Axe of the Blood God: An RPG Podcast

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

The Nintendo Switch™ Family of Video Gaming Entertainment Consoles is dead. Long live the Nintendo Switch 2™ Family of Video Gaming Entertainment Consoles.Kat, Nadia, and Eric deliver the final judgement on the Switch's contributions to the RPG landscape. From Pokemon's bumpy road to Fire Emblem's revival to Square's blunderbuss, it's all here in this satisfyingly clickable 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 In this episode: Xenoblade Chronicles 3 Octopath Traveler/2 Pokemon's Switch Legacy Animal Crossing: New Horizons Xenoblade Chronicles X Timestamps: 5:50 - Main Topic - Switch RPG Quest: Definitive Edition 1:00:56 - Random Encounters 1:11:04 - The Tavern - Fantasy Life 1:22:16 - Xenoblade Chronicles X Final Thoughts 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] Your Voice - [Xenoblade Chronicles X] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You're getting 'Norted! And you're getting 'Norted! And YOU'RE getting 'Norted!Xakt, Dianxa, Ixerc, and special guest Kexim are here to discuss the old adage; "When Nomura closes one door, he opens another with a very large key"Missing Link's cancellation and Kingdom Hearts IV's new screenshots have stirred up conversation and Giant Bomb's own KH expert Mike Minotti is here to tell us all about itTune 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: Justice for 358/2 Days Nintendo Store San Fransisco Bravely Default HD Do serial killers like Aerosmith? Timestamps: 10:08 - Main Topic - What is the future of Kingdom Hearts? 47:20 - Random Encounters 49:12 - Final Fantasy x Magic the Gathering 1:04:48 - Nintendo Store 1:25:00 - 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] Dearly Beloved (Swing Ver.) - [Kingdom Hearts: Melody of Memory] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The maps are mini but the discourse is maxi!Kat, Nadia, and Victor embrace their cartographical spirit this week as they discuss the pros and cons of the mini-map; Does EVERY game need them? Do NO games need them? At what point should you meet the game's systems where they are and adapt? Find out on this week's disorientingly good 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: LIVE reactions as the Final Fantasy x Magic: the Gathering cards are revealed! Sakura Wars 2 fan-translation Dokyusei Tokimeki Memorial ~forever with you~ Emotional Play Maddy Thorson's latest Super Mario World romhack, Masterpiece, with art by friend of the show, darcydee Miserable Canadian clowns Timestamps: 07:20 - Main Topic - Do RPGs need mini-maps? 40:44 - Random Encounters 45:20 - Final Fantasy x Magic the Gathering Reactions 1:02:08 - The Tavern: Sakura Wars 2, Dokyusei, Tokimeki Memorial 1:20:20 - 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] Continuation of the Dream - [Sakura Wars 2] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The rent is too damn high!Hey, it's rough out there. But as development costs climb, retail prices skyrocket, and the institutional knowledge of decades of journalism slips out from under us due to corporate greed, Kat, Nadia, and Eric are at least here to explain what this means for the future of RPGs!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: Gameification of Disney World Chrono Trigger remake - PSYCH! Fandom is the worst website in the world Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 impressions update! Final Fantasy Magic: The Gathering hype Timestamps: 05:50 - Main Topic - What to do about expensive video games 52:08 - Random Encounters 55:24 - Polygon and Giant Bomb's collapse 1:10:28 - Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 update 1:30:16 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Enjoyment Theme - [Sakura Wars 2] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sacre Bleu! Incroyable! Tabarnak! We get to say all these words and more on this week's episode of Axe of the Blood God, which is about Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. Special guest Kenneth Shepard joins Kat, Nadia, and Eric (they're together again!) on this quest to ask this Paintress lady what her whole deal is. Also in this episode: Stop right there, criminal scum! Suddenly, Oblivion Remastered. Breath of Fire 4 is on PC! What does this portend? The Gang Pre-Orders the Switch 2 The Hundred Line is just what the Danganronpa sicko ordered. We drive a carpool directly into a dancing baby. Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro/Housekeeping 03:00 - Main Topic (Clair Obscur review) 50:15 - Random Encounters 1:00:04 - The Tavern 1:39:38 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook Music used in this episode: Do Your Best! (Breath of Fire III) Patty's Pub (Dragon Quest XI) A Curious Tale (Secret of Mana) Je Suis Fatigue (Tom Cardy) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How many licks DOES it take to get to the center of a Tootsie Pop? Eric, Nadia, and special guest Lucas White won't find out in the Lunar: Remastered Collection but they'll sure discuss localization choices like it. Find out if the new re-release does justice to these cult classics of the 32-bit era. 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: Updates on the Switch 2 pre-orders SaGa x Vampire Survivors for the sickos Eric's Sunderfolk review Why Pokemon cards are BANNED Timestamps: 09:08 - Main Topic - Switch 2 Hands-on Impressions 52:08 - Random Encounters 56:08 - The Tavern - Switch 2, SaGa x Vampire Survivors, Sunderfolk 1:35:24 - 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] Adventure Road - [Lunar 2 - Eternal Blue] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I am the Black Mage! I casts the spells that makes the peoples fall down! Time to put on your robe and wizard hat; we're talkin' Black Mages! From Vivi to Donald Duck, all your favourite magic missile-slingers are here and ready to nuke Eric, Nadia, and special guest Timothy Monbleau! 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 by Nina Matsumoto at https://shop.bloodgodpod.com Also in this episode: Final Fantasy XIII re-examined?! Blue Prince Impressions Amagami mentioned Everyone's Donald Duck impressions Timestamps: 04:00 - Main Topic - Switch 2 Hands-on Impressions 1:04:40 - Random Encounters 1:05:56 - The Tavern - Final Fantasy XIII and Blue Prince 1:31:41 - 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] Mystic Mysidia - [Final Fantasy IV: Celtic Moon] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Should've called it the Swiitch. Kat, Nadia, Eric, and special guest Brian Shea tell you everything you need to know about the Nintendo Direct Switch 2 announcements plus Brian's hands-on experience at the recent press event. There's a slew of RPGs of all stars and stripes heading for the console. Whether you'll be able to get your little hands on them without selling a body part or two remains to be seen. But at least we can talk about them for free! 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 by Nina Matsumoto at https://shop.bloodgodpod.com Also in this episode: Mario Kart Worlds Donkey Kong Bananza Bring back Mario Paint Dark Pictionary Timestamps: 04:00 - Main Topic - Switch 2 Hands-on Impressions 1:03:12 - Random Encounters 1:05:16 - The Tavern - Switch 2's RPG Line-up 1:40:40 - 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] Romantic Vagrant - [Bravely Default: Flying Fairy] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This podcast of mine glows with an awesome power! Its hot takes tell me to treat you! TAKE THIS! My love, my anger, and ALL my opinions! Super Robot Wars is joined by some other games also announced in the opening left hook of the Nintendo Direct one-two punch combo. 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 by Nina Matsumoto at https://shop.bloodgodpod.com Also in this episode: What games do we want to see "Switch 2 Versions" of? The bizarre development behind Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines 2 How to get a pet in Night City Pokemon TCG Pocket Update Don't smoke Timestamps: 06:20 - Main Topic - Nintendo Direct 58:40 - Random Encounters 1:08:16 - Pillars of Eternity Anniversary 1:15:46 - The Tavern - Cyberpunk and Pokemon TCG Pocket 1:40:40 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] The Lazy Detective Agency - [Devil Summoner: Raidou Kuzunoha vs. the Soulless Army] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Living here in New LA, fighting villains from afar. You got to find first gear in your giant robot car. The Xenoblade saga on Switch is now complete with the inclusion of Xenoblade Chronicles X (Xenoblade Cross if you're nasty). But it's been 10 years since the original release on WiiU; has it aged well? The very idea of video games "aging well" is a concept invented by tech-capitalists so don't ask me that. Instead ask "How much of the current open-world RPG landscape do we owe to it, do the gameplay elements designed for the WiiU transpose to the Switch well, and exactly how fantastic a game is it?" All these questions and more will be answered by Kat, Nadia, Eric, and Victor on this interstellar 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 by Nina Matsumoto at https://shop.bloodgodpod.com Also in this episode: Tuning the skill floor of the player vs the encounter Kat's many adventures at GDC Palworld's still at it What we want out of a Persona 4 remake Timestamps: 08:00 - Main Topic - Xenoblade Chronicles X 53:50 - Random Encounters 1:01:54 - Tavern - GDC 1:32:30 - Persona 4 Remake Wishes 1:40:40 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Your Voice - [Xenoblade Chronicles X] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The only two good things to come out economic recession. Eric, Nadia, and special guest Lucas White are here to give the long-running, cult-classic Atelier series it's flowers. But can the latest entry, Yumia, hang with the Ryzas and the Maries and the Irises and the Eschas and the Logys? Listen up to find out! 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: Should you play Final Fantasy XIV constantly? The cultural importance of The Problems Clown Wizardry Variants Daphne Nadia rolls credits on Monster Hunter Wilds New merch by Nina Matsumoto available now at https://shop.bloodgodpod.com Timestamps: 08:00 - Main Topic - What is Atelier? 49:32 - Random Encounters 52:32 - Tavern 1:19:28 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Reminiscent Hill - [Atelier Ayesha] 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 II 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