [Lunar Knights] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] One With Hope I - [OCTOPATH TRAVELER: Champions of the Continent] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Elliot is killing the adventurer industry.Big Switch 2 RPG news as we react to the announcements coming out of the latest Nintendo Direct! Kat, Nadia, and Eric discuss the pros and cons of digital storefronts, the impact tariffs are having on video games, and more Magic: The Gathering talk!Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod, subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod and celebrate our 10th Anniversary with new merch at https://shop.bloodgodpod.com Also in this episode: The Adventures of Elliot: The Millenium Tales Octopath Traveler 0 Monster Hunter Stories 3 Persona 3 Reload Game Key Card Controversy Switch Price Increases Monster Hunter Wilds Eeveelution Tier List Why Fast-Travel is Killing RPGs Magic: The Gathering Pre-release My Girl spoilers Timestamps: 5:36 - Main Topic - Switch 2 Partner Direct 58:08 - Random Encounters - Monster Hunter Wilds 1:12:32 - The Tavern - Eric's Magic Pre-release Report 1:31:20 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III] Pub - [Lunar Knights] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Bestower of Wealth - [OCTOPATH TRAVELER Arrangements Break & Boost Vol.2] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
As The Bee Gees once said, "Give me that knight fever!"Polish up your plate mail, pledge fealty to your lord of choice, and prepare to get chivalry wit it; we're talking knights!Eric, Nadia, and special guest Len Hafer discuss Paladins, Dark Knights, Pegasus Knights, Dragon Knights, Onion Knights, and more on this deep dive into the archetypes and mechanics that make characters sing. It's Class Conscious: Knights!Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod, subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod and celebrate our 10th Anniversary with new merch at https://shop.bloodgodpod.com Also in this episode: Is Donkey Kong Bananza an RPG? No but we're talking about it Should you have a Switch 2 yet? Eric's Final Fantasy IX Update! I thought Donkey Kong wanted to kill me Timestamps: 8:06 - Main Topic - Retro Handhelds 58:08 - Random Encounters 1:00:56 - The Tavern - Donkey Kong Bananza 1:26:16 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III] Pub - [Lunar Knights] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Rose of May - [Final Fantasy IX] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Is that a bespoke third-party retro handheld in your pocket or are you just happy to see me?Special guest Jake Steinberg joins Kat, Nadia, and Eric to discuss the rise of the boutique industry of retro handhelds that has emerged over the past decade. From playing vintage GBC carts to emulation machines that can give you a PS2 in your hands, the crew gives you everything you need to know to start your journey into the world or retro handhelds!For more of Jake check out his Youtube channel:https://youtube.com/@jakesteinberg?si=Z2kaNkSkH-qNwSQlTune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod, subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod and celebrate our 10th Anniversary with new merch at https://shop.bloodgodpod.com Also in this episode: The problems with the state of game preservation Why the Playdate rules Live Action Zelda casting news Eric's Final Fantasy IX Update The Best Games of the PSP Timestamps: 6:56 - Main Topic - Retro Handhelds 58:108 - Random Encounters 1:18:48 or so - The Tavern 1:47:32 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III] Pub - [Lunar Knights] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] A Little Friendship - [Golden Sun] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
It's Letter Tiiiime, It's Letter Tiiiime!Kat, Nadia, and Eric answer your burning questions this week as well as discuss Naoki Yoshida's recent comments about the future of Final Fantasy and celebrate the 25th Anniversary of Final Fantasy IX. All that and quite a bit of talk about pizza on this week'sTune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod, subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod and celebrate our 10th Anniversary with new merch at https://shop.bloodgodpod.com Also in this episode: Fahrensius' origin story Cyberpunk: Edgerunners 2 Subnautica news Final Fantasy IX Retrospective Kat says "The MMOs don't count" and I'll never forgive her Gundam TCG The Tale of the Talking Finger Timestamps: 6:56 - Main Topic - Mailbag - What RPG would you speedrun? 14:56 - What ISN'T an RPG? 28:28 - What sharacter have we seen age the most? 37:20 - What's Nadia's favourite pizza place? 45:20 - What games use non-active party members the best? 55:44 - Where does Poe's name come from? 57:20 - Boardgame Sidequest? 1:02:16 - Random Encounters 1:24:40 - The Tavern 1:47:32 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III] Pub - [Lunar Knights] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Not Alone Jazz Arrangement - [Square Enix Jazz - Final Fantasy] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Note: Microsoft and the Xbox brand remain subjects of the BDS (Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions) movement for their complicity in the ongoing apartheid and genocide of Palestine. In the interest of journalism we've chosen to cover Microsoft's recent layoffs but encourage you to visit https://www.bdsmovement.net/microsoft for more information.In the wake of an 80 billion dollar investment in AI and the layoff of over 9000 workers, Microsoft ain't lookin' so hot. What does this mean for the rest of the video game industry? Special guest Giovanni Colantonio joins Eric and Nadia to precisely that!Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod, subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod and celebrate our 10th Anniversary with new merch at https://shop.bloodgodpod.com Also in this episode: The starfish part of Animorphs Who tanks the Uber driver? Persona 5: The Phantom X's Subway Slammer Summer Games Done Quick Battle Train Rematch Umamusume Timestamps: 6:56 - Main Topic - What Is Happening At Xbox? 1:02:16 - Random Encounters 1:04:00 - The Tavern 1:20:32 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Entry of the Gladiators - [Julius Fucik] Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III] Pub - [Lunar Knights] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Palma - [Phantasy Star] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
To celebrate our 4th Annual Trans Lifeline Charity Livestream, Sena Bryer of Final Fantasy XIV fame is here to fight to the death! Kat, Nadia, Eric, and Sena will enter the ring with their favorite Final Fantasy but only one can emerge victorious. It's a debate for the ages with hot takes that would make a purposely-inflammatory youtube thumbnail blush. You'll pay for the whole seat but you'll only need the edge on this very special episode of Axe of the Blood God!Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod, subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod and celebrate our 10th Anniversary with new merch at https://shop.bloodgodpod.com Also in this episode: Final Fantasy XVI for Switch 2 Monster Hunter Update Why Sakaguchi was the Boss The Front Mission 3 Disaster Timestamps: 14:52 - Main Topic - Defend Your Favorite Final Fantasy 1:29:08 - Random Encounters 1:38:38 - The Tavern - Kat's Attempt to Finish FF7 Rebirth, and FFXIV Update 1:20:32 - SENA'S NOSTALGIA NOOK Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III] Pub - [Lunar Knights] Filter Branch - [PlayOnline Viewer] Final Fantasy Main Theme - [Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
We're halfway through 2025 and if we were only judging years by the quality of their RPGs this would be a pretty good one! By every other metric; it sure is a year!This week Kat, Nadia, and Eric are recapping the RPG standouts of the year so far and predicting what hits we still have on the horizon!Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod, subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod and celebrate our 10th Anniversary with new merch at https://shop.bloodgodpod.com Also in this episode: Clair Obscur 100 Line Final Fantasy x Magic: The Gathering Monster Hunter Wilds PC optimization Elden Ring: Nightreign's longevity Kingdom Come Deliverance II Fantasy Life i Deltarune 3 + 4 Pokemon Legends Z-A A lot of Pokemon Scarlet and Violet Discourse Timestamps: 9:04 - Main Topic - 2025 So Far 46:56 - 2025 RPGs to Watch Out For 1:01:16 - Random Encounters I dunno, it just blends into Random Encounter lately - The Tavern 1:20:32 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III] Pub - [Lunar Knights] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Abandoned Ship - [Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
It's time to duel!The Final Fantasy Magic: The Gathering set is here and the hosts have been ripping packs and building decks. Kat, Nadia, and Eric are joined by special guest Shivam Bhatt to dive into the deep cuts, the flavor, the art, and everything about this landmark moment in FF and MtG history.Also, it's me; I'm the FFXIII guy who knows what Fal'cie and L'cie are. It's honestly pretty straightforward.Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod, subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod and celebrate our 10th Anniversary with new merch at https://shop.bloodgodpod.com Also in this episode: Fantasy Life i How fish give birth The Zelda Movie Eric's journey to Summer Games Fest The Expanse RPG Critical Role's move to crush Dungeons & Dragons Eric's phrase of the day! Timestamps: 5:40 - Main Topic - Magic: the Gathering Primer 42:56 - How to Get Into Magic 1:06:16 - Random Encounters 1:35:12 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Mhaura Selbina Voyager - [Final Fantasy Tribute Thanks] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Editor's Note: While we opted to cover this showcase, we would be remiss if we didn't once again highlight the ongoing Xbox boycott A Persona 4 remake! An Xbox handheld! Some actual RPGs! But no Fable? Kat and Nadia react to the Xbox Showcase and speculate on what's in store in 2026. Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod, subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod and celebrate our 10th Anniversary with new merch at https://shop.bloodgodpod.com Timestamps: 0:10 - Xbox handheld reax 7:20 - Persona 4 Revival 10:39 - Clockwork Revolution 13:46 - Roundup: Animo, Fallout 76, and more 22:00 - Xbox's outlook in 2026 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This episode is a Podcast Key Card™. To download the episode, an internet connection and enough free space in your Nintendo Switch 2 system memory or microSD Express card are required. Once the episode is downloaded, you’re ready to play!Kat and Nadia recap their Switch 2 experience so far, what RPGs to look forward to in the Switch 2's future, and what was announced at Sony's State of Play and Summer Games Fest.Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod, subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod and celebrate our 10th Anniversary with new merch at https://shop.bloodgodpod.com Also in this episode: Bravely Default HD Cyberpunk 2077 Pokemon Scarlet and Violet Link's Awakening Final Fantasy x Magic: The Gathering Pre-Release Timestamps: 7:12 - Main Topic - Switch 2 Impressions 40:16 - Random Encounters 43:44 - State of Play and Summer Games Fest Recap 1:04:48 - Nintendo Store 1:20:32 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Group (Meal) - [Yu-No] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
FromSoftware's multiplayer Elden Ring experience is here and we're here to figure out exactly what it even is. Kat, Nadia, Eric, and special guest Mitchell Saltzman discuss this divisive new addition to Elden Ring and more on this week's Axe of the Blood God!Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod, subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod and celebrate our 10th Anniversary with new merch at https://shop.bloodgodpod.com In this episode: Persona 4 remake seemingly confirmed by the OG voice cast? Switch 2 game key cards woes EA abandoning RPGs Mario Kart FOMO Summer Games Fest predictions A power drill down the pants Timestamps: 6:50 - Main Topic - Elden Ring: Nightreign 47:16 - Random Encounters 1:13:36 - SGF Predictions 1:25:12 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III] Pub - [Lunar Knights] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Rememberance - [Vagrant Story] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
