Axe of the Blood God: An RPG Podcast
513 episodes - English - Latest episode: 19 days ago - ★★★★★ - 374 ratingsKat Bailey, Nadia Oxford, and Eric Van Allen explore Final Fantasy, Skyrim, and all the best in the wonderful world of role-playing video games! Support us on Patreon: https://patreon.com/bloodgodpod
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Episodes
Summer 2023 RPG Preview and SGDQ w/ moonblazewolf
June 06, 2023 02:01 - 1 hourThe summer is getting started, and we've got no shortage of games ahead. But before we look at all the games waiting to steal our time, we've got speedrunner Moonblazewolf, fresh off their run of Chained Echoes at SGDQ 2023! We talk all that plus the news of the day and the start of Book 2 in our Summer of Korra. Also in this episode: Street Fighter 6 has all of us in its clutches Big, beefy ships Mindflayer worms! In your mind! Tenzin's GOAT status in Korra Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro / ...
Octopath Traveler II Deep Dive w/ The Black Stones
May 29, 2023 22:24 - 1 hourHowdy, friends! We've got a treat that'll make y'all happier than a fox in a henhouse! This week, we have an in-depth discussion about Octopath Traveler II, an excellent choice from our $100 Patron and special guest, The Black Stones! The talk avoids major story spoilers, but there's still tons to go over because Octopath Traveler II is a pretty special game. Its battle system is unique and highly engaging, its music is to die for, and its story is masterfully written and seamlessly interwove...
Our Continued Review of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom....Continues
May 22, 2023 23:58 - 1 hourThe Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is big. You just won't believe how vastly, hugely, mind-bogglingly big it is. I mean, you may think Ocarina of Time is a big game, but that's just peanuts compared to Tears of the Kingdom. That's why Kat, Nadia, and Eric are assembling once again to talk about their progress in Nintendo's Dodongo-sized hit. The discussion yields some minor spoilers (as well as childlike enthusiasm), but they're minor. Turns out playing Tears of the Kingdom for a solid...
Sharlayan Dropouts: Field Studies - The Twinning
May 17, 2023 02:34 - 56 minutesKick back and relax as Field Studies returns for a guided audio commentary track through fan-favourite Shadowbringers dungeon, The Twinning. Sharlayan Dropouts host Victor Hunter takes you through the history of the Crystal Tower, the cascading effect that delays in the mid-2000s had on Square that are still being felt today, and the crystalline metaphor at the heart of this tragic-but-hopeful tale. Spoiler level: Yellow. The Twinning quest is available at the conclusion of Shadowbringers. Mu...
Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Review w/ Tom Marks and Mike Mahardy
May 15, 2023 23:44 - 1 hourGosh, it feels like The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom will never get here. This wait is torture–hold on, you're saying Tears of the Kingdom is out now? Oh wow. Holy crap. Uh…let's start talking about the biggest game of 2023! (So far.) We brought in Tom Marks from IGN, who reviewed the game alongside Polygon's Mike Mahardy. We have a pile of discourse about what Tears of the Kingdom does differently from its direct predecessor, Breath of the Wild, as well as what it does better…and wo...
Honkai: Star Rail: Great RPG or Gatcha Vending Machine? w/ Daniel Alba
May 08, 2023 23:06 - 1 hourAll aboard, gatcha sickos. Honkai: Star Rail is now available to download. It's totally free, just like miHoYo's preceding game, Genshin Impact, but you can bet the awesome-looking characters in the banner events will wear your resolve down to a nub. But there's more to Star Rail than gatcha, right? After all, it's a full-bodied RPG with hours of content. Does it actually feel like a traditional turn-based adventure, or is strangled by its own sales pitch? We talk about Honkai: Star Rail's la...
Microsoft is Forever Doomed to Fruitlessly Pursue Activision Blizzard w/Nicole Carpenter
May 01, 2023 21:22 - 1 hourHey Microsoft! How's that Activision Blizzard deal coming along? …Oh. That bad, huh? Well, we're sure everything will be fine. Psst. That's a lie, dear listeners. We actually brought Polygon's own Nicole Carpenter to discuss the myriad ways this gargantuan acquisition attempt is going poorly for the Big M. And whatever's bad for Microsoft is probably bad for a lot of western RPG studios. Buck up. It's not all doom and gloom. We also talk about: Hokai: Star Rail finds immediate success with ...
Class Conscious: Thieves in RPGs
April 24, 2023 19:27 - 1 hourIt's another Class Conscious episode of Axe of the Blood God, and we're going after the class that was elected "Most Likely to Steal your Heart and your Wallet" in high school: the Thief. Thieves have been part of the RPG landscape forever. These lithe, sticky-fingered tricksters excel at jacking stuff from enemies (and innocents) while avoiding traps and setting down a few of their own. Gosh, what a scummy bunch, right? Not exactly. Thieves do their secret work for myriad reasons, with myria...
Can Starfield Save Xbox's Generation? And Does It Really Need Saving
April 17, 2023 22:34 - 1 hourOnce upon a time, Microsoft opened up its mouth and swallowed the near entirety of the western RPG market. Fallout, Elder Scrolls, Fable--their home is on the Xbox now. That's great, but we have to ask: Where are all these RPGs that are supposed to be dropping from your well-stocked loins, Microsoft? Starfield is finally secured for a release this year, yes, but we don't have much information on what's supposed to follow. Is the dream corroding from the inside? Kat, Nadia, and Eric talk all a...
PAX East 2023: The Ultimate RPG Draft!
April 10, 2023 16:00 - 1 hourWe're taking a breather this week, but fret not: for those who couldn't make it to our panel at PAX East 2023, this week we're uploading the audio from it! Kat, Nadia, and Eric were joined by friends of the show Michael Higham and Scott White to host a fantasy draft, making the perfect RPG in the process. We touch on many topics, including: The value of a villain Truly memorable game soundtracks And yes, what is an RPG? All that and more in our special panel episode. A huge thanks to ever...
E3 is Kaput! For Realsies this Time! And Tears of the Kingdom Talk w/ Reb Valentine
April 03, 2023 20:52 - 1 hourDing, dong, E3 is dead. Which E3? We don't know. The once world-famous video game trade show has endured so many trials and tribulations, it's hard to way which iteration is getting axed. Let's just say E3 2023 was supposed to be the show's big comeback, and it's getting cancelled instead. Kat, Nadia, Eric, and Reb are all E3 veterans, so they find lots to chew over here. What hobbled this year's show? What's next for the E3 brand, if anything? Which RPGs were bolstered by E3 hype back in the...
Diablo IV Beta Impressions, PAX East, and a Mailbag
March 27, 2023 13:13 - 1 hourKat, Eric, and Nadia are all together in the same room for PAX East! There they share their adventures through PAX East and GDC, their thoughts on the Diablo 4 beta, and much more. Also in this episode It's Morbin Time Nadia is very confused by Fire Emblem Engage's story The gang try to come up with their best RPG-themed cocktails and it goes... poorly? We reveal the next Pantheon vote! Unfortunately, no post show this week owing to lack of a stream and being on the road. We'll be off n...
Nintendo 3DS and Wii U eShop Game Recommendations
March 20, 2023 19:32 - 1 hourThis week on Axe of the Blood God, Nadia, Kat, and Eric bid sayonara to the best RPGs on the Nintendo 3DS and the [snide snicker] Wii U. Nintendo is yanking the plug on the 3DS and Wii U digital storefronts very soon, but there's still time to thumb through some must-buy recommendations. Radiant Historia! Persona Q! SMT IV and Strange Journey Redux! Maybe they'll end up on the Switch somewhere down the road, but there's no way of knowing. Best to gorge yourself now while the kitchen door's st...
Axe of the Blood God 400: So, What's an RPG? w/ Felipe Pepe
March 13, 2023 16:58 - 1 hourAxe of the Blood God has now officially hit 400 episodes, and what better way to celebrate than return to the root of it all and ask: just what is an RPG? Kat, Nadia, and Eric are joined by The CRPG Book editor Felipe Pepe to discuss what makes a virtual role-playing game different from all the others. Other topics include: We're still on the Octopath Is Zelda an RPG? A revisit of one of our past Pantheon contestants Nadia's strange, strange trip Music used in this episode: Do Your Best...
Final Fantasy XVI Preview w/ Ash Parrish and Michael Higham
March 06, 2023 22:19 - 1 hourFinal Fantasy XVI Preview w/ Ash Parrish and Michael Higham Why do they call it "FINAL Fantasy" when there are sixteen--oh God please put the serrated knives away, I'm just joking. This week, we invited Verge's Ash Parrish and freelance writer/regular guest Michael Higham to talk about their hands-on impressions of Final Fantasy XVI alongside our own Eric. How does it look? How does it play? How does it sound? And what about Producer Naoki Yoshida's controversial remarks about the term "...
The Octopath Traveler 2 Review w/Jason Schreier
February 27, 2023 19:29 - 1 hourAll of life's paths intersect and intertwine, so it was inevitable the Axe of the Blood God would walk down Octopath Traveler 2's twisted roads. This week we're joined by Bloomberg's Jason Schreier, who was less than enthused about the original Octopath Traveler. How does its sequel fare? Let's just say a game studio can learn a lot in five years. Also in this episode: The Last of Us on HBO will steal your emotions and make you its slave Nadia is watching a cat destroy the world (in Drago...
Rad RPG Recommendations w/Rebekah Valentine
February 20, 2023 22:30 - 1 hourAxe of the Blood God listeners often come to us for RPG recommendations, and we're happy to oblige (with help from our good friend Rebekah Valentine). We're especially happy when said recommendations are specific, even weirdly so. We'll admit up front that we sadly don't have a suggestion for anyone who likes RPGs featuring naked elves throwing Cool Whip at dragons, because we live in a stifled world. Need a PokeClone recommendation that you won't bounce from, though? We got you covered. Unli...
Tears of the Kingdom + The Return of Baten Kaitos, Etrian Odyssey, and Level-5
February 13, 2023 22:44 - 1 hourFebruary is truly when the northern hemisphere gets winter-weary, so hurrah on Nintendo for lighting our lives with another Nintendo Direct presentation. And what an unexpected presentation it was. While we knew we were going to get another trailer for The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, we also got some real surprises in the mix. An Etrian Odyssey HD collection? A new Fantasy Life?? Game Boy games, Game Boy Colour games and Game Boy Advance games??? A veritable well of retro RPG goodn...
Sharlayan Dropouts Valentione’s Day Special: FFXIV’s Top 12 Simpable Hotties
February 09, 2023 05:23 - 1 hourIt’s the battle of the babes this month on Sharlayan Dropouts as we go wall-to-wall to figure out which hotties buff our hosts to max potency. That’s right, we’re ranking the Top 12 stone foxes, the veritable mamacitas, of Final Fantasy XIV. Listen as Victor Hunter, Nadia Oxford, Mike Williams, and Eric Van Allen tell on themselves for your enjoyment. Find out if your favs made the list! And if they didn’t, head on over to patreon.com/bloodgodpod to get Discord access and yell at us about it ...
Forsooth! This Way Madness Lies w/Robert Boyd
February 07, 2023 00:43 - 1 hourMadness? This...is...no, no, I'm not going to finish this. Drag me, I deserve it. Just make sure to eviscerate me while listening to our awesome conversation with Robert Boyd, the maker of This Way Madness Lies. Do you like Shakespeare? Do you like PC Engine Magical Girl RPGs? Do you like Little Shop of Horrors references? This Way Madness Lies might just be your digital soulmate. Also in this episode: Jammin' with Noctis and the Boys in Final Fantasy Theatrhythm's demo Ike Fights for His...
Are We Past the Golden Age of RPGs? Or Are We Living In It?
January 30, 2023 19:40 - 1 hourWhen you think of the "RPG Golden Age," what comes to mind? The SNES, certainly--who can deny the brilliance of Chrono Trigger? (Except for Eric Van Allen, who has been banished to the Naughty Step to think about what he said.) But what if we're living in the Golden Age of RPGs right here and right now? Between the Switch and PS4, RPG fans are feasting like never before. Special guest and valued Patron The Black Stones joins us this week as we weigh up both eras. Also in this episode: Oh n...
Fire Emblem Engage w/ Alyse Stanley
January 24, 2023 00:06 - 1 hourEric had to shoulder the entirety of the show last week because Kat went skiing and Nadia had the audacity to catch COVID, but the gang is well and truly back together this week! Writer and WaPo editor Alyse Stanley joins the crew to talk about Fire Emblem Engage, a.k.a Aquafresh Teen Dragon Force. Just kidding. The Blood God loves the toothpaste hero, and we love Fire Emblem Engage in general. How much? Plug this week's show into your ears and find out. Also in this episode: Yes, you can ...
Let's Talk About Chained Echoes w/ Austin Walker
January 16, 2023 16:59 - 1 hourKat and Nadia are both out this week, so Eric shifts into a different gear to chat about the mech-fantasy RPG Chained Echoes with Friends at the Table's Austin Walker! The pair discuss 2022's late-in-the-year surprise hit and why it's captured their hearts, as well as their Steam Decks. All that, plus: A primer on the ongoing Wizards of the Coast / OGL news Who would you want making a Hunter x Hunter game? A surprise end-of-pod guest appearance All that and more on this week's ep...
Sharlayan Dropouts, Episode 19: An Audio Tour of the Lost City of Amdapor
January 14, 2023 00:26 - 48 minutesPut on your Hawaiian shirt and cargo shorts because it’s tourist season in Eorzea! In this episode of Sharlayan Dropouts we’re taking you on a guided tour. Either listen as a standalone episode or follow along in-game for the Ultimate Immersive Gameplay X-perience!™ This month we’re looking at the tragic history of The Lost City of Amdapor and the brain fungus, abstract liminal spaces, and fun facts about the Tokyo Metropolitan Government that await us there. Spoiler Level Green: Assuming yo...
Which Trends Will RPGs Adopt Most Over the Next 10 Years?
January 09, 2023 19:30 - 1 hourNot a single person is ready for 2023, but guess what! It's happening anyway! Time is kind of a dick like that. So Kat, Nadia, and Eric just steel themselves this week and take the full-bodied plunge back into work. That's why this week's episode is refreshing, but there's also a small chance it'll stop your heart. This week's main topic of discussion comes from one of the Blood God's most devout $50 Patreon tier disciples, Knot Hollow, who wants to know what the next decade of RPGs will look...
What to Expect From Axe of the Blood God in 2023!
January 02, 2023 23:53 - 21 minutesHello 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 Febru...
The Axe of the Blood God's Big Ol' 2023 RPG Preview
January 02, 2023 16:57 - 1 hourHappy New Year! 2023's launch also marks the launch of new RPGs. Like, lots of RPGs. This is going to be a busy, busy year. Kat, Nadia, and Eric go over their most anticipated titles for the upcoming 365 days, and also take a few stabs at industry predictions. Take score while you listen, then throw every wrong prediction back in the team's face when the year comes to a close! It'll be fun! More fun than scrabbling around for edible rat bits, or whatever else waits for us this year. Thank y...
The RPG Year in Review 2022 w/ Mike and Victor
December 26, 2022 22:24 - 2 hoursThe year is coming to a close, and so we're looking back on all the role-playing games 2022 delivered. Kat, Nadia, and Eric are joined by the Sharlayan Dropouts Mike and Victor to help break down all the happenings in the RPG world this year, including: Square Enix's fall blunderbuss of RPGs The magic of Elden Ring Can an RPG truly have it all in Xenoblade Chronicles 3? All this and more, including one last holiday Nostalgia Nook/Pit. We hope all our listeners and backers are having a w...
The Games We Loved (But Weren't So Hot On Later)
December 19, 2022 16:59 - 1 hourKat has returned to the Axe of the Blood God, and all she got was a nasty cough. Well, that and memories that'll last a lifetime, or something like that. She's come back home just in time to enjoy a very chill episode of the show, which delves into reader mail. In other words…it's letter tiiime, it's letter tiiime! Kick back and listen as Kat, Nadia, and Eric answer questions about games they initially loved, then cooled down on (and vice versa), which games they regret not playing in 2022, w...
Sharlayan Dropouts: Hoplology 101 - The Veil of Wiyu
December 14, 2022 22:29 - 38 minutesFans of Ivalice, the history of visual novels, and the works of Jean-Luc Godard might just find something to sink their teeth into this episode. Victor explores the many twists and turns in the surprisingly robust history behind Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn’s Summoner weapon, The Veil of Wiyu in this first episode of a recurring series that aims to shed light on the real-world inspirations behind the weaponry of Final Fantasy XIV. If you want to see more dedicated episodes like this be s...
The 2022 Game Awards + This Year's Hidden Gem RPGs w/Lucas White
December 12, 2022 17:00 - 1 hourThe universe has survived another bout of Geoff Keighly's Game Awards, where the real awards are the memes mined from cynical adults' Twitter timelines. Does that work grammatically? Eh, whatever. Point is, Geoff Keighly threw a party and now there are new RPGs to talk about. Which Nadia and Eric do with the help of very special guest Lucas White. Another important topic of discussion: The overlooked RPG gems of 2022. A whole heap of games dropped way too late to get that sweet, sweet Decemb...
The Year of Tactics 2022 Recap w/ Leana Hafer
December 05, 2022 17:23 - 1 hourThis week on Axe of the Blood God, friend of the pod Len joins Kat, Nadia, and Eric as they talk about one of this year's most popular RPG sub-genres: The strategy game. From turn-based to real time, from revision to brand-new IP, there was a lot going on with the strategy genre this year. And, uh, there still is! The year's not quite over! How does one find the time and money to love them all? Also in this episode: Pokemon Scarlet and Violet Takes Speaking of strategy games, how's Marvel...
Pantheon of the Blood God: Mass Effect
November 29, 2022 00:43 - 2 hoursFor the June 2021 edition of Pantheon of the Blood God, Kat, Nadia, and Eric take a deep dive into the first game of the Mass Effect series! They trace its origins as the follow-up to Knights of the Old Republic, delve into its soundtrack, and pick its five best moments. Then comes the big conversation: Is Mass Effect worthy of inclusion in the Pantheon of the Blood God? Pantheon of the Blood God is a series devoted to diving into the very best RPGs of all time. You can find full catalog on ...
Sharlayan Dropouts 2022 Thanksgiving Special w/ Aidan Moher
November 25, 2022 23:52 - 1 hourHop on the airship back to your hometown and listen to your favourite Final Fantasy XIV podcast, now on the free feed! The Dropouts bring a very special guest to family dinner, author of Fight, Magic, Items, Aidan Moher, to discuss the impact FFXIV has had on the JRPG and MMO genres over the years. Plus it’s the first annual Holiday Gift Guide; our hosts give you the perfect gift ideas at any budget for the FFXIV fan in your life. And stick around for a very special segment that will no doubt...
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet Review w/ Reb Valentine
November 21, 2022 17:55 - 1 hourThis week on Axe of the Blood God, IGN's Rebekah Valentine joins Kat, Nadia, and Eric as they step into Pokemon Heaven courtesy of Pokemon Scarlet and Violet. Wait a second. Maybe it's more like Pokemon Hell, since Scarlet and Violet are, uh, really buggy. Do the glitches, bugs, and body horror put a damper on what's otherwise the most ambitious and compelling Pokemon game to date? Well, no, but also yes. Also in this episode: Nadia and Reb talk farming with Harvestella Sonic creator Yuji...
Star Ocean: The Divine Force Review w/ John Linneman
November 14, 2022 17:04 - 1 hourThis week on Axe of the Blood God, Digital Foundry's John Linneman joins Kat, Nadia, and Eric for a detailed discussion about Star Ocean: The Divine Force. It's been a Canis Major's age since Square Enix did anything with Star Ocean, and the Blood God crew is ashamedly not up-to-date on the series. That's why John is here. (Also, it's because he's cool). Is the new game everything Star Ocean fans have been waiting for? Find out. Also in this episode: Don't sleep on Harvestella, it's pretty...
Final Fantasy XVI Controversy, Twitter's Implosion, and Other Messy Discourse
November 07, 2022 19:36 - 1 hourThis week on Axe of the Blood God, Kat, Nadia, and Eric lose themselves to chaos. The smash launch of Marvel Snap dang near caused something to snap in their brains, it seems. Or maybe they're just jumpy because Twitter—a major source of networking and promotion for countless writers and pocasters (ahem)—is now Satan's own toilet. It's a great show, regardless. Sometimes it's healthy to just sit back and see where the toboggan ride takes you. Also in this episode: Final Fantasy XVI has som...
Class Conscious: Monks w/ Danielle Riendeau
November 01, 2022 06:15 - 1 hourThis week on the Axe of the Blood God RPG podcast, Kat and Nadia have both gone out for cigarettes, which means that Eric is in charge. Our boy keeps his head on his shoulders and invites Mike Williams of Sharlayan Dropouts to talk about our next Class Conscious entry: Monks! You know, those fellows what pummel things with their fists and suplex trains. They're joined by martial artist Danielle Riendeau, who has good advice for all you baby monks who're just starting your training: The paveme...
Pantheon of the Blood God: Phantasy Star
October 28, 2022 00:26 - 1 hourTo honor the legacy of Rieko Kodama, who passed earlier this year, we are releasing this episode for free to all listeners. For the August 2021 edition of Pantheon of the Blood God, Kat and Nadia are joined by Shane Bettenhausen for an exploration of one of Sega's seminal RPGs -- Phantasy Star! The trio discuss the rough early days of the Sega Master System, how the team with Sega greats Rieko Kodama and Yuji Naka came together, and how it differed from other RPGs in the 1980s. They also de...
Talking P5 Royal, Mario + Rabbids, Trails From Zero + Kat's Steam Deck Apology w/ Scott White
October 24, 2022 21:31 - 1 hourThe weather is truly colorful and crisp — provided you live in the northern hemisphere and aren't currently in the grip of a climate change-fueled heatwave. Either way, it's a good time to stay indoors and play the piles of RPGs that are currently available, including DioField Chronicles, Mario + Rabbids, Valkyrie Elysium, Persona 5 Royal, Nier Automata, and Trails from Zero. You could also go outside, but you might, like, see a bug or something. Ew. This week, Kat, Nadia, and Eric are joine...
Special: Tim Rogers on Boku no Natsuyasumi, Why PlayStation is the Best Console, Taco Tico, and More
October 20, 2022 03:24 - 2 hoursFollowing the release of Action Button's new review of Boku no Natsuyasumi, we welcome Tim Rogers to talk about this PS1 classic, which has plenty of connections to modern RPGs like Persona 5. Naturally, the conversation spreads out to hit many different topics within the realm of RPGs, including: Tim's rising appreciation for Final Fantasy 7 Remake Taco Tico, rats, and impromptu Nostalgia Pit Pondering Yuji Horii's successor This episode is currently available exclusively to our Patro...
Pantheon Mini: Valkyria Chronicles
October 17, 2022 15:51 - 1 hourWar is hell. Unless you're talking about Valkyria Chronicles, the much-celebrated tactics RPG by Sega. See, war is still hell in Valkyria Chronicles, but it's also very pretty and fun to play. This week, very special guest and valued Blood God Patreon contributor Vivicomplex joins Kat, Nadia, and Eric to talk about World War Anime. Protip: Just send your scouts to the front line. Ain't nbodoy getting through those rifle-toting maniacs. Also in this episode: Eric can't talk about what he's ...
Cyberpunk Sequel, Witcher Trilogy: Analyzing All of the CDPR Announcements
October 10, 2022 21:03 - 1 hourThis week on Axe of the Blood God, Kat, Nadia, and Eric talk about CD Projekt Red's (overly?) optimistic road map for the future of Cyberpunk 2077 and the Witcher series. Looks like CD Projekt is working hard to repair Cyberpunk's tarnished reputation in addition to making new games set in worlds that lack indoor plumbing. It's a long and winding road that's sure to be full of challenges, and we salute CD Projekt for assuming we're still going to be here in a decade. Always look on the bright...
Does Cyberpunk 2077 Deserve Its Redemption Arc? w/ Kenneth Shepard
October 03, 2022 18:15 - 1 hourCD Projekt Red's Cyberpunk 2077 is currently experiencing something of a redemption arc. Does the (hugely) troubled RPG necessarily deserve said arc, though? Well…yes, but also no. This week on Axe of the Blood God, Kat, Nadia, and Eric invite Normandy FM's Kenneth Shepard for a chat about the state of Cyberpunk 2077, as well as what the future holds for the game—and for CD Projekt Red. Also in this episode: RIP Google Stadia, we hardly knew ye. Downwell fans will "dig" Shovel Knight Dig....
99 Potions x Axe of the Blood God: Our Problematic Faves
September 26, 2022 21:02 - 2 hoursFor this week's episode we're joined by the very talented folks behind 99 Potions, Fantbyte's dedicated RPG podcast that was unfairly cut short by the site's recent layoffs. In solidarity with our fellow creators, we invited Nere, Michael Higham, Andrea Shearon, John Warren, and Natalie Flores on the show to pour one out for a great website, talk about what they've been playing, and delve into some of their problematic favorite characters. Also in this episode: One more Xenoblade Minute wi...
The September Nintendo Direct: Paradise for RPG Fans, Paradise Plus for Farming Game Fans
September 19, 2022 15:24 - 1 hourThis week on the Axe of the Blood God RPG podcast, Kat is out and Nadia learns one more time that it's really just that easy to take an inherently chaotic podcast and make it twice as dizzying. Friend of the show (and Nadia's former employer in the long ago and far away) Anthony John Agnello stops by for a visit and talks all about the huge RPG news deluge that occurred with last week's Nintendo Direct. A new Final Fantasy Theatrhythm game! A new Fire Emblem game! A name for the Breath of the...
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, Harvestella, Tactics Ogre Reborn, and More in the Fall 2022 RPG Preview
September 12, 2022 14:32 - 1 hourThis week, Axe of the Blood God tackles the 2022 fall RPG preview—which feels like a nutty thing to say, since summer only started yesterday. Right? Right…? Oh. Thankfully, RPGs help take away the sting of passing time for a little while. And it so happens the last quarter of 2022 is loaded with some bangers. Persona 5 for Nintendo Switch! Tactics Ogre Reborn! Valkyrie Elysium! Not to mention a couple of small indie games called Pokemon Scarlet and Violet. What a way to end the year that ga...
Rings of Power, House of the Dragon, and RPGs + Autumn of Avatar Book 1, 1-6 w/ Alex Stedman
September 05, 2022 16:00 - 1 hourThe fall season is upon us, and more fantasy shows than you can shake a wizard's staff at are popping up! Since RPGs and fantasy have a fair bit to do with one another, we brought on IGN's Alex Stedman to chat about House of the Dragon, The Rings of Power, how RPGs and fantasy tales intersect, and kick off our Autumn of the Avatar! All that, plus: Eric dives into the film history of Immortality The crew debates space vs. dragons We're oo-surping things now Learn more about your ad choi...
Does Sony Need More First-Party RPGs?
August 29, 2022 16:00 - 1 hourIt's a slim week at the Blood God, so we dipped into our rainy day bucket of topics to discuss Sony's first-party games. Does it need more first-party offerings, or should it stick to its third-party deals? We discuss all that and more, including: Final Fantasy XIV goes Stardew Valley Kat is getting back to Sunbreak Nadia demonstrates why we don't have shop class anymore Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Souls Hackers 2 Review w/ Michael Higham and Diego Argüello
August 22, 2022 15:53 - 1 hourThis week on Axe of the Blood God, Kat, Nadia, and Eric have a (digital) devil of a time talking about Soul Hackers 2. They're joined by Fanbyte.com superstars Michael Higham and Diego Argüello, who both have plenty to say about this strange game. It appears Soul Hackers 2 strives to land somewhere between the dark, complex Shin Megami Tensei games, and the character-driven Persona titles. Does Soul Hackers 2 hit the mark? Or does it just hee-ho off into the sunset, destined to be forgotten? ...