
Axe of the Blood God: An RPG Podcast
605 episodes — Page 4 of 13

Our Review of 2023's RPGs (So Far)
It's summer! That means it's time to grab a burger off the grill, fish a cold one out of the cooler, lie back on a Muskoka chair (ask your local Canadian), and talk about the year in RPGs so far. 2023's been disgustingly busy with huge releases like Final Fantasy XVI, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, Diablo IV, and so much more. Your time on this planet is finite, so listen and decide which of these billion hour games are worth playing, and which should be punted onto the backlog that God will unfurl at your feet when it's time for your soul to be judged. Also in this Episode: It's fun to fumble around in TOTK's dark depths! Wait, we mixed up "fun" and "terrifying" again. Did you know a Sharpie isn't sufficient for redacting words in a legal document? Sony does now. We kick off Book 3 coverage in Legend of Korra If you're a Sonic fan, listen to The Cult. And if you're not a Sonic fan, listen to The Cult. Just play Ys. Timestamps: 00:00 Intro/2023 In Review 49:36 - Random Encounters 1:02:31 - Side Quest (Rain Code, BattleBit Remastered, Sonic Adventure 2) 1:10:07 - Summer of Korra 1:23:04 - Nostalgia Nook/Outro Music Used in this Episode Do Your Best! [Breath of Fire III] The Legend of Korra Main Theme [The Legend of Korra] A Curious Tale [Secret of Mana] Sealed Time [Ys: The Oath in Felghana] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our Final Fantasy XVI Review w/ Alex Donaldson
After what seems like forever and a day, Final Fantasy XVI has finally arrived on the PlayStation 5. Except, it hasn't really been forever, has it? Game director Naoki Yoshida runs a tight ship, to be sure--but will a timely release be enough to make Final Fantasy fans fall in love with the series' first serious attempt at telling a story with Witcher levels of grit and grime? Friend of the show and VG247 writer Alex Donaldson is here to talk to us about this much-anticipated game of thrones (and Chocobos). Also in this episode: You're going to have grandkids before you see Elder Scrolls VI What's deader than dead? E3's prospects The rumored "SNES RPG remake" isn't Chrono Trigger, but it's in the same vein, kind of... A 50-foot Korra the Explorer epic beam struggles her way into Book 3 If Alf, Alvin the Chipmunk, and Miss Piggy tell you to stop doing drugs, keep at it. You're already too far gone; just get your money's worth. Timestamps 00:00 - Intro/Final Fantasy XVI Review 1:04:25 - Side Quest (Nintendo Direct/Super Mario RPG Remake) 1:10:32 - Random Encounters 1:15:12 - Summer of Korra 1:25:12 - Nostalgia Nook/Outro Music used in this episode: Let's Go Down the Wine River [Super Mario RPG] Do Your Best! [Breath of Fire III] The Legend of Korra Main Theme [The Legend of Korra] A Curious Tale [Secret of Mana] Weapons Factory [Super Mario RPG] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our Diablo IV Review w/ Len
I, Nadia, take over hosting duties on Axe of the Blood God this week, which is apropos for an episode that's about Satan. That's right, we review the long-awaited Diablo IV with our very good friend and frequent Blood God guest, Len. There's a lot riding on Diablo IV, as Activision Blizzard is currently weighed down by troubled times that are largely of their own making. How does it play? How's the story? How does Act-Bliz's fascination with "always online!" sit with Diablo IV's dark, gothic feel? Is the Druid class the best? (Yes.) Stay awhile and listen. Also in this episode: The Fire Emblem game that started everything (in the West) is coming to the GBA via NSO. Roy's our boy! Something something Microsoft Activision Blizzard acquisition deal stalled Things are heating up in The Legend of Korra, but they're also cooling down because it's pretty chilly at the poles A Gameboy is just a phone that only plays Pokemon Walk forever in the light of the Crystal, Kittyboy Tighthole Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro/Diablo IV 38:27 - Random Encounters 45:39 - Summer of Korra 58:12 - Nostalgia Nook/Outro Music used in this episode: Do Your Best! [Breath of Fire III] The Legend of Korra Main Theme [The Legend of Korra] A Curious Tale [Secret of Mana] Ark [Persona 5] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A Look at All the RPGs at Summer Game Fest 2023 - Especially Starfield
On a very special episode of Axe of the Blood God ("special" meaning "very off schedule"), Kat, Nadia, and Eric talk about everything they saw at Prince Geoffry's Summer Game Fest 2023. Kat and Eric actually attended the show, so they have amazing insight about the games on display--especially the RPGs. And oh, were there ever a lot of RPGs. That Xbox deluge is late, sure, but rest assured it's on its way. And it's bringing Starfield with it. Also in this episode: Oh my God Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth exists Oh my God Metaphor: ReFantazio exists Sandland looks great, because Toriyama is the King of Character Design Korra breaks up with her cop boyfriend, lol Kat and Nadia will be at the Long Island Retro Gaming Expo on August 11 through 13. Be there or be square (enix) Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro/Summer Games Fest 48:20 - Starfield 58:16 - Best of Show 1:03:30 - Summer of Korra 1:20:00 - Nostalgia Nook/Outro Music used in this episode: The Legend of Korra Main Theme [The Legend of Korra] A Curious Tale [Secret of Mana] The Poet and the Muse [Alan Wake] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Summer 2023 RPG Preview and SGDQ w/ moonblazewolf
The 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 / SGDQ talk w/ moonblazewolf 25:45 - Random Encounters 29:56 - Summer 2023 RPG Preview 1:20:06 - Summer of Korra 1:35:46 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook / Outro Music used in this episode: Do Your Best! [Breath of Fire III] A Curious Tale [Secret of Mana] Champions of the Sky [Chained Echoes] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Octopath Traveler II Deep Dive w/ The Black Stones
Howdy, 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 interwoven into the game's mechanics. Shucks, I guarantee this episode'll have you eatin' better than a sow in an apple field! Also in this Episode The PlayStation Showcase sure did happen Should we drop numbers from Final Fantasy game titles? No. But let's grouse about it anyway A new Dragon Quest Monsters game is in development because sometimes the world is OK Our watch of The Legend of Korra reaches the end of Book One Game Genie! It was rad! It was waaaay far out!! And so on Timestamps 00:00 - Intro 06:21 - Octopath Traveler II 56:48 - Random Encounters 1:02:45 - The Tavern/What We're Playing 1:25:05 - Summer of Korra 1:41:55 - The Nostalgia Nook/Outro Music Used in this Episode Do Your Best! [Breath of Fire III] Octopath Traveler Main Theme [Octopath Traveler II] The Legend of Korra Main Theme [The Legend of Korra] A Curious Tale [Secret of Mana] Partitio's Theme [Octopath Traveler II] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our Continued Review of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom....Continues
The 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 week hardly makes a dent in this veritable wall of content. Also in this Episode: Sony is hosting a PlayStation Showcase. If we're good, we might get information about FF7R. We have a release date for Pokemon Home compatibility with Scarlet and Violet! Oh wait, no we don't. Do Cassette Beasts bleed magnetic tape? Controller Discourse™ Victoria Day Special: Cool Firework Mishaps Discussion Time Stamps: 00:00 - Intro 02:45 - The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom 42:40 - Random Encounters 45:25 - The Tavern/What We're Playing 1:02:05 - The Summer of Korra 1:15:30 - The Nostalgia Nook/Outro Music Used in this Episode: Chasm Theme [The Legend of Zelda: TOTK]] Do Your Best! [Breath of Fire III] The Legend of Korra Main Theme [The Legend of Korra] A Curious Tale [Secret of Mana] Horse Ride [The Legend of Zelda: TOTK] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sharlayan Dropouts: Field Studies - The Twinning
Kick 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. Music: A Long Fall - Final Fantasy XIV Shadowbringers Full Speed Ahead - Final Fantasy XIII Eternal Wind - Lightning Returns Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Review w/ Tom Marks and Mike Mahardy
Gosh, 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 worse. (Gasp!) Our talk is spoiler-free, so jump right in like a half-naked blonde guy leaping down into Hyrule from an impossible height. Also in this episode: Rumblings of a new Nintendo handheld. We'll probably see it in 2024, but when exactly? Dragon Age: Dreadwolf is likewise looking at a 2024 release Summer of Korra goes into episodes 4, 5, and 6. Long live pro-bending! If hearing bells out of nowhere means you're losing your mind, what does hearing the Zelda theme out of nowhere entail…? Music used in this episode: Do Your Best! [Breath of Fire III] The Legend of Korra Main Theme [The Legend of Korra] A Curious Tale [Secret of Mana] The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Main Theme [The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Honkai: Star Rail: Great RPG or Gatcha Vending Machine? w/ Daniel Alba
All 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 launch and beyond with avowed Genshin fan, Good Vibes Gaming's Daniel Alba. Also in this episode: Kat's digging deep into Final Fantasy V Nadia plays Final Fantasy XIV's NiER raid. Everything turns out great Xbox boss Phil Spencer is sowwy Redfall is not very good :3 Korra discourse gets underway with episodes 1 through 3 Nadia is picking up Tears of the Kingdom in the same store she picked up Ocarina of Time, because traditions must be honoured and the old gods must be sated Music used in this episode: Do Your Best! [Breath of Fire III] Login Music [Honkai: Star Rail] The Legend of Korra Main Theme [The Legend of Korra] A Curious Tale [Secret of Mana] Main Zelda Theme Orchestrated [The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Microsoft is Forever Doomed to Fruitlessly Pursue Activision Blizzard w/Nicole Carpenter
Hey 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 its patented Anime Chicks and Dudes in Space sales method. Might & Magic: Clash of Heroes is getting a deserved Switch remake Goodbye Waypoint :( The Summer of Korra begins! How a remake of a historic Square Enix game can potentially teach you how to make napalm the way your grandma used to (Well, not anymore) Music used in this episode: Do Your Best! [Breath of Fire III] Xbox Series X start-up sound [Microsoft/Xbox] The Legend of Korra Main Theme [The Legend of Korra] A Curious Tale [Secret of Mana] Floating Continent [Final Fantasy VI Pixel Remaster] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Class Conscious: Thieves in RPGs
It'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 myriad methods. We talk about all of it (along with special guest Lucas White), from the boomerang-flinging thieves of Dragon Quest to Final Fantasy VI's roguish Locke Cole, who is totally not thinking about Rachel right now. Also in this episode: Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster discourse Advance Wars 1+2 Reboot Camp is out, and war is over Live A Live is coming to PC, PS4, and PS5 and you should play it The Pantheon Thunderdome is upon us! Who will survive the cull? The Legend of Zelda: A P.I. Had to Rescue This Manga Music used in this episode: Do Your Best! [Breath of Fire III] Locke Cole's Theme [Final Fantasy VI Pixel Remaster] Torn from the Heavens [Final Fantasy XIV] A Curious Tale [Secret of Mana] Forged in Crimson [Final Fantasy XIV] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Can Starfield Save Xbox's Generation? And Does It Really Need Saving
Once 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 about what's going wrong with the Xbox Series X/S's RPG scene, and how it might be patched up. Also in this episode: Nintendo's banger of a Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom trailer FFXVI's also-banger trailer of Clive going Eikon-on-Eikon This week's Pantheon re-evaluation: Fire Emblem: Three Houses The Worlds of power Nintendo books make reading fun and cool, kids! Honest! Oh God, just open a book. Please. Music in this episode: Do Your Best! [Breath of Fire III] Xbox Series X start-up sound [Microsoft/Xbox] Torn from the Heavens [Final Fantasy XIV] A Curious Tale [Secret of Mana] Antique Cowboy [Ragnarok Online] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

PAX East 2023: The Ultimate RPG Draft!
We'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 everyone who came out in person, and we hope to host even more in the future! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

E3 is Kaput! For Realsies this Time! And Tears of the Kingdom Talk w/ Reb Valentine
Ding, 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 olden days? Also in this episode: Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom looks "hype af," as the kids say. When you fish with Dredge, you fish with Satan. When you Slay the Princess, you also fish with Satan. We have our new Pantheon game! Which Zelda title are we playing this month? Happy [Japanese] Anniversary, FFVI! Do you name your RPG characters? And if not, what's wrong with you? Music used in this episode: Do Your Best! [Breath of Fire III] Torn from the Heavens [Final Fantasy XIV] A Curious Tale [Secret of Mana] FFVI: The Impresario OCREmix [Jake Kaufman, Tommy Pedrini] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Diablo IV Beta Impressions, PAX East, and a Mailbag
Kat, 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 next week, but we'll be posting the panel audio along with plenty more content to come. Want merch? Check us out at shop.bloodgodpod.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nintendo 3DS and Wii U eShop Game Recommendations
This 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 still open. Also in this episode: Paranormasight is another amazing Square Enix game that will probably slide into obscurity because there's no way it's going to sell the seventy bojillion copies Square Enix probably expects it to sell Want to know why Tears of the Kingdom is $70? Doug Bowser has an answer Bloodborne is up for a Pantheon revisit. Does it deserve to—yeah. Yeah, of course it does. What a question. RIP Lance Reddick. :( Music used in this episode: Do Your Best! [Breath of Fire III] Silence of the Forest [Bravely Default/End Layer] Torn from the Heavens [Final Fantasy XIV] A Curious Tale [Secret of Mana] Schwarzweiss [Atelier Iris 3] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Axe of the Blood God 400: So, What's an RPG? w/ Felipe Pepe
Axe 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! [Breath of Fire III] A Curious Tale [Secret of Mana] Mines [Arcanum: Of Steamworks and Magick Obscura] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Final Fantasy XVI Preview w/ Ash Parrish and Michael Higham
Final 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 "JRPG?" We waddle right into it all, like a herd of Chocobos into a mud pit. Also in this episode: Octopath Traveler 2 rules As does Fire Emblem Engage Elden Ring DLC will get here when it gets here Re-examining Chrono Cross in the context of the Pantheon Bar Mitzvahs are crunk Music used in this episode: Do Your Best! [Breath of Fire III] Heavensward title screen [Final Fantasy XIV] Awakening trailer music [Final Fantasy XVI] Torn from the Heavens [Final Fantasy XIV] A Curious Tale [Secret of Mana] Hopes and Dreams [Undertale] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Octopath Traveler 2 Review w/Jason Schreier
All 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 Dragon Ball Super) Is Mass Effect still deserving of being in the Pantheon? Nadia's new saga: Sex, Death, and Zip Ties--the Life of a Pigeon Music used in this episode: Do Your Best! [Breath of Fire III] Intro theme [Octopath Traveler 2] Partitio's theme [Octopath Traveler 2] Torn from the Heavens [Final Fantasy XIV] A Curious Tale [Secret of Mana] Partitio's theme 2 [Octopath Traveler 2] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rad RPG Recommendations w/Rebekah Valentine
Axe 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. Unlike the naked elf in our dream game. Also in this episode: A brief review of Like a Dragon: Ishin! Nadia's bopping along to Theatrhythm Final Bar Line Golden Sun rises again to enflame Reb's retro dreams This week's Pantheon revisit: Does Terranigma still deserve to be recognized as one of the greatest RPGs of all time? 1 "yes" = 1 dead goat husband Music used in this episode: Do Your Best! [Breath of Fire III] Torn from the Heavens [Final Fantasy XIV] A Curious Tale [Secret of Mana] Underside World [Terranigma] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tears of the Kingdom + The Return of Baten Kaitos, Etrian Odyssey, and Level-5
February 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 goodness is now open for business. Kat, Nadia, and Eric discuss it all. Also in this episode: Baiten Kaidos re-releases are coming, too! Advance Wars Re-Boot Camp finally has a release date after being stalled by the Russian invasion of Ukraine. War is truly over if you want it Does System Shock 2 still deserve to be ranked in the Pantheon of the greatest RPGs? Listen to us debate the topic, meat sack Oh no, wizard game discourse We have a very nice, very civilized conversation about powerful game music on the Nostalgia Nook. Nothing explodes. (Not while the mic is hot, anyway) Music used in this episode: Do Your Best! [Breath of Fire III] Torn from the Heavens [Final Fantasy XIV] A Curious Tale [Secret of Mana] Forged in Crimson [Final Fantasy XIV] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sharlayan Dropouts Valentione’s Day Special: FFXIV’s Top 12 Simpable Hotties
It’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 there! Spoiler Level Orange: This is a scattershot discussion that touches upon a few elements from a several different storylines including Endwalker 6.3 and Save the Queen, though light on actual detail and context. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Forsooth! This Way Madness Lies w/Robert Boyd
Madness? 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 Friends™ No Nintendo, Sony, or Microsoft at E3 2023. Soooo... Pantheon of the Blood God revisits Final Fantasy 8. Is Squall still cool? !*!*!~wElc0mE to Da WAREZ Z0NE~!!!! Gr33ts go to my homies xxx_s0L1d_Sp1K3_xxx and +++CrashhMan_69+++!!!!!!!!!! Music used in the ep: Do Your Best [Breath of Fire 3] Title Screen [This Way Madness Lies] Transonic Gravity [Sayonara Wild Hearts] Torn from the Heavens [Final Fantasy XIV] A Curious Tale [Secret of Mana] The Man With the Machine Gun [Final Fantasy VIII] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are We Past the Golden Age of RPGs? Or Are We Living In It?
When 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 no, BioWare :( Are you OK, bestie? Alcryst from Fire Emblem teaches us all to hate ourselves Pocket Card Jockey: Ride On brought us right back to the track Should Skies of Arcadia remain in the Pantheon? With apologies to Sesame Street Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Fire Emblem Engage w/ Alyse Stanley
Eric 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 get married in Final Fantasy XIV Industry layoffs, oh God why Kat is playing Crisis Core. GONGAGA We re-visit Tales of Vesperia. Is it Pantheon material, or nah? That one time Nadia found a naked lady in her Super Nintendo game Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Let's Talk About Chained Echoes w/ Austin Walker
Kat 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 episode of Axe of the Blood God. Check it out! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sharlayan Dropouts, Episode 19: An Audio Tour of the Lost City of Amdapor
Put 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 you’ve made it the point where you can enter The Lost City of Amdapor (lvl 50) then you have nothing to fear but toxoplasmosis. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Which Trends Will RPGs Adopt Most Over the Next 10 Years?
Not 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 like. Well, the Blood God crew has takes, guesses, and ideas. More games like Disco Elysium? Perhaps. More games like Genshin Impact? Maybe. How about Elden Ring? Almost certainly. Come back in a decade for the opportunity to point and laugh about how wrong Kat, Nadia, and Eric were. Also in this episode: Fire Emblem: Engage isn't out yet, but it's already generating takes (and not just about the heroes' Aquafresh toothpaste hair) Pocket Card Jockey lives! It has not been put down like a spent racehorse after all! One billion years later, Nadia's finally watching Archer It's the birth of a new segment! The Blood God team goes back and re-evaluates former Pantheon entries and candidates! This week: Will Lufia 2 be granted mercy? Very special thanks to Knot Hollow for their support, and for the support of all the Blood God faithful out there! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What to Expect From Axe of the Blood God in 2023!
trailerHello 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

The Axe of the Blood God's Big Ol' 2023 RPG Preview
Happy 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 you for your continued support of Axe of the Blood God! When it all goes downhill, you'll be the first ones we share our edible rat bits with. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The RPG Year in Review 2022 w/ Mike and Victor
The 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 wonderful holiday time, and we'll see you soon in the new year for a fresh batch of RPG goodness. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Games We Loved (But Weren't So Hot On Later)
Kat 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, what they're looking forward to in 2023, and lots more. Also in this episode: The Final Fantasy Pixel Remasters are coming to consoles! There's a deluxe box set! Aaaand it's gone Chained Echoes is pretty baller Dragon Quest Treasures has no idea what it's doing, but that's part of the fun If your Christmas party doesn't involve poisoning yourself with homemade bucket wine, don't call it a Christmas party In the Post Show The gang continues to chill as they discuss the movies Kat watched on the plane on her way home from Amsterdam. The discussion quickly slides into all-out movie discourse, which means a hot takes about Pixar movies and Christopher Nolan. God bless us, everyone. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sharlayan Dropouts: Hoplology 101 - The Veil of Wiyu
Fans 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 sure to let us know at @SharlayanPod or @BloodGodPod on Twitter or on the official Axe of the Blood God Discord server available to $1 subscribers at patreon.com/bloodgodpod. SPOILER LEVEL GREEN: Not a spoiler to be seen. A few references to some contextless plot details for various games in the series but nothing to keep you from enjoying this episode regardless of where you are in your journey.Music: Down the Up Staircase - Final Fantasy XIV: Heavensward Save / Load Screen - Final Fantasy Tactics Protagonist’s Theme - Final Fantasy Tactics Trisection - Final Fantasy Tactics Not Alone Jazz Arrangement - JAZZ - FINAL FANTASY - Fear After - Final Fantasy Tactics Green Eyed Love - Mayer Hawthorne James Bond Theme (From Dr. No) - Monty Norman Under the Imperial Flag - Sakura Wars 3 I feel like I’ve heard that one before - Final Fantasy Tactics Sources: Marathon Gaming Retrospectives - https://tinyurl.com/y5evjjbt Final Fantasy Wiki - Sound Novels - Oeilvert - https://tinyurl.com/ze3zd8vx Hardcore Gaming 101 - The Tale of Oeilvert - https://tinyurl.com/2p9mrzb7 FFT Sound Novel Let’s Play by Nekomakine - https://tinyurl.com/msnvnupe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The 2022 Game Awards + This Year's Hidden Gem RPGs w/Lucas White
The 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 December recognition, and the Blood God crew does its best to give them a nice boost. Also in this episode: The real treasure in Dragon Quest Treasures are the Slime friends we made along the way. Holy crap! Hades II is coming! Holy crap! Chained Echoes is really good! A riveting tale of Sonic the Hedgehog and election fraud. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Year of Tactics 2022 Recap w/ Leana Hafer
This 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's Midnight Suns? World of Warcraft: Dragonflight is a pleasant flight so far What's the worst game you ever got as a gift? POST SHOW Len joins the Axe of the Blood God's weekly ride into hell via the post show. There's a hodgepodge of discourse this week, including "Hangovers suck," and how each of us would fix the Game Awards. Half the awards are currently belted out in the thirty seconds a nominated developer might theoretically get up to use the can, so maybe putting a stop to that kind of thing is a first step. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pantheon of the Blood God: Mass Effect
For 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 our Patreon at https://patreon.com/bloodgodpod or on our website at https://bloodgodpod.com/series/pantheon-of-the-blood-god/! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sharlayan Dropouts 2022 Thanksgiving Special w/ Aidan Moher
Hop 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 be a recurring fan-favourite for years to come… SPOILER LEVEL GREEN: Rest easy, slowpokes, there’s not a spoiler to be found for malms. A perfect episode to jump into regardless of where you’re at in your journey! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pokemon Scarlet and Violet Review w/ Reb Valentine
This 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 Naka is in hot water with the law The next-gen Witcher 3 update is coming soon, bless Autumn of Avatar goes to the theatre POST SHOW Kat is forced to bail early on this week's post show. This is a good thing, as Nadia, Eric, and Reb immediately load up a random Pokemon generator and declare which Pokemon are good eating, and which are best not consumed. That means Kat's soul still has a chance to ascend to heaven, whereas the rest of the crew already has reserved seating in the pits of Gehenna. Available to the Stars of Destiny tier and above! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Star Ocean: The Divine Force Review w/ John Linneman
This 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 dang good Mass Effect 5 exists Mazeltov to Ash Ketchum for becoming the Galar Region champion with the aid of a Pokemon that's too horrifying to exist Nadia made friends with some crows, then accidentally pissed them off with pistachios Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Final Fantasy XVI Controversy, Twitter's Implosion, and Other Messy Discourse
This 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 some…issues regarding racial diversity Harvestella is out, and by gosh, it's chill as heck Whispers on the wind speak of a new Deus Ex game in development Autumn of Avatar: No character voiced by Mark Hamill can possibly be evil Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Class Conscious: Monks w/ Danielle Riendeau
This 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 pavement always wins. Also in this episode: We say goodbye to esteemed RPG architect Rieko Kodama, who sadly passed away earlier this year Marvel Snap is currently the most popular thing in the universe Mike loves him some Mario Rabbids. (Or is that "rabid Mario?") The gang dives head-first into the Fire Nation on this week's Autumn of Avatar POST SHOW Eric, Mike, and the Stars of Destiny throw down in the chat over a brand-new tier list: The Top Halloween Candies of All Time. It gets hot, folks. Hotter than a tamale. But only Canadian kids know the pain of getting Molasses Kisses by the handful. Who even likes those? They keep coming back. Smells like witchcraft. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pantheon of the Blood God: Phantasy Star
To 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 delve into its five best moments, from the lavish opening to the battle with Dark Falz. Then the verdict: Is Phantasy Star worthy of inclusion in the Pantheon of the Blood God? Listen and find out! As always, a sincere thanks to our $10 and above Patrons for your support! Every month we pick a new RPG for the Pantheon, which is voted on by the community. Join the Discord and jump into our Monthly Game Club conversation! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Talking P5 Royal, Mario + Rabbids, Trails From Zero + Kat's Steam Deck Apology w/ Scott White
The 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 joined by a very special writer friend, Scott White. Scott helps fill in the gang on some of the more important RPGs that have recently landed, including the excellent Trails from Zero, and the reasons why it's a great entry point for the Trails series. Also in this episode: Kat loves the Steam Deck now, we all saw her in the closet, kissing the Steam Deck Final Fantasy XVI is looking pretty dope—and pretty inspired by Final Fantasy VI. How's the new Mario and Rabbids game? "It's-a great! Woo hoo!" This week on Autumn of Avatar: Book 2 comes to a close, and the kids are not all right. In the Post Show Blood God pal Scott White sticks around for this week's Axe of the Blood God post-show, which is piled with morsels of great RPG talk. For starters, can anyone out there think of a Christmas-themed RPG? Anyone? Bueller? Also, Eric talks Texas. Yee haw, and etcetera! Available exclusively to members on the Stars of Destiny tier! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Special: Tim Rogers on Boku no Natsuyasumi, Why PlayStation is the Best Console, Taco Tico, and More
Following 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 Patrons! You can find conversation timestamps below. Timestamps 0:00: Intro 11:00: Boku no Natsuyasumi and Taco Tico 23:55: The connections between Boku no Natsuyasumi and Earthbound 28:30: Rats, racoons and possums 38:50: Final Fantasy 7 Remake, Kingdom Hearts, and old developers 1:00:00: The PS1 is the best console ever 1:10:00: Sony's quest to make its own Dragon Quest 1:17:00: Reminiscing about Japan and Saizeriya 1:25:25: Dragon Quest and Mad Catz 1:34:50: Cyberpunk and Mighty Ducks 1:39:10: Who is the successor to Yuji Horii? 148:55: LA Noire and why games should be structured like a TV show 1:59:00: Outro Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pantheon Mini: Valkyria Chronicles
War 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 been playing because of embargos, but that's alright because hahaha Chainsaw Man goes brrrrrr. Nadia maxed out her island paradise hideaway in FFXIV. Nobody is invited to visit. Suckers. This week on Autumn of Avatar: There ain't no war in Ba Sing Se, and there never was. In the Post Show Vivi sticks around after a spirited episode of Axe of the Blood God (aren't they all) to talk a bit more about what made her fall in love with Valkyria Chronicles in the first place. The gang also talks about how their Pokemon Black and White Pantheon playthroughs are going, and there's even a bit of talk about the band PUP. Wooo oooo ooooo, ooo oooo! Available exclusively to subscribers in our Stars of Destiny tier! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Cyberpunk Sequel, Witcher Trilogy: Analyzing All of the CDPR Announcements
This 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 side of life! Also in this episode: We're really behind on the new batch of RPGs. Sorry, we're trying to fix it :( Disco Elysium developer ZA/UM is going through difficult times Autumn of Avatar continues as we delve deep into Book Two Nadia electrocuted a lemon to go see the 1993 Super Mario movie in theatres POST SHOW Hey, Paisanos! Nadia and Eric talk about the new Super Mario Bros. movie trailer. Seems this movie might be fun and charming after all, even if Chris Pratt's flat-tire voice still isn't a great choice for everyone's favorite feisty plumber. Eh, I think we're all in agreement that Jack Black's Bowser is going to carry the movie, anyway. Available exclusively to subscribers in our Stars of Destiny tier! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Does Cyberpunk 2077 Deserve Its Redemption Arc? w/ Kenneth Shepard
CD 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. Heh, that's a good one. "Dig." Autumn of Avatar continues. Toph has joined the party! Forget Cyberpunk. It is all about Cybertwunk now. POST SHOW Cyberpunk 2077's recent renaissance is owed to Cyberpunk Edgerunners, a Netflix series based on CD Projekt's RPG. Eric and special guest Kenneth Shepard talk about what makes the series good enough to bolster its troubled source material. Predictably, all semblance of civilized discussion unravels about midway through the discussion and everyone just yells at each other about Star Wars for the rest of the post show's run time. Available to listeners in the Stars of Destiny tier! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

99 Potions x Axe of the Blood God: Our Problematic Faves
For 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 with Michael Eric has thoughts on DioField Chronicle And Autumn of Avatar wraps up Book 1! Time Stamps 0:00 - 07:00: Intros and housekeeping 7:00 - 1:00:00: What we've been playing 1:00:00: Random Encounters 1:03:00: Problematic Faves 1:35:00: Autumn of Avatar, Book 1 Finale 1:50:00 - Pouring one for Fanbyte + Outro In the Post Show Nere, Michael, and Andrea stick around with Eric to talk about their favorite alcohol, discuss the reaction to unfinished assets from the GTA Mega Leak, and much more. This segment is available exclusively to our Stars of Destiny Patrons! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The September Nintendo Direct: Paradise for RPG Fans, Paradise Plus for Farming Game Fans
This 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 Wild sequel! Farming! Farming! Farming! Also in this episode: How nice is Zack Fair's hair? (So nice.) Harvestella is weird but good! Holy crap! Suikoden remasters! Things are heating up in Autumn of Avatar. RIP Fanbyte. :( Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices