Axe of the Blood God: An RPG Podcast

Nadia and Kat take a break from the Top 25 RPG countdown to talk about what they miss from classic RPGs. Remember overworlds? Large party sizes? Fricking cloth maps? The pair reminisce about those old school features and more in this nostalgia laden episode of Axe of the Blood God. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kat is once again joined by Retronauts host Jeremy Parish to explore the history of RPGs. This time they dive into PLATO, Wizardry, and Bard's Tale as they explore about the rise of the "second wave" of RPGs in the 1980s. Then David Craddock returns to talk about #18 on our Top 25 RPG Countdown: Diablo 2! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

1UP alum Shane Bettenhausen joins Kat to talk about the best Genesis RPG ever: Phantasy Star IV! Plus, Nadia and Kat talk about space RPGs, what sets them apart from their counterparts in other subgenres, and wonder why theren't more of them. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kat is joined by Hirun Cryer to review Banner Saga 3. Does it effectively close the epic tactical RPG series? How does the gameplay hold up? And is being depressing necessarily a bad thing? Then Divinity: Original Sin 2 writer Kevin VanOrd and Gamesbeat's Jason Wilson join us to discuss number 20 in our Top 25 RPG Countdown: Divinity: Original Sin! Find out why this 2014 sleeper hit deserves to be considered a modern classic. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kat is joined by Mike Williams and Vidjagame Apocalypse co-host Matthew Allen to discuss number 21 on our Top 25 RPG Countdown: World of WarCraft! They talk about its RPG roots, why it changed MMORPGs forever, and why it continues to command a loyal audience to this day. Then Kat and Nadia respond to some of the more heated feedback from last episode's Octopath Traveler review. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

GameXplain co-host Derrick Bitner joins Kat and Nadia to review Octopath Traveler. Do the sprites match the quality of the environments? Which character did each host pick first? And can Nadia and Derrick convince Kat to upgrade from Prologue? Then, Kat is joined by guest Ryan Allen to add Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines to the Top 25 RPG countdown. They talk about how it's risen above its troubled development history, its amazing roleplaying possibilities, and why it's still supported by a cadre of dedicated fans to this day. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nadia shares her initial impressions of Octopath Traveler, including the battle system, the graphics, and more. Then David Craddock returns to talk about Nethack, its remarkable support through the years, and tales of YASDs. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our old friend Jeremy Parish returns to discuss the first entry in his new series about the history of RPGs, which covers Ultima, Teletype RPGs, and Richard Garriott's early programming experiments. Then we dive into number 24 on our Top 25 RPGs of All Time countdown: Tactics Ogre! We talk about its rich storyline, excellent tactics, and what sets it apart from its successor Final Fantasy Tactics (which is also great). Find out why Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together is yet another underrated RPG gem! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's finally time! Kat and Nadia commence Axe of the Blood God's countdown of the Best 25 RPGs with an in-depth discussion of number 25 on our list! We discuss its history, what makes it stand out, some of its best moments, and ultimately why it holds up. Don't miss out! Plus, we're joined by GameXplain's Ash Paulsen to talk about Ys VIII's Switch port and its ongoing localization woes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kat and Nadia wrap up E3 2018 with a discussion of Valkyria Chronicles 4's Switch port, Fallout 76, Cyberpunk 2077, and more! Does Pokemon Let's Go prove that we no longer need random encounters in Pokemon? Are we okay with Cyberpunk 2077 being a shooter? How awesome does Fire Emblem look? And what's it like to be in the same room as Tetsuya Nomura? All that as we also announce a new weekly feature for the second half of 2018! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's officially E3 2018, and Nadia and Kat are here to break down the first run of announcements! They talk about Square Enix's missed opportunity, Kingdom Hearts 3's new trailer, Cyberpunk 2077, Shadows Die Twice, Elder Scrolls 6, and Starfield, then share what they want to see from Sony and Nintendo. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kat and Nadia talk about Pokemon Let's Go, why the Kanto Pokedex is overrated, and what they would like out of Gen 8 on the Switch (hint: it's not another new region). Then they dive into Fallout 76 and Moonlighter, with asides into Stardew Valley and Battletech. Join them! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Doc Burford returns to review Pillars of Eternity 2 with Kat. How does the sequel to Obsidian's cult favorite isometric RPG stack up to the original? Find out in this spoiler-free discussion! Plus, Kat and Doc wax poetic over Dragon Age: Origins, preview Disco Elysium, and ponder how to make detective RPGs work. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kat is officially back! And she and Nadia celebrate by talking Pokemon leaks, the first hands-on with Kingdom Hearts 3, and SMT Strange Journey Redux! Can you believe that Kingdom Hearts 3 is actually coming out? We can't either! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kat's on vacation for a few seconds more, so it's Anthony and Nadia again, along with special guest John Learned! This week, the trio talks about the excellent features John wrote for USgamer about Final Fantasy XII and Vagrant Story's localizations [4:00], the big news about Nintendo Switch Online and how it might pertain to RPGs [8:45], and what we hope to see at Square-Enix's E3 2018 press conference [22:10] before launching into our main topic: The gem that is Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow [43:46]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kat had the nerve to take a vacation, so Nadia drags out a ghost-editor from her history as a freelancer, Anthony John Agnello, and orders him to co-host this week. They talk about old times before diving into the sad state of game preservation and how the Wii U's diminishing presence is adding to the problem [5:20]. Then Anthony wonders if Montreal Eidos working on the Shadow of the Tomb Raider means we'll never see a Deus Ex game again (and Nadia proves how alert she is by mixing up Eidos and Ubisoft) [15:20]. The duo celebrate the beautiful RPG / beat-em-up hybrid, Dragon's Crown Pro, featuring the peerless art of the mad god George Kamitami [36:20] before launching into their wish list of untouchable RPGs that are lost to the future [43:20]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kat and Nadia talk about their favorite RPG stories, the impact that art style can have, and many other topics including Persona 5, Radiant Historia, and Bojack Horseman. Then Kat jumps into her guide to Super Robot Wars [27:18]. What is it? How did it start? And more important, which one should you play first? Finally, Kat and Nadia wrap up the Cosmic Star Heroine Report as it launches on PlayStation Vita [51:56]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kat and Nadia have discuss Ni No Kuni 2's story and where it went wrong as they wrap up their conversation about Level-5's sequel [22:52]. Plus: The pair talk about Monster Hunter World's new event, Persona 5's gay panic, and even more legendary weapons. Note: Spoilers for NNK2 begin at 22:52 and end at 01:07:16! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kat and Nadia delve into Final Fantasy, World of WarCraft, and more to find the best legendary weapons in RPG history. From weapons that helped define their series, to weapons that were impossible to get, to weapons that were simply cool, we survey the RPG landscape for our favorites. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What do Dragon Quest XI and World of WarCraft have in common? They're two RPGs asking themselves, "What's next?" Kat and Nadia discuss that, Kat's other experiences at PAX East, and her hands-on with Underworld: Ascendant. Plus, we discuss your comments on the 3DS and The Alliance Alive! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Alliance Alive is out on 3DS, but it won't be joined by Dragon Quest XI. Kat and Nadia talk about the spiritual successor to Legend of Legacy [5:00] before moving on to the news that Dragon Quest XI will be coming to Steam and PS4, but not the 3DS [25:15]. Is Square Enix making a mistake? And amid the continued stream of "nostalgic JRPGs," what form of JRPG is being underserved? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kat returns from a busy week at GDC to talk Bard's Tale and Zanki Zero, as well as to share some of Ultima Online's craziest war stories. Then Nadia and Kat talk about Ni No Kuni 2's insane opening and the tonal whiplash that follows. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kat and Nadia settle down to review Ni No Kuni 2! [22:00] How does the combat hold up? Why does the overworld look like it was imported from the PS2? And will Evan Pettiwhisker be the first against the wall when the revolution comes? We have answers to all these questions and more! Plus: The move by triple-A action games to co-op skill trees. Does it work? We discuss! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kat and Nadia are joined by RPG enthusiast Anthony Agnello to recap Thursday's Nintendo Direct, including the news that South Park is coming to the Switch, and Dark Souls is getting an Amiibo (at last!). Then the trio talk about what makes Xenoblade Chronicles 2's great (with some spoilers), and why Radiant Historia is an RPG you should play on the 3DS. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kat is joined by Demon's Souls experts David Craddock to pay tribute to Demon's Souls as its servers shutdown. Plus, Kat and Nadia rail against the sloppy PC port of Chrono Trigger, and wonder what's in store for Valkyrie Profile. And we finally get to talk about the Final Fantasy XV mobile game, too! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kat and Nadia dive into the best RPG endings and why they work [20:00], with the discussion touching on Final Fantasy X, Fallout, Planescape Torment, the Mass Effect games, Breath of Fire, Chrono Trigger, and Valkyrie Profile. Plus, Kat and Nadia debate what Kingdom Come's success means for medieval RPGs, and the pair add a termite to their party in the Cosmic Star Heroine Report. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nadia returns from her adventures in Japan to discuss why the Secret of Mana remake doesn't hold up to the original [15:00]. Meanwhile, Kat is playing Kingdom Come: Deliverance [27:00], and she has thoughts on both its attempts to be ultra-realistic and its approach to medieval history: Plus: The Cosmic Star Heroine Report returns! [44:34] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kat is joined by guest hosts Caty and Mike to discuss the difficult dance of making meaningful decisions in RPGs, breaking down the endings of Witcher 3, Mass Effect 3, Chrono Trigger, and more in the process. Plus: Kat shares her impressions of Ni No Kuni 2, and Caty and Mike talk about the localization of Yakuza 6! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We celebrate Panzer Dragoon Saga's 20th Anniversary with Ben Lindbergh, author of The Ringer's massive retrospective on Sega's lost classic [26:10]. We talk about the ways it broke new ground, its complex story, and the miracle of it making it to America at all. Then Kat and Nadia dive back into Cosmic Star Heroine [54:06] and talk more Monster Hunter: World! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The wandering adventurer Bob Mackey returns to the Blood God to discuss what may already be one of the biggest games of 2018: Monster Hunter World! [27:30] Plus, Kat and Nadia talk about the recent BioWare news, and Kat shares her thoughts after playing the Secret of Mana Remake [16:00]. It all concludes with another installment of the Cosmic Star Heroine Report as Kat and Nadia talk about the big brawl in a night club, a mecha duel, and more [01:02:30]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kat and Nadia get together to discuss rumors of a Fable revival from Playground Games [8:16], Fable's legacy of ambition and disappointment, and why you should buy Darkest Dungeon the Switch. Then it's on to the first Cosmic Star Heroine Report [32:04] as our intrepid adventurers discuss the opening hours, the flow of the boss battles, and the big early twist. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kat and Nadia dive into the upcoming RPGs of 2018 with previews of Valkyria Chronicles 4, Dragon Quest XI, Pillars of Eternity Deadfire, the World of WarCraft expansion, Monster Hunter World, and much more! Plus: Discussion of Dark Souls on the Switch, The Worlds With You: Final Remix, and Ys VIII. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What RPGs did Kat and Nadia play over the holidays? Not the ones you might have expected! The pair talk about revisiting Secret of Evermore, Witcher 3, and Darkest Dungeon before officially wrapping up the Final Fantasy IX Report. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With Nadia out sick, Kat is instead joined by Mike to talk about the year in RPGs, argue about Horizon Zero Dawn, and pick the five essential RPGs of 2017. We've got a lot to cover, from Final Fantasy XIV's expansion to Persona 5 to Fire Emblem: Shadows of Valentia, so buckle up! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kat and Nadia talk about the peculiarities of Xenoblade Chronicles 2's battle system, what do with common Blade cores, and more as Kat continues through Chapter 3 of the Switch's new RPG. Then Kat and Nadia discuss Final Fantasy IX's big final battle and conclusion in Final Fantasy IX Report #10! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kat and Nadia discuss Breath of the Wild's award-winning night at The Game Awards, the sudden arrival of Champions' Ballad DLC [15:50], and the Romancing Saga 2 announcement [09:05]. Then the pair of them delve into their backlogs as Kat tackles Xenoblade Chronicles 2 for the first time [23:15], and they discuss their initial experiences with NieR Automata [42:34]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kat and Nadia team up to talk about the week's biggest RPG news as the bid farewell to Demon's Souls, discuss Bungie's decision to throttle XP gain in Destiny 2, and Final Fantasy XV's ongoing run of DLC. Then they turn to the main topic: Xenoblade Chronicles 2 [22:52] Is the gameplay really too complicated? Are Blades slaves or friends? And what is going on with Pyra? Nadia and Kat cover all that and more in their review. Finally, Kat checks in with an update with Secret of Mana Report #3! [58:56] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kat and Nadia celebrate Thanksgiving by talking about what they're grateful for in the RPG space this year (50:50), but not before discussing Sega's surprise Valkyria Chronicles 4 announcement (10:50), Neverwinter Nights 2: Enhanced Edition, Square Enix's Switch commitment, and more Pokemon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon. It's a holiday RPG-stravaganza! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kat and Nadia talk about a big week for RPG releases as Nadia shares her initial thoughts on the review version of Xenoblade Chronicles 2 and Kat explains why Pokemon Ultra Sun/Ultra Moon should be the last of the updated third versions [29:30]. Then the pair delve into the battle with the Four Fiends and Zidane's big existential crisis with Final Fantasy IX Report #9 [50:28]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kat and Nadia talk about Horizon Zero Dawn's new DLC and the advantages of disadvantages of dropping a new adventure into the middle of a story (19:30); Nadia's adventures in Etrian Odyssey V (5:00), and Kat's horrifying revenge in Middle-earth: Shadow of War. Then the pair continue into the Final Fantasy IX Report #8 (35:44) to Dagger's big moment, the horror of Zorn and Thorn, and why the Desert Palace is awful. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kat and Nadia get together to discuss the possibility to Yoko Taro directing a Final Fantasy game, recount the checkered history of RPGs on the Xbox (20:00), and dive into the big battle at Alexandria in the latest Final Fantasy IX Report (1:01:20). Bonus: Kat and Nadia share their favorite Halloween candy, because why not? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kat and Nadia get together to discuss Kat's recent addition to Destiny 2; the Witcher 3's influence on 2017's biggest games, and the announcement of Shin Megami Tensei 5 before delving into Vivi's search for meaning, the introduction of Eiko, and dwaves in the latest Final Fantasy IX Report. Plus: Kat refuses gender Sprite and complains about Spikey in Secret of Mana Report #2. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's a packed episode as Kat and Nadia dive into Etrian Odyssey 5, preview the Secret of Mana Remake, and review South Park. Then Kat and Nadia pick up the Final Fantasy IX Report as they discuss all the references to Final Fantasy IV, another encounter with General Beatrix, the horror of Atomos, and Chocobo Hot & Cold! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kat and Nadia talk about loot boxes and their relationship to RPGs and debate the need to redo Ys VIII's localization before moving into a brand new report: The Secret of Mana Report! Join Kat as she talks about her first experience with the combat, earsplitting dwarf music, sneaky sprites, and RPG co-op gameplay (30:06). Then Nadia updates us on Final Fantasy IX as she officially reaches the end of Disc 1! (47:24). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kat and Nadia discuss a couple of this week's biggest RPG releases—Dragon's Dogma and Mario & Luigi—as well as Golf Story, then jump into the third Final Fantasy IX Report [16:00]. How cool is that airship chase? What's up with Regent Cid? All that and more. Plus: Kotaku editor and Retronauts contributor Chris Kohler joins us to discuss his adventures in importing Final Fantasy V for his newest book! [38:05] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kat and Nadia continue their quest through Final Fantasy IX with the second Final Fantasy IX Report (38:45), share their adventures in acquiring an SNES Classic, and pick the five worst SNES RPGs! Read more at http://usgamer.net! Follow us on Twitter and Facebook at @usgamernet! Have comments or questions about the show? Email us at [email protected]. We may read your letter on the show! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kat and Nadia talk about Final Fantasy XV on the Switch, Monster Hunter World, and Nier: Automata's sales success, then jump into the main topic: Our first Final Fantasy IX report! (13:23). Then Mike joins us to talk about why you should be playing Divinity: Original Sin 2! (35:56) And of course we read your letters! Read more at http://usgamer.net! Follow us on Twitter and Facebook at @usgamernet! Have comments or questions about the show? Email us at [email protected]. We may read your letter on the show! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kat and Nadia go LIVE with their thoughts on all the info from this week's Nintendo Direct, include Xenoblade Chronicles 2 and The Alliance Alive. They also share their impressions on Project Octopath Traveler! Spoiler: They like it! In the second segment, David Craddock returns to share tales from the dawn of the RPG age from his new book about the Apple II (37:36), and Kat and Nadia pick more Perfect RPG Teams! Read more at http://usgamer.net! Follow us on Twitter and Facebook at @usgamernet! Have comments or questions about the show? Email us at [email protected]. We may read your letter on the show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kat and Nadia welcome back Josh Sawyer and Feargus Urquhart for a Fallout New Vegas retrospective that delves into why it's such a beloved cult classic (35:42), while also talking about South Park's amusing difficulty sliders, Tyranny's underwhelming expansion, and what Final Fantasy VII means in 2017. Read more at http://usgamer.net! Follow us on Twitter and Facebook at @usgamernet! Have comments or questions about the show? Email us at [email protected]. We may read your letter on the show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Legendary RPG designer Josh Sawyer returns to dive deep into Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire's story, premise and multi-classing (18:30), but not before Kat has a healthy rant about NBA 2K18's stats progression and Nadia talks about the RPGs revealed at the Nindies event. Plus: Another Perfect RPG Party! Read more at http://usgamer.net! Follow us on Twitter and Facebook at @usgamernet! Have comments or questions about the show? Email us at [email protected]. We may read your letter on the show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices