Axe of the Blood God: An RPG Podcast

Hello and welcome to Year 3 of the Axe of the Blood God! It's going to be an absolutely massive year for RPGs, and that means big things for the podcast. Here's just some of what we have planned as we move through 2023: An expansion to Youtube! We had a lot of success with our live show in 2022, and we'd love to expand that video component where possible. Expect more updates on this soon! Merch! We're working on a new store and a host of merch to go in it! We expect this to go live in February. The Pantheon Revisit! We'll be revisiting some of our most controversial Pantheon entries (and exclusions) from the first two years of the podcast to start 2023. It'll all culminate in a Pantheon revisit that will potentially see some RPGs make it in while others are removed. It should be chaotic!  Axe of the Blood God Episode 400! Wow, it's almost here! PAX East panel! We're going to be at PAX East in March! Stay tuned for more info! Spring of Korra! We'll be diving into our watch of Legend of Korra just as soon as we finish off Winter of Wick! March Madness, charity streams, D&D, Sharlayan Dropouts, and more! Naturally you can expect all of our usual content, including a charity stream, another D&D episode, a March Madness bracket centered around western RPGs, and more! That's on top of all of our usual coverage in what should be a very busy year for RPGs. From Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom to Starfield to Baldur's Gate 3, we're going to have tons to discuss in 2023! Thank you as always for your generous support, and we look forward to another great year of podcasting on Axe of the Blood God! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We've had an amazing 2021, and we're hoping 2022 will be even better! Nadia, Eric, and Kat get together to share their hopes and dreams for the new year along with the following: - Info on a brand new tier! - Free and premium feeds being synced! - Upcoming specials! - And much more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Axe of the Blood God Patreon is officially live! Nadia and Kat get together to talk about where the show stands in 2021, what listeners to the free feed can expect going forward, and some of the exciting new bonus content that we'll be releasing now that we're officially independent! Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod Twitter: https://twitter.com/bloodgodpod Instagram: bloodgodpod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oscar season has passed but the stars are still out; all 108 of them! Kat, Nadia, and Eric are joined by a special guest who literally wrote the book on Suikoden; Aidan Moher! They discuss the ups and downs of the recently released remaster and whether they are the versions of Suikoden you should play! Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod and subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod Also in this episode: Other Suikoden news of varying quality! Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Adult Swim memories Timestamps: 10:24 - Main Topic - Suikoden I&II HD Remaster 51:12 - Random Encounters 1:08:00 - The Tavern - Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 1:32:16 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] A Bustling Town - [Suikoden II] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Wanna feel old? Well don't! You're only 10 years older than you were when Axe of the Blood God started and if you placed the entirety of your life so far in Carl Sagan's cosmic calendar you would exist as a mere blip in the final second of the final day. But there's never been a better blip to exist in than this one if you're really into RPGs! So join Kat, Nadia, Eric, and Victor as they discuss what they believe to be the finest RPGs the last 10 years had to offer. Whether you're a new listener or you've been with us since the beginning, thank you for your support. Here's to 10 more bloody years! Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod and subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod Also in this episode: Pokemon Direct update! A very special appearance by Ben Starr New merch by Nina Matsumoto available now at https://shop.bloodgodpod.com Timestamps: 06:20 - Main Topic - Top 10 RPGs of the Past Ten Years 1:42:52 - Random Encounters 1:57:46 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Matoya's Cave (Airship Cruise Beats Version) - [Square Enix Airship Cruise Beats] *SPOILERS* THE FINAL LIST: 10- Octopath Traveler II 9- Xenoblade Chronicles 3 8- Persona 5 7- Fire Emblem: Three Houses 6- NieR: Automata 5- Final Fantasy XIV: Shadowbringers 4- Elden Ring 3- Undertale 2- Baldur's Gate III 1- Disco Elysium Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's just another MonHun Monday! Bring your Cool Drinks to survive the Hot Takes in our review of Monster Hunter Wilds. Will this be the entry that makes MonHun skeptics take the leap? Kat, Nadia, and Eric discuss this Elder Dragon-sized game! Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod and subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod Also in this episode: Final Fantasy x Magic: The Gathering Remembering 10 Years of Blood God Why are we not excited about new Avatar? NetEase layoffs Lunchboxes! Timestamps: 05:20 - Main Topic - Monster Hunter Wilds Review 40:52 - Random Encounters - 10 Years of Blood God 59:12 - The Tavern - Final Fantasy x Magic: The Gathering 1:17:52 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] The Village of Wind and Meadow - [Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Obsidian's new covert entry in the Pillars of Eternity world is out now; but is it just a Skyrim-like? I don't mind telling you upfront; no. But what IS it, I hear you screaming? Kat, Nadia, Eric, and special guest John Carson are here to tell you! Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod and subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod Also in this episode: The February Cornucopia of RPGs Pokemon TCG Pocket update! The State of Magic: The Gathering *hacker voice* I'm in Timestamps: 05:04 - Main Topic - Avowed 43:02 - Random Encounters 1:00:48 - Magic: The Gathering 1:12:46 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] South Town Guitarist ~ Summer - [Tokimeki Memorial 2] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The only thing orthodox about this episode of Axe of the Blood God is the allusions the Catholicism! Eric is joined by special guest Leana Hafer to talk RPG news and they're both joined by other special-guest Jason Fanelli and other other special guest Nadia Oxford to dig into one of the biggest RPGs of 2025 so far; Kingdom Come: Deliverance II Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod and subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod Also in this episode: Mechabellum Final Fantasy XIV Live Letter feat. Victor's Mini-Dropouts Civilization VII Eric's Final Fantasy XII update Video games are water Timestamps: 07:12 - Main Topic - Kingdom Come: Deliverance II 56:26 - Random Encounters 1:23:08 - The Tavern 1:44:28 - Leana's Nook Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III] Pub - [Boktai DS] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Chaotic Bar - [Phantasy Star Online ] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It is once again Letter Tiiiiiiime. Kat, Nadia, and Eric answer YOUR burning questions like: What are some big freaky guys? If you'd like a chance to have your letters read on a future episode join us over on the discord! Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod and subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod Also in this episode: The future of BioWare after layoffs How to handle spoilers and learn to appreciate the journey Final thoughts on Persona 3 Reload Getting very bad grades Timestamps: 04:22 - What Will Major Franchises Look Like When The Creators Are Gone? 12:48 - What Cybernetic Parts/Tattoos Do You Want? 19:36 - How Do You Pick A Game Back Up? 26:24 - Will We See A World With Shorter RPGs? 34:08 - Newsletter Wishlist 39:44 - Freaky Big Guys 44:28 - Should We Bring Back Fixed Camera Angles/Pre-rendered Backgrounds? 48:24 - What Folklore and Myth Would You Like To See Explored? 52:24 - Plans For More Audio Commentaries? 58:40 - Random Encounters 1:03:24 - The Tavern 1:20:16 - This Week In Gekkoukan 1:30:40 - Citizen Sleeper 2 1:27:44 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III] Pub - [Boktai DS] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Here She Comes - [Xenosaga Episode II] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If it is then Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is looking like The Birth of Venus. Why did turn-based RPGs ever fall out of vogue? Did they ever? Kat, Nadia, and Eric discuss the mainstream resurgence of the turn-based RPG and wether we might be seeing even more on the horizon. All that and more on this menu-based episode of Axe of the Blood God! Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod and subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod Also in this episode: Dragon Age: The Veilguard Post-Mortem Dynasty Warriors: Origins Ys Memoire: The Oath in Felghana The Fast And The Furious is the Yakuza of movies Timestamps: 05:50 - Main Topic - Are We In A Turn-Based Renaissance? 46:20 - Random Encounters 49:24 - The Tavern 1:27:44 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III] Pub - [Boktai DS] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Spumoni - Franca's Cafe - [Phantasy Star Online 2] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Switch 2 is here! Well, it's THERE. Somewhere. But now we know that when it gets HERE it will look like that! And sometimes that's all you can ask for in this crazy world. Join Kat, Nadia, Eric, and Good Vibe's Gaming's Jon Cartwright as they discuss everything we know and everything we DON'T know about Nintendo's new console. Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod and subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod Also in this episode: Remembering David Lynch's monumental influence on gaming The dark side of Mario Paint Kat's Final Fantasy XIV Progress report! Timestamps: 04:16 - Main Topic - SWITCH 2 REVEALED 59:44 - Random Encounters 1:36:32 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Audrey's Dance - [Twin Peaks] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If everything is an RPG then nothing is an RPG. Nadia, Eric, and special guest Reb Valentine are here to discuss the RPG-ification of games over the past decade and change; what does it mean to adopt RPG-like mechanics? When are systems metaphor for player action and when are they a means to pad out a progression loop for commercial value? Are either of those things better than the other? All this philosophy and more, Horatio, 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 and subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod Also in this episode: Harvest Moon Memories Our holiday gaming sessions BIG GAMES COMING TO SWITCH 2 Nine Sols What's wrong with game awards categories Final Fantasy XII is a really good video game Snakes & Ladders Timestamps: 05:50 - Main Topic - Why Is Every Game An RPG Now? 1:03:32 - Random Encounters 1:08:04 - The Tavern 1:45:20 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III] Pub - [Boktai DS] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Lilycove City - [Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's a new year, and that means a whole lot more RPGs are on the way to ruin our backlogs and occupy our time. Kat, Nadia, and Eric gather together to talk about all the big hits you should look out for, as well as: What's Nintendo going to do in 2025? Who drew Persian like that? The Blood God buys the super-expensive Terra statue? Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro 01:50 - The 2025 RPG Preview Music used in this episode: The AOTBG Intro Theme Sophisticated Fight [The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Blood God hosts are taking a quick holiday break so as a treat we're pulling a classic episode of Pantheon of the Blood God out from behind the paywall! Listen to this deep-dive into Dragon Quest Builders 2 and if you like what you hear subscribe at the $10 tier to access the entire back catalogue of Pantheon of the Blood God. Or better yet, give the gift of the Blood God this holiday season with Patreon's new subscription gifting feature. Regular episodes will be back soon but until then enjoy this classic: Dragon Quest Builders 2 is an action RPG that's literally about building yourself up from scratch. You cook the food that sustains you. You build the forges that fire your swords. Heck, you want to sleep in an Inn? Build it yourself, lazybones. And when you do, it just feels so good. Minecraft's blood runs thick through Dragon Quest Builders 2, but Square Enix's game adds so much more to Mojang's classic block-building phenomenon. At least that's what Nadia says. But is it Pantheon worthy? That's what Eric and Nadia are here to discuss alongside two very prominent Builders with beautiful voices: Jon Cartwright and Brandon Jones!  Topics of Discussion: The joys of building affronts to God Malroth Rulez #1 Are these Bri'ish accents actually any good? Eric builds one big toilet for his villagers and forces them all to go at the same time Tom Nook blows goats, I have proof. Music Used in Episode: The Dragon Quest Theme (Dragon Quest Builders 2) Cave Theme (Dragon Quest Builders 2) Bustling City (Dragon Quest Builders 2) Gateway (Mega Man X8) Village Theme: Khrumble Dun (Dragon Quest Builders 2) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The appointed time is upon us. You've waited all year to hear the Axe of the Blood God's best RPG picks for 2024 (er, right?) and we're ready to dish. Nadia, Kat, and Eric hash out the winners in this extra thicc episode. Several categories are up for discussion beyond "Best RPG of 2024," such as this year's best character performance, this year's best visuals, and, uh, this year's best "freaky little guy." To listen is to understand, so shove this episode into your ear-holes, and we'll see you in 2025. Thanks for your continued support! Also in this episode 2024's biggest RPG news stories Our holiday plans (spoilers, we're all putting down roots for two weeks)  TEETH TEETH TEETH Jingle Bells, Santa smells [like sulphur]  Timestamps 00:00 - Intro   05:10 - RPG Awards 1:36:42 - Random Encounters 1:38:27 - The Tavern 1:56:50 - Nostalgia Pit Music used in this episode Don't Cry, Baby [Ragnarok Online] Jenova Lifeclinger [Final Fantasy VII Rebirth] Game Opening [Metaphor] Heismay's Awakening [Metaphor] Faring in the Ocean [Steamworld Heist 2] No Promises to Keep [Final Fantasy VII Rebirth] Warriors of Valor [Metaphor] The Promised Consort [Shadow of the Erdtree] Brush Your Teeth [Raffi] Campanella Stage 1 [UFO 50] Adventure [Dragon Quest III 2DHD] Mass Destruction [Persona 3 Reload] Hero's Awakening [Metaphor] Do Your Best! [Breath of Fire III] Patty's Pub [Dragon Quest IX] Ding Fries are Done [Peter Griffin] Welcome, My Lord [Ragnarok Online] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It is done. Geoff Keighley descended from Gamer Mountain with the results of 2024's Game Awards scrawled onto two stone tablets. (Brought to you by Mountain Dew.) Kat, Eric, and Nadia understandably have opinions about the games that were snubbed, and the games that received recognition. How about you? Do you agree with Geoff's decrees? Are you with us? Or against us? Listen to this episode and use your heart to decide. And make sure to have a hard think about overlooked gems this year while we talk about our own "hidden" favourites. Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod and subscribe for bonus episodes and Discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod Also in this episode Intergalactic planetary, planetary Intergalactic Give Steam World Heist 2 its due Siri has opinions about Witcher 4's Ciri Eric's cat has opinions about everything Sweet Valley Twins fans rise up Time stamps 00:00 - Intro 08:30 - Main topic: The 2024 Game Awards 47:21 - Random Encounters 52:27 - The Tavern: Overlooked RPG Gems for 2024 1:19:52 - The Nostalgia Nook Music used in this episode Battle Theme [Metaphor: Refantazio] Do Your Best! [Breath of Fire III] It's a Sin [Pet Shop Boys] Paddy's Pub [Dragon Quest IX] A Curious Tale [Secret of Mana] Faring in the Ocean [Steam Powered Giraffe] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pour yourself a delicious bowl of proprietary memory cards and fire up an unskippable cutscene; we're talking all about what 30 years of Playstation has meant for RPGs! Are we in a better timeline than the one where Square stuck with Nintendo? Find out on this week's episode! Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod and subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod Also in this episode: Pokemon TCG Pocket Update! What's happening with Elden Ring 2? Path of Exile 2 Fantasian: Neo Dimension is here! Timestamps: 01:44 - Main Topic - How Playstation Shaped RPG History 54:08 - Random Encounters 1:01:16 - The Tavern 1:28:24 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III] Pub - [Boktai DS] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] A Good Beating - [Fantasian] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Blood God hosts are taking a quick holiday break so as a treat we're pulling a classic episode of Pantheon of the Blood God out from behind the paywall! Listen to this deep-dive into Lunar: Silver Star Story and if you like what you hear subscribe at the $10 tier to access the entire back catalogue of Pantheon of the Blood God. Or better yet, give the gift of the Blood God this holiday season with Patreon's new subscription gifting feature. Regular episodes will be back soon, including our year-end lists, but until then enjoy this classic: For the March 2023 edition of the Pantheon of the Blood God, Kat, Nadia, and Eric are joined by Anthony John Agnello and Aidan Moher for Lunar: The Silver Star Story! Their increasingly unhinged conversation covers the following: The story of Working Designs Luna's Boat Song SHADOW MADNESS And much, much more! Then the verdict: Is Lunar: Silver Star Story worthy of the Pantheon of the Blood God? Listen in and find out! As always, a huge thanks to our $10 and up Patrons for all your support! Every month we pick a new RPG for Pantheon contention, which is voted on by the Blood God community at large. Next up: Super Mario RPG! Join the Discord to discuss the episode, and to follow our Monthly Game Club discussions! Time Stamps 00:00 - Introduction 05:00 - Hosts' history with the Lunar series 24:20 - Lunar's development history 57:29 - Critical reception 1:16:20 - Does Lunar deserve to be in the Pantheon? 1:43:20 - The Verdict 1:56:00 - Outro Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I hope you don't mind missables because there's no perfect route through this episode; it's time for Romancing SaGa! Kat, Nadia, and Eric are enlightened by special guest Lucas White's SaGa knowledge as they discuss both of this year's SaGa entries: Emerald Beyond and Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven! Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod and subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod Also in this episode: Who got snubbed in the Keighleys? Is Sony going to ruin anime forever? What is Obsidian cooking with Avowed? Final Fantasy XIV Update! Timestamps: 07:44 - Main Topic - Romancing SaGa Primer 41:22 - Random Encounters 45:24 - The Tavern 1:28:24 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III] Pub - [Boktai DS] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Battle - [Romancing SaGa 2] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As Canadian kid's game show "UH-OH" character Punisher once said; IT'S SLIME TIME. Kat, Nadia, Eric, and special guest Cam Hawkins discuss the newest DQ from SE. Is the HD-2D remake of Famicom classic Dragon Quest III the definitive version? Is it a good jumping off point for new players of the series? Did you know it's actually Dragon Quest VI in Japan? All this and more in 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 and subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod Also in this episode: Pokemon TCG Pocket update! A whole lotta Falcom talk for the Ys and Trails/Kiseki-heads Eric's Dragon Age: The Veilguard update Nadia teaches us how to swear Victor finally picks a theme song for The Tavern Timestamps: 00:00 - Main Topic - Dragon Quest III HD-2D 37:22 - Random Encounters 47:04 - The Tavern 1:35:44 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III] Pub - [Boktai DS] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Village - [Dragon Quest III] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices