Axe of the Blood God: An RPG Podcast - Axe of the Blood God

Cozy RPGs for Turbulent Times Nov 11, 2024

Hey, it's a bit bonkers out there! Why not retreat for a moment into the human race's oldest form of escapism; video games!

Games like Stardew Valley are no-brainers but you may be surprised what kinds of games our panel takes comfort in when it feels like the world is burning down around them. All this 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 and subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod

Also in this episode:

Mario and Luigi: Brothership
Mass Effect! Now for TV!
Pokemon Trading Card Game Pocket
Star Trek beef
Kat's Persona 3 update!

Timestamps:

00:00 - Main Topic - Cozy RPGs
44:40 - Random Encounters
1:01:36 - The Tavern
1:35:44 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook

Music Used in this Episode:

Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III]
A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana]
Town Theme - [Story of Seasons: Friends of Mineral Town]

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Dragon Age: The Veilguard Review w/ Leana Hafer Nov 04, 2024

Everyone look under your chair and put on your custom "Kiss the Rook" aprons I've made for you because it's time to dig into another of the massive RPGs of the year -- Dragon Age: The Veilguard!

From character creation to romance, from classes to dungeon design, the writing and the role-playing, the good and the bad; Kat, Nadia, Eric, and special guest Leana Hafer cover it all on this very special 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:

Xenoblade Chronicles X is back!
Dragon Quest III HD-2D
Pokemon Trading Card Game Pocket
Monster Hunter Wilds

Timestamps:

07:12 - Main Topic - Dragon Age: The Veilguard
1:06:40 - Random Encounters
1:11:12 - The Tavern
1:40:00 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook

Music Used in this Episode:

Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III]
A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana]
Leliana's Dance - [Dragon Age: Origins]

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Dragon Age Retrospective and More! Oct 28, 2024

It's been a dragon's age since we've had a new Dragon Age but the time has finally arrived.

Kat, Nadia, and Eric discuss the entire series, its influences, its impact, and more as we get closer to the launch of Veilguard!

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:

Monster Hunter Wilds Beta
The retro collecting rabbit hole
You all need to save the Saturn talk for a Victor episode
More Emio: The Smiling Man!
Halloween stories

Timestamps:

00:00 - Main Topic
1:06:40 - Random Encounters
1:13:20 - The Tavern
1:34:24 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook

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The Best RPG Vampires Oct 21, 2024

BAT!

Join Kat, Nadia, and your old pal from the edit bay Victor Hunter as they discuss the hottest (and sometimes the most mechanically interesting) characters in RPGs; the dhampir! They're not JUST for bisexuals!

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:

Come play FFXI with us
Astar, a robot from Planet Danger
More Metaphor!

Timestamps:

00:00 - Main Topic
1:14:00 - Random Encounters
1:18:16 - The Tavern
1:31:20 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook

Music Used in this Episode:

Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III]
A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana]
Solar Boy Django - [Boktai 2: Solar Boy Django]

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Metaphor ReFantazio Review, Game Freak Hacked, and More! w/ Michael Higham Oct 14, 2024

It's time to Fantazio. Again!

Kat, Nadia, and Eric, are joined by IGN's Michael Higham to discuss the biggest RPG release of October, Metaphor: ReFantazio. Take a shot every time someone mentions Persona, or for the full effect take a shot every time someone doesn't mention SMT.

All that plus leaks, anime recommendations, passionate pleas from Nadia to end the console wars, and more on this week's jam-packed 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:

The Game Freak hack
Waypoint's corpse
Before Your Eyes
Persona 3 Update!
Dragon Ball: Sparking! ZERO

Timestamps:

04:16 - Main Topic
1:03:28 - Random Encounters
1:15:44 - The Tavern - Waypoint
1:53:56 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook

Music Used in this Episode:

Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III]
A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana]
Cinematic Tale - [Persona Q2]

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Echoes of Wisdom Mini-Review, 2024 So Far, and More! Oct 07, 2024

Unionizations, lay-offs, tragic passings! It's been A Year! Eric, Nadia, and special guest Jesse Vitelli discuss the biggest headlines of the year and take a look at the latest Legend of Zelda!

It's an episode of tonal whiplash and fond reminiscence!

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:

Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games were fun!
Mrs. Incredible. I'll say she is.
Subscribe to Jesse's newsletter: Send News
Dragon Quest at the centre of the culture war
Cadet Kelly

Timestamps:

00:00 - Main Topic
1:03:56 - Random Encounters
1:09:58 - The Tavern - Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom
1:33:52 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook

Music Used in this Episode:

Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III]
A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana]
Skull Pirates - [Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons]

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Inside Blizzard’s Tumultuous History w/ Jason Schreier Sep 30, 2024

On today's extra beefy episode of Axe of the Blood God, we welcome special guest Jason Schreier and talk about his upcoming book, Play Nice: The Rise, Fall, and Future of Blizzard Entertainment. Tune in for a preview that brings context to some of Blizzard's biggest successes, mishaps, and controversies, including its campus culture, the sexual harassment lawsuit leveled against it, and the infamous Cosby Suite.

Also in this episode:

First impressions of The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom
Gosh, the PS5 Pro sure exists
Nintendo! Put a GBA game slot on Switch 2, you cowards!
See a horse? Download a horse
How Nadia lost her pocket money to rigged potato chip giveaways

Time Stamps

0:00 - Intro/Main topic [Blizzard]
52:34 - Random Encounters
1:18:50 - The Tavern
1:29:07 - Further Blizzard Discussion: The Cosby Suite
1:54:24 - 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]
Battle Theme [Metaphor: ReFantazio]

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Palworld Sued, Dragon Age Preview, and More! Sep 23, 2024

No, you see these are uh... Pocket Buddies! And we don't catch'em. We seal'em! In uh, Pocket Orbs!

Kat, Nadia, and Eric discuss Nintendo's suit against the creators of Palworld and what this means for patents and Pokemon-esque projects going forward. Plus, the crew has been playing some Dragon Age Veilguard!

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 appeal of fine Pokemon china
You'll never guess where these Pirate Yakuza are!
UFO50
Final Fantasy VII Orchestra

Timestamps:

03:12 - Main Topic
36:36 - Random Encounters
44:18 - The Tavern - Dragon Age
1:31:07 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook

Music Used in this Episode:

Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III]
A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana]
Virbank City - [Pokemon Black and White 2]

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PS5 Pro, Emio - The Smiling Man, and More! Sep 16, 2024

And it doesn't even have a new Ridge Racer.

Kat, Nadia, and Eric discuss the PS5 Pro, it's fascinating price point, Astrobot, Sony's future, and more on this week's 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:

Emio: The Smiling Man
Where are there squirrels?
Praise Bahamut! A Baldur's Gate III Co-op update!
When did YOUR eyesight start going, listener?

Timestamps:

04:56 - Main Topic - PS5 Pro
40:32 - Random Encounters
44:32 - The Tavern
1:17:04 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook

Music Used in this Episode:

Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III]
A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana]
Jungle - [PlayOnline Viewer]

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Visions of Mana Review Sep 09, 2024

For the first time since 2006's Dawn of Mana (a totally fun game, don't let anyone tell you otherwise) we have a new mainline entry in the storied Seiken Densetsu series. Does Visions of Mana prove that the mana tree still has plenty of good years left in'er, or is the vision getting blurry? Kat, Nadia, and Eric discuss this colourful action RPG and more on this episode of Axe of the Blood God!

Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod and subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod

Also in this episode:

Witch Hat Atelier
Bring back Slayers!
More Final Fantasy VI discussion
Everyone definitely agrees Legend of Mana is the best

Timestamps:

03:12 - Main Topic - Visions of Mana
39:08 - Random Encounters
43:12 - The Tavern
1:16:32 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook - CONTENT WARNING
1:22:24 - End of Content Warning

Music Used in this Episode:

Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III]
A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana]
Cliff Town Gato - [Legend of Mana]

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The Fall 2024 RPG Preview: Dragon Age Veilguard, Echoes of Wisdom, and More! Sep 02, 2024

Brr. Can you feel the chill in the air? Maybe you can, maybe you can't. The weather's been really screwy this summer. This week, the Blood God crew wades hip-deep into 2024's fall RPG season to evaluate what's coming, and to take a guess at which games look likeliest to bogart all their attention through September and October. Will it be the mystical Metaphor ReFantazio? The utterly charming Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom? Or perhaps the beleaguered Dragon Age Veilguard will dominate the autumn season. Listen in and shout your own choices at your audio output device. Or tune into the show live next time at twitch.tv/bloodgodpod. We show up every Saturday at 9:30 PT /12:30 ET.

Also in this episode:

Nadia is back, but RIP to her luggage
Visions of Mana early impressions
Our "canon event" games
This is Tenchiverse and that "cabbit" did indeed turn into a spaceship

Timestamps

00:00 - Main topic: Fall RPG Preview
55:28 - Random Encounters
1:12:13 - The Tavern
1:30:27 - Nostalgia Nook

Music used in this episode

Do Your Best! [Breath of Fire 3]
Patty's Pub [Dragon Quest IX]
A Curious Tale [Secret of Mana]
Scream [Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker]

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Gamescom Reveals, Black Myth: Wukong, and More! Aug 26, 2024

On this week's episode Kat, Eric, and special guest Brian Shea discuss all the news out of Gamescom! Does Xbox still need a Mario? What is happening with Blizzard? All these questions and more will be answered in this week's 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:

Kat is invaded by turkeys
Role-playing with sports games
More Game Informer memories!

Timestamps:

05:52 - Gamescom Announcements
52:48 - Random Encounters + Wukong
1:10:48 - The Tavern

Music Used in this Episode:

Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III]
A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana]
Mog Resort - [Final Fantasy XI: Seekers of Adoulin]

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Beat'em Ups and RPGs w/ Matt McMuscles Aug 19, 2024

On this week's episode Kat, Eric, Nadia and special guest Matt McMuscles discuss the history of beat'em ups, RPGs, and where the twain shall meet! What is the first RPG beat'em up crossover? What even IS Yakuza? How does George Kamitani tie it all together? All these questions and more will be answered in this week's very special Trans Lifeline Charity Livestream 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:

Tales of!
The Bouncer!
Legend of Mana!
Shenmue!
All of Victor's favs are here!

Timestamps:

00:00 - Main Topic
50:28 - Random Encounters
52:16 - The Tavern
1:26:08 - Nadia's Nostalgia Pit

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The State of Soulsbornes w/ Alex Van Aken Aug 12, 2024

On this week's episode Kat, Eric, and special guest Alex Van Aken discuss the current landscape of soulsbornes, the future of soulsbornes, what makes a soulsborne a soulsborne, and please can we call it something else so I can stop saying soulsborne. And no one talks about Code Vein and Stranger of Paradise enough.

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:

Black Myth: Wukong
Kaiju No 8
D23
2XKO

Timestamps:

14:23 - State of Soulsbornes
59:56 - Random Encounters
103:49 - The Tavern
1:36:38 - Alex's Game Informer Nostalgia Nook

Music Used in this Episode:

Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III]
A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana]
Pirates of Pravoka - [Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin]

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Bungie Layoffs, Game Informer's Closure, and More w/ Saniya Ahmed and Nicole Carpenter Aug 06, 2024

On this week's episode Kat, Eric, and special guests Saniya Ahmed and Nicole Carpenter discuss recent layoffs in both journalism and development. How will Bungie's layoffs change the future of Destiny? Does Destiny HAVE a future? Should it? All these question and more will be answered in 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 and subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod

Also in this episode:

Kat has nice things to say about Final Fantasy XIV
Fast AND Furious? In this economy?
Gathering the Magic
Arranger

Timestamps:

05:04 - Game Informer Layoffs
20:00 - Bungie Layoffs
50:56 - Random Encounters
58:40 - The Tavern
1:19:28 - Eric's Nostalgia Pit

Music Used in this Episode:

Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III]
A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana]
rtown0 (Δ Server Aqua Capital Mac Anu) - [.hack//INFECTION]

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Class Conscious - Summoners! Jul 29, 2024

It's the Summer o' Summoners on Axe of the Blood God! We're celebrating summoners, extoling evokers, and commemorating callers! But first we have to decide who qualifies? Are Pokemon Trainers summoners? Is Ichiban a summoner? Is listening to a podcast not a kind of summoning? That's right, as far as I'm concerned YOU'RE my favourite summoner, dear listener. All this 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 and subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod

Also in this episode:

Unionization and strikes!
Courage the Cowardly Dog
Eric watches terrible TV
Twisters!

Timestamps:

13:20 - Main Topic - Our RPG Backlogs
53:52 - Random Encounters
56:32 - The 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]
Keepers of the Void - [Final Fantasy Brave Exvius]

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Trails Through Daybreak, Tsukihime, and More! Jul 22, 2024

By popular demand, it's a long-overdue look at the colossal Trails series! Kat, Nadia, and Eric are joined by Trails expert James Galizio to discuss the latest entry to celebrate the series' 20th anniversary; Trails Through Daybreak. How do you get into a series with a dozen entries in the same narrative? Is Daybreak a good place to jump in? What's the best game in the series?

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:

MAHVEL
Trading military secrets
Nintendo World Championships: NES Edition
Visual novels and ADV games are different things!
Tsukihime is, in fact, a visual novel.
Hijinks!

Timestamps:

13:20 - Main Topic - Our RPG Backlogs
40:06 - Random Encounters
49:54 - The Tavern
1:21:02 - Nadia's BIRTHDAY Nook?!

Music Used in this Episode:

Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III]
Birthday - [Monster Rancher 2]
Daily Life - [Trails Through Daybreak]

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Our RPG Backlogs of Shame and More Jul 15, 2024

We've all got one. Some are bigger than others but we can all agree that we can't get enough of'em. No, not opinions. I'm talking backlogs!

Whether it's a real life shelf with a copy of Shadow Hearts you borrowed from your friend 7 years ago and can't quite bring yourself to play but also don't want to give back, or your digital shelf full of game titles you've never even heard of, we've all got games we swear we'll get around to someday. Kat, Nadia, and Victor discuss some of their biggest blind spots and more on this episode of Axe of the Blood God!

Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod and subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod

Also in this episode:

Kat is still working on Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth
Megami Tensei novels in English for the first time
Nadia has finished Final Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail
Please go play Curse Crackers

Timestamps:

13:20 - Main Topic - Our RPG Backlogs
57:20 - Random Encounters
1:07:40 - The Tavern
1:29:42 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook

Music Used in this Episode:

Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III]
A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana]
Carnival Subarea - [Curse Crackers: For Whom the Belle Toils]

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The Darkest Moments in RPGs Jul 08, 2024

Sometimes it's not just about the power of friendship.

Even the most friend-shaped RPGs can pull the rug out from under you with a moment that makes your skin crawl. Sometimes they beat you over the head with that rug with moments that make you go "aww jeez, come on, don't do that!" On this week's Axe of the Blood God Nadia and Victor discuss their favourite(?) moments in games that embrace the creepy, the macabre, or the truly depraved. It's not the first episode where we talk about marrying cousins and it won't be the last!

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:

We're playing Dawntrail obvs
The lost Shin Megami Tensei games you can play right now!
More saved feature phone games including Final Fantasy D-d-d-dimensions!
Remembering Mutsumi Inoumata

Timestamps:

6:40 - Main Topic - Darkest Moments in RPGs
57:52 - Random Encounters
1:20:16 - The Tavern
1:32:40 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook

Music Used in this Episode:

Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III]
A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana]
Pirate Island - [Boktai 3]

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2024 So Far, Dawntrail, and More! Jul 01, 2024

So long dads and grads; Summer is here and that means pina coladas on the beaches of Tural. And as we soak up that vitamin D we might as well reflect on the year so far. What RPGs have blown our minds, which ones not so much, and what are we looking forward to in the latter half of Anno Domini 2024? Kat, Nadia, and Eric discuss all this, plus Shadow of the Erdtree, Final Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail, 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 and subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod

Also in this episode:

1000xRESIST
Hades 2
Dragon's Dogma 2
Demonschool
Tsukihime

Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro
57:20 - Random Encounters
1:02:00 - The Tavern
1:32:40 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook

Music Used in this Episode:

Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III]
A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana]
Tuliyollal (Day) - [Final Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail]

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Shadow of the Erdtree, Nintendo Direct, FFVI, and More! w/ Mitchell Saltzman Jun 24, 2024

I hope you like your rings elden and your trees erd because this week Kat, Nadia, Eric, and special guest Mitchell Saltzman discuss the much-anticipated Elden Ring DLC. Plus, the latest Nintendo Direct, and Eric's experience with Final Fantasy VI so far. It's a jam-packed episode this week on 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:

Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom
MAAAHVEL BAYBEE
Fantasian
Shin Megami Tensei V: Vengeance
Do we need leakers?
Final Fantasy VI is really good

Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro
4:16 - Main Topic - Shadow of the Erdtree
38:04 - Random Encounters
41:28 - Nintendo Direct
1:00:40 - The Tavern
1:32:48 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook

Music Used in this Episode:

Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III]
A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana]
Airship Stage - [Marvel Vs Capcom 2]

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dragon Age Impressions and SGF Epilogue w/ Brenden Groom Jun 17, 2024

More like Summer Games FEAST. The deluge of news simply doesn't stop. This time Kat, Nadia, Eric, and special guest Brenden Groom focus on Dragon Age: The Veilguard plus a bazillion other games that were announced over the past week.

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:

Train Station Fist Fights!
Is Super Monkey Ball and RPG?
Hyper Light Breaker
Monster Hunter Wilds
More Metaphor
Blumhouse and Sam Barlow
Demonschool

Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro
15:36 - Kat and Eric's Dragon Age Impressions
1:00:00 - More SGF
1:48:08 - Random Encounters
1:51:20 - The Tavern
2:02:02 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook

Music Used in this Episode:

Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III]
A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana]
Jouin High School - [Shin Megami Tensei V]

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Summer Games Fest, Xbox Showcase, and More! Jun 11, 2024

We're at the SGF. We're at the Day of the Devs. We're at the Xbox Showcase. We're at the combination SGF, Day of the Devs, Xbox Showcase. Kat and Eric are joined by Michael Higham and Moises Tavares to discuss an absolute deluge of game reveals, announcements, trailers, and news.

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:

Can Metaphor: ReFantazio bring back fantasy?
Dragon Age: The Veilguard is here to fill your quip quota
Starfield: Shattered Space
Expedition 33

Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro
00:00 - Main Topic - It's ALL Main Topic, Baby! Good luck!

Music Used in this Episode:

Tuliyollal Theme - Day - [Final Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail]

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State of Play, Summer Games Event Preview, and More! Jun 03, 2024

The season of big summer announcements has begun! Kat, Nadia, and Eric discuss the RPG offerings Sony has revealed in the latest State of Play. What do PlayStation-playing RPG-lovers have to look forward to in the near future? Find out on this episode of Axe of the Blood God!

Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod and subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod

Also in this episode:

Monster Hunter Wilds
Dragon Quest HD-2D is back!
13 Sentinels Pantheon Prologue

Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro
08:51 - Main Topic - Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door
53:51 - Random Encounters
59:23 - The Tavern
1:25:58 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook

Music Used in this Episode:

Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III]
A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana]
Retem City - Day View - [Phantasy Star Online 2: New Genesis]

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door Review w/ Logan Plant May 27, 2024

The Mario RPG remakes continue with a Gamecube classic and Kat, Nadia, and special guest Logan Plant are here to talk about it. Does the brilliant script hold up? Is the combat and progression still as fantastic as it's always been? And who is the best companion? That's easy, we all know who it is. Go on. You get one guess. And if it's wrong you need to leave.

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:

Put Waffle House in Tekken
This Week in Gekkoukan Continues
A Doctor Who Primer
Jenny Nicholson's doing good work

Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro
03:04 - Main Topic - Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door
39:38 - Random Encounters
44:00 - The Tavern
1:17:28 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook

Music Used in this Episode:

Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III]
A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana]
Rogueport - [Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door]

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Mailbag! Why Persona 5 Got Mad Popular in the West, and Does Kiryu Make Sweet Love? May 20, 2024

It's letter tiiime, it's letter tiiime!~ Axe of the Blood God's May mailbag is here, and it is loaded with some excellent questions from our listeners. The topics of discussion are, but not limited to:

What stops so many of us from finishing RPGs?
PS5 RPG ports we want to see on Switch 2
Do Dragon Quest Slimes taste sweet or savoury?
Where's Axe of the Blood God's "Best RPG Soundtrack" segment? Huh? Huh??

Also in this episode:

Sony has a new CEO, Rest in Pizza Jim Ryan.
Nier's devs are working on a project that might be Nier, but we don't have Nier-ly enough information yet.
Jabroni Chocobos
Childhood cats, bitten and non.

Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro
04:48 - Letter Time
1:07:01 - Random Encounters
1:12:09 - The Tavern
1:25:57 - Nostalgia Nook

Music used in this episode:

Do Your Best! - [Breath of Fire III]
Patty's Pub - [Dragon Quest IX]
A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana]
Lab 16 Ruins - [Chrono Trigger]

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We're Very Worried About Xbox RPGs Now May 13, 2024

Capitalism continues to function as intended with the closure of several studios by Microsoft. What's the future of Game Pass? What will RPGs on Microsoft platforms look like going forward? And how many lives need to be ruined by rich people before we bring back the thing that rhymes with "creatine'? Kat, Nadia, and Eric discuss this and so much more on this episode of Axe of the Blood God! Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod

Also in this episode:

Animal Well
Hades 2
Kat holds her FFXIV playthrough for a $20,000 ransom

Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro
03:52 - Main Topic - Microsoft
47:28 - Random Encounters
1:0:0 - The Tavern, More or Less
1:32:32 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook

Music Used in this Episode:

Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III]
A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana]
Human - [The Killers]

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Can Square Enix Be Saved and Does It Need Saving? May 06, 2024

A slew of un-announced titles from Square Enix have just been skewered by the masamune in a grand restructuring. In the wake of Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth's sales, where does our beloved JRPG machine go from here? The odds of getting a Various Daylife 2 seem slimmer than ever. Kat, Nadia, and Eric discuss the future of the house that Final Fantasy built and more on this week's episode!

Listen AD-FREE and get hundreds of hours of bonus episodes by subscribing at patreon.com/bloodgodpod

Also in this Episode:

Starfield Update!
9S' Therapist
Knock-knock it's Knuckles!
This Week in Gekkoukan continues!
Stay off the Jibanyan couch

Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro

04:16 - Main Topic

55:52 - Random Encounters

1:02:56 - The Tavern

1:32:48 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook

Music Used in this Episode:

Do Your Best! - [Breath of Fire III]

A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana]

Wait for Truth - [Live-A-Live]

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Fallout 4 Mini-Pantheon, Metaphor GOTY '24? Apr 29, 2024

Let's re-litigate like it 2015! Does Fallout 4 deserve the hate that it gets in certain circles? With the current-gen update and the TV series bringing Fore-out back to the Fall-front it's time for Kat and Eric to go head-to-head and determine if Fallout 4 is one of the greats of the genre or deserves to be cast into the Pandaemonium pit.

Also in this episode:

Eiyuden Chronicles' bumpy patches
Metaphor ReFantazio
Kat rides a rollercoaster and finishes Unicorn Overlord in that order
This Week in Gekkoukan Reload continues!
Hades 2 tech test impressions

Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro
08:16 - Main Topic - Fallout 4
42:04 - Random Encounters
1:02:24 - The Tavern
1:26:24 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook

Music Used in this Episode:

Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III]
A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana]
Crawl Out Through the Fallout - [Sheldon Allman]

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes Review w/ Lucas White Apr 22, 2024

When you consider inflation that's really only gonna get you as far as seventy-ish heroes.

Either way the spiritual successor of Suikoden has arrived! Is it worth the wait? Did they manage to fit all them heroes into the Switch version? Eric, Nadia, and special guest Lucas White discuss this much-anticipated crowd-funded torch-bearer of the late Yoshitaka Murayama's legacy.

Also in this episode:

Class of Heroes
Nier: AutoNadia
Hades 2
Turtle Power

Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro
05:52 - Main Topic
56:32 - Random Encounters
57:36 - The Tavern
1:26:24 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook

Music Used in this Episode:

Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III]
A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana]
MEGALOMANIA (RF Remix) - [RF]

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is The Fallout TV Show Any Good? Apr 15, 2024

Did you know Walton Goggins has his own distillery? You can buy Walton Goggins-branded gin if you want. And if you, like me, happily embrace any opportunity to see beloved character-actor Walton Goggins on screen then boy howdy the new Fallout show is for you! A veritable overpour of Goggins -- much like how one might make a generous cocktail with the fine spirits from Walton Goggins' distillery! How many more times can I type 'Walton Goggins'?! At least once more; Walton Goggins! Kat, Nadia, and Eric discuss what makes a good video game adaptation, if Square can make a hit movie, and whether there's beef between Bethesda and Obsidian!

Also in this episode:

More Slay the Spire
Why tipping for video games is a CEO grift
Possibility Space's bizarre and tragic shutdown
Final Fantasy's difficult position
Kat played Warhammer
Eric's return to Chrono Trigger

Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro
08:00 - Main Topic
46:00 - Random Encounters
1:08:00 - The Tavern
1:34:40 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook

Music Used in this Episode:

Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III]
A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana]
Guardia Millennial Fair - [Beer SQ]

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

RPGs and Fighting Games w/ Mitchell Saltzman and Brenden Groom Apr 08, 2024

They share more than just fireballs! Kat and Eric are joined by special guests Brenden Groom and Mitchell Saltzman to discuss why these are two genres that taste great together! What fighting games would make a great RPG? What RPG would make a great fighting game? Where is there already plenty of crossover? And why is 2B in all of them anyway?

Also in this episode:

Tidus is fine
The return of Kat's Persona 3 Quest!!
Kissin' cousins
Content Warning

Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro
04:30 - Main Topic
51:32 - Random Encounters
52:40 - The Tavern
1:19:44 - Industry Story time

Music Used in this Episode:

Do Your Best [Breath of Fire III]
Seeking Victory [Tales of Legendia]

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Dragon's Dogma 2 Review w/ Jesse Vitelli Apr 01, 2024

Hope you like car wrecks because this week's episode of Axe of the Blood God is hosted by Nadia Oxford. With Kat Bailey out on another cigarette run and Eric's vocal cords being shredded apart by PAX Pox, Nadia's forced to try and keep order. This week's guest is writer Jesse Vitelli, who has plenty to say about Visions of Mana, Dragon's Dogma 2, and how to get banned from Chuck E Cheese for life.

Also in this episode:

Balatrio? Baltaro? Balto?
20th Century [Digital] Boy
Five Nights at Frederick's
Canadian customs Asks Nadia the Forbidden RPG Question

Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro/Dragon's Dogma
31:12 - Visions of Mana Impressions
43:08 - Random Encounters
55:43 - The Tavern
1:08:50 - Nadia and Jessie's Nostalgia Bog

Music Used in this Episode:

Do Your Best [Breath of Fire III]
Pub Polka [Dragon Quest IX]
Dedicated to Moonlight [Final Fantasy XIV]

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Retronauts X AotBG: Toriyama’s Legacy, Dragon’s Dogma, No Baldur’s Gate 4, and the 90s Mar 26, 2024

What is this, a crossover episode?!

Our old pals Bob Mackey and Henry Gilbert of Retronauts, Talking Simpsons, and What A Cartoon fame stop by the Blood God studios to offer their animation history expertise while discussing some of the biggest games of the year as well as the classics they've been catching up on.

Also in this Episode:

Why manga is more successful than Western comics
No more Baldur's Gate from Larian
Bob Cing's the praises of Another Code
The golden age of Streetpassing
Free stuff

Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro

4:48 - Main Topic

46:24 - Random Encounters

1:29:16 - Kat's Industry Storytime

Music Used in this Episode:

Do Your Best! - [Breath of Fire III]

A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana]

On the Lakefront - [Another Code R]

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Unicorn Overlord Review, FF7 Rebirth Dating, And More Mar 19, 2024

Vanillaware has done it again; defying conventional wisdom, they've gifted us the most Sega Saturn game we've seen in ages. Emerging from an alternate universe where Ogre Battle was revered as much as it's tile-based cousins, Unicorn Overlord is here. Does it conquer this oft-unexplored branch of the SRPG family tree or is it a little too uni-corny? Join Kat, Nadia, and Eric as they discuss this exciting new entry in Vanillaware's off-beat canon. Either way there will be some VERY GOOD character designs.

Also in this Episode:

Backpack Battles
More Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth talk!
ERIC PIT?!
Damedol

Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro

4:48 - Main Topic - Paying Tribute to Akira Toriyama

59:04 - Random Encounters

1:02:22 - The Tavern

1:23:50 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook

Music Used in this Episode:

Do Your Best! - [Breath of Fire III]

A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana]

Farde mal Diavolo - [Unicorn Overlord]

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Paying Tribute to Akira Toriyama, Unicorn Overlord, and More Mar 11, 2024

Akira Toriyama died on March 1, leaving behind a legacy that includes Dragon Ball, Dragon Quest, and an incredible impact on both games and anime. With Eric out, Kat and Nadia are joined by Victor Hunter and Ash Paulsen to break down he changed RPGs, our memories of watch Dragon Ball, and more.

Also in this Episode:

Kat is obsessed with Unicorn Overlord!
Still more Final Fantasy VII Rebirth chatter!
Game rentals and puzzle solving!
And much more

Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro

5:00 - Main Topic - Paying Tribute to Akira Toriyama

45:00 - Random Encounters

50:00 - The Tavern

1:35:00 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook

Music Used in this Episode:

Do Your Best! - [Breath of Fire III]

A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana]

Melancholy - [Dragon Quest VI]

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Does Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth Have the Best Characters in the Series? Plus: Layoffs, Balatro, and More Mar 04, 2024

If you're going to mosey you might as well mosey with the best.

The cast of Final Fantasy 7 has always been a fan favourite; does Rebirth give these characters more room to breathe or just a lot of filler? And what other FF cast compares to them? Kat, Nadia, and Eric discuss the best ensembles of the series and more in this character-driven episode of Axe of the Blood God!

Also in this Episode:

Napster
Unicorn Overlord
I'm a Dune, he's a Dune, she's a Dune, we're all Dunes
More layoffs!

Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro

3:44 - Main Topic - Final Fantasy VII Rebirth

1:00:00 - Random Encounters

1:15:16 - The Tavern

1:34:56 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook

Music Used in this Episode:

Do Your Best! - [Breath of Fire III]

A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana]

The Run Around Part 1 - [Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade]

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth Review w/ Nick Limon Feb 26, 2024

It's the spoiler-free Final Fantasy VII Rebirth Spectacular! The panel has had plenty of time with Rebirth, or as I like to call it "Final Fantasy VII-3". Does it improve upon Remake? Does it stand on it's own? Do you need to play the lost mid-200s Japanese feature phone game Before Crisis to fully grasp the importance of the character of Cissnei? Kat, Nadia, Eric, and special guest Nick Limon talk about all this and more on A Very FF7 episode of Axe of the Blood God!

Also in this Episode:

Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree
Shin Megami Tensei V Vengeance
Eric's Unicorn Overlord Experience
Kat's Stardew Valley Dating Recap

Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro

3:04 - Main Topic - Final Fantasy VII Rebirth

1:11:16 - Random Encounters

1:22:22 - The Tavern

1:44:40 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook

Music Used in this Episode:

Do Your Best! - [Breath of Fire III]

A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana]

Final Fantasy VII Main Theme Jazz Arrangement - [Final Fantasy VII Jazz]

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Xbox Business Update, Tribute to Suikoden's Creator, and the RPGs That Make Us Go Sicko Mode Feb 19, 2024

It's letter tiiiiime, it's letter time!!

It's everyone's favourite time of year; Letter Time!

Join Kat, Nadia, and Eric as they tackle some hard-hitting questions like "what's your favourite juice?"

If you'd like to submit questions for our next mailbag episode be sure to join our discord at patreon.com/bloodgodpod!

Also in this Episode:

Helldivers 2
What roles do the hosts like to play and why
Because Nadia got high, Nadia got high, Nadia got high

Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro

3:30 - Letter Time

3:44 - Levelling

14:56 - Juice

20:10 - Potion or Food?

22:24 - Shiren and Unicorn Overlooked?

27:50 - Nintendo Direct Rumors

35:12 - Minigames

42:45 - Sicko Mode

48:40 - Fav Pantheon

53:40 - Happiness

59:50 - Random Encounters

1:10:40 - The Tavern

1:27:40 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook

Music Used in this Episode:

Do Your Best! - [Breath of Fire III]

A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana]

The Runaround Part III - [Final Fantasy VII Remake: Intergrade]

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why Making a Great RPG Romance Is Harder Than Ever Feb 12, 2024

Love is in the air; as long as the project roadmap has made allowances for it in the overall budget! Kat, Nadia, and Eric talk about the best and worst relationships in RPGs. How do you write a natural relationship in a videogame? Should relationships just be a means to an end? Will anyone bring up Sakura Wars?

It's an S-rank Support Conversation on this week's episode of Axe of the Blood God!

Also in this Episode:

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth Demo out now!
The flames of the console wars are fanned once again
Do platforms even matter anymore?
The Last of Us theme park
She Who Became The Sun book club!
Dungeon Meshi / Delicious in Dungeon

Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro

10:248 - RPG Romance

49:04 - Random Encounters

1:07:32 - The Tavern

1:40:20 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook

Music Used in this Episode:

Do Your Best! - [Breath of Fire III]

A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana]

My Blue Sky - [Sakura Wars]

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How Did Persona Get So Big, Persona 3 Reload Impressions, State of Play, and More w/ Kenneth Shepard Feb 05, 2024

The Three Musketeers, 3 Ninjas, Persona 3. Just a few examples of franchises that began with 3. And here to celebrate the remake, Persona 3 Reload, are Kat, Nadia, Eric, and special guest Kenneth Shepard! They discuss differences between the original, the perfect starting off point for players new to the series, and why there's never been a Persona 1 or 2!

Also in this Episode:

Vote Princess Maker 2 for the Pantheon
Granblue Fantasy: Relink
The Year of Shadow the Hedgehog
Linda³ Again! LETS GO! YOU DONT EVEN KNOW, DUDE!
Xbox drama
Suicide Squad kills the Justice League and so do the Teen Titans

Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro

05:20 - Persona Talk!

52:45 - Random Encounters

1:10:24 - The Tavern

1:40:20 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook

Music Used in this Episode:

Do Your Best! - [Breath of Fire III]

A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana]

Spring Breath - [Linda³]

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Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth Review w/ Jesse Vitelli Jan 29, 2024

Canadian chart-topping darlings BNL once said "If I had a million dollars I'd buy you a house." Unfortunately with inflation being the way it is a million dollars can hardly get you a downpayment anymore. No my friend, what you need to get anywhere in this world is wealth. INFINITE WEALTH. And Ichiban is bringing it in his latest adventure. Come join Kat, Nadia, Eric, and special guest Jesse Vitelli as they discuss the equal parts madness and heart of Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth as the onslaught of massive 2024 RPGs begins.

Also in this Episode:

Games starring adults of drinking age
Palmer getting hit by a truck
More layoffs!
Palword...
Tekken 8

Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro

04:48 - Main Topic - Developer Quest: RGG

54:32 - Random Encounters

1:20:32 - The Tavern

1:40:20 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook

Music Used in this Episode:

Do Your Best! - [Breath of Fire III]

A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana]

ATLANTICA - [7th Dragon III VFD]

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Game Developer Quest: Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio w/ Michael Higham Jan 22, 2024

You down with RGG? Yeah, you know me!

From Super Monkey Ball to Infinite Wealth, our prestigious panel covers the history and key players of Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio. Eric, Nadia, and special guest Michael Higham discuss the runaway success of the Yakuza/Like A Dragon series, the charm of 1988 Kamurochō, and the role these games have played in their own personal lives and careers. Much like Like A Dragon itself, this episode is full of heartfelt sentimentality contrasted with borderline absurdist comedy!

Also in this Episode:

Great tattoo ideas
BuT Is iT An RpG?!?!?
Visions of Mana!
Eric has been playing Palworld...
The Art of Fare Evasion

Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro

07:00 - Main Topic - Developer Quest: RGG

1:02:28 - Random Encounters

1:13:12 - The Tavern

1:26:58 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook

Music Used in this Episode:

Do Your Best! - [Breath of Fire III]

A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana]

Pure Love in Kamurocho - [Yakuza 0]

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ranking the Top 5 RPG Studios 2024 w/ Ethan Gach Jan 15, 2024

2024's RPG landscape is already being defined by a handful of big titles. But those games aren't made in a vaccuum. They're made by people! People who work at studios! And those studios have names.

Listen as Kat, Eric, and special guest Ethan Gach discuss the 5 biggest studios that are already shaping the present and future of RPGs.

Also in this Episode:

Final Fantasy V Recap!
Games Done Quick!
Granblue Fantasy!

Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro

06:10 - Main Topic - Top RPG Studios of 2024

06:16 - CD Projekt Red

09:56 - ATLUS

13:28 - Square Enix

19:04 - FromSoftware

27:50 - Larian

54:44 - Random Encounters

57:12 - GDQ

1:02:56 - The Tavern

1:21:58 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook

Music Used in this Episode:

Do Your Best! - [Breath of Fire III]

A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana]

The Day Will Come (From Final Fantasy V) - [Final Fantasy XIV - Endwalker]

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What Will Be The Best RPG of 2024? Jan 08, 2024

There are some questions we as a species will always be asking; Is consciousness inherent to our universe? Is time a construct? What cool new video games will come out in 2024?

10 hard-hidding questions will be asked of our intrepid panel and you'll hear Kat, Nadia, and Eric dole out answers like it's their job. What can we look forward to? What surprises are in store that we don't even know we want to look forward to? The Switch 2, acquisitions, the GaaS event horizon; all this and more in this interrogatory episode of Axe of the Blood God!

Also in this Episode:

Sonicshortergamesmeme.jpg
Axe of the Blood God officially endorses Metaphor: ReFantazio for 2024
Eric has played a bunch of Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth and didn't tell us!

This episode is sponsored by Factor. For 50% off head to factormeals.com/axerpgadventure50 and use code: axerpgadventure50

Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro

05:36 - Main Topic - 10 Big Questions for 2024

51:15 - Random Encounters

57:04 - Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth Preview

1:21:58 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook

Music Used in this Episode:

Do Your Best! - [Breath of Fire III]

A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana]

Headquarters - [Skies of Arcadia]

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Most Anticipated RPGs of 2024 Jan 01, 2024

There's never been a more appropriate year to anticipate RPGs than this one! Whether it's "Like A", "Quest", or "Dogma 2", the Year of the Dragon is bound to bring you something you'll sink a not-insignificant part of your year into! Join Kat, Nadia, and Eric as they each talk about their Top 5 Most Anticipated RPGs of 2024 and more!

Also in this Episode:

Will we be getting a Switch 2 in 2024?
Will the PS5 and Xbox ever feel like the current gen?
Garfield?

Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro

06:40 - Main Topic - RPGs We're Looking Forward To

1:25:16 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook

1:26:16 - Nadia's BONUS NOOK

Music Used in this Episode:

Do Your Best! - [Breath of Fire III]

A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana]

New Year's Day (2 AM - 5 AM) - Animal Crossing New Horizons

Games Mentioned in this Episode:

Dragon's Dogma 2

Persona 3 Reload

Unicorn Overlord

Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree

Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth

Metaphor: ReFantazio

Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines 2

Decapolice

Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth

Dragon Quest III HD-2D

Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes

Visions of Mana

Final Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail

Citizen Sleeper 2

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A Look Back at the RPGs of 2023 Dec 25, 2023

Merry Chrysler! We here at Axe of the Blood God prepared this very special episode that takes both a deeply critical and celebratory look at the nutty year that just passed us by. We had RPGs galore! Have we ever seen such bounty? New Zelda! New Baldur's Gate! New Cyberpunk...sort of!

But we had troubles galore, too. Layoffs and downsizing left and right. The end of vintage game media websites and game studios. What awaits us in 2024? We dunno! But we can guarantee the Blood God will always be with you. That's what Christmas is all about.

In this episode:

Our Game of the Year!
Zelda, Zelda, Baldur's Gate, Zelda!
The Super Mario RPG remake is great!
Starfield discourse that's as long and girthy as Luigi's schlong
And lots more!

Music used in this episode:

Tantal [Xenoblade Chronicles 2]
Narshe March [Final Fantasy VI]

Secret of Mana Santa art source

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hidden Gems of 2023 w/ Reb Valentine Dec 18, 2023

The Holidays are right around the corner and you know what that means?

That's right! All the children who have been good year 'round gather at the local podcast to hear the wise old hosts dispense their recommendations for the year! But what's this? Mean Mr. Grinch stole aaaaaall the popular games this year! Fret not, little one. Just because mainstream gaming media hasn't covered it doesn't mean it's not worth curling up with next to the fire. In fact, just for you we've compiled a list of wonderful games no one seems to be talking about! Let Eric, Nadia, and beloved guest Reb Valentine (along with a mail-in ballot from our editor abroad, Victor Hunter) tell you what you missed while you were being a sweet angel 24/7.

Also in this Episode:

End of E3-gelion
The Game Awards speeches that weren't
Nadia's burnt-beard-filled Christmas Pit

Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro

1:10:40 - Random Encounters

1:27:36 - The Tavern

1:41:52 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook

Music Used in this Episode:

Do Your Best! - [Breath of Fire III]

A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana]

Jeuno Starlight Celebration - Final Fantasy XI [Square Enix X'mas Collection]

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Game Awards 2023 Recap: An Embarrassment of RPG Riches and Just Plain Embarrassment Dec 11, 2023

Sponsored by Factor

It was an embarrassment of RPG riches as well as just plain embarrassment at this year's Game Awards 2023 as Keighley Fest 2023 once again brought us trailers, celebrities, and way too much Hideo Kojima. Nadia, Kat, and Eric recap everything that happened at this year's show, including the major reveals (Monster Hunter! Exodus!), the winners (Baldur's Gate 3... a lot!) and controversies (maybe don't play developers off the stage when they're trying to honor dead colleagues!). All that and more in this week's episode of Axe of the Blood God!

Also in this Episode:

GTA VI mania!
Dragon Age gets a short reveal
Nadia's Christmas Pit

Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro/Pantheon poll winner

07:45 - Game Awards 2023 Announcements, Winners, and Controversies

1:05:00 - Random Encounters

1:08:00 - The Tavern

1:26:38: Nadia's Nostalgia Nook

Music Used in this Episode:

Do Your Best! - Breath of Fire III

A Curious Tale - Secret of Mana

Maze of Life - Persona Q

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is Darkest Dungeon 2 an Underrated Gem of 2023? w/ Matthew Salisbury Dec 04, 2023

The year 2023 has been absolutely packed with RPGs, and there's always something flying under the radar. Darkest Dungeon 2 might just be one of those - a follow-up to a beloved dungeon-crawler that still feels like it hasn't had quite the same impact as its predecessor.

So one of our Patreon supporters joined us this week to talk the Darkest Dungeon series and why it's worth keeping an eye on the sequel. We dive into the history, mechanics, dark humor, and gorgeous art of the Darkest Dungeon this week.

Also in this Episode:

Kat is starting Final Fantasy V again!
Eric asks why there hasn't been a Godzilla RPG yet
Nadia throws another curve ball in the Nostalgia zone

Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro/Pantheon poll winner

10:45 - Darkest Dungeon talk

44:04 - Random Encounters

1:06:25 - The Tavern

1:23:48: Nadia's Nostalgia Nook

Music Used in this Episode:

Do Your Best! - Breath of Fire III

A Curious Tale - Secret of Mana

Clash on the Big Bridge - Final Fantasy V

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Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within - Commentary of the Blood God Nov 27, 2023

It's the DVD commentary you didn't know you wanted!

If you haven't already, now's the time to watch the movie that may have shaped RPG history more than any other. Time for L'arc en Ciel, the most bizarre performance of Steve Buscemi's career, and the Final Fantasy story that most closely resembles the works of L. Ron Hubbard!

This episode is best experienced as a commentary alongside playback of Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within but also functions perfectly well as a stand-alone podcast so pick your poison and join Kat, Nadia, Eric, and Victor as we dig around Within and see what those Spirits are up to!

MOVIE STARTS - 10:08

FINAL THOUGHTS - 1:48:17

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Persona 5 Tactica, Mario RPG Remake, Ranking the Persona Spin-offs, and More Nov 21, 2023

There are more Persona spin-offs than there are stars in the night sky but luckily most of them are pretty darn good! Listen as Kat, Nadia, and Eric discuss the Phantom Thieves' latest heist in Persona 5 Tactica. Even the Persona Q series gets some love! Good! It deserves it! Plus, Nadia takes us on a Geno Whirl-wind journey through Super Mario RPG.

Editor's Note: Yes, Kat's microphone cuts out at a certain point. But consider this; maybe it'll be something we can all laugh about ten years from now. And besides, the solution I came up with it cosmically funny and won't bother anyone.

Also in this Episode:

- Final Fantasy on N64! No way!

- Eric Got Through: Mellow Zone Act 1

- A social experiment involving Animalese

Timestamps:

00:00 - Intros

39:28 - Random Encounters

1:20:22 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook

Music Used in this Episode:

Do Your Best! - [Breath of Fire III]

A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana]

Beware the Forest's Mushrooms - [Super Mario RPG]

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Live Action Zelda w/ Alex Stedman Nov 13, 2023

This is Miyamoto. It's actually happening. A live action Legend of Zelda is on the way. How much faith do we have in the team behind it? What is our dream casting? And how can we talk about Love Actually instead? All these questions and more will be answered by Kat, Nadia, and special guest Alex Stedman!

For what it's worth I think they missed their chance when Jonathan Taylor Thomas aged out of playing Link in the 90s but no one bothered to ask me. I also think every live action adaptation should end with a Red Hot Chili Peppers drop like the Death Note movies do. Again, no one asked me. Adaptation (2002) is really the only good adaptation anyway. Go watch that.

Also in this Episode:

- One Piece is good

- Disney is bad

- Avatar might be fine?

- Baldur's Gate and Starfield.

Timestamps:

00:00 - Intros

44:48 - Random Encounters

1:00:48 - Baldur's Gate Talk Begins

1:21:04 - Baldur's Gate Talk Ends, Starfield Talk Begins

1:32:00 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook

Music Used in this Episode:

Do Your Best! - [Breath of Fire III]

A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana]

Fairy Fountain (Pause) - [Cadence of Hyrule]

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Star Ocean 2: The Second Story R Review w/ Jada Griffen Nov 06, 2023

Did you know Tri-Ace was founded when the members of Wolf Team developing Tales of Phantasia grew tired of Namco's involvement and split off to create their own studio in the middle of development? And then in 2019 the mobile game Star Ocean: Anamnesis featured a crossover event with Tales, bridging the two series after nearly a quarter-century? Anyway this episode is all about the new remake of Star Ocean 2 with special guest Jada Griffen! George Yang is also supposed to be here but the best laid plans of mice and men etc.

Luckily it's still a great discussion about Star Ocean's place in the genre and beyond!

This episode is sponsored by Factor. Head to factormeals.com/axeRPGadventure50 and use promo code axerpgadventure50 for 50% off!

Also in this Episode:

- Thirsty Suitors

- World of Warcraft is prepping for the next 20 years

- USGamer was a really good website!

Timestamps:

00:00 - Intros

04:17 - Main Topic - Star Ocean 2 R

26:00 - Random Encounters

29:04 - The Tavern

59:44 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook

Music Used in this Episode:

Gentle Wind - [Baten Kaitos]

Do Your Best! - [Breath of Fire III]

A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana]

Affinity Love Club - [Soul Hackers]

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The Best SpoOoOky RPGs! Oct 30, 2023

"Darkness falls across the land. The midnight hour is close at hand."

Uhhhh Persona vibes much?!

The history of RPGs is inextricably tied to horror and it's the perfect time of year talk about the scariest parts of our favourite games, as well as the RPGs that are straight up capital "H" Horror. Bloodborne, Undertale, Vampire: The Masquerade and more on this hair-raisingly scary episode with your terrifying hosts Bat Scale-y, Blah!-dia Axeford, and BEWARE-ic Vamp Hell-en.

Also in this Episode:

- World of Horror

- Slay the Princess

- Class choices for Baldur's Gate III Co-op

Timestamps:

00:00 - Intros

04:17 - Main Topic - Spooky RPGs

46:08 - Random Encounters

48:16 - The Tavern

1:06:34 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook

Music Used in this Episode:

Do Your Best! - [Breath of Fire III]

A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana]

Coffin Fetish - [Shadow Hearts]

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Our Favorite RPG Music of 2023, Biggest Surprises, and More Oct 23, 2023

It's Letter Tiiiiime! It's Letter Tiiiime!

It's a very special Mailbag episode this week as Kat, Nadia, and Eric answer questions about everything from cheesecake and boss fights to the very future of this podcast! If you want to take part in future mailbag episode,s and get a chance to have your questions answered, check out the Axe of The Blood God Discord by subscribing at patreon.com/bloodgodpod.

Also in this Episode:

- Long Gone Days, Super Mario Wonder, and even more from Baldur's Gate III and Chrono Trigger

- Michael Keaton is great no matter what universe he's in

- Nadia vs Nuns

- Nature is reclaiming Kat's childhood

Timestamps:

00:00 - Intros

56:08 - Random Encounters

58:00 - The Tavern

1:35:44 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook

Music Used in this Episode:

Do Your Best! - [Breath of Fire III]

A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana]

The Grand Duchy of Jeuno - [Final Fantasy XI]

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Microsoft and Activision Blizzard w/ Reb Valentine Oct 16, 2023

More like Acquisition Blizzard, heh. If you want a guest who can explain the ins-and-outs of the business side of this colossal consolidation of industry titans while also explaining why it's relevant to the culture and future of RPGs, you can't find anyone better than the one and only Reb Valentine. Listen as Kat, Nadia, and Reb discuss exactly what this means and how it will effect us all going forward, for better or worse. And maybe Kat is sort of kinda starting to enjoy some parts of Starfield?

Also in this Episode:

- Call of Duty yaoi

- PS5 Slim

- Our unslakable thirst for expanded universes and endless IP churn is merely an extension of our fear of death

- In Stars and Time seems cool!

- Nadia has played Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth!

Timestamps:

02:00 - Intros

49:44 - Random Encounters

1:02:40 - The Tavern

1:35:44 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook

Music Used in this Episode:

Gentle Wind - [Baten Kaitos]

Do Your Best! - [Breath of Fire III]

A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana]

Cosmo Canyon - [Super Smash Bros. Ultimate]

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Baldur's Gate III Final Thoughts, For Now Oct 09, 2023

Everything has been leading to this. Through the battles, the story beats, and the very very attractive party members, it's time to wrap up the conversation on what may end up being the biggest "game", let alone RPG, of 2023, Baldur's Gate III. Kat has wrapped up her 100+ hour journey and the gang has plenty to say about their personal experiences.

Spoiler Warning: Mango(?)

Also in this Episode:

- Nadia has myriad difficulties with animals

- To save-scum or not to save-scum

- River Dancing through Thordan Unreal

- Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty also exists!

- More Chrono Trigger Report

Timestamps:

00:00 - Intros

51:20 - Baldur's Gate Talk Ends, Random Encounters Begin

55:12 - The Tavern

1:21:50 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook

Music Used in this Episode:

Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III]

A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana]

Chaotic Dance - [Baten Kaitos]

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The History of Quintet w/ Anthony John Agnello and Scott White Oct 02, 2023

Before NieR's depressing side quests, Quintet was giving kids lessons about the uncaring neutrality of the universe back in the 90s! Journey through the morally-grey, bleak worlds of Quintet and its adorable 16-bit veneer with host Nadia Oxford and special guests Anthony John Agnello and Scott White! Terranigma, Illusion of Gaia, ActRaiser, Soul Blazer and more in this retrospective deep dive!

Also in this Episode:

- Sad goats

- The only podcast that has ever talked about Robotrek

- Mysterious disappearances

- Listen real close and you can hear Victor (your old pal from the edit bay) getting more and more frustrated no one is talking about Quintet's best game, Planet Laika

Timestamps:

00:48 - Intros

1:03:12 - The Tavern

1:13:28 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook

Music Used in this Episode:

A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana]

Light and Darkness - [Terranigma]

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Cyberpunk 2.0 w/ Michael Higham Sep 25, 2023

We're back in Night City jacking into the firewalls of cyber-brains and scrapping digi-cops or whatever with the new Phantom Liberty expansion! Is this Cyberpunk 2077's redemption arc or would you be better off watching a holo-prog in your cogni-puter? I have no idea what terms they use for things in Cyberpunk but I feel like I must be pretty close. I'm sure there's a drug called like, FRAG or something. Anyway, special guest Michael Higham returns to talk with Eric and Nadia about all that and more!

Also in this Episode:

- Unity keeps falling down stairs

- Microsoft sprung a leak

- Where is P stored?

- Chrono Trigger Update!

Timestamps:

02:16 - Intros

05:36 - Main Topic

56:56 - Random Encounters

1:04:16 - The Tavern

1:29:52 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook

Music Used in this Episode:

Gentle Wind - [Baten Kaitos]

Do Your Best! - [Breath of Fire III]

A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana]

My Blue Sky - [Sakura Wars]

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Nintendo Direct and State of Play Sep 18, 2023

The past week's one-two punch from Nintendo and Sony have us floored by a panoply of RPG announcements and reveals. How will we recover? As we lay there in a stupor all we can do is reflect on the choices that got us here. Someday we'll redouble our efforts and re-enter the fray. But for now, in the interim, we can do naught but ice our wounds and talk for an hour-and-a-half about the incredible games on the horizon. Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, Unicorn Overlord, SaGa Emerald Beyond, and Eiyuden Chronicle just to name a few!

Also in this Episode:

- If it isn't Paper Mario, you old dog, you. How long has it been? Feels like a Thousand Years!

- Star Ocean: Second Story R. The 'R' stands for 'Really Good So Far'!

- Unity did a big oops

- Starfield, Kat has some notes

Timestamps:

00:00 - Intros

07:20 - Main Topic

27:44 - FF7 Spoiler Warning

44:00 - FF7 Discussion Ends

45:36 - Random Encounters

58:32 - The Tavern

1:30:00 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook

Music Used in this Episode:

Do Your Best! - [Breath of Fire III]

A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana]

Town of Good Harvest - [Baten Kaitos II]

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Sea of Stars w/ Brenden Groom Sep 11, 2023

This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/bloodgod and get on your way to being your best self.

Finally, a throwback RPG inspired by classics like Chrono Trigger! But perhaps Sea of Stars is hiding something truly special? No spoilers this episode but prepare to have your interest piqued by this very special little homage to the JRPG golden age full of twists and turns. Kat, Nadia, and Eric are joined by special guest Brenden Groom of the Pass the Controller podcast to discuss this hidden gem!

Also in this Episode:

- The crew finds more opportunities to throw Golden Sun under the bus!

- I want shorter RPGs with worse graphics and I'm NOT kidding

- The Joy of Fishing

- Eric's Chrono Trigger Report

- Kat's Starfield Report

Timestamps:

02:08 - Intros

07:20 - Main Topic

48:16 - Random Encounters

51:36 - The Tavern

1:27:36 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook

Music Used in this Episode:

Gentle Wind - [Baten Kaitos]

Do Your Best! - [Breath of Fire III]

A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana]

Languishing Mambo - [Sakura Wars]

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Starfield and Friends w/ Michael Higham Sep 04, 2023

This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/bloodgod and get on your way to being your best self.

It's time to party with special guest Michael Higham as the crew talks about hotly anticipated sci-fi epic Starfield. What works, what doesn't, and do either of those things matter if you're having a nice time in Todd Howardland?

Also in this Episode:

-Get lost in a Sea of Stars

-Maybe Ashoka is good!

-Hey you, reading this. Play Ghost Trick.

-How do you verbally express a backwards 'K'?

Timestamps:

1:03:30 - Random Encounters

1:06:16 - The Tavern

1:30:14 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook

Music Used in this Episode:

Relaxing Place - [Eternal Sonata]

Do Your Best! - [Breath of Fire III]

A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana]

Pirate Island - [Boktai 2]

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Baldur's Gate 3's Tabletop Origins w/ Mikel Reparaz Aug 28, 2023

Did you know Baldur's Gate is actually based off of a really obscure game called Dungeons and Dragons? And you play it in your head! And it makes you worship the devil! Here to discuss the dungeon mastery of Baldur's Gate 3 with Kat and Eric is special guest Mikel Reparaz of Vidjagame Apocalypse.

Also in this Episode:

-The Art of Save Scumming

-Short King smooching

-More deeply frustrating layoffs

-Kat's EA Rant™

-The end of The Summer of Korra

Timestamps:

41:40 - Random Encounters

44:00 - The Tavern

1:12:57 - Summer of Korra

Music Used in this Episode:

Do Your Best! - [Breath of Fire III]

Gunmetal Action - [Wild Arms 3]

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Mega Man X: Command Mission w/ David Oxford and Steve Watts Aug 21, 2023

Plan ahead for the fall and pick up a new scarf because it's Nadia's time to shine with an episode all about Mega Man's OTHER foray into the world of RPGs, Mega Man X: Command Mission. Timelines get twisted, fan-favourite characters show up and then are never heard from again, and poor X and friends get Randam Hajile'd!

Also in this Episode:

- Nadia and David discuss writing the official Maverick Hunter Field Guide

- Everyone agrees Absolute Zero and Iron Maiden are great designs

- Nadia reflects on her life choices

Timestamps:

56:53 - Random Encounters

1:01:20 - The Tavern

1:11:23 - Nostalgia Nook

Music Used in this Episode:

Cheerful Thief Marino - [Mega Man X: Command Mission]

Do Your Best! - [Breath of Fire III]

Irregular Battle 2 - [Mega Man X: Command Mission]

A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana]

Trajectory of Battle - [Mega Man X: Command Mission]

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1998 in RPGs - AotB x Retronauts at Long Island Retro Gaming Expo Aug 14, 2023

You don't have to go home but you CAN stay here and listen to this pretty fly panel from the Long Island Retro Gaming Expo all about the landmark year for RPGs that was 1998! Pokemon, Baldur's Gate, Ocarina of Time, Panzer Dragoon Saga, Parasite Eve and more! You'll believe in life after love once you listen to the hosts of Axe of the Blood God and Retronauts (the Armageddon and Deep Impact of video game podcasts) tell you all about the important games released that year, the cultural shifts happening underneath it all, and why 1998 is unimpeachable.

Music Used in this Episode:

One Week - [Barenaked Ladies]

Hard Knock Life - [Jay Z]

This Kiss - [Faith Hill]

Somnia Memorias - [Parasite Eve]

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Baldur's Gate 3 Initial Review Impressions w/ Kenneth Shepard Aug 07, 2023

Hot (like, heat dome hot) off the heels of the wildly successful charity livestream and Final Fantasy XIV Fan Fest it’s time to talk Baldur’s Gate 3. Eric and special guest Kenneth Shepard are here to spill some preliminary beans. Plus, summer movie talk; two titans of merchandising join forces this summer with heartfelt stories touching on powerful themes to briefly take your mind off the monstrous greed of the people at the top of the industry food chain!

Also in this Episode:

-“We HAVE to stop talking TMNT on AotBG!”

-Aquarium IS a great album

-Serious trash talk

-Nadia’s Fan Fest recap

-Eric’s EVO recap

-Kenneth’s Barbie recap

Timestamps:

15:26 - Main Quest (Baldur’s Gate 3)

56:32 - Random Encounters

57:38 - The Tavern

1:24:48 - Summer of Korra

1:35:23 - Nostalgia Nook

Music Used in this Episode:

Main Theme - [Baldur’s Gate]

Do Your Best! - [Breath of Fire III]

The Legend of Korra Main Theme - [The Legend of Korra]

A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana]

Dolphin - [PlayOnline Viewer]

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Baldur's Gate 3, Final Fantasy XIV's New Expansion, Armored Core VI, and More Aug 01, 2023

In this week's episode we're joined by Larian Studios director Swen Vincke... very briefly. Unfortunately technical difficulties kept us from going in deep on this particular interview, but we'll have him back soon! In the meantime, special guest Len Hafer has plenty to say about her experience with Baldur's Gate 3 and more.

Final Fantasy XIV has a new expansion!
Kat and Eric talk about their Armored Core VI experiences
Legend of Korra sure has some politics, huh?

This episode was part of our special livestream benefiting Trans Lifeline in which we were able to raise more than $12,000! Thank you all so much for your generous support!

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What Makes a Good Character Creator? Jul 25, 2023

Welcome back to Axe of the Blood God. Kat is not here for this week's episode because she headed out for San Diego Comic Con, a known slaughtering ground where Harry Potter cosplayers will take out your eye with their wands before you can even say "something something Patronus." No fear: Our good friends Ash Parrish and Kenneth Shepard are here to fill in the gap. We're talking all about character creators, from the basic three-choice templates to Baldur Gate 3's dong-and-dumplings slider. (which Kenneth has already lovingly handled.) Do you prefer building a character from the ground-up, or stepping into the boots of an established adventurer? Chime in!

Also in this Episode:

"Look, Smithers! Globro is coming!"
Might & Magic: Clash of Heroes still rules
Pikachu knows when you fart in your sleep
The Empire Strikes Back this week on The Legend of Korra
Being born is for suckers

Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro and Main Quest (Character Creators)
47:20 - Random Encounters
49:13 - The Tavern (Thoughts about Viewfinder, Clash of Heroes, and the horror of Pokemon Sleep)
1:15:12 - Summer of Korra
1:30:35 - Nostalgia Nook/Outro

Music Used in this Episode:

Do Your Best! [Breath of Fire III]
Antique Cowboy [Ragnarok Online]
The Legend of Korra Main Theme [The Legend of Korra]
A Curious Tale [Secret of Mana]
A Long Fall [Final Fantasy XIV/The Primals]

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Chrono Cross, The World Ends With You, and Other Summer RPGs Jul 18, 2023

It's summertime, playing Zelda in your car, heading to a LAN party, and the night air is filled with wildfire smoke. Welcome to a laid back episode of Axe of the Blood God, where we just chill out and talk about associations between summer and RPGs. That means everything from the RPGs we played during our summer break to the best tropical environments in RPGs past and present. Just remember: The secret to better RPGs is more giant centipede monsters.

Also in this Episode:

The Microsoft/Sony/FTC drama is going, going, it's gone, it's finished, it's over. Does this mean we all get CoD on Switch, or am I misunderstanding this whole thing?
FromSoftware is a masterful visual storyteller, but Nintendo's not far behind with Tears of the Kingdom's Depths
Summer of Korra: Someone ate a bear
The Summer of Pokemon and Puke
Skeletor

Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro and Main Quest (RPGs of Summer)
42:19 - Random Encounters
56:28 - The Tavern (Thoughts about Final Fantasy XVI, Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, and ExoPrimal)
1:19:20 -The Summer of Korra
1:29:50 - Nostalgia Nook / Outro

Music Used in this Episode:

Boys of Summer [The Ataris]
Do Your Best! [Breath of Fire III]
Antique Cowboy [Ragnarok Online]
The Legend of Korra Main Theme [The Legend of Korra]
A Curious Tale [Secret of Mana]
Scars of Time [Chrono Cross]

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Our Review of The Legend of Heroes: Trails into Reverie w/ Cam Hawkins Jul 11, 2023

We've got some fellow old people listening to this show (may your tubes of Voltaren be ever on sale), and I think we can all take a little comfort in the fact many of Falcom's RPGs, including the epic The Legend of Heroes saga, are about as old as us. Heroes has had a lot of time to pump out some good storytelling, including the still-celebrated Trails sub-series. But even mighty things come to an end eventually. In this episode we invite Trails fanatic Cam Hawkins to talk about the game that's bringing Sky, Steel, and Crossbell onto one stage and putting a cap on everything: Trails into Reverie. Is it a worthy conclusion to Trails, or does it try a little too hard to cram everyone in and wrap everything up? We talk about Reverie and other Trails matters, including "Where do I even start with this dang series?" (Protip: Really hard to go wrong with Trails in the Sky.)

Also in This Episode:

The Steam Summer Sale is on! Never forget the Battle of Walletsdeep.
Baldur's Gate 3 lets you make love to bears, but will it let you throw a knife into heaven and kill with a stare?
The Pokemon Company has a "dead dove, do not eat" moment when they open their Pokemon forums and are forced to lock them within hours.
In Summer of Korra, we learn that Toph rocks the unwed wine mother role, so to speak.
Pac-Man deserves that deep puncture wound I administered.

Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro/Trails Into Reverie
48:24 - Random Encounters
51:10 - The Tavern (Discounted RPGs at the Steam Summer Sale, Logitech G-Cloud Review, The Pokemon Company tries to train feral children how to use message boards with mixed, mostly pornographic, success)
1:11:08 - Summer of Korra
1:21:21 - Nostalgia Nook

Music Used in this Episode:

Do Your Best! [Breath of Fire III]
The Pub [Final Fantasy Tictacs]
The Legend of Korra Main Theme [The Legend of Korra]
A Curious Tale [Secret of Mana]
Silver Will, Gold Wings [Trails in the Sky]

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Our Review of 2023's RPGs (So Far) Jul 03, 2023

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]

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Our Final Fantasy XVI Review w/ Alex Donaldson Jun 27, 2023

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]

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Our Diablo IV Review w/ Len Jun 20, 2023

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]

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A Look at All the RPGs at Summer Game Fest 2023 - Especially Starfield Jun 15, 2023

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]

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Summer 2023 RPG Preview and SGDQ w/ moonblazewolf Jun 06, 2023

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]

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Octopath Traveler II Deep Dive w/ The Black Stones May 29, 2023

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]

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Our Continued Review of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom....Continues May 22, 2023

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]

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Sharlayan Dropouts: Field Studies - The Twinning May 17, 2023

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

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Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Review w/ Tom Marks and Mike Mahardy May 15, 2023

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]

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Honkai: Star Rail: Great RPG or Gatcha Vending Machine? w/ Daniel Alba May 08, 2023

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]

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Microsoft is Forever Doomed to Fruitlessly Pursue Activision Blizzard w/Nicole Carpenter May 01, 2023

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]

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Class Conscious: Thieves in RPGs Apr 24, 2023

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]

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Can Starfield Save Xbox's Generation? And Does It Really Need Saving Apr 17, 2023

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]

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PAX East 2023: The Ultimate RPG Draft! Apr 10, 2023

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!

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E3 is Kaput! For Realsies this Time! And Tears of the Kingdom Talk w/ Reb Valentine Apr 03, 2023

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]

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Diablo IV Beta Impressions, PAX East, and a Mailbag Mar 27, 2023

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.

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Nintendo 3DS and Wii U eShop Game Recommendations Mar 20, 2023

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]

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Axe of the Blood God 400: So, What's an RPG? w/ Felipe Pepe Mar 13, 2023

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]

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Final Fantasy XVI Preview w/ Ash Parrish and Michael Higham Mar 06, 2023

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]

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The Octopath Traveler 2 Review w/Jason Schreier Feb 27, 2023

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]

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Rad RPG Recommendations w/Rebekah Valentine Feb 20, 2023

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]

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Tears of the Kingdom + The Return of Baten Kaitos, Etrian Odyssey, and Level-5 Feb 13, 2023

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]

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Sharlayan Dropouts Valentione’s Day Special: FFXIV’s Top 12 Simpable Hotties Feb 09, 2023

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.

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Forsooth! This Way Madness Lies w/Robert Boyd Feb 07, 2023

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]

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Are We Past the Golden Age of RPGs? Or Are We Living In It? Jan 30, 2023

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

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Fire Emblem Engage w/ Alyse Stanley Jan 24, 2023

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

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Let's Talk About Chained Echoes w/ Austin Walker Jan 16, 2023

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!

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Sharlayan Dropouts, Episode 19: An Audio Tour of the Lost City of Amdapor Jan 14, 2023

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.

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Which Trends Will RPGs Adopt Most Over the Next 10 Years? Jan 09, 2023

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!

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What to Expect From Axe of the Blood God in 2023! Jan 02, 2023

Hello and welcome to Year 3 of the Axe of the Blood God! It's going to be an absolutely massive year for RPGs, and that means big things for the podcast. Here's just some of what we have planned as we move through 2023:

An expansion to Youtube! We had a lot of success with our live show in 2022, and we'd love to expand that video component where possible. Expect more updates on this soon!

Merch! We're working on a new store and a host of merch to go in it! We expect this to go live in February.

The Pantheon Revisit! We'll be revisiting some of our most controversial Pantheon entries (and exclusions) from the first two years of the podcast to start 2023. It'll all culminate in a Pantheon revisit that will potentially see some RPGs make it in while others are removed. It should be chaotic!

Axe of the Blood God Episode 400! Wow, it's almost here!

PAX East panel! We're going to be at PAX East in March! Stay tuned for more info!

Spring of Korra! We'll be diving into our watch of Legend of Korra just as soon as we finish off Winter of Wick!

March Madness, charity streams, D&D, Sharlayan Dropouts, and more! Naturally you can expect all of our usual content, including a charity stream, another D&D episode, a March Madness bracket centered around western RPGs, and more!

That's on top of all of our usual coverage in what should be a very busy year for RPGs. From Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom to Starfield to Baldur's Gate 3, we're going to have tons to discuss in 2023!

Thank you as always for your generous support, and we look forward to another great year of podcasting on Axe of the Blood God!

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The Axe of the Blood God's Big Ol' 2023 RPG Preview Jan 02, 2023

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.

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The RPG Year in Review 2022 w/ Mike and Victor Dec 26, 2022

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.

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The Games We Loved (But Weren't So Hot On Later) Dec 19, 2022

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.

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Sharlayan Dropouts: Hoplology 101 - The Veil of Wiyu Dec 14, 2022

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

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The 2022 Game Awards + This Year's Hidden Gem RPGs w/Lucas White Dec 12, 2022

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.

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The Year of Tactics 2022 Recap w/ Leana Hafer Dec 05, 2022

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.

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Pantheon of the Blood God: Mass Effect Nov 29, 2022

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/!

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Sharlayan Dropouts 2022 Thanksgiving Special w/ Aidan Moher Nov 25, 2022

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!

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Pokemon Scarlet and Violet Review w/ Reb Valentine Nov 21, 2022

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!

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Star Ocean: The Divine Force Review w/ John Linneman Nov 14, 2022

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

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Final Fantasy XVI Controversy, Twitter's Implosion, and Other Messy Discourse Nov 07, 2022

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

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Class Conscious: Monks w/ Danielle Riendeau Nov 01, 2022

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.

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Pantheon of the Blood God: Phantasy Star Oct 28, 2022

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!

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Talking P5 Royal, Mario + Rabbids, Trails From Zero + Kat's Steam Deck Apology w/ Scott White Oct 24, 2022

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!

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Special: Tim Rogers on Boku no Natsuyasumi, Why PlayStation is the Best Console, Taco Tico, and More Oct 20, 2022

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

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Pantheon Mini: Valkyria Chronicles Oct 17, 2022

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!

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Cyberpunk Sequel, Witcher Trilogy: Analyzing All of the CDPR Announcements Oct 10, 2022

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!

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Does Cyberpunk 2077 Deserve Its Redemption Arc? w/ Kenneth Shepard Oct 03, 2022

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!

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99 Potions x Axe of the Blood God: Our Problematic Faves Sep 26, 2022

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!

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The September Nintendo Direct: Paradise for RPG Fans, Paradise Plus for Farming Game Fans Sep 19, 2022

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. :(

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Pokemon Scarlet and Violet, Harvestella, Tactics Ogre Reborn, and More in the Fall 2022 RPG Preview Sep 12, 2022

This week, Axe of the Blood God tackles the 2022 fall RPG preview—which feels like a nutty thing to say, since summer only started yesterday. Right? Right…?

Oh.

Thankfully, RPGs help take away the sting of passing time for a little while. And it so happens the last quarter of 2022 is loaded with some bangers. Persona 5 for Nintendo Switch! Tactics Ogre Reborn! Valkyrie Elysium! Not to mention a couple of small indie games called Pokemon Scarlet and Violet. What a way to end the year that gave us Elden Ring and Xenoblade Chronicles 3.

Also in this episode:

Mickey is a sad divorced dad in his new Animal Crossing-style game ("ah-ha!")
Xenoblade Chronicles 3 chapter 5 ruined Nadia's life
Kat's going to Japan and Nadia and Eric are not :(
Nadia ruined the Autumn of Avatar forever

Handy-dandy timestamps:

0:00 - Intro

5:08 - What we're playing

40:04 - Random encounters

44:56 - Main topic: The fall RPG preview

1:12:17 - Autumn of Avatar

1:35:15 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook

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Rings of Power, House of the Dragon, and RPGs + Autumn of Avatar Book 1, 1-6 w/ Alex Stedman Sep 05, 2022

The fall season is upon us, and more fantasy shows than you can shake a wizard's staff at are popping up! Since RPGs and fantasy have a fair bit to do with one another, we brought on IGN's Alex Stedman to chat about House of the Dragon, The Rings of Power, how RPGs and fantasy tales intersect, and kick off our Autumn of the Avatar!

All that, plus:

Eric dives into the film history of Immortality
The crew debates space vs. dragons
We're oo-surping things now

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Does Sony Need More First-Party RPGs? Aug 29, 2022

It's a slim week at the Blood God, so we dipped into our rainy day bucket of topics to discuss Sony's first-party games. Does it need more first-party offerings, or should it stick to its third-party deals? We discuss all that and more, including:

Final Fantasy XIV goes Stardew Valley
Kat is getting back to Sunbreak
Nadia demonstrates why we don't have shop class anymore

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Souls Hackers 2 Review w/ Michael Higham and Diego Argüello Aug 22, 2022

This week on Axe of the Blood God, Kat, Nadia, and Eric have a (digital) devil of a time talking about Soul Hackers 2. They're joined by Fanbyte.com superstars Michael Higham and Diego Argüello, who both have plenty to say about this strange game. It appears Soul Hackers 2 strives to land somewhere between the dark, complex Shin Megami Tensei games, and the character-driven Persona titles. Does Soul Hackers 2 hit the mark? Or does it just hee-ho off into the sunset, destined to be forgotten?

Also in this episode:

The preliminary sales numbers for Xenoblade Chronicles 3 are looking pretty fine
The Embracer Group acquires everything on planet earth, including Lord of the Rings
Riku the Nopon refuses to die for your sins; you don't deserve redemption
The gang talks about "'The Garden of Eden', by I. Ron Butterfly"

In the Post Show

Michael Higham and Diego Argüello sit in on this week's post show, and the whole thing derails in about six seconds. The conversation bounces from religion to literature to something about furries and the Metaverse. Do not look in the dead, cold eyes of the Zuckerberg Metaverse dollar store Mii; it will swallow your soul. Available to subscribers in the Stars of Destiny tier and above on our Patreon!

Axe of the Blood God is sponsored by NordVPN. Grab your EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal by going to https://nordvpn.com/bloodgod to get a Huge Discount off your NordVPN Plan + Free Threat Protection + 1 additional month for free! It’s completely risk free with Nord’s 30 day money-back guarantee!

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Delays, Delays, Delays + What's the Right Length for an RPG? Aug 15, 2022

This week on Axe of the Blood God: It's letter tiiime, it's letter tiiime! Kat, Nadia, and Eric answer questions asked by YOU, our grand Blood God listeners! What is the gang's favorite class in Xenoblade Chronicles 3? What new regional forms should appear in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet? Is it really that bad for an RPG to clock in at 100+ hours? All these burning questions and tons more get answers this week.

Also in this episode:

Is it finally okay to love Xenoblade's Nopons, or is said love still forbidden and unholy?
Nadia chilled at the Final Fantasy: A New World concert.
Delays, delays, delays. Lots of games are being delayed. But that's not so bad, really.

In the Post Show

This week on Axe of the Blood God's always-tasteful post show, Kat reveals she's going to Japan next month, and solicits cool things to do while she's in Tokyo. Nadia recalls her time in Shinjuku, and encourages everyone to visit the Dragon Quest cafe and eat a meat dumpling shaped like a Slime. It's the only true path to world peace. The post show is available to our Stars of Destiny Patrons here: https://patreon.com/bloodgodpod

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Game Developer Quest: Falcom - 1980s, Pokemon Reax Aug 09, 2022

It's another busy week on Axe of the Blood God. Two hefty topics are packed into one convenient episode: New Pokemon Scarlet and Violet information, on top of the beginning of the Nihon Falcom Developer Quest. Listen in as Kat, Nadia, and Eric talk up the Pokemon of the Paldea region, and try to figure out the whole deal with Terastallized (i.e. rock candy) Pokemon. After that, the gang chats about the beginnings of Nihon Falcom, the studio responsible for a lot of excellent RPGs going way, way back, including the Ys series, the Trails games, and much more.

Also in this episode:

The entirety of planet earth is playing Xenoblade Chronicles 3
We have a new selection for the Pantheon Game Club! Hint: It's Falcom related
Nadia was Scary Spice for a little while. Just long enough to flummox Toronto's bus system

In the Post Show

Kat is forced to bail(ey) early on this week's post-show, so Nadia and Eric have free run of da joint. This week's topic is food, food, food. Barbeque. Brisket. Hungarian goulash. Beets and horseradish. Would you eat gefilte fish? You should try it sometime. Gosh, even writing this stirs up the appetite. Available via Patron: https://patreon.com/bloodgodpod

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Xenoblade Chronicles 3 Review w/ Autumn Wright Aug 01, 2022

This week on Axe of the Blood God, it's time to bask in the Monado's power! Special guest Autumn Wright talks to Kat, Nadia, and Eric about Xenoblade Chronicles 3. How does the third game in this sometimes-bumpy series hold up? How does it compare to the first two Xenoblade Chronicles games, and how do the three of them link up? Does it matter? Should it matter? There's gorgeous scenery, a banging soundtrack, and an intriguing battle system—that much is certain. What more can you ask for when living the Xeno lifestyle?

Also in this episode:

The Knights of the Old Republic remake is delayed—and then some
Eric has officially Walked to the End
Kat gets $100 million for her perfect Gundam RPG and spends about $10 of it.
Is it illegal to sneak into someone's house to play their video game console? Asking for a friend.

In the Post Show

Autumn joins Kat, Nadia, and Eric for a sophisticated discussion about how fighting game mechanics spill over into other genres, namely RPGs. Also, Nadia's into Street Fighter lore because she has a broken mind. And why didn't Guile Sonic Boom his dog? It would've been pretty funny. Available exclusive to our Stars of Destiny via the Patreon!

Axe of the Blood God is sponsored by NordVPN. Grab your EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal by going to https://nordvpn.com/bloodgod to get a Huge Discount off your NordVPN Plan + Free Threat Protection + 1 additional month for free! It’s completely risk free with Nord’s 30 day money-back guarantee!

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Live A Live Review w/ Reb Valentine Jul 26, 2022

This week on Axe of the Blood God, Nadia and Eric are joined by their special friend, Reb Valentine of IGN. Together, they Live A Live, Laugh A Laugh, and Love A Love. That's right: Reb reviewed the long-awaited 2DHD remake of the highly unusual Super Famicom RPG Live, and she's in love to say the least. In fact, Live A Live has seemingly charmed western RPG fans in a way that would have been deemed impossible back in 1995. Who says there's no longer hope for humankind?

Make sure to check out Reb's full review!

Also in this episode:

Oh no Eric is playing Endwalker
Nadia replays Xenoblade Chronicles to see if she still loves it. (Yes.)
Yakuza 8 is real, it's coming, and Ichiban is everyone's friend.

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The 10 Best RPG Parties Of All Time, Ranked w/ Ben Hanson and John Carson Jul 20, 2022

Today on a very special episode of Axe of the Blood God, Kat, Nadia, and Eric party down with friends of the show Ben Hanson and John Carson. Nota bene: "Party down" in this instance means getting down to brass tacks and debating the best parties RPGs have to offer.

What's the secret glue that holds the cast of Chrono Trigger? Why does Final Fantasy 7 feel like it lacks that glue? Will a 13 Sentinels reference pop up? (Heck yes.) All these questions and more are on the table.

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How Gundam Has Inspired RPGs Through the Years + Genesis Mini 2 Reax Jul 18, 2022

The Axe of the Blood God charity stream is over, and somehow Kat, Nadia, and Eric came out the other side with their limbs and sanity intact. They also came out with $10,000+ raised for Trans Lifeline! That's worth a limb or three.

This week's show has a brief post-mortem of the charity stream before the gang gets down to business: An informed conversation about the Gundam series' endless supply of inspiration for RPGs. What do RPGs, particularly Japanese RPGs owe to the classic anime? In short, just about everything—and not simply cool mech suits.

Also in this episode:

Nadia finished Omori and is left with feelings of warmth and cheeriness The new Genesis Mini is gonna rule!...if you live in Japan No, Nadia didn't drown a kid. He just got a little wet

In the Post Show

Summer of Gundam proceeds apace in this week's post show. The crew talks about the coolest Gundam models across the years, from the most battle-effective to the most edgelord-adjacent. (Hint: This is where Gundam Wing comes in.) Nadia's opinion is basically "robot smash other robot good, he he he." This is recorded live and available to our Stars of Destiny Patrons!

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Pantheon of the Blood God: Persona 5 Jul 14, 2022

For the December 2021 edition of Pantheon of the Blood God, Kat and Nadia are joined by Fanbyte's Nerium Strom and Michael Higham for an exploration of Persona 5! During their lengthy discussion, the group discusses just some of the following:

- Its outstanding soundtrack - Its attempt to challenge the status quo in Japanese society - Its remarkable sense of style - Being constantly told to go to bed by a cat

... And much more!

Then the verdict: Is Persona 5 worthy of inclusion in the Pantheon of the Blood God? Listen and find out!

This episode was unlocked for Axe of the Blood God listeners during the recent charity stream benefiting Trans Lifeline! New episodes are released each month for $10 Patrons and above.

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Pantheon Mini: Does Fallout New Vegas Deserve To Be #1? w/ Khee Hoon Chan and Jay Castello Jul 11, 2022

After the (ahem) fallout of our #1 pick for the Top 25 RPGs of All Time, we got together with Khee Hoon Chan and Jay Castello to talk about whether it deserves to be the top-rated RPG of all time. How much does the setting, politics, and sidequests elevate it? And how much do the VATS System and bugs weigh it down? We discuss as part of part of our big 24 hour charity stream in which we were able to raise more than $10,000 for Trans Lifeline! Also in this episode:

Valkyrie Elysium trail is here and it looks... good? It looks good! Kat has some thoughts on the Live a Live demo and Monster Hunter Rise Sunbreak
Eric extols the virtues of 08th MS Team in Summer of Gundam Nadia's Nostalgia Nook takes us back to Our Lady Peace

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PC RPG Quest - 2010s: The Great Convergence w/ Len Hafer Jul 04, 2022

Summer is a time for schmoozing with friends, which is why Axe of the Blood God invited veteran guest Len Hafer to talk about the best video game genre in the whole wide world. (Psst—that means RPGS.) Leana helps the Blood God wrap up the PC RPG Quest with a deep dive into the computer RPGs that shaped the '10s. And oh, what a decade it was. Kickstarter dreams and nightmares! Bioware's troubles! World of Warcraft! The rise of CD Projekt Red! Final Fantasy XIV's fall and resurrection! They don't make drama like this anymore.

Also in this episode:

The Live A Live demo is…live. And it's already something special.
Mega Man Battle Network is getting a collection. Hey, it's RPG-adjacent. And the second game has a lot of swear words in it for some reason.
Is it "Nicky-Nicky-Nine-Door" or "Ding-Dong-Ditch?"
Come to our upcoming charity stream for Trans Lifeline, or else.

In the Post Show

Leana joins the gang for the usual hodge-podge of good stuff that the Blood God Crew wrings out of itself at the end of every show. This week, the discussion turns to live-action and/or animated adaptations of video games that we'd like to see. Plus, lots of Summer Games Done Quick discussion… and hey! Nadia got a gaming computer that's worth half a damn! This episode is available exclusively to our Patrons in the Stars of Destiny tier and above!

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The Mid-Year Review 2022: From Pokemon Legends To Citizen Sleeper Jun 27, 2022

This week on Axe of the Blood God, recent political going-ons have the gang physically, mentally, and spiritually taxed. Kat, Nadia, and Eric elect to take it easy and do a mid-year check-in of the RPGs. What are some of our favorite games this year? (Elden Ring might get a mention.) Which RPGs were surprise hits? Which seemed to slip under the radar? Opinions are shared. Also in this episode:

Xenoblade Chronicles 3 is looking quite fine.
Eric is trying to build a Gundam model, RIP
All glory to the Disneyworld Dead Lizard Patrol

In the Post Show On this week's post show, Kat and Eric descend down an End of Evangelion hole, and Nadia just kind of sits with her gob as wide as a boot because she has no idea what they're talking about. But then the gang answers an important listener question about how they'd build their ideal RPGs. Eric and Nadia have answers that are almost normal, but Kat unleashes a nightmare idea on the masses. For the love of God, don't let her anywhere near RPG Maker.

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Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth Reax, Another Kat Breakdown, And RPG Makers w/ Vivicomplex Jun 21, 2022

This week on Axe of the Blood God, Kat has an intense war flashback to spring 2020. If you don't recall, Final Fantasy 7 Remake absconded with a little bit of her soul, and she's never been quite the same since. Hence why she absolutely goes off on Final Fantasy 7 Remake all over again in this episode. But who can blame her? The ongoing summer of not-E3 continues to drop a whole lot of Final Fantasy 7 news, including an announcement for "Rebirth." It's enough to shatter anyone's mind—arguably the best kind of news worth digging through.

This episode even contains a very special witness to Kat's breakdown: $100 Patron Vivicomplex! Vivi leads the discussion on RPG Maker, the long-lived game construction series that amateur programmers use to make adventures with minimal coding. RPG Maker's legacy and purpose is carried on today through programs like Game Maker Studio, which gave rise to Undertale and countless other RPGs.

Also in this episode:

The Summer of Gundam continues! What's the series' ideal viewing order? Kat educates us.
So, so much Final Fantasy 7 news. Crisis Core remake! Crisis Core remake!!
Janus brought down the gmod apocalypse, praise be. In the Post Show

Weekly Post Show

One show is not enough to contain all the Final Fantasy news — nor is it enough to contain Kat's continued FF7 Remake rant-a-rooney.

Vivicomplex joins the gang again as they talk more about what's going on with this brand-new take on the controversial "Compilation of Final Fantasy 7." Also, Nadia's still making her way through FFX, so expect some complaining about Seymour. The Weekly Post Show is available exclusively to our supporters in the Stars of Destiny tier! Thanks so much for your support! And as always, you can catch us when we record live on Friday at 5pm PT.

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The Xbox and Summer Games Fest Recap + Final Fantasy 7 Event Predictions Jun 13, 2022

This week on Axe of the Blood God, Kat and Eric are joined by not one, but two Alexes to break down the summer showcases! RPG Site's Alex Donaldson and freelancer Alex J. Kane are here to discuss the Xbox and Bethesda showcase, as well as the whole of Summer Game Fest.

Also in this episode:

Eric and Alex D. talk Three Hopes early impressions
Alex K. talks KOTOR 2's solid Switch port
Kat laments the meta-ness of it all
Fortnite?

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Final Fantasy XVI is Real, Pokémon Has Chonky Bois, And Kat Returns Jun 06, 2022

This week on Axe of the Blood God, Kat rejoins Eric and Nadia after her adventure on the high seas. She's a little unsteady on her legs, not to mention lightly brined by sea salt, but that's not about to stop her from talking about everything that's going on this week in RPGs. And a loaded week it is, mateys. We've got impressions of the Final Fantasy XVI trailer, as well as opinions about Pokémon Scarlet and Violet's chonky pigs and small olives.

Also in this episode:

Eric's finally playing Suikoden 2
The upcoming Dragon Age game has a title. Progress!
Nadia layeth the smackdown on Seymor in Final Fantasy X
"I am Malenia, blade of–" [Vomits everywhere]

On the Post Show

On this week's post-show, Kat tells us about the joys of sailing the high seas–e.g. seasickness and other cool things that happen on the water. There's also a deep discussion about sports, Street Fighter 6, and how awesome Cody is. (So awesome.) The Post Show is available to the Stars of Destiny tier and above!

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Class Conscious: Dragoons in RPGs May 30, 2022

This episode was not entirely Nadia's idea, we swear. Really, can anyone deny the sheer cool factor of the Final Fantasy series' take on dragon knights? If you're not, maybe this episode will make you a believer. Prima Games' Jesse Vitelli joins Nadia and Eric as they talk about Dragoons past and present, from progenitor Ricard Highwind to the dragon-hating nerd Estinien Wyrmblood. Pull on your overly-elaborate dragoon boots and join the fun. Also in this episode:

Miyazaki (not that one) thinks Radahn is the best Elden Ring boss.
Give us more Dragon's Dogma, Capcom. (Please.)
The Summer Game Fest creeps ever closer. What will we see?
Sony is making bad decisions about its retro games again.

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The Top 25 RPG Remake Breakdown May 23, 2022

This week on Axe of the Blood God, Kat has run off to do sailor junk on the high seas, so Nadia and Eric hold the rig together by themselves. Well, that's not entirely true. Kat joins them from SeaPhone™ to tackle this week's main topic: Why some games were picked for our updated Top 25 RPG list, while others were left to die in shallow puddles of rainwater. This discussion involves a lot of self-flagellation and even more furious denial, so look forward to drama and mayhem. Soap operas wish they had this explosive narrative impact.

Also in this episode:

June is going to be all decked out in Final Fantasy (XVI? VII Remake pt 2?) news.
What is even going on with Summer Games Fest? Do we know? Do we care? (Kinda.)
One time, Nadia had to ask a bookstore clerk for porn manga. It was for work.
The Luca Goers suck.

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The Top 25 RPGs Of All Time Remake 2022 May 18, 2022

It's time at last to share our newly-revised list of the 25 best RPGs of all time! For much of 2022 we've been slowly collecting potential nominees for an update to the list that we made several years ago. Now it's time to share that list for all to see!

To make this list we took the list of nominees plus the original list and made our own Top 25s, with the games that were on all three lists going straight into the Top 25. From there we embraced debate with discussions including:

Whether or not Mass Effect should be included a trilogy
Eric calling Skyrim the "McDonald's hamburger of RPGs."
Multiple RPGs being rescued from the dead
Whether it's time to anoint brand-new #1!

For your convenience, we've shared time codes below.

Time Codes

4:40: We share our personal Top 25 RPG lists

21:35 - The Initial Cutdown + Wild Card Picks + Listener Poll

36:35: Games That Made At Least Two Lists

140:25: Finalizing the List

2:23:00: Ranking the Games

2:50:20: The Top 25 RPGs Of All Time

Thanks again for joining us in this very fun project! We'll probably be circling back and rebuilding given that there always amazing new RPGs being released. But in the meantime, we're excited to hear your thoughts!

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PC RPG Quest - 2000s: How MMORPGs Changed RPGs Forever w/ Amy Dunham May 16, 2022

This week on Axe of the Blood God, the gang takes a step into the fascinating and revolutionary (if jagged and polygonal) world of massive multiplayer online RPGs from the 2000's. Kat, Nadia, and Eric are joined by very special guest Amy Dunham, who worked on some of the most prominent '00s MMORPGs. (And more than a few other games, too!) Tune in as we talk about World of Warcraft, EverQuest, Eve Online, Elder Scrolls Online, and much more. Rest assured, Nadia reps Rangarok Online, too

Also in this episode:

Starfield is delayed, no Starfield for Kat Final Fantasy XIV players are being sent to video game jail for using mods Pokemon Home adds support for Brilliant Diamond, Shining Pearl, and Legends Arceus Eric lords his Steam Deck over the rest of us plebes

On the Post Show:

This week's Axe of the Blood God post show is a godless mess as usual. Master Chief is no longer a virgin, so let's all gather around in a circle, clap, and tell him "Congratulations!" Also, there is a lot of Final Fantasy X discussion. Why don't people on Besaid island eat chocolate cake? Because it's SINfully delicious. Wakka Wakka Wakka! The Post Show and the live recording can be access through the Stars of Destiny tier and above on the Patreon.

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The Quest for the Axe of the Blood God - A D&D Adventure May 13, 2022

As a special thank you to our listeners for helping us reach $6000 two months in a row, we recently hosted a very special D&D 5e session with special guest DM Shivam Bhatt. Now it's available for everyone to listen! Tune in as our heroes embark on a quest for the Axe of the Blood God; bumble into some orcs; have a really hard time climbing a hill, and say hello to a very special badger named Orlando.

Here are the characters:

Kat plays Kara the Wanderer, a Paladin devoted to Selune the Moonmaiden.

Nadia plays Kalfor, a Red Dragonborn Ranger with motivations of their own (and a cool hat, apparently).

Eric plays Coronach, a Tiefling Warlock with a real Pixie problem.

If you enjoyed the adventure, let us know! It would be fun to do more of these if listeners are interested. Until then, thank you as always for your support and the opportunity to do fun and unique adventures like this one!

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We Pick An Isometric RPG For Nadia to Play w/ Leana Hafer May 09, 2022

Tired of the same ol' RPGs? Why not try changing your perspective?

This week by Patron request, Nadia, Kat, and Eric talk about isometric RPGs with some help from Leana Hafer of Three Moves Ahead. Topics of isometric discussion include "How good is Tunic?" (Very good.) "Does Dragon Age: Origins count as an isometric RPG?" (Yes.) "Which isometric RPG should Nadia play?" (Disco Elysium, CUNO.) And "How is 2022 looking for the sub-genre?" (Pretty neat!)

Other topics of discussion include:

Kat's ensnared by a mobile gatcha RPG. SHAME. SHAME.
Nadia hates Crumbling Farum Azula and everyone on it.
The how, why, and "huh?" of Square Enix's IP fire sale.
We pick our final four nominees for the rebuild of the Top 25 RPGs of all time list!

Enjoy the show? Check out our Patreon at https://patreon.com/bloodgodpod

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Class Conscious: Healers In RPGs May 02, 2022

The Blood God is back in full force after Eric and Nadia's trip out to Boston. We're continuing our unofficial Job Hunt with a discussion about White Mages and healers in RPGs! How has healing evolved over the years? Who's the best healer around? Is Kat going to start playing competitive Pokemon again? Answers to all these and more in this week's episode, plus:

Eric gets bitten by the GBA Fire Emblem bug
Kat gets an after-school gig, this Week in Gekkoukan
Nadia sends a battery boy to Dura-Hell

Plus, four more picks for our soon-to-close nominations for the Top 25 RPG rankings!

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The State of Final Fantasy In 2022 - PAX East Live Apr 25, 2022

Axe of the Blood God was at PAX East over the weekend, where Nadia and Eric were joined by special guests Scott White and Ash Paulsen! In a special live panel, they discuss the State of Final Fantasy from the good, to the bad, to the... Chaotic. Thanks so much to everyone for joining us, and you can watch the panel here! Plus Kat, Nadia, and Eric talk about Xenoblade Chronicles getting pushed up (!?) to July and Elden Ring Patch 1.04!

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The Big Kingdom Hearts IV Reveal w/ Ash Paulsen Apr 18, 2022

This week's Axe of the Blood God is simple and clean. Friend of the show and Good Vibes Gaming host Ash Paulsen joins Kat, Nadia, and Eric to talk about Square Enix's surprise Kingdom Hearts 4 announcement. What, exactly, is going on in the game's mystifying trailer? How did Sora get doxxed? What happened to his Ronald McDonald shoes? Why did Goofy and Donald descend into hell to look for Sora instead of assuming he went to Heaven? The discourse is rich and flavorful.

Also in this episode:

Final Fantasy XIV 6.1 is here. Time to dust off your catboys.
Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes pits Not-Byleth against Byleth.
Kat beats up her first shadow in her Persona 3 day-by-day playthrough
The "What is an RPG' discourse reaches new, depraved depths. But "If Bloodborne counts as an RPG, so does Actraiser! Tell 'em, Hawk!"
Nadia once had a Cabbage Patch doll, and that ended poorly for everyone.

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The PC RPG Quest - 2000s: Golden Age Or Dark Age? w/ Jeff Green Apr 11, 2022

This week on Axe of the Blood God, the PC RPG Quest continues! The gang is joined by their friend Jeff Green, who was at the epicentre of the major shift PC gaming underwent in the 2000's. On the surface, it was a grim time for PC RPGs. MMOs were encroaching on single-player adventures, consoles were eating into the PC RPG space...and what the heck was this "Steam" thing Valve refused to shut up about? Pffft. It'll never catch on. Also in this episode:

We introduce our characters for next week's D&D game! Be there or be square.
Starscourge Radahn was un-nerfed in Elden Ring, but the important thing is he still rides on a tiny horse. (Or is it a tricycle?)
Kat has started her Persona 3 playthrough, and she has some initial thoughts.
Actraiser is an RPG. End of discussion.

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E3 Canceled, Breath of the Wild 2 Delayed, PS Plus Revamped Apr 04, 2022

This episode of Axe of the Blood God comes at the end of a discourse-heavy week. E3 is pretty much dead, which spurs Kat, Nadia, and Eric into sharing their best E3 memories (Nadia still has her Witcher press Trapper Keeper).

Moreover, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild 2 has been bumped to spring 2023. Whatever will Nintendo do this holiday season?...Oh, right. Pokemon's coming.

Also in this episode:

Nadia's playing Valkyrie Profile and keeps calling it "Valkyria Chronicles."
March Madness is done! Who came out on top as the best RPG Hero or Champion?
The new PlayStation Plus deal is "uhhhh." But at least we can play Tokyo Jungle again?
A book fair ran over Nadia's cat.

We also have a post show available to our Stars of Destiny subscribers! This week we share our Stephen King starting recommendations and talk about being really bad at math. Stars of Destiny and above subscribers also get access to our live recording every Friday at 5pm PT, which is always a party. As always we appreciate your support!

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Witcher 4's Reveal, Colossal Cave's Return, And Notebook Nostalgia Mar 28, 2022

This week's episode of Axe of the Blood God is utterly bewitching. True, Kat, Nadia, and Eric are enthralling company in every circumstance—but with the recent announcement of (not) Witcher 4, how could they resist talking about what CD Projekt has up its sleeve? The gang talks about the seemingly new direction for this beloved fantasy property, and what it entails for the still-troubled CD Projekt.

Also in this episode:

It's letter time! It's letter time!
Kat's getting into Triangle Strategy, as the prophecy foretold.
Nadia stuck a twinblade up a dragon's grundle.
Back in MY day, we had to print hentai and pass it around the school.

Enjoy the show? Check us out on Patreon: https://patreon.com/bloodgodpod

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Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin Review + New Monster Hunter And Starfield Info Mar 21, 2022

This week on the Axe of the Blood God RPG podcast, we're joined by USgamer alumni Mike Williams. Mike tells us all about the adventures he's had with a jolly man named Jack Garland. Jack is the very agreeable protagonist of the very normal, very down to earth Final Fantasy Origins: Stranger of Paradise. Listen to Mike talk about the game; we assure you Jack never uses foul language or flies off into disjointed rants. P.S., today is Opposite Day.

Also in this episode:

Strategy fans are eatin' good with Triangle Strategy
You should play Babylon's Fall just to remind yourself of how bad video games can get
Warm memories of Toonami on its 20th anniversary
Dicktochat

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Stranger of Paradise and Persona 4 Arena Ultimax w/ Michael Higham Mar 14, 2022

This week on Axe of the Blood God, we're spoiling for a fight. That's why we pushed Kat off her chair this week and offered it to Michael Higham, Fanbyte's fighting game expert extraordinaire. What do fighting games have to do with RPGs? Well heck, a good fighting game character can have a backstory to rival any RPG hero's tale—and anyway, now's a great time to talk about Persona 4 Arena Ultramax. So that's what we do.

Also in this episode:

Our hero-themed March Madness continues to be madness.
We're here to talk about Stranger of Paradise and Chaos. That's our mission.
Nadia's been fully absorbed by Elden Ring, RIP.
Nadia also forgot to add music for her segment. It's all Blaidd's fault, somehow.

Enjoy the show? Support us on Patreon!

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Pokémon Scarlet & Violet Reveal + Triangle Strategy and Steam Deck Review Reactions Mar 07, 2022

The three co-hosts have been reunited after many weeks apart, and just in time to talk about a whole bunch of news! There's a new generation of Pokémon on the horizon, Triangle Strategy is out, and we're all still talking Elden Ring. It's quite a time for RPGs, even if they're all getting swallowed up by FromSoft's latest.

Also on the show:

- Eric becomes Wolverine Jesus - Nadia discovers how to work a Nintendo - Kat gears up for some old-school Pokémon catching - We take a look at the first round of March Madness voting! Links mentioned in the show: - Eric's segment "Piplup Step": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bm0nLJuRNbw - Donate to Ukraine: https://www.icrc.org/en/donate/ukraine - Equality Texas: https://www.equalitytexas.org/ - TENT: https://www.transtexas.org/

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Elden Ring Review Reactions w/ Easy Allies' Isla Hinck and Prima's Jesse Vitelli Mar 01, 2022

Greetings, disciples of the Blood God. Kat is not with us this week; she's going to try her hand at being a pirate on the open seas.

There's an excellent chance she'll be back next week, though. Despite what the Peter Pan song tells you, the pirate's life is not for everyone.

Nadia and Eric manage to scrounge together a great show anyway, because it's Elden Ring week! No worries—there are no spoilers on the show, but we did get Isla Hinck from Easy Allies and Jesse Vitelli of PrimaGames to talk about their reviews for this highly anticipated (and critically acclaimed) open world game from FromSoftware.

Also on this episode:

No, seriously, Elden Ring's review scores are truly, truly, truly outrageous
Nadia gives her impressions of Final Fantasy VI: Pixel Remaster
Valve God Gabe Newell is confirmed Final Fantasy XIV trash
The story of Ganon, the golden retriever that humped everything

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Next-gen Cyberpunk and RIP in Peace to the Wii U/3DS eShop Feb 21, 2022

It's down to a pair this week, as Kat and Eric gather to investigate the state of Cyberpunk 2077 with its brand-new next-gen patch and lament the loss of more eShop content. Make sure you get your Golden Sun downloaded while you still can, as two visions of the cyber-future both seem bleak. They also dive into the overlap of grand strategy and RPGs, thanks to Blood God backer Ruka! In other happenings:

Eric learns to loathe the grind in Monark
Kat is figuring out her feelings on Horizon
Nadia isn't even here and the Nostalgia Nook still takes a dark turn

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Nintendo Direct JRPG-palooza, A Lost Classic's Return, And Lost Ark's Massive Debut Feb 14, 2022

There are people out there who hang onto news about Nintendo Directs the way a religious person might fervently cling to signs of Jesus' return. Humanity is still waiting on the second coming of the Lord, but Nintendo offered a nice stop-gap last week. The February Nintendo Direct was bursting with incredible RPG news—and some of it was simply bananas. A 2D HD remake of Live A Live? Absolutely nobody had that on their Bingo card. Well, it's doubtful anyone had "Kirby inhales objects bigger than your mom in Kirby and the Forgotten Land" either. To reiterate a point made earlier, it was a strange Direct.

In addition to the Nintendo Direct RPG news, we talk about:

Nadia is bad at Final Fantasy Tactics
Waddle Dee broke the internet news machine wide open
Lost Ark is already huge — can it keep up that momentum?
More RPG nominations for the 25 Best RPGs of All Time Intergrade
If we get to $8000 per month, Nadia and Eric's dads will fight each other
$10,000, and we'll make it to the death

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Pokemon Legends: Arceus Review w/ Reb Valentine and Kenneth Shepard Feb 07, 2022

Kat's gone, so Eric and Nadia assemble an Elite 4 to review Pokemon Legends: Arceus. IGN's Rebekah Valentine and Fanbyte's Kenneth Shepard join the show to chat about how the new direction has panned out, its highs and lows, and how it embraces Poke-mythology. Will this be remembered as a trailblazer or an obscure side game? Either way, we never want to see Cherubi again.

Also in this episode: - A Realm Reborn struggle is real - We sing some Phantom of the Opera? - Eric craves curling - Nadia recounts crime - New Top 25 entries and the reveal of a new tactic-ful February special!

Enjoy the show? Make sure to subscribe to our Patreon!

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Pokemon Legends: Arceus Reactions, Polish vs. Innovation, And Band Pranks Jan 31, 2022

We're in the throes of winter, but Pokemon discourse is hotter than ever. This week, Kat, Nadia, and Eric talk about the opening hours of Pokemon Legends Arceus, Game Freak's attempt to take the Pokemon franchise sort-of open world. Does it succeed? Does it fall flat on its face? We have things to say: We are chatty little Chatots.

Also in this episode:

- Bloodborne is still great.

- It's time to vote for a new Blood God Pantheon game! Here's why Valkyria Chronicles deserves the vote.

- Since voting for list stuff never goes out of style, we also have new picks for the Top 25 RPGs of All Time Integrade list!

- Eric nearly drove a teacher to insanity with a metronome.

- Nadia got hauled away by the Shakespeare Police.

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PC RPG Quest - 1990s: Meet the PC-98 + The Mega Activision Blizzard Acquisition Jan 24, 2022

We're going back to the '90s again here on Axe of the Blood God, but here's a twist: We're going back to '90s Japan. Yes, it's another PC Console Quest, and we've invited our good friend PC98 Audi back to the show for the occasion. We discuss the PC-98's legacy, and how it affected '90s RPG development. Why did the platform have so many visual novels? What's the deal with, ahem, all those hentai games? We have much wisdom contained here, so stay a while and listen.

Also in this episode:

Oh God, Activision Blizzard and Microsoft. Oh God.
We have new picks for the Top 25 RPG Remake 2022 Intergrade.
Nadia plays Bloodborne like a dimwit.
Space Jam DVD.

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When Is An RPG Too Long... Or Too Short? Jan 17, 2022

We may be in the dead of winter, but Axe of the Blood God is hotter than ever. So sayeth the show's fans, anyway. It's true! No word of a lie! Ahem. This week, Kat, Nadia, and Eric talk about a hodgepodge of lively topics, including:

Some interesting new nominees for our new Best 25 RPGs of All Time list. Emphasis on "new"
Final Fantasy XIV's producer tells the fanbase "Be good. For the love of God, please be good."
RPGs – and games in general – are too long [INITIATING HUMOUR PROTOCOL: "That is what she said"]
Square One, Mathman, and the trauma that accompanied them

Weekly episodes are available to both free and premium listeners on Mondays. For lots more bonus content, check out our Patreon: https://patreon.com/bloodgodpod

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The Indie RPG 2022 Preview + Top 25 RPG Remake and GDQ Jan 10, 2022

New year, new Axe of the Blood God! Our new Stars of Destiny tier has kicked off in earnest, and we had our first live taping of the podcast, followed by a special post-show discussion.

That's right, for 25 smackeroos you can listen to us flub our lines and then get into a fight about Super Mario World vs Super Mario Bros. 3. Very rated R stuff. See, the R stands for "rad."

This week's main show covers a bunch of stuff, including:

- The great indie RPG 2022 preview! Some gorgeous retro-style fare is coming up, like Sea of Stars, SacriFire, and Eiyuden Chronicles Rising.

- We're revisiting the Top 25 RPGs of All Time, and we want you to help us update our selection!

- Square Enix is having NFT FOMO, and the world must suffer for it.

- Eric is now a Final Fantasy XIV sicko. Ha ha…yes! Yessss!

If you weren't able to pop to the post-show, we've got that for you, too. We talk about Sony's drive to produce only "prestige" games, and how that new philosophy will affect RPGs. Then everything breaks down into Super Mario chaos. Mama mia.

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The 2022 RPG Preview: From Pokemon Legends to Starfield Jan 03, 2022

We're already three days into 2022! No refunds on the year, suckers. Don't worry, the Axe of the Blood God will be around to pick you up whenever you need it…and going by recent trends, everyone is going to be due for a pick-me-up somewhere between the first three and six months.

Let's start the year strong with some spicy 2022 RPG predictions! Will we see anything to do with The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild 2 this year? Will we enjoy Elden Ring? Will Final Fantasy 16 make it out before year's end? (Funny you should ask…)

Also in this episode:

Nadia remembers quality Nintendo literature
Yuji Naka is still plying his trade in the corner, like an exiled shoe-elf who hopes to return to his cobbler kingdom someday
We read your RPG 202 feelings

Here's to '22!

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What to Expect From Axe of the Blood in 2022! Dec 31, 2021

We've had an amazing 2021, and we're hoping 2022 will be even better! Nadia, Eric, and Kat get together to share their hopes and dreams for the new year along with the following: - Info on a brand new tier!

- Free and premium feeds being synced!

- Upcoming specials!

- And much more!

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Axe of the Blood God RPG Year in Review 2021 Dec 29, 2021

This week on Axe of the Blood God, Kat, Nadia, and Eric say farewell to 2021 by looking back on the year's greatest RPG triumphs (and a few, er, not-triumphs). 2021 was a bit slim on major triple-A RPG releases, but there's been a great showing from smaller games, including SMT V, Tales of Arise, Monster Hunter Stories 2, Loop Hero, Ys 9, and so very much more.

Oh, and there was also a new expansion for a certain online RPG that shall remain nameless. We can no longer say its name; it's become far too powerful. Please forget about the critically acclaimed MMORPG with the free trial that lets you play through all of A Realm Reborn and the award-winning expansion Heavensward.

Also in this episode:

Nintendo sure did drop an Indie Direct. Sea of Stars looks dope.
OK, so you can't play Final Fantasy XIV, but you can play Final Fantasy 7 Remake on PC! Oh wait, it's kind of a mess.

Kat is now besties with Henry Cavill. We will all miss her as she departs on her glorious new life as a Hollywood groupie. Wait, didn't Elton John write a song about this…?

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Pantheon of the Blood God: Final Fantasy VIII Dec 27, 2021

To celebrate the end of 2021, we're making a Pantheon of the Blood God available to all of our listeners as a special thank you for all of your support! In this edition of Pantheon of the Blood God, Kat and Nadia are joined by special guest Alex Donaldson to dive deep into Final Fantasy VIII! Once considered the series' black sheep, Final Fantasy VIII is now held in higher regard, but is it worthy of the Pantheon? Kat and Nadia have very different opinions on that front. Regardless, there's much to unpack about Square Enix's flawed masterpiece, and that's exactly what Kat, Nadia, and Alex do as they discuss its rapid development, its curious Junction System, its marvelous soundtrack, and wonderful elements like Triple Triad. Truly, it's far from perfect, but it's one of the most memorable RPGs ever made.

Pantheon of the Blood God is a special monthly series of podcasts in which we take a deep dive into an RPG selected by the AOTBG community. Want to hear more? Check us out on Patreon: https://patreon.com/bloodgodpod

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Sharlayan Dropouts Episode 6: The One Where We Review Endwalker Dec 25, 2021

"Live thy life to the fullest, but knowest thou always that the end walks ever closer." Is that an OK Urianger impersonation? Bah, whatever. Point is, Nadia, Mike, and Victor review Final Fantasy 14's Endwalker expansion in this episode. It's epic, it's guaranteed to move you to tears...and like everything else in this flawed universe, it can use some improvements. Tune your linkshell in!

Spoiler Level: Red. Major spoilers for most of Endwalker's story. I suppose that goes without saying. However, there's very little discussion about the end area and end boss, since Victor's on the last leg of his journey.

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The Game Awards Reax & LGBTQ+ Representation From Catherine To Final Fantasy V Dec 20, 2021

Kat's away this week on Axe of the Blood God, so Nadia takes the reigns, and chaos reins. Wait. Strike that. Reverse it. Thank you.

Eric is on-hand to help co-host, of course, and a very special guest enters the fray: Blood God Discord mod Valexia! The trio have a hearty discussion about LGBTQ+ representation in games, old and new, eastern and western. There's a long way to go, but there's been a lot of progress that's worth celebrating, too.

Also in this episode:

The Game Awards hate JRPGs :(
Persona 4 Arena Ultimax is coming to PS4, Switch, and PC!
Everyone's mad at Nadia because she liked that Imagine Dragons/Bastion song at the Game Awards
Analogue Pocket orders are opening up. May the odds be ever in your favour.

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PC RPG Quest - 1990s: The Silver Age Of RPGs Dec 13, 2021

Turn on Nickelodeon and feed your Tamagotchi, because it's time for the '90s PC RPG Quest here at Axe of the Blood God. John Walker of Buried Treasure joins Kat, Nadia, and Eric as they talk about this very tumultuous time in PC RPG history. The genre underwent enormous growth, but not before it suffered near-irrelevance amid the rise of DOOM and other first-person shooters.

There's a lot to cover, so feel free to fiddle with your Slap Bracelet while the crew talks. Just don't cut open the bracelet's fabric, take out the sharp piece of metal inside, and start hitting people with it. That's how Slap Bracelets get banned from schools. Not speaking from experience or anything, mind you.

Enjoy the PC RPG Quest? Make sure to check out our episodes covering the 1970s and 1980s!

Also in this episode:

Final Fantasy XIV Endwalker queue times will kill us all
Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl's duplication glitches are making us nostalgic
NIntendo Online's Expansion Pack kind of sucks.

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Is a Chrono Cross Remake On the Way? Dec 06, 2021

Last week was the Giving of Thanks, and Eric returned to his ancestral home to prepare the necessary sacrifices. That means Kat and Nadia are alone for this episode, just like the good ol' days of... er, maybe a month ago? Point is, this is a very chill episode.

Some of the big topics:

- Is a Chrono Cross remake under development? - Who is an unsung RPG composer? - How excited are we for a Mass Effect TV show?

Also in this episode: Neo The World Ends With You didn't do so hot because Square Enix kind of forgot to market it, and plans for the future of Blood God! A new tier approaches! Command?

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Sharlayan Dropouts Episode 5: Endwalker Predictions Featuring Victor's FFXIV Lore TED Talk Dec 02, 2021

When we last met our Warriors of Light, they were confident they'd be Thal's balls-deep in Endwalker by this point. Fate had other plans in mind, as Endwalker won't be accessible until December 3. Hey, Final Fantasy XIV is a Square Enix RPG. It's never a surprise when the heroes' plans go awry in an RPG.

Besides, the delay freed up some time to let us talk about a topic that kept eluding us: Endwalker story predictions! Hope you're sitting down, because Victor brought notes. What kind of dropout brings notes?!

Spoiler Level: Red. Major spoilers for Shadowbringers and Endwalker. We bust out all biggest story twists and smallest plot tweaks for pretty much the entire episode.

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Shin Megami Tensei 5 Review Nov 29, 2021

What, you wanna listen to Axe of the Blood God's very special Shin Megami Tensei 5 episode, guest starring Game Informer's Kim Wallace? Hmmm... gimme one life stone. I'll also take 300 macca and a shitload of your health!

Just kidding -- your friendship is more than enough to get access to our SMT V review. How does it play? What are its strengths? Its weakness? Is it a good entry point for SMT V virgins? Kat, Nadia, Eric, and Kim will fill you in on all the haunting deets.

Also in this episode: We're trying out a brand-new format that (hopefully) makes the show easier to listen to and enjoy! Come for Kat's Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl critique, stay for Nadia's disjointed rant about Simon Belmont from Captain N. Something about a bomber jacket?

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Cowboy Bebop Complete Series Ranking: The Top 10 Nov 24, 2021

In Part 3 of our complete Cowboy Bebop series ranking, we tackle the Top 10 alongside What a Cartoon's Henry Gilbert! In so doing we tackle some of the following topics: - What's the deal with Julia? - Who had the best arc? - Why does Toys in the Attic rule so much? - What happens when Final Fantasy and John Woo have a delightful anime baby? (It's Ballad of Fallen Angels). This episode is available immediately to our Patrons, and will be available through the free feed next week!

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Is This Shin Megami Tensei's Big Moment? Nov 22, 2021

This week on Axe of the Blood God, Kat, Nadia, and Eric discuss how Atlus would really love it if the west got the hang of making demonic pacts. We know Shin Megami Tensei V is out, and we know it's a great game -- but why hasn't the series made much headway into the western market compared to [looks around nervously, bend over and whispers] Persona? Can anything be done to make SMT more appealing to this market?

Also in this episode: Early hands-on impressions of Elden Ring are great, FFXIV: Endwalker is delayed, and Todd Howard laughs himself to sleep on a pile of money flanked by two beautiful ladies because people can't stop buying Skyrim.

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The Cowboy Bebop Complete Series Ranking, Part 2 Nov 17, 2021

In Part 2 of our complete Cowboy Bebop series ranking, we tackle episodes 16 through 10! In so doing, we hit some of the following topics: - Our personal favorite episodes - How Cowboy Bebop pays tributes to movies from the 60s and 70s - The wildness of Mushroom Samba - Why Gateway Shuffle is one of our sneaky favorites This episode is available immediately to our Patrons, and will be available through the free feed next week. Stay tuned for Part 3 as we jump into the Top 10 next week!

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Defending Legend of Dragoon w/ SuperDerek RPGs Nov 15, 2021

Well I'll tell you what, that daggum Kat recently got herself in a whole heap of Twitter trouble when she sassed Legend of Dragoon. On this week's episode of Axe of the Blood God, Kat apologizes for her sharp words -- but she also struggles to understand why half the internet is still nostalgic for this underachieving Sony RPG. To that end, Kat, Eric, and Nadia invited YouTuber (and Legend of Dragoon fan) SuperDerekRPG to the show. They have a grand ol' time talking about this (misunderstood?) game, and about retro RPGs in general.

Also in this episode: Shin Megami Tensei V is very good, and open wide because here comes a deluge of Elden Ring information.

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The Cowboy Bebop Complete Series Ranking, Part 1 Nov 10, 2021

Cowboy Bebop is one of the greatest anime ever made, and with a live-action series headed to Netflix, now is the perfect time to revisit this animated classic! We're joined by What a Cartoon and Talking Simpsons Host Henry Gilbert to rank episodes 24 - 17, where we hit some of the following topics: - How did we get into Cowboy Bebop? - Is Sympathy for the Devil underrated? - How great is VT's cat? - And how do we feel about Gren in the year 2021? This episode is Part 1 of our big ranking of Cowboy Bebop, and it's available to both our Patrons and free listeners right now! Part 2 will be available next week , but paid subscribers can access it immediately!

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PC RPG Quest - 1980s: The Rise of JRPGs w/ PC98 Audi Nov 08, 2021

This week on Axe of the Blood God, Kat, Nadia, and Eric board the Magic School Bus and travel back to the very beginnings of JRPG development. PC98 Audi from Digital Foundry makes a guest appearance to delve deep into the machine that arguably started it all: The humble PC-88. Audi also has tons of history to share about the MSX, and other high-tech '80s stuff that was vital to the early evolution of JRPGs. Frankly, he's the proverbial Miss Frizzle on this trip. Without him, Kat, Nadia, and Eric would probably fall out of the bus and get eaten by a microprocessor.

Also in this episode: Kat's in Super Robot War heaven, we have a trailer for Netflix's adaptation of The Witcher 2, and Square Enix is gonna make you wet with a new Star Ocean game.

["Hey Hey 16k" is by MJ Hibbett and the Validators. Enjoy your earworm]

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An Ode to the Ogre Battle Series Nov 01, 2021

This week on Axe of the Blood God, Nadia, Kat, and Eric battle ogres with the help of a very special guest, Waah! Yes, our generous $100 Patron finally gets to shine on-stage, and he's picked a very cool topic: Square Enix's half-forgotten Ogre Battle series. This still-beloved string of strategy games was the precursor to Final Fantasy Tactics, and it's a darn shame it doesn't garner the acknowledgement it deserves. We'll fix that, though. Oh, we will definitely fix that.

Also in this episode: Stardew Valley's creator is taking us to the Land of Chocolate, CD Projekt Red has some more delays for us, and the Mass Effect 3 ending controversy has reared its ugly, exhausting head once again.

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Sharlayan Dropouts Episode 4: The Big Huge Hands-On Endwalker Preview Explosion Oct 27, 2021

Smoke 'em if you got 'em because it's time for a brand-new episode of Sharlayan Dropouts--Axe of the Blood God's cool and fashionable Final Fantasy XIV podcast. This week, Nadia and Mike talk about what it was like to go hands-on with a preview build of the upcoming Endwalker expansion. (Victor, meanwhile, drools in equal parts anticipation and jealousy.) Look forward to a thorough breakdown of some of the new maps, including the Old Sharlayan hub town. Rest assured the rumours about Nadia dealing fogweed in the fifth floor washroom are greatly exaggerated. [Cough.]

Also in this episode: Hironobu Sakaguchi, the father of Final Fantasy, is in deep with Final Fantasy XIV. Very deep. We got 'im, fellahs. Plus, the Moogle Treasure Festival is on again, so prepare for Praetorium memes.

Spoiler Warning Level: Yellow. The content is pretty evenly parsed out in this episode. The first half up to 27:48 is news and discussion about what we've been doing in-game. There are very mild spoilers about A Realm Reborn's final dungeon, and we talk a bit about the games' trailers. From 27:48 on, the episode is almost exclusively spoilers about Endwalker's mechanics, the preview dungeon we played, etc.

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How Dragon Slayer and Xanadu Changed RPGs As We Know Them Oct 25, 2021

There be dragons and dragon slayers in this week's episode of Axe of the Blood God. Faithful Patron Brian Cowan (thank you!) requested that Nadia, Kat, and Eric wade neck-deep into the fascinating historical muck that is Falcom's Dragon Slayer series. They talk about its origins, the people behind its development, and the reasons why this long-running series is one of the most important contributors to the RPG genre.

Also in this episode: Nadia shares some FFXIV: Endwalker impressions, Vampire: The Masquerade Bloodlines 2 was saved from the brink of oblivion, and there are no cross-saves in the PC port of Monster Hunter Rise because Capcom loves suffering.

Oh, and Kat and Eric talk about Evangelion Thrice Upon a Time while Nadia plays Pokemon Go. The discussion, which is spoilerish, runs from 49:35 to 58:23.

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The Spookiest RPG Creepypastas Oct 18, 2021

Axe of the Blood God gets sPooOoOoky this week as Kat, Nadia, and Eric talk about "creepypasta" RPGs. Creepypasta is a weird term, but you're probably familiar with what it entails: Stories about haunted games that some poor hapless schmuck picked up at a flea market or whatever. Pokemon Lost Silver, BEN DROWNED, that one NES Godzilla cartridge that was filled with weird sprites and music...the list goes on. The trio also discusses RPG story moments that freaked them out. This episode is rated VS for Very Scary.

Other topics this week: Thoughts on the shakeup at Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio, Sora alighting in Smash like some kind of anime Jesus wearing oversized kicks, and the passing of Dragon Quest composer Koichi Sugiyama.

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Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous Review w/ Jason Wilson Oct 11, 2021

Who amongst us is truly righteous? It's probably not a great idea to look at Axe of the Blood God for paragons of virtue. That's why Nadia, Kat, and Eric invited Jason Wilson back this week to review Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous. What's good? What's bad? Should you play? What are some good starting tips? Will you make friends with a horse that runs across roofs? You can if you believe you can.

Also in this episode: Nadia keeps stanning Actraiser Renaissance, Amazon's New World MMORPG is a hit, and Jack from Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin said a bad word. We're telling mom.

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PC RPG Quest - 1980s: The Golden Age Of RPGs Oct 04, 2021

The '80s are alive and well in our souls -- and on Axe of the Blood God, too. This week, Nadia and Kat are joined by their good pal Jason Wilson as they continue the PC RPG Quest. It all started in the '70s, but PC RPGs got a major boost thanks to the rapid growth of the home computer market. It's a very important chapter of RPG history. After all, without Ultima, Wizardry, or SSI's Gold Box games, there'd be no Dragon Quest or Final Fantasy. What a sick, sad world that would be.

Also in this episode: A new Nintendo Direct brings a deluge of RPG news, and Super Mario now shares his soul with Chris Pratt. Mama Mia!

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Sharlayan Dropouts: FFXIV Live Letter Discourse and Sad Scholar Memes Sep 30, 2021

It's a new month, which means the Sharlayan Dropouts have huddled themselves in the smoke hole again. (They just keyed Fourchenault's Chocobo chariot; best they lay low for a while.) Nadia, Victor, and Mike talk about the very lengthy Final Fantasy XIV Live Letter, and what it all means for the upcoming Endwalker expansion. That gaping hole in the moon...it's not going to get any bigger, right? Right.

Also in this episode: Dragoons are pole dancing again, the Twins are overdue for their Elezen growth spurt, and Nadia learns you can't just breed brother and sister Chocobos in twisted eugenics experiments like you can in FFVII.

Spoiler Level: Yellow. The front end of the episode is largely spoiler-free, but we loosen up in the back half. Here are some handy-dandy time stamps:

Up to 16:36 - News about the FFXV event, and discussion what we've been doing in-game. Some talk about raids, etc, but no major discussion about story events connected to them.

Up to to 43:40 - Talk about the Live Letter and changes to FFXIV's classes. Some very minor spoilers that involve how each class has evolved since ARR.

From 43:40 onward - Free discussion about Endwalker and the story beats leading up to it.

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The Spooniest Episode: Bards In RPGs Sep 27, 2021

This week on Axe of the Blood God, Nadia and Kat get a little spoony and talk about one of the oldest and most controversial RPG classes: The Bard. Generous $50 Patron Drew Waranis requested we talk about these golden-throated music makers, and the Blood God is here to please. This episode dissects the history of the Bard, talks about the most famous bards in RPGs, and asks that one vital question: Do we need bards. Are they, like, cool, man?

Also in this episode: Holy crap, Eastbound! Holy crap, Deltarune chapter 2! Holy crap, Tales of Arise already sold a million copies! What an exciting week.

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The Great Tales Ranking, Part 2 Sep 25, 2021

In this special episode of Axe of the Blood God, we continue our celebration of Namco Bandai Tales series by ranking all of its biggest games -- from the lowly Tales of the Tempest to the much-loved Tales of Symphonia!

In Part 2, we jump into the classics -- the entries that pushed the series forward and retain a special place in our hearts. Joining us once again are two huge Tails fans: Game Informer's Kim Wallace and friend of the pod Victor Hunter! It's Axe of the Blood God's biggest Tales celebration to date, so join us as we conclude the definitive ranking! And as always, thank you to our Patrons at the $5 level and above, who get to access this entry a week early and ad free!

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Tales of Arise Review w/ Eric Van Allen Sep 20, 2021

Tales of Arise has finally arrived, and it's bigger than ten Super Bowls. This week, Kat and Nadia are joined by USgamer alumni (and Normandy FM podcast host) Eric Van Allen as they dive deep into the latest entry in this beloved but oft-troubled RPG series. Is this the Tale that will save the world, and convert all the non-believers? Maybe. Just maybe. Anyway, it has a cute owl, so it's automatically GOTY.

Also in this episode: Stardew Valley is finally finished (maybe), a Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic remake is in the works, and Yoko Taro is making a card-based game that will probably kill us all in our sleep, then instruct us to reflect on our words and deeds.

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The Great Tales Ranking, Part 1 Sep 15, 2021

In this special episode of Axe of the Blood God, we continue our celebration of Namco Bandai Tales series by ranking all of its biggest games -- from the lowly Tales of the Tempest to the much-loved Tales of Symphonia!

In Part 1, we examine some of the hard luck entries in the series; the Tales games that didn't have much of a budget, featured strange systems, or are just plain forgettable (meaningful glance at Tales of Hearts). Joining us are two huge Tails fans: Game Informer's Kim Wallace and friend of the pod Victor Hunter! They walk us through some of the more esoteric bits of Tales history, explaining why Tales of the Tempest maybe shouldn't be dismissed so quickly, swapping stories about exploring the Tales store, and making errant comparisons to James Bond films.

It's Axe of the Blood God's biggest Tales celebration to date, so join us as we embark on the definitive ranking! And as always, thank you to our Patrons at the $5 level and above, who can now access Part 2 right away on their feed!

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The Fall 2021 RPG Preview: The RPGs to Watch This Holiday Season Sep 13, 2021

Summer's going fast, nights are growing colder. It's nearly fall --and with fall comes the holiday games rush. This week, Kat and Nadia discuss some of the RPGs we can expect to see stuffed in the depths of Santa's sack. We have Tales of Arise and Eastward for a start, and as the season goes on, we can expect Super Robot Wars 30, Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker, Shin Megami Tensei V, and a heck of a lot more.

It's going to be a bountiful season full of fun, surprises, and demons that can't wait to flay you with chains. Also in this episode: MMO maker Netease might be in talks to poach Yakuza creator Toshihiro Nagoshi, and Bravely Default II is bravely making its way to PC.

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Final Fantasy IV Turns 30, And We Rank Its Heroes Sep 06, 2021

This week on Axe of the Blood God, Kat is absent and it takes Nadia a grand total of ten minutes to wreck the joint. With no Kat to enforce the rules, Nadia is free to jabber about Final Fantasy IV, which she does for two hours alongside Ash Paulsen from Good Vibes Gaming. "What's left to say about Final Fantasy IV?" you might ask.

First of all: Shame on you. Second, Final Fantasy IV's 30th anniversary is behind us and the Pixel Remaster is just ahead of us. There's never a bad time to talk about one of the most important RPGs ever made. But to make things extra interesting, Ash and I rank Final Fantasy IV's cast. Who's most deserving of your love? And who deserves to be chucked out of the Enterprise at 3000 feet? Tune in to find out.

Also in this episode: Moon is coming to Steam, Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster I through III received patches (no font fixes, lol), and Monsters Rule! Monster Rancher!!

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Pantheon Mini: Lord of the Rings: The Third Age Aug 30, 2021

We've been there, and now we're back again: The Summer of the Rings draws to its close with a mini Pantheon of the Blood God episode. Kat and Nadia go in-depth with EA's The Lord of the Rings: The Third Age for the PS2. Does it deserve to go into the Pantheon? Heck no -- we'll just spoil that for you up front -- but it's still worth talking about. From its bizarre final boss to an underspoken origin story that indirectly involves Hironobu Sakaguchi, the very existence of the Third Age was something of a marvel.

Also in this episode: Nadia plays with witches who play with guns, Kat makes out with boyfriends who are also swords, and Pokemon fans are big mad for a change.

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PC RPG Quest - 1970s: Of Mainframes and Roguelikes Aug 23, 2021

It's finally time to start the PC RPG Quest, because without knowledge of our past, there can be no future. This week, Kat and Nadia look back at the primal roots of RPGs, especially games written and played on the giant university mainframes of the '70s. They're joined by author David L. Craddock, who knows a thing or two about ancient computer RPGs. Which RPG first used graphics? Which RPG had the first instance of a boss fight? We guarantee you'll come away from this episode feeling educated and entertained.

Also in this episode: Nadia and Kat compare Tales of Arise impressions, and an Indie Direct brought us a lot of great RPG news. Buckle up Homestuck, because Nintendo's not done: A big Pokemon Direct is coming very soon, too!

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Sharlayan Dropouts: How Will the World of Warcraft Exodus Change Final Fantasy XIV? Aug 18, 2021

Sprouts! Sprouts everywhere! There's been a massive influx of new players to Final Fantasy XIV, thanks in part to an exodus from World of Warcraft. FFXIV is generally known for its friendly community--not that you won't find players who call you the worst dragoon in the world [COUGH]--and there is some rumbling about how the mass migration might affect FFXIV's chemistry. Is there any real cause for worry, though? Nadia, Mike, and Victor talk about the changes they've observed personally, and Mike has some insight about what's involved in switching from WoW's mechanics to FFXIV's.

Also in this episode: Victor RP's at a goth party, and Nadia is lost in FFXIV's endless crafting hole. Help.

SPOILER WARNING LEVEL: YELLOW. In the second half of the podcast, the crew goes over some minor, generalized story reveals for the opening moments of Shadowbringers. There's also a reference to an early subquest involving a rookie party of adventures...but if you don't know anything about Edda Pureheart, it's high time you learned.

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In Honor of Smaug - RPG Dragons And Why We Love Them Aug 16, 2021

There be dragons on today's very special episode of Axe of the Blood God. Kat and Nadia talk about the best dragons in RPGs -- and by "best," they kind of mean "worst" because everyone knows dragons are at their best when they're burninating the countryside. Okay, cuddly and friendly dragons are valid, too. Maybe all dragons are valid at the end of the day. In any case, Nadia is incapable of shutting up for most of this episode, so enjoy.

Also up for discussion: Activision Blizzard is working to improve (albeit with a minimum of effort), Mass Effect Legendary Edition sold like gangbusters to Bioware's relief, and Nadia got a sick-ass tattoo that's currently peeling and kind of gross to look at.

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NEO: The World Ends with You Review w/ Rebekah Valentine and Imran Khan Aug 09, 2021

The world is coming to an end again, and you are coming to an end with it. We all are. This week on Axe of the Blood God, Kat and Nadia talk about Neo The World EndS With You alongside Imran Khan of Fanbyte and Rebekah Valentine of IGN. Expect compliments, criticisms, and lots of jabbing at game director Tetsuya Nomura. It's all in good fun Nomura, we love you.

If you've not yet played Neo The World Ends With You, fear not--our discussion is spoiler-free!

Also in this episode: Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster is great, it's pretty easy to beat up 7-year-olds in Pokemon Unite, and somehow the higher-ups at Activision Blizzard keep finding new ways to crawl deeper into their cesspit.

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The Best RPG Mini-Games, Our Favorite Dinosaurs, And More Aug 02, 2021

Summer's at its hottest and we're right in between big RPG releases. That can only mean one thing for the Axe of the Blood God: It's Letter Tiiiime, it's Letter Tiiiiime! This week, Nadia and Kat chip through a very backed-up mailbag (sorry!) and answer some vital questions like:

"What's your favorite game that's not an RPG?"
"What's your favorite RPG mini-game?"
"What's the worst RPG you've ever had to plug through?"

And most importantly:

"What's your favorite dinosaur?"

The answers to these questions and lots more are in our magic mailbag episode! You don't want to miss it.

Also in this episode: Final Fantasy XIV is being crushed by love, Kat's into Pokemon Unite (FREE HER), and lots of dark, dank, cursed industry discourse thanks to Activision Blizzard.

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Summer of the Rings: How Tolkien Helped Define RPGs Jul 26, 2021

What do RPGs owe to J.R.R. Tolkien's works? Everything... or something dang near close to it. This week, author David Craddock joins Kat and Nadia to talk about The Lord of the Rings' influence on RPGs old and new, eastern and western. Pull up a stool, fill your tankard with the Green Dragon's finest dark ale, and for God's sake, don't fiddle with the fireworks Gandalf so temptingly left unguarded in his wagon.

Also in this episode: The Steam Deck will mean great things for RPGs (aaaaand they're gone), Kat has a new Super Robot Wars lesson, and Tidus' head just friggin' explodes. RIP in pieces, Blitzball boy. This is what it sounds like when doves cry.

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Sharlayan Dropouts: Our Final Fantasy XIV Podcast is Here! Jul 21, 2021

Welcome to our latest project at Axe of the Blood God: Sharlayan Dropouts! In this new monthly podcast, Nadia Oxford and a rotating selection of guests will talk about all things Final Fantasy XIV — a perfect companion for the upcoming Endwalker expansion!

In our first episode, the land of Eorzea fell into fiery ruin when the enraged Primal Bahamut "hatched" from the moon of Dalamud and tore the realm asunder. Then it got better. There's still much work to be done, but Nadia, Mike Williams, and Victor Hunter are content to let Sharlayan's eggheads do the heavy lifting. They're fine with slumming around campus, smoking, and scratching uselessly for the deeper meaning of existence—like all accomplished dropouts.

The newly-formed light party talks about the reasons they got into Final Fantasy XIV, and reminisce over the first races they chose. They also discuss their first Job choices, and wonder why the game doesn't have more hybrid races running around. Well, Nadia wonders, mostly. She wants her Viera/Miqo'te cub, and she wants it right now.

[EPISODE 1 SPOILER ALERT LEVEL: GREEN. Low risk of spoilers. This episode talks about the game and its story in a generalized way. There is some discussion about NPCs that show up in Heavensward, Stormblood, and Shadowbringers, but there isn't much in-depth discussion about their roles. That said, the nature of spoilers is very subjective, so always listen at your own risk.]

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Monster Hunter Stories 2 Review w/ Casey DeFreitas Jul 19, 2021

My pet monster! Pet monster, I love you! This week's episode is all about Monster Hunter Stories 2, and how we love Nargacuga so very, very much. Kat and Nadia are joined by a special guest: IGN's Casey DeFreitas. Together, they gear up and evaluate everything that's good about this unusual RPG from Capcom (a Rathalos gets hugged) and everything that's not-so-good (frame rates that chug like slow freight trains).

Also in this episode: Blizzard's latest World of Warcraft storyline deflates like a balloon, farting sound and all. The second season of Netflix's The Witcher is looking good, Baldur's Gate 3 lets you futz with Lady Luck, and the Nintendo Switch Pro is real! Ha ha, sike. You so thought.

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The RPG Mid-Year Review 2021 Jul 12, 2021

2021 is half over. Scream and protest all you want; nothing will change. Instead of mulling over the inexorable march of time, why not think about RPGs instead? This week, Nadia and Kat do a mid-year checkup on the genre and talk about their favorites so far. Ys 9! Bravely Default 2! Monster Hunter Rise! And the rest!

Also in this episode: Nadia previews Monster Hunter Stories 2, Kat turns around on Neo The World Ends With You, Elder Scrolls 6 is a long, long way off, and Bidoof, Bidoof, Bidoof.

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The Console RPG Quest Finale: Ranking the Greatest RPG Consoles! Jul 05, 2021

Well, the RPG Console Quest is behind us. That can only mean one thing: It's time to make a list. This week, Kat and Nadia rank the consoles according to their contributions to the RPG genre. Which system(s) made it into the "S" tier? Which are condemned to the "LOL" tier? How many consoles did Nadia forget to add to the list until the very last second? (Hint: So many.)

Also in this episode: Final Fantasy 9 is getting an animated series, D&D Dark Alliance is uhhhh, and Square Enix hit the Neo The World Ends With You demo button a smidge too early. What does a "World Ends With You" demo button look like, anyway…? We imagine it's a big, shiny, candy-red button.

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The Console RPG Quest: Nintendo Switch Jun 28, 2021

It is the very end, my friends — the very end of Axe of the Blood God's RPG Console Quest! This week, Kat and Nadia talk about the healthy RPG library that's up for grabs on the Nintendo Switch. From unique exclusives like Xenoblade Chronicles 2, Monster Hunter Rise, and Bravely Default 2 to amazing ports like Dragon Quest XI S and the revised Final Fantasy line, the Switch is home to some of the best variety the genre has to offer. Even better, the Switch isn't done by a long shot. It's still going, and whispers of the Switch Pro means Nintendo will surely be around to serve up RPG greatness for a while to come.

Also in this episode: E3 is finished (maybe in more ways than one; it depends on your outlook), Kat went hands-on with Tales of Arise, and Breath of the Wild 2's weapon degradation discourse will kill us all.

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E3 2021 Recap: Chaos! Jun 21, 2021

Oh no, it's E3 again. Kat and Nadia talk about the press conferences they've already seen (Square Enix, Microsoft) and speculate on the ones that haven't yet happened (Nintendo). Come for the discussion about Eiyuden Chronicles, Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster, and Eldin Ring. Stay for the Chaos, Chaos, Chaos.

Also in this episode: Griftlands, Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade, and did we mention some dude really has a hate-boner for another dude named Chaos?

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A Deep Dive into Final Fantasy Music w/ Alex Moukala Jun 14, 2021

Kat is away this week, which means it's another golden opportunity for co-host Nadia Oxford to conduct studies on the cleansing properties of fire. Actually, everything goes very well thanks to a very cool guest appearance by music composer/remixer, Alex Moukala! Alex and Nadia talk about the history of Final Fantasy music and its composers, including series veteran Nobuo Uematsu and Final Fantasy XIV's own bard, Masayoshi Soken.

Also in this episode: Nadia is joined by friend and Blood God FF XIV raid organizer, Victor Hunter, to talk about Shin Megami Tensei III, Square Enix's mysterious E3 plans, and...FFXIV.

Finally, please pardon Nadia's rather dismal mic quality this week. Her Yeti's USB cord elected to slowly murder itself ahead of E3 2021's festivities. There but for the grace of God go any of us.

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Pressing Reset, Saga Frontier & E3 Predictions w/ Jason Schreier Jun 07, 2021

This week on the Axe of the Blood God RPG podcast: Education! Sort of. Esteemed games journalist, writer, and reporter Jason Schreier joins Kat and Nadia to talk about his book, Press Reset: Ruin and Recovery in the Video Game Industry. The conversation veers towards the myriad problems with the games industry, particularly the creative process therein...but rest assured the discourse touches on good, hopeful things going on, too. Once the serious stuff is out of the way, the gang veers towards heavy conversation on--what else?--JRPGs, including the Saga series, Final Fantasy XIV, and Dragon Quest, Dragon Quest, Dragon Quest.

Speaking of rocking the dragon, Kat and Nadia go over the Dragon Quest XII and Dragon Quest III 2D-HD trailers in excitable detail. Also in this episode: E3 is on the horizon, and Microsoft is getting ready to show off what Bethany Esda has been up to. (e.g. Starfield. Surely.)

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The Console RPG Quest: Nintendo Wii U May 31, 2021

The Console RPG Quest is nearing its end, and this week Kat and Nadia look back at a real winner: The Wii U! And in this instance, "winner" actually means "loser," and "loser" actually means "Oh God, why?"

Despite its Gamepad-sized problems, the Wii U still had an RPG legacy worth talking about! After all, the world is still waiting on at least one refugee to make the jump to the Switch. (Cough, Xenoblade Chronicles X, cough.)

Also in this episode: Kat wrote a very, very big feature about Blizzard, Starfield is Xbox-only much to the chagrin of PS5 fanboys, and shucks, maybe Ni No Kuni 2 ain't so bad after all. President Roland still sucks nuclear fallout, though.

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Going Massive on Mass Effect Legendary Edition w/ Eric Van Allen May 24, 2021

This week, Kat and Nadia go massive on Mass Effect! USgamer alumni and absolute Mass Effect sage Eric Van Allen joins the podcast to have a long, involved talk about Mass Effect Legendary Edition. He also lends a sympathetic ear to Nadia's lament over how Wrex is not a romance option.

Once their Krogan thirst is slaked, the crew then moves on to talking about Nier Replicant and Pokemon Snap. You will be shocked, shocked to learn Nadia uploaded a PG-13 picture and promptly received a rebuke email from Nintendo.

Also in this episode: Neo The World Ends With You is making post-hardcore cool again, Skyrim discourse veers into cannibalism and Cinnabon, and congratulations Australia, Hideo Kojima's content is no longer illegal in your fair country!

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The Earthbound Halloween Hack And Other Famous RPG ROM Hacks May 17, 2021

This week on Axe of the Blood God, Nadia and Kat talk all about ROMs. (To clarify, they have a discussion about modified game files. Rom the Space Knight does not enter into the picture.) Hacked ROMs have played, and continue to play, a major role in RPG accessibility and expression. Hacked ROMs are what gave us valuable fan translations of RPGs that were otherwise untouchable in the West, including Final Fantasy V, Bahamut Lagoon, and Mother 3. Hacked ROMs let us re-balance our favorite RPGs and fix nasty bugs. Hacked ROMs are also the basis of sprawling fan-made RPGs, much to game publishers' chagrin. It's a meaty topic that travels from the '90s all the way up to present day. A special thanks to $50 Patron Drew Waranis for both this great idea and their generous support!

Also in this episode: Nadia has officially PS5, Yakuza is turn-based forever, and Final Fantasy 7 Remake is taking us to Fort Condor so we can play war games with Big Bird.

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Lunar, Ys, and More: The Earliest RPGs on CD May 10, 2021

Another Patron-requested topic approaches! This week, Kat and Nadia take on a very special request to talk about the semi-lost "in between" era of CD JRPGs. If you're an old person, you'll know all about said era: It was an awkward but interesting time when some 16-bit consoles received CD player add-ons. A host of one-of-a-kind RPGs followed from series like Lunar, Ys, and more. It was a time when 16-color anime cutscenes were king, and localization company Working Designs made sure not to skimp on the Bill Clinton jokes. Get your slap bracelets ready. Special thanks to $50 Patron Visa-Valtteri Pimiä for both their generous support and the great idea! Also in this episode: Monster Hunter Rise gets a Rathalos-sized update, Pokemon Snap seems lovely, Returnal is perfectly spooky, and Shin Megami Tensei 3's Matador seems really wild about Hanukkah.

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The Women of Final Fantasy May 03, 2021

Today on a very special episode of Axe of the Blood God, we host our very first Patreon-sponsored guest! Giuseppe Spinella joins Kat and Nadia for a very thoughtful conversation about the women of the Final Fantasy series. They delve into how said women have contributed to the series' narrative with their strengths, their flaws, and in Garnet's case, their very, very yellow attire. Please enjoy this spirited exchange, and thanks as always to our Patrons for your invaluable support!

Also in this episode: Nier Replicant's positive reception demonstrates how much the games industry has opened up in the past decade, and Nadia touches all of Loki's stuff and makes him mad in Shin Megami Tensei III Nocturne HD Remaster.

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The Console RPG Quest: PlayStation Vita Apr 26, 2021

Vita means Life — if your definition of “Life” is “Deader than vulture-stripped roadkill.” Yes, Axe of the Blood God pays its dues to the PlayStation Vita this week in the latest RPG Console Quest. Kat and Nadia mourn the powerful handheld’s all-too-early death and its subsequent abandonment by Sony. How did everything go so very wrong? More importantly, which RPGs were left orphaned on the system? Why do retro JRPG fans love the Vita so very, very much?

Also in this episode: Kat and Nadia launch an entirely new segment, Nadia falls on her face while trying to understand SaGa Frontier Remastered, and Square Enix probably isn’t for sale, so put away your piggybank.

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How to Tame the Toughest RPGs + Fantasian Impressions Apr 19, 2021

A new week, a new milestone! This time Kat and Nadia get to answer a question sent in by a generous Patron: How do we get into new RPGs without becoming so intimidated that we run in the opposite direction and back into the arms of the comforting RPGs we already know and love? It’s a great query that yields some deep discussion about overcoming personal discomforts to enrich our experience with the genre. Oh, and there are also tips galore about how to get into new RPGs. In the ‘80s and ‘90s, you had to send your parents’ phone bill through the roof to get this kind of primo game-playing advice.

Also in this episode: Early Fantasian impressions, E3 will be E-Free (and online), Square Enix gets a bit of Outriders-brand salve to soothe its Avengers boo-boos, and we crown our RPG March Madness champion at last!

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Monster Hunter Rise Review Roundtable w/ Nerium Strom & Mike Minotti Apr 12, 2021

Are there monsters under your bed? There are a whole bunch under ours, and we couldn’t be happier about it. Monster Hunter Rise is on the Nintendo Switch, and it’s a monster-whacking gem. Kat and Nadia review the game in-depth with the help of GamesBeat’s review editor, Mike Minotti, and Nerium Strom of Fanbyte.

Also in this episode: CD Projekt Red is hard at work trying to salvage Cyberpunk 2077, Final Fantasy alumni revealed a new game called Astria Ascending, and the Bravely Default soundtracks are now on Spotify, so dunk your head in that musical goodness and drink deep.

Finally, a wee bit of news that flew by us as soon as we finished recording: Hironobu Sakaguchi’s new RPG, Fantasian, is out on Apple Arcade! We’ll have more about that next week, so please look forward to it.

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A Preview of Pantheon of the Blood God for System Shock 2 Apr 06, 2021

It's time for another Pantheon of the Blood God, and this month we're joined by former CGW Editor in Chief Jeff Green to explore System Shock 2! Join us for a special preview as we explore its history and talk about why this classic horror RPG is so significant. To hear the rest of the show as well as the rest of our exclusive content, head over to our Patreon and sign up at the $10 of the show!

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Axe of the Blood God 300: The RPGs That Made Us Apr 05, 2021

By the Dragonlord's pantaloons! Axe of the Blood God has hit episode 300, and we couldn't be prouder to bring it to you! Kat and Nadia hosted a live show, but if you missed out, here's the neat 'n clean audio for you. You can also watch a re-run at Kat's Twitch channel.

This week, Nadia and Kat have a long leisurely talk with the Blood God audience about RPG "firsts." Which game gets the credit as the progenitor of the genre we love so much? Did Dragon Quest III introduce classes, or did Final Fantasy III beat the dragon to the punch? And did you know modern RPGs owe a heck of a lot to Hydlide, that primitive "bump-and-stab" action RPG that has the worst overworld music in gaming history? Life is full of surprises, and we love reminding you all of that fact.

Also in this episode: Monster Hunter Rise is monstrously good, SMT 3 featuring Dante from Devil May Cry is coming to Switch in May, and Square Enix cancels a Final Fantasy XI remake that we had no idea was in the works.

Thanks for your support! Here's to 300 more episodes.

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What Makes a Good Action RPG? Feat. Dark Souls, Diablo II, and More Mar 29, 2021

Wowzers! Kat and Nadia are one episode away from the big 3-0-0! Despite being on the cusp of a momentous occasion, they decide to chill out this week and talk about action RPGs. What makes a good action RPG? How has the genre evolved from its earliest and most popular titles? Why are some RPG fans (Kat) a little salty about action RPGs’ very existence? The answers to these mysteries and more lie within.

Also in this episode: There’s a whole lot of news about the state of Final Fantasy 7 Remake, Nier: Automata is finally getting fixed on the PC, and the March Madness match-ups are getting real spicy in a real hurry.

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The Console RPG Quest: Nintendo 3DS Mar 22, 2021

Remember when corporations really tried to make 3D media a permanent thing? Axe of the Blood God remembers. In fact, this week our RPG Console Quest takes us back to the Nintendo 3DS, a handheld that projected images in 3D without the need for goofy glasses. The glasses-free 3D gimmick wore out its welcome pretty quickly. In fact, the Nintendo 3DS had an infamously rocky start that led to a massive price cut. Things were looking pretty hairy for a little while, but in the end, the Nintendo 3DS was a strong, quiet triumph that gave us a lot of great RPGs.

Also in this episode: Bethesda has officially merged with Microsoft (resistance is futile), Fantasian might be composer Nobuo Uematsu’s swan song, and Kat has Final Fantasy 14 mount envy.

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Persona 5 Strikers & Bravely Default 2 Reviews [No Spoilers] w/ Samantha Nelson Mar 15, 2021

Two highly-anticipated games, Bravely Default 2 and Persona 5 Strikers, had the gall to come out simultaneously. Kat and Nadia are determined to give both titles equal attention, but that’s a lot of work for just two gals, awesome as they might be. That’s why freelance writer and very special guest Samantha Nelson joins us to gab about braving, defaulting, and why Yusuke is still Persona 5’s best boy.

Also in this episode: Kat gets caught up on all the major Pokemon news, Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines 2 is in a lot of bloody trouble, and March Madness: RPG Edition (the only edition worth following) kicks off.

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Memories of the '90s RPG Fandom w/ Andrew Vestal Mar 08, 2021

With Kat out romping with faeries or whatever people do on vacation, Nadia is left to host an entire episode all by her lonesome. Or is she? This week, Nadia calls on a very old friend, Andrew Vestal, the former proprietor of the very first Final Fantasy site she visited when she connected to the internet in 1995. Nadia and Andrew ramble down memory lane and recall how RPG fandom was so very different in the ‘90s, when sites were hosted on bare motherboards cooled by oscillating fans. And yet, so much was familiar: Arguments over game localization, rampant rumor mongering, and blind character worship. There is truly nothing new under the sun.

Also in this episode: RIP Anthem, Bravely Default 2 is out and about, and holy moly, there is a lot going on with Pokemon in the near future. We’re very excited.

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A Preview of Pantheon of the Blood God for Final Fantasy VIII Mar 03, 2021

It's once again time for Axe of the Blood God to evaluate a classic RPG for induction into the Pantheon of the Blood God, and this entry is one of the most controversial (and underrated!) games of them all. This month our $10+ Patreon subscribers get to hear us talk about Final Fantasy VIII! In this free preview, Kat, Nadia, and special guest Alex Donaldson talk about the "cloud" hanging over the series in the form of Final Fantasy VII, the subtle storytelling around Laguna, and much more. The full is available now and can be accessed via our Patreon!

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The Ys IX Review w/ Game Informer's Kim Wallace Mar 01, 2021

It’s a tough, tough world out there right now, and we hope you’re keeping well, Blood God listeners. This week, we take things Ys-y (HAH!) as Game Informer’s Kimberly Wallace joins Nadia in a lengthy discussion about Ys 9: Monstrum Nox. Does it live up to the lofty standards set by 2016’s Ys 8: Lacrimosa of Dana? Sit and listen before you inevitably drift down the road to your next adventure.

Also in this episode: Nadia and Kat deconstruct the recent Nintendo Direct and get excited over Project Triangle Strategy, an awesome-looking strategy RPG with a dumb working title. Finally, Kat begins her journey into Final Fantasy XIV as an Elezen and offers her first impressions of Square Enix’s hit MMORPG.

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The Console RPG Quest: PlayStation 3 Feb 22, 2021

Axe of the Blood God’s noble Console RPG Quest continues, and this week we dissect the RPG legacy of a very interesting system: The PlayStation 3. Sony’s first HD console was hobbled right from the start thanks to derisive memes, awkward accessories, programming troubles, and good old fashioned arrogance. To make things worse, the popularity of game consoles was on a major downswing in Japan, and JRPGs were regarded as tragically uncool in the west. How did everything turn out for Sony in the end? We break it all down.

Also in this episode: We talk about the trailer for the next Final Fantasy 14 expansion, Endwalker, Persona 5 Strikers is about to take your heart, and CD Projekt Red is dealing with a massive cyberattack at the worst possible time. Well, there’s never a good time to deal with a cyberattack, but in this particular instance... yeah. It’s bad.

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Gathering of the Disciples - February 2021 Feb 19, 2021

Nadia and Kat host a live discussion with the Axe of the Blood God community! They share plans for an exciting community event for March, where Television of the Blood God stands following the conclusion of The Witcher, and plans for the next Pantheon pick. Plus, we take questions from the community!

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Mass Effect Returns, Tabletop Talk, and Much More w/ Austin Walker Feb 15, 2021

What an eventful week. Nadia's wayward Xbox Series X showed up on her doorstep (well, it showed up in the Walmart pick-up area), and we have a very special guest: Austin Walker of Waypoint and Friends at the Table! He talks to us about his one true love, Mass Effect, and gives us his thoughts on the upcoming remaster (23:20). He also talks about the different feelings JRPGs evoke versus Western RPGs (32:40), and goes over the joys and disappointments of Final Fantasy XV (35:00).

There is also a Final Fantasy XIV discussion featuring a rant by Nadia (37:10), a debate about RPG systems versus story (42:00), a talk about the importance of good character development (45:30), another debate over whether or not Nioh 2 is an RPG (49:00), a chat about how gaming discourse has changed over the past five years alone (51:40), and an observation about how modern politics can alter game stories (1:00).

Finally, our meeting with Austin wraps up with discourse on tabletop RPGs (1:04), and an all-important discussion about robots and Super Robot Wars. (1:10). Whew! It's a meaty episode, all right. Meatier than Castlevania's walls.

Enjoy the pod? Check out our Patreon! New episodes are available a week early and ad free to subscribers at the $5 level and up.

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The Indie RPGs to Watch in 2021 Feb 08, 2021

It’s time to dish out some hugs and kisses to indie RPGs. This week, Kat and Nadia talk about the independently-developed RPGs they’re most excited for in 2021, including She Dreams Elsewhere, Cris Tales, Darkest Dungeons 2, and—dare we hope—Eastward.

Also on the docket: Nadia has Ys IX impressions, Mass Effect’s alien sex is beautiful, and we have no idea what’s going on with the GameStop stock fiasco. That doesn’t stop us from trying to sound smart about it, however. Enjoy the pod? Check out our Patreon! New episodes are available a week early and ad free to subscribers at the $5 level and up.

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The 90s Anime We Loved, and the RPGs They Created w/ Bob Mackey & Henry Gilbert Feb 01, 2021

The only thing you should fear more than the Blood God’s axe is the Blood God’s anime obsession. This week, Kat and Nadia talk to Bob Mackey and Henry Gilbert talk about how anime and RPGs uplift one another. They also look back at RPGs based on licensed anime properties, and recall the Mighty Struggle™ that shaped and molded anime fans who traded VHS tapes before digital distribution saved us all.

Also in this episode: There’s a new Fallout New Vegas game (well, sort of), Twitter is playing Pokemon, and we’re not allowed to stop talking about Cyberpunk 2077 because at some point we must’ve died and gone to hell for our sins.

Enjoy the show? Support us on Patreon! https://patreon.com/bloodgodpod

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The Console RPG Quest: Nintendo Wii Jan 25, 2021

Get out of your chair and start waggling because it’s time for the Axe of the Blood God Wii Console Quest! This week, Nadia and Kat discuss the strange, often troubled RPG history of Nintendo’s revolutionary console. Relive Operation Rainfall and recall how the fan-based movement pressured Nintendo into finally giving North America the still-beloved Xenoblade Chronicles. Plus, EA no longer has a Star War (and we still don’t have KOTOR 3), Square Enix might be up to some Final Fantasy 7 Remake extended universe shenanigans, and Cyberpunk discourse is still throwing off heat as we get properly settled into 2021.

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Gathering of the Disciples - January 2021 Jan 23, 2021

In our first ever Community Update, Kat and Nadia get together for a live conversation with Axe of the Blood God's community! They talk about which RPGs they've been playing of late, share an update on what's been happening with the show and Discord, and take questions from the audience on the best Chrono Trigger party, Persona 5 Strikers, and much more!

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The 2021 RPG Preview: From Final Fantasy XVI to Elden Ring Jan 18, 2021

It's officially 2021, and the brand-new year already seems poised to keep on dishing out the same trials and tribulations that made 2020 so special. Kat and Nadia take a nice break from the plague and strife to talk about what's in store for RPGs in the new year. Will we get our hands on Elden Ring? Can we really expect Final Fantasy 16 in 2021? And what about the mythological The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild 2?

Also in this episode: Nadia talks about the Ys 9 demo, Persona soundtracks are finally on Spotify, and Elder Scrolls 6 is probably going to Hammerfell instead of Black Marsh like it should. Enjoy the show? Consider subscribing to our Patreon for episodes that are a weekly early and ad free! https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod

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The Great Final Fantasy Ranking, Part 2 Jan 11, 2021

Axe of the Blood's special quest to rank all of the numbered Final Fantasy games (and their direct sequels) continues with the Top 10! With the help of special guest Ash Paulsen of Good Vibes Games, we talk about why Final Fantasy IV, Final Fantasy IV, and yes, Final Fantasy X-2, deserve to be remembered as the finest games the series has to offer... and as some of the finest video games of all time. Enjoy the show? Subscribe to the Axe of the Blood God Patreon for episodes that are a week early and ad free: https://patreon.com/bloodgodpod

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Witcher Watch Episode 1: The End's Beginning Jan 06, 2021

Nadia and Kat kick off their episode-by-episode exploration of The Witcher Season 1 with a discussion of how the show was made and a look at the first episode! Swords! Sorcery! A tower of naked women in a garden for some reason! Nadia and Kat break it all down while putting it into the context with the games. This episode is free to all listeners! If you enjoy it, subscribe and you will be able to access the rest of the season!

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The Future of Axe of the Blood, Patreon Info, and More! Jan 04, 2021

The Axe of the Blood God Patreon is officially live! Nadia and Kat get together to talk about where the show stands in 2021, what listeners to the free feed can expect going forward, and some of the exciting new bonus content that we'll be releasing now that we're officially independent!

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod Twitter: https://twitter.com/bloodgodpod Instagram: bloodgodpod

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The Great Final Fantasy Ranking, Part 1 Jan 04, 2021

To celebrate the launch of the Axe of the Blood God Patreon (http://patreon.com/bloodgodpod), we are undertaking a massive quest: a two-part ranking all of the numbered Final Fantasy games, as well as their direct sequels! For Part 1 we're joined by Game Informer's Kim Wallace to talk about Final Fantasy XIII, Final Fantasy II, and other entries that remain controversial to this day. It's not all bad, though! Some of these entries remain strong to this day, and deserve to celebrated, flaws and all.

Want to listen to Part 2 immediately? Subscribe to the Patreon! Want to talk about this episode? Drop your thoughts in the comments and we may read them on the episode!

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Every New Beginning Comes From Some Other Beginning's End Dec 28, 2020

It's closing time for USgamer. Mat and Eric, the site's last guardians, join Nadia and Kat on the last Blood God produced under the USgamer banner. They recall their time with the site and reminisce about the weird things that happened at the events they attended. Finally, they wind down with a discussion about their favorite games of 2020. Thanks for the memories, USgamer, and here's to the Blood God going independent!

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The RPG Year in Review 2020 Dec 21, 2020

The end of 2020 draws near! Command? Nadia and Kat look back on a turbulent year and consider everything that's happened: game delays caused by COVID-19, Microsoft's Bethesda acquisition, the Cyberpunk 2020 goat rodeo, and so very much more. They also reflect upon the biggest RPGs of the year, from Final Fantasy 7 Remake to Yakuza: Like a Dragon.

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Cyberpunk 2077 Review Roundtable [No Spoilers] w/ Carolyn Petit & Alex Donaldson Dec 14, 2020

Polygon and RPG Site reviewers Carolyn Petit and Alex Donaldson join the show to analyze the biggest RPG of 2020: Cyberpunk 2077! They talk about the ways that it does (and doesn't) push the cyberpunk genre forward, its technical problems, and whether its handling of trans issues is as poor as it seems. [No spoilers!] Also, breaking down the Mass Effect reveal and more!

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A CD Projekt Retrospective + Impressions for Atelier Ryza 2 and Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon Dec 07, 2020

With Cyberpunk 2077 finally due out this week, it's time to take a harder look at the studio that is CD Projekt. Where did it come from? How did it rise to the top of the RPG heap over the past generation? And what are some potential stumbling blocks it faces in the future? Nadia and Kat delve into all this, with additional chatter about Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon & the Blade of Light, Atelier Ryza 2, and more!

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The RPG Quiz Show of the Blood God! Nov 30, 2020

This week we're taking a break and trying something new at Axe of the Blood God: An RPG Quiz Show! Kat plays host as Nadia, Eric, and Mathew Olson compete to see who knows the most about the role-playing genre (or can at least come up with the most amusing answers). It's RPG fun for the whole family! Plus, breaking down the follow-up to The World Ends With You, and more!

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The Fall 2020 RPG Release Roundup + More Yakuza: Like a Dragon Chatter Nov 23, 2020

We're firmly in the teeth of the 2020 release season, and the RPGs are arriving fast. Kat and Nadia circle back on some of the RPGs they missed, including Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin, WoW: Shadowlands, Godfall, and more. Plus: Cyberpunk's performance on current-gen consoles, The Game Awards RPG nominations, and more thoughts on Yakuza: Like a Dragon.

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Kingdom Hearts: Melody of Memory, Final Fantasy 14, And an Announcement Nov 16, 2020

Kat and Nadia bid farewell to Mike Williams the only way they know how—with a lengthy conversation about Final Fantasy 14. They also welcome back old friend Ash Paulsen, who joins the group to talk about Kingdom Hearts: Melody of Memory and more. Finally, Kat and Nadia have an announcement about the future of Axe of the Blood God.

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Axe of the Blood God Next-Gen Launch Extravaganza! Nov 09, 2020

The PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X are out this week, and we've got the whole gang to break it all down over the course of a two hour mega-pod extravaganza! Kat, Mike, Nadia, and Eric are here to compare the PS5 and Xbox Series X, look at the launch lineup, and break down all the pros and cons for early adopters. Also in this episode, we review Yakuza: Like a Dragon, and lots of cats appear! Don't miss out!

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The Console RPG Quest: PlayStation 4 Nov 02, 2020

In a continuation of their look back on the most recent console generation, Kat and Nadia examine the outsized impact of the PlayStation 4 on RPGs. From the return of Japan to the "mainstreaming" of RPGs, to VR and "service games," the pair talk about all the way that RPGs have changed over the past seven years. Also in this episode: Cyberpunk 2077's delay, Trails of Cold Steel 4 impressions, and much more!

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The Console RPG Quest: Xbox One + Crown Tundra Impressions Oct 26, 2020

With the next generation of consoles mere weeks away, we're jumping ahead in the Console RPG Quest to the Xbox One! While at first glance the Xbox One's RPG legacy is quite weak, there's more to it than meets the eye. Kat and Nadia talk about the importance of backward compatibility, the possibilities afforded by streaming, and lessons learned as they delve into the Xbox One's console history. Also, Torchlight 3 reviews, Crown Tundra impressions, and much more!

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What Would an RPG Battle Royale Look Like? Oct 19, 2020

Kat and Nadia take a break from the grind of the RPG release schedule to talk about how some of today's most popular genres can be combined with the wonders of role-playing, including battle royale, Among Us, and more. Plus, we talk about Phil Spencer's recent comments concerning Bethesda, Yakuza 7, and more!

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Baldur's Gate 3 Early Access w/ Larian's Swen Vincke Oct 12, 2020

Larian founder Swen Vincke returns to the podcast to discuss the initial feedback on Baldur's Gate 3's early access release, turn-based vs. real-time with pause, dice rolls, and more! (Starts around 26:20) Plus, Kat and Nadia share their impressions on Genshin Impact, the Monster Hunter movie trailer, and more!

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The Xbox 360 Console RPG Quest + Genshin Impact w/ Mike Williams Oct 05, 2020

The Console RPG Quest officially arrives in the HD era with the Xbox 360 RPG Quest! Nadia and Kat talk about the impact of online, the waning fortunes of the Japanese industry, the super success of Oblivion, and much more! Plus, USgamer Reviews Editor Mike Williams is here to talk about Genshin Impact, the new free-to-play open-world RPG that's already a hit on PC, iOS, and PS4!

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The Hades Review w/ Eric Van Allen Sep 28, 2020

Kat and Nadia are joined by USgamer News Editor Eric Van Allen to sing the praises of Hades, the amazing roguelite by Supergiant Games that is now out of Early Access. The trio discuss its relationship to Diablo; how Supergiant is beating Blizzard at its own game, and why RPG fans should play this excellent dungeon crawler. Plus, all of this week's RPG news, the Track of the Week, and more!

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Microsoft Acquires Bethesda Emergency Reaction Roundtable! Sep 21, 2020

In a move with enormous implications for the games industry as a whole, but especially for RPGs, Microsoft has acquired Bethesda, the publisher responsible for Fallout, The Elder Scrolls, and Starfield. What will this mean for role-playing games? How will this impact the next-gen race? And how will Sony react? Kat and Nadia are joined by special guests Mike Williams and Reb Valentine to break it all down!

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A Huge Week for RPGs: Reacting to Final Fantasy XVI, Harry Potter, and More Sep 21, 2020

Kat and Nadia react to a huge week for RPG announcements, breaking down Avalanche's Harry Potter game, Monster Hunter Rise, and the PS5 price announcement. Then it's time to talk Final Fantasy XVI, as Kat and Nadia analyze its announcement trailer, its connections to Final Fantasy 14, and its place in the long history of Final Fantasy announcements that have kicked off each new generation. It's a busy week for RPG news, so strap on your armor and join us!

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The Fall RPG Preview 2020 Sep 14, 2020

The fall release season is officially upon us, and that means it's time to preview all of the big RPGs that will carry us to the end of the year. Kat and Nadia sit down to preview Cyberpunk 2077, Trails of Cold Steel 4, Yakuza 7, World of WarCraft Shadowlands, and all the rest of this fall's most interesting role-playing games. Plus: Reactions to the Xbox Series S price and more.

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The Console RPG Quest: PlayStation Portable Sep 07, 2020

The latest edition of the Console RPG Quest explores the legacy of Sony's initial foray into the handheld space: the PlayStation Portable! Kat and Nadia recall Sony's attempt to create "the Walkman for the 21st century," the rise of Monster Hunter and its impact on RPGs, the strange saga of Persona 2, and much more as they continue their quest to catalog the RPG legacy of every major console!

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The Story of Moon: RPG Remix Adventure, Wasteland 3 Impressions, Final Fantasy Woes Aug 31, 2020

In 1997, a small group of former devs from Konami and Square got together to make Moon: RPG Remix Adventure, an affectionate parody and tribute to the role-playing genre. More than 20 years later, it's finally out for Nintendo Switch, and Kat and Nadia dig into the legacy of this curious creation by Love-de-lic. Plus: Wasteland 3 impressions, Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles online woes, Dragon Age 4 teasers, and reactions to rumors of a "Switch Pro."

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The State of Indie RPGs w/ She Dreams Elsewhere's Davionne Gooden Aug 24, 2020

Kat Bailey is on vacation, so hapless co-host Nadia Oxford takes over the Axe of the Blood God with help from USgamer news editor, Eric Van Allen. The duo put out out the small fires that invariably crop up when Kat's out of town while they discuss Baldur's Gate 3, new RPGs coming to Nintendo Switch, and the troubles bogging down Bloodlines 2. Then developer Davionne Gooden joins in to talk about his upcoming RPG, She Dreams Elsewhere, as well as the challenges of putting an RPG on the Switch.

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Remembering Square's Famous Summer of Adventure 2000 Aug 17, 2020

It was the year 2000, and Square was pushing three big RPGs on the Sony PlayStation. The games themselves—Chrono Cross, Threads of Fate, and Legend of Mana—met with a mixed reception, but the Summer of Adventure 2000 said more about where Square stood in that particular moment in history. Kat and Nadia remember this unique period in gaming history, the RPGs it spawned, and Back to the Future 2 (?) in this look back on the mythical summer of 2000.

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The Console RPG Quest: Nintendo DS Aug 10, 2020

The latest entry in the Console RPG Quest series takes on the Nintendo DS, the legendary "third pillar" that did its part to carry Nintend for more than a decade. From Etrian Odyssey to Dragon Quest IX, Kat and Nadia discuss its remarkable RPG library, and why it was so important to Japanese gaming in the late 2000s.

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Next-Gen RPGs: Imagining New Settings, Reactive Worlds, and More Aug 03, 2020

With the next generation of consoles nearly upon us, Kat is joined by Reviews Editor Mike Williams and Senior Editor Caty McCarthy to discuss the future of the genre. What surprises do the PS5 and Xbox Series X hold for RPGs? Will it all be Destiny-likes and Witcher 3 clones? Or will we be treated to new settings, A.I. innovations, and other fascinating changes? We discuss!

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Eiyuden Chronicle Live Reaction + Fable, Avowed, and the SMT 3: Nocturne Remaster Jul 27, 2020

It's a super busy week for RPG news as Kat and Nadia talk about all the Shin Megami Tensei announcements while breaking down the big Fable and Avowed reveals from the Xbox showcase. This is all on top of word that the Suikoden creators are getting together to create a spiritual successor, which Kat and Nadia react to in real time. Listen as we discuss all the RPGs you'll be playing in 2021 and beyond!

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The Paper Mario: The Origami King Review w/ GameXplain's Andre Segers Jul 20, 2020

GameXplain's Andre Segers joins the podcast to review Paper Mario: The Origami King with Kat and Nadia. Why is the latest game in the venerable series proving so contentious among Nintendo fans? Is there a way to revive the series's fortunes? And what would a Super Mario Persona 5 game look like? We answer all of these questions, plus delve further into the recent glut of RPG adaptations, talk Ghost of Tsushima, and more.

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CrossCode Review + Paper Mario: Origami King Review Impressions Jul 13, 2020

Close to a decade after its original crowdfunding campaign, CrossCode is finally on console! Kat and Nadia are joined by Hirun Cryer, who explains why this beautiful indie RPG is worth your attention. Plus, Kat explains why she's still digging Pokemon Sword, and Nadia reveals her thoughts on Paper Mario: The Origami King.

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The Console RPG Quest: Xbox + Fallout TV Show Reaction Jul 06, 2020

The original Xbox didn't have that many role-playing game, but it was nevertheless a watershed moment for both console history and the RPG genre. Kat and Nadia look back on Microsoft's entry into the console market and talk about Knights of the Old Republic's breakout success, Fable's broken promises, and much more, Plus: Reacting to the newly-announced Fallout TV show! Does it have any hope of being good? We discuss!

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5 Games Like Diablo 2 You Should Play + Why We Don't Want a Pokemon Diamond & Pearl Remake Jun 29, 2020

It's Diablo 2's 20th anniversary, and Kat and Nadia are here to talk about its remarkable descendants, including Titan Quest, Torchlight, and other classics (plus some newer games)! Plus, Cyberpunk 2077 impressions, why Pokemon Diamond & Pearl doesn't need a remake, and more!

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The Console RPG Quest: WonderSwan + Cyberpunk Delay, Pokemon Snap, and More Jun 22, 2020

The latest entry in the Console RPG Quest tackles both the WonderSwan and the Neo Geo Pocket, two cult favorite handhelds nevertheless trapped in the shadow of the Game Boy. Are their RPG legacies worth remembering? Kat and Nadia discuss! Plus, the duo get into all of the RPG news from the week, including the Pokemon Sword and Shield DLC, the Cyberpunk delay, and more!

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Reacting to the PS5 Reveal, Persona 4 Golden on PC, and Project Athia Jun 15, 2020

It's E3! ... Sort of. Kat and Nadia react to the PS5 reveal and lament the general lack of RPGs; talk about Persona 4 Golden being liberated from the Vita, and speculate on Square Enix's newly-revealed Project Athia. Plus chatter about the Demon's Souls Remake, the Track of the Week, and more!

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A Special Preview of Branching Narratives With Jeff Green Jun 08, 2020

We're launching a brand new podcast at USgamer! In this special preview of Branching Narratives, Jeff and Kat sit down to talk about Jeff's journey through the industry; why they're launching a conversational podcast, and how it's all going to work. Stay tuned for the first full episode on June 10!

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How RPGs Have Handled Social Commentary Over the Years Jun 08, 2020

In the course of USG raising more than $7000 for Black Lives Matters during a live stream, Axe of the Blood God recently held a live discussion about social commentary in RPGs. That segment is included in this episode, in which we are joined by Eric Van Allen and VG247's Alex Donaldson, who talk about the failings of Vampire: The Masquerade and Deus Ex: Mankind Divided, the successes of Final Fantasy 7 Remake, and more. Plus: Outer Worlds on Switch isn't so great, unfortunately!

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The Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition Review Jun 01, 2020

Kat, Nadia, and USG Senior Editor Caty McCarthy render their final verdict on Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition, where they talk about the new content, the biggest changes, and whether the fan-favorite RPG holds up. Plus: Track of the Week, a potential World Ends With You sequel, Kat's favorite podcasts, and more!

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The Console RPG Quest: Game Boy Advance May 25, 2020

The Console RPG Quest continues with an exploration of one of Nintendo's less popular handhelds. Regarded as a bit of a tweener in its day, trapped as it was between the Nintendo DS and Game Boy, it has grown in esteem as fans have come to better appreciate its beautiful graphics and large library. But what about its RPG legacy? Tune in and listen as Kat and Nadia remember Pokemon Ruby, Fire Emblem, Final Fantasy Tactics Advance, Mother 3, and all the rest of the most important RPGs on the GBA!

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Xenoblade Chronicles Review Impressions, Paper Mario Controversy, Ghost of Tsushima, More Track of the Week May 18, 2020

There's lots to talk about in the news, so Nadia and Kat take some time to talk through the recent PS5 tech demo, the Ghost of Tsushima gameplay reveal, and the surprising controversy around Paper Mario. Then Kat shares her thoughts on Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition, and listeners get to weigh in on the failed RPGs they want to make a comeback!

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The Failed RPGs We Want to Come Back May 11, 2020

Some RPGs become successful franchises, and others simply vanish into history, regardless of merits. This episode covers the latter, with Nadia and Kat discussing lost gems including Alpha Protocol, Resonance of Fate, The Last Story, Kingdom of Amalur: Reckoning, and more. Do these games deserve another chance? Maybe, maybe not, but they at least deserve to be remembered.

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The Console RPG Quest: Nintendo GameCube May 04, 2020

Maligned in its day, the Nintendo GameCube is now fondly remembered by Nintendo fans. But what about its RPGs? Kat and Nadia continue the Console RPG Quest by exploring the legacy of Baten Kaitos, Tales of Symphonia, Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door and the rest of the RPGs that defined the GameCube.

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The Trials of Mana Remake Review Apr 27, 2020

Kat and Nadia sit down to review Trials of Mana remake, and in the process delve into a bigger question: Does the Mana series hold up? Nadia thinks yes, but Kat isn't so sure. The pair also delve into the Secret of Mana soundtrack, celebrate Fire Emblem's 30th anniversary, and more!

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Fallout 76: Wastelanders Impressions. Plus: A Brand New Segment! Apr 20, 2020

It's a great big multiplayer RPG episode as USG's Play Together Week gets underway! Kat and Nadia are joined by Mike Williams to reminisce about Final Fantasy 11, discuss the World of WarCraft: Shadowlands Alpha, and revisit Fallout 76 through its new Wastelanders update. Is it finally worth returning to Fallout 76? The Blood God crew weighs in! Plus: We're introducing a brand new segment this week!

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Should Xenogears Get a Remake? Plus, FF7 Remake's Wild Ending Apr 13, 2020

Special guests Steve Bowling of GameXplain and Alex Donaldson of VG247 join Kat to discuss Final Fantasy 7 Remake's unique ending, and what might come next [10:35 to 57:00 if you want to avoid spoilers]. Then Nadia returns to ponder whether Xenogears and Suikoden 2 should get remakes, talk about quests that can be completed without violence, and compare the Switch's current RPG library to that of the 3DS.

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The Final Fantasy 7 Remake Review [No Spoilers] Apr 06, 2020

Senior Guides Writer Jake Green joins Kat for a non-spoiler review discussion of Final Fantasy 7 Remake! They talk about what it gets right (the characters and soundtrack), where it suffers (the padding), and whether it lives up to all the hopes, dreams, and speculation of the past 15 years. Don't worry, this episode has NO SPOILERS. Read our review here: https://www.usgamer.net/articles/final-fantasy-7-remake-review

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Remembering the Compilation of Final Fantasy 7 w/ MinnMax's Ben Hanson Mar 30, 2020

MinnMax's Ben Hanson joins Kat and Nadia as a special guest to remember the awkwardness that was Square's direct to video era. From Advent Children to Crisis Core, the trio recount the good and bad of the compilation, and wonder whether it deserves any sort of mention in Final Fantasy 7 Remake. Plus: Nadia's Bravely Default 2 impressions!

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The Persona 5 Spoilercast: All We Want to Do is Date Boys Mar 24, 2020

With Persona 5 Royal just a week away, Nadia, Eric, Hirun, and Caty get together for a spoiler-filled and in-depth conversation about the original game. They discuss Persona 5's history; social links; amazing soundtrack, and whether or not the ending ultimately works. Also, Nadia and Hirun chime in with a bit of (not as spoiler-filled) chatter about Persona 5 Royal. Does Persona 5 still hold up after three years? Listen and decide for yourself!

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The Greatest RPGs Intros From the Mako Reactor Attack to Escaping Dragons in Skyrim Mar 16, 2020

Which RPGs have the best intros? Kat and Nadia talk through the introductory sequences in some of the best RPGs ever made, and why they work and don't work. Why does Final Fantasy 7's opening hit so hard? What about Mass Effect 2? The pair explain what a really good intro can do for a story, and all the ways that a bad one can sap an otherwise good RPG's momentum.

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Mailbag! RPG Commandments, the JRPGs That PC RPG Fans Should Play, and More Mar 09, 2020

It's a Mailbag of the Blood God this week as Kat and Nadia tackle all of your biggest questions! This week's questions include:

- Why do RPG protagonists always seem to use swords?

- What are the Blood God's commandments for succeeding in RPGs?

- Why are airships so awesome?

- Do we feel guilty over dropping an especially long RPG?

- What are some of our favorite examples of customization in an RPG?

- What JRPGs would we recommend to someone who grew up with PC RPGs like Baldur's Gate?

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The Console RPG Quest: PlayStation 2 + Final Fantasy VII Remake and Baldur's Gate 3 Mar 02, 2020

The Console RPG Quest continues with our exploration of the PlayStation 2, just in time for its 20th anniversary! We talk about its incredibly deep library of RPGs; the rise of companies like NIS and Level-5, and classics like Final Fantasy 10 and Persona 3. Plus, Kat recently got a chance to check out Final Fantasy 7 Remake and Baldur's Gate 3, and she has lots of thoughts! Get ready because we've got a huge podcast for you this month!

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The Tropes We Love (and Hate) to See in RPGs Feb 24, 2020

This week's episode tackles the tropes that Kat and Nadia love (and hate) to see in RPGs. From customizable characters to sewer levels; flowery monologues to confusion status effects, Kat and Nadia talk about the elements that draw their attention, and the elements that immediately turn them off. It's a discussion that delves deep into some of the key components of the RPG genre, and game design in general, and will hopefully get you thinking about the elements you love to hate and see in games as well. Don't miss out!

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Console RPG Quest: Sega Dreamcast w/ Shane Bettenhausen Feb 17, 2020

Former 1UP/EGM writer Shane Bettenhausen returns to talk about the Dreamcast's RPG legacy, the greatness of Phantasy Star Online and Skies of Arcadia, and its sneaky interesting catalog of import RPGs. Plus, staff writer Hirun Cryer drops by to discuss the new Fire Emblem: Three Houses DLC, Persona 5 Royal, and more!

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A Closer Look at the State of JRPGs in 2020 Feb 10, 2020

Having chosen the best RPGs of the 2010s, Kat and Nadia conclude by taking a closer look at where JRPGs stand as the new decade gets underway. They talk about what the return to consoles have meant for the genre; the proliferation of cheap and accessible graphics technology, and the sneaky importance of Steam. Plus, Kat has some hot takes about the Vita. Check it out!

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How the 2010s Changed RPGs Feb 03, 2020

Kat and Nadia look back on the decade that was the 2010s for RPGs! They discuss some of the biggest storylines; look back on the most interesting RPGs, and talk about the games that didn't make it on USG's Top 100 RPGs of the Decade. Plus: The duo analyze Final Fantasy 7 Remake's latest trailer!

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Mailbag! Best Short RPGs, Temtem, Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot, and More! Jan 27, 2020

It's another Axe of the Blood God mailbag! We tackle all of our your questions as we wrap up the first month of 2020. Some of the topics that we cover in this month's mailbag:

- Can we expect a truly innovative JRPG in 2020?

- What are the best short RPGs?

- Which otherwise good RPGs have been ruined by a design or story choice?

- What's one think we wish all RPGs would adopt?

- Is Kat really a Hufflepuff?

Plus, Mike joins us as we talk Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot, Temtem, and the new Kingdom Hearts 3 DLC!

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Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE Switch Review, Fire Emblem DLC, Byleth in Smash Bros. Jan 20, 2020

Tokyo Mirage Sessions#FE is out on Nintendo Switch, and Kat and Nadia is here to see whether it holds up! Was it undeservedly overlooked on Wii U? Or should it have stayed in the studio? Plus, brand new Fire Emblem: Three Houses DLC, Byleth in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, and your reactions to the N64 Console RPG Quest!

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Console RPG Quest: Nintendo 64 Jan 13, 2020

The Console RPG Quest continues with the Nintendo 64! We discuss Nintendo's break with Square; why it was an important turning point in Nintendo's history, and why its RPG library ended up being so light [23:50]. Plus: We talk about Pokemon Sword and Shield's newly-announced DLC and what it means for the series going forward!

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The Axe of the Blood God 2020 RPG Preview! Jan 06, 2020

It's a brand new year, and that means new RPGs! Join Kat and Nadia as they get excited about Cyberpunk 2077, Final Fantasy 7 Remake, Yakuza: Like a Dragon, Tales of Arise, and all the rest of this year's biggest games! Plus, we talk about the potential impact of a new console generation, the Witcher on Netflix, and much more.

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USG End of the Year Special Extravaganza 2019 Dec 23, 2019

The end of 2019 is upon us, and that means it's time to discuss all of our favorite games! Eric Van Allen and Mathew Olson join the pod to talk Goose Game, Trails of Cold Steel 3, Fire Emblem: Three Houses, and the rest of the best games of the year. Get a fire going, grab a mug of hot chocolate, and have a listen as we wrap up 2019!

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2019 RPG Recap: The Best and Worst in the Year of RPGs Dec 16, 2019

Kat and Nadia are joined by Caty to recap the year that was 2019 in RPGs! They discuss all the big stories, the big trends, and the biggest games, including: - The Year of the Switch Port - BioWare's Struggles - The Year Long National Pokedex Obsession - Fire Emblem: Three Houses being just great - Outer Worlds being... good? - Disco Elysium changing how we think about character progression - ... And much more! It all adds up to the Blood God's Pick for the Best RPG of 2019! Join us as we wrap yet another amazing year in RPGs!

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The Console RPG Quest: Sony PlayStation Dec 09, 2019

Just in time for its 25th anniversary, Kat and Nadia delve into the RPG legacy of the PlayStation! The pair discuss its massive impact on the genre; share their favorite memories, and discuss classic RPGs ranging from Chrono Cross to Beyond the Beyond. Is PS One the most important RPG console ever? The answer is more complicated than you think.

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The Dungeons & Dragons Mini-Renaissance Dec 01, 2019

New games, new updates, and a booming streaming culture has contributed to a mini-renaissance for Dungeons & Dragons. Dicebreaker's Sara Elsam joins us to talk about how that happened, as well to talk about her evil bard; adventures in being a DM, and roleplaying vs. systems-based RPGs. Bonus: We take a look at Mistover, a KRPG dungeon crawler, and decide if it deserves the Blood God's blessing!

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Axe of the Blood God Mailbag: Game Awards Nominations, Bahamut Lagoon, and More! Nov 25, 2019

Nadia and Kat talk some more about Pokemon Sword and Shield, and some of the surprising references within. (Trust Kat to be able to identify actual real-world stadiums within Galar region.) There's also a lot of end-of-the-year talk about the upcoming Game of the Year Awards, and some of the curious snubs that happened in this year's nominations. Oh Disco Elysium, where art thou? Finally, after all the talk and the news is squared away, it's time for a big mailbag episode, including:

1. Why Pokemon Ruby/Sapphire is good

2. Should Bahamut Lagoon be brought back?

3. How do we handle our backlog?

4. More Sega Saturn RPGs

5. Why Super Hylide was an interesting Sega Genesis RPG

6. Recommendations for more sci-fi RPGs like R-Type Command

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The Pokemon Sword and Shield Review & Romancing SaGa 3 Nov 18, 2019

Pokemon Sword and Shield is here! GameSpot Pokemon Master Kallie Plagge joins Kat and Nadia to talk about the joys (and the controversies) of the latest generation of Pokemon! [Review begins at 17:22] Plus, we discuss the return of Romancing SaGa 3, and wonder whether Anthem can be saved with a "Realm Reborn" reboot.

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The Death Stranding Spoilercast and Why Mass Effect Needs a Remaster Nov 11, 2019

Kat takes a break from the RPG beat to talk about one of the biggest games of the year: Death Stranding! She's joined by Eric Van Allen and Hirun Cryer to discuss Bridge Babies, deconstructing America, and clocking bandits over the head with cargo. This one is full of spoilers so beware! Plus: Why it's time for Mass Effect to be remastered. Spoilers begin at 17:40 and continue for the rest of the episode!

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Console RPG Quest: Sega Saturn Nov 04, 2019

The Console RPG Quest returns with the Sega Saturn! We're joined by Digital Foundry's John Linneman to discuss the technology, games, and history that make it a unique standout in the history of consoles. Plus, some Death Stranding review chatter, and a recap of the Diablo 4 and World of WarCraft announcements!

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The Outer Worlds Review & Interview With Obsidian's Leonard Boyarsky and Nitai Poddar Oct 28, 2019

Developers Leonard Boyarsky and Nitai Poddar come on the show to talk about the development of The Outer Worlds, Boyarsky's feelings on Fallout 3, and more. Plus, Mike talks about his review of the game. It's an all Outer Worlds podcast as we go in-depth on this spiritual successor to Fallout.

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October RPG Reviews: Trails of Cold Steel 3, Little Town Hero, Disco Elysium Oct 21, 2019

With the RPG deluge continuing, Kat and Nadia are joined by Caty and Mike to pick through the biggest releases, including Trails of Cold Steel 3, Disco Elysium, and Little Town Hero. Plus, we talk Witcher 3 on Switch, whether it's been a good generation for games, and more!

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Indivisible Review & October Mailbag of the Blood God Oct 14, 2019

The mailbag returns as Kat and Nadia talk about what RPGs genre novices should tackle first; revisit the legacy of Final Fantasy 13, and more! Plus, they review Indivisible, the new RPG by the creators of Skullsgirls. Does it live up to the legacy of Valkyrie Profile? Find out!

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Console RPG Quest: Jaguar, 3DO, NeoGeo, CDi Oct 07, 2019

We're almost finished the 16-bit era in our Console RPG Quest, but first we have to talk about some of the lesser-known consoles of the period. We take a shotgun approach in this episode, covering the RPG histories of the 3DO, Jaguar, NeoGeo, and CDi (they exist!) Also, we say a few words about AlphaDream as it files for bankruptcy, and talk more about portable RPGs.

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Our Favorite Portable RPGs Sep 30, 2019

What's better than an RPG? An RPG you can stuff in your pocket and tote around like a designer dog. (Please do not shove tiny dogs into your pockets.) With Kat overseas taking care of Big Editor Things for the site this week, Nadia teams up with Eric to discuss the beauty of portable RPGs, and talks about some of their favorite handheld adventures. Also in this episode: The Grandia HD Collection is getting a big patch, and Eric gives his in-depth impressions of GreedFall.

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The Axe of the Blood God Fall 2019 RPG Preview Sep 23, 2019

The Fall 2019 release period is here! To prepare for the oncoming deluge of games, Kat and Nadia talk about all the biggest RPGs of the season, including Outer Worlds, Pokemon, Disco Elysium, and more. Plus, Caty joins the crew to extol the virtues of Ni no Kuni, and they talk Switch Lite, Apple Arcade, and Link's Awakening. The long wait is over; now it's time to play some games!

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Console RPG Quest: Super NES w/ Kotaku's Chris Kohler Sep 16, 2019

Kotaku editor and Retronauts veteran Chris Kohler join Kat and Nadia to discuss what may be the greatest RPG console of them: The Super Nintendo! They recall their history with Nintendo's 16-bit marvel, talk about why it was initially controversial, and explain why it holds up so well today. Plus, Link's Awakening impressions, a Sega Genesis Mini Review, and some TGS discussion!

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The Big Nintendo Direct Recap, MHW Iceborne Review, Dreamcast and Final Fantasy 8 Sep 09, 2019

Axe of the Blood God is back after an impromptu hiatus, and there's a ton to cover! Kat and Nadia look back on the 20th anniversary of the Dreamcast and Final Fantasy 8, recap the big Nintendo Direct that included a Tokyo Mirage Sessions announcement for Switch, and do a quick Final Fantasy ranking. Then Kat reviews Monster Hunter World: Iceborne and talks about why it's a phenomenal expansion, and why RPG fans should definitely check it out.

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Oninaki Review, Dragon Quest 11 S Impressions, and a Mailbag! Aug 26, 2019

Tokyo RPG Factory takes its third crack at making a successful RPG. Is Oninaki the game that finally puts them over the top? Nadia shares her review! Plus, our impressions of the Dragon Quest 11 demo on Switch, and a big ol mailbag in which we talk about RPG tragedies, the rare SSI Gold Box game on Genesis, and much more.

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Console RPG Quest: Sega Genesis, Grandia HD, Witcher 3 Switch Impressions Aug 19, 2019

It's a busy week on Axe of the Blood God as Kat and Nadia share their respective impressions of Witcher 3 on Switch and Grandia HD, and also sneak in a little more Fire Emblem: Three Houses chatter for good measure. Then it's on to the Console RPG Quest for the Sega Genesis, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary. Phantasy Star, Shining Force, the Sega CD... Kat and Nadia celebrate an amazing RPG legacy!

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The Best RPG Romances Aug 12, 2019

In the wake of Fire Emblem: Three Houses, Kat is joined by Caty McCarthy and Eric Van Allen to talk about the best RPG romances. Which games do it best? What are their secrets? And most importantly of all... Triss or Yennefer?

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Console RPG Quest: Game Boy, Kat Plays The Outer Worlds Aug 05, 2019

The Game Boy's 30th anniversary is upon us, and as it happen, it's the next stop in our ongoing Console RPG Quest! Kat and Nadia reflect on their time with the tiny handheld, the incredible RPGs that it spawned, and how it transcended its humble origins to become one of the most important platforms ever. Plus, Kat reports back after playing The Outer Worlds, and she has more thoughts on the ongoing Pokemon National Dex controversy.

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Fire Emblem: Three Houses Review Roundtable w/ GameSpot's Kallie Plagge and Gamesbeat's Mike Minotti [Spoilers] Jul 29, 2019

Kat is joined by GameSpot's Kallie Plagge and Gamesbeat's Mike Minotti to review Fire Emblem: Three Houses. With Three Houses now out in the wild, the spoiler limiters are officially OFF for this big review roundtable! Kat, Kallie, and Mike talk about how their playthroughs went and what they thought about the end, plus topics including the combat, romances, and more!

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Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3 Review, Final Fantasy 14: Shadowbringers Review Jul 22, 2019

Mike Williams returns to the show to review the new Switch exclusive action RPG, Marvel Ultimate Alliance, as well as to provide his long overdue thoughts on the new Final Fantasy 14: Shadowbringers expansion. In the spirit of Comic-Con, there's also a bunch of talk about the Marvel Cinematic Universe! Plus, Nadia and Kat talk a little more about Fire Emblem: Three Houses!

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Switch Lite Revealed, Fire Emblem: Three Houses Review Impressions, Dragon Quest Builders 2 Review Jul 15, 2019

After a bit of a drought, Nadia and Kat finally have some new RPGs to play! Kat is busy playing Fire Emblem: Three Houses, and she thoughts on its battle system, how the academy system works, and whether it successfully makes the transition to console. Meanwhile, Nadia has a review of Dragon Quest Builders 2! Plus: The pair talk about whether they're picking up the Switch Lite, and why it means big things for Pokemon.

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Sonic Chronicles and Other Franchises That Became RPGs Against the Will of God Jul 08, 2019

With Kat on vacation, Nadia and special guest host Ray Barnholt bust out the gasoline and matches and make a huge fire. Then they sit beside the flames and have a nice chat about non-RPGs franchises that were made into RPGs. Turns out not every RPG spin-off can match the quality of Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door, though.

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FF7's Golden Saucer, Slay the Spire Review, and a Mea Culpa Jul 01, 2019

Kat and Nadia didn't quite do the PC Engine's RPG legacy justice with their last episode, so they circle back to talk about one of its best franchises: Cosmic Fantasy! Plus, Kat shares her thoughts on the Golden Saucer, Dyne, the politics of North Corel, and more. Plus: Full reviews of Slay the Spire and Bloodstained!

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Console RPG Quest: TurboGrafx-16 Jun 24, 2019

The Console RPG Quest returns as Kat and Nadia examine the RPG legacy of a console that has been in the headlines lately: The TurboGrafx-16! They talk about the success of Far East of Eden, the outsized impact of Nihon Falcom on its RPG library, its success in Japan, and more! Plus, Kat has an update on her Final Fantasy 7 playthrough, and Nadia talks about the release of Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night!

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E3 2019 Wrap-up: Kat Loses Her Mind Over Pokemon, FF7 Remake is Game of the Show, and More Jun 17, 2019

E3 2019 is over at last, and Caty is ready with her report from the field. She joins Nadia and Kat to talk about her impressions after playing Final Fantasy 7 Remake; share her thoughts on the Year of Keanu, and discuss all the rest of the RPGs at E3. Plus, Kat vents over the news that the latest Pokemon generation won't feature the entire Pokedex.

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E3 2019 Reax: Final Fantasy 7 Remake Hype, Keanu in Cyberpunk 2077, and More! Jun 11, 2019

We got a deeper look at Final Fantasy 7 Remake at E3 2019, and Kat and Nadia are hyped. They react to the updated battle system and talk about all the ways that it successfully captures the spirit of the original. Plus, they talk about Microsoft's lackluster showing, Cyberpunk's surprise Keanu Reeves reveal, and all the rest of the big RPG news from the show!

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E3 2019 Preview: New Xbox, Final Fantasy 7 Remake, Cyberpunk, and More Jun 03, 2019

E3 2019 is just a week away, and Axe of the Blood God is here with a full preview of all the major storylines and announcements from this years show. What can we expect from the new Xbox? Will Fable put in an appearance? What about that rumored George R.R. Martin game? Nadia and Kat talk about all these, plus Final Fantasy 7 Remake, Cyberpunk, and more!

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Console RPG Quest: Sega Master System and Game Gear May 27, 2019

The Console RPG Quest continues with a look at the Sega Master System and Game Gear: two consoles that were overshadowed by their competitors from Nintendo but nevertheless gave us some quality RPGs (mostly Phantasy Star). Kat and Nadia and explore Sega's early 8-bit legacy, talk about some of the notable RPGs to appear on each (and the SG-1000, too), and ponder why the Master System's RPG library isn't stronger.

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Console RPG Quest: The Nintendo Entertainment System May 20, 2019

We covered the early days of Atari and Intellivision, but console RPGs were really born on the NES. Join Kat and Nadia for Part 2 of the Console RPG Quest as they remember the console that gave us some of our greatest RPG franchises: Dragon Quest, Final Fantasy, Megami Tensei, and more. Why was the NES such fertile ground for RPGs? And do its greatest RPGs still hold up? We answer all of these questions as our epic Console RPG Quest continues.

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Detective Pikachu Review and Final Fantasy 7 Remake Trailer Reactions May 13, 2019

Detective Pikachu is now out, and Nadia and Kat are here with their review! Listen as they talk about how well the Pokemon ultimately come out; Bill Nighy, and why it works as a video game movie. Plus, with Final Fantasy 7 Remake finally reemerging, Kat and Nadia share all of their reactions to the new teaser as well as the decision to drop the original battle system. And they welcome a new member to the USG team as well!

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Console RPG Quest: Exploring the RPG Legacy of Every Console to Date May 06, 2019

With the Top 25 RPG countdown now complete, it's time for Kat and Nadia to embark on a brand new quest. Enter the Console RPG Quest: a multi-part series that will take us through the history of RPGs large and small. We'll be talking about powerhouses like the SNES and PlayStation 2, but also curiosities like Wonderswan. First up: Colecovision, Intellivision, and Atari 2600! Find out how these early consoles took their first halting steps into the RPG genre in the days before Dragon Quest! Plus, Nadia plays Trails of Cold Steel, we read your letters, and more!

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Best RPG Animal Buddies, SteamWorld Quest Review Apr 29, 2019

From Interceptor to Boo, animal buddies have a strong history in RPGs. Kat and Nadia trace their history from the days of Dragon Quest 5 to the present day, discussing their various usages, as well as ranking their five favorites (spoiler: Dogmeat is in there, because Dogmeat is a very good boy). Plus, Kat and Nadia review SteamWorld Quest! Does Image and Form's popular indie series successfully make the transition to card-based RPG? Find out!

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Mailbag! Joker in Smash, BioWare's Next-Gen Plans, Final Fantasy X on Switch and More Apr 22, 2019

Kat and Nadia go through their extensive mailbag to talk about which popular games deserve RPG spinoffs; BioWare's next-gen plans, and how to introduce people to this wonder and crazy genre that we love. Plus, Joker's translation to Smash Bros., what it means for for Persona 5 on Switch, Final Fantasy X versus X-2, and Kat's long-awaited impressions of Super Robot Wars T!

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Final Fantasy 7 On the Switch is the Best of Times and the Worst of Times Apr 15, 2019

Kat abandoned USG to go run with the bulls in Spain, so it's up to Nadia and special guests Anthony John Agnello and John Learned to keep the show afloat (they are both recovering from the black plague; please excuse their coughs). This week, we have a deep and serious discussion about a rumored remake for The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past before we talk at length about Final Fantasy 7 on the Switch and its related music bug. Then our conversation smoooothly segues into the challenges of reviewing lengthy games like RPGs. Enjoy, and don't trust any dolphin that offers to let you jump off its stupid pointed face.

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The Top 25 RPG Wrap-up and Honorable Mentions Apr 08, 2019

The Top 25 RPG Countdown is officially finished! But there are a whole bunch of amazing RPGs we didn't get a chance to cover. From Paper Mario: Thousand Year Door, to Final Fantasy Tactics, to Ultima Underworld, Nadia and Kat talk about the best of the rest. Also, they dive into the big Anthem expose and what it means for BioWare, and talk about everything they saw at PAX East, including Kat's conversation with The Outer Worlds development team!

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Axe of the Blood God 200: RPG Bests Apr 01, 2019

It's Axe of the Blood God's 200th Episode, and also the end of the Top 25 RPG Countdown! To celebrate, Kat and Nadia pick some more bests from RPG history. What's the best RPG soundtrack? How about the best story? The pair go through multiple categories, then finish up by picking the Best RPG of All Time. It's the biggest event in Axe of the Blood God history, so don't miss out!

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Bloodlines 2, Final Fantasy 6 vs. Final Fantasy 7, Top 25 RPGs #2: Planescape: Torment Mar 25, 2019

Kat and Nadia wrap up GDC by talking Google Stadia and Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines 2, a sequel that they're already excited to play. Then it's on to number two on the Top 25 RPG Countdown: Planescape: Torment! Kat and Nadia talk about what made its story so good, why it was the apex of the Golden Age of RPGs, and more. Finally, they delve into a clash of two heavyweights: Final Fantasy 6 and Final Fantasy 7!

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Top 25 RPGs of All Time #3: Witcher 3 Mar 18, 2019

Caty joins Kat to discuss #3 on our Top 25 list of RPGs: Witcher 3! The pair talk its splendid open world, its fantastic writing, and the expert way it handles romances. Kat has even come around on the combat. Plus, Nadia drops by to talk Fire Emblem Heroes, the drug scandal that has engulfed Judgment, and more!

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The Biggest RPG Plot Twists and Top 25 RPGs #4: Final Fantasy 6 Mar 11, 2019

Final Fantasy 6 is the latest entry in our Top 25 RPG countdown, and in honor of one of the greatest RPGs ever made, it's time to talk about the biggest RPG plot twists! Nadia and Kat talk Star Ocean, Mass Effect and more as they break down some of the biggest plot twists in RPG history, as well whether or not they work. After that, it's time for the main event, as Kat and Nadia talk General Leo, Sabin vs. Sah-bin, letting Cid die, and more in their big Final Fantasy 6 discussion!

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Talking Darkest Dungeon and Darkest Dungeon 2 With Red Hook Studios Mar 07, 2019

In a special interview episode of Axe of the Blood God, Kat sits down with Red Hook Studios developers Chris Bourassa and Tyler Sigman to talk about the making of Darkest Dungeon, the creation of its iconic characters, and its troubled ports to other platforms. Along the way, she gets some fresh insight into Darkest Dungeon 2, including how Red Hook Studios intends to tackle the story behind its growing universe. Check it out!

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Top 25 RPGs: Suikoden 2 With Special Guest Jason Schreier Mar 04, 2019

Kotaku's Jason Schreier returns for number five on our Top 25 RPG countdown: Suikoden 2! He joins Kat and Nadia to talk about 108 Stars of Destiny, Iron Chef cooking challenges, Luca Blight vs. Kefka, and much more. Plus, Pokemon Sword and Shield have been announced as the latest Pokemon generation, and Kat and Nadia have thoughts on how it will translate to Switch!

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Anthem Review, BioWare's Decline, and Farewell to Reggie Feb 26, 2019

Kat bids farewell to Reggie Fils-Aime as he heads into a well-deserved retirement, then digs into Anthem alongside guest Mike Williams. And the question is: What the heck happened? The pair talk about its broken loot, mission structure, and other problems, and also some of what it got right. Plus, in what is fast becoming a weekly segment, Kat rants about EA's handling of BioWare.

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Final Fantasy 8 Was Good, Blizzard's Uncertain Future, Top 25 RPGs: Ultima 7 Feb 18, 2019

Last week's Activision Blizzard layoffs cast a pall over Blizzard, developer of the most successful MMORPG ever made. Kat and Nadia discuss what it all means, why the layoffs were especially brutal, and more. After that, Kat celebrates Final Fantasy 8's anniversary by reminding everyone that it was good, and the pair take a look at the recent Nintendo Direct reveals. Finally, guest Rowan Kaiser returns to talk about #6 on our Top 25 RPG list: Ultima 7! Find out how it revolutionized the open world RPG genre, and why it's still a remarkable game nearly 30 years later.

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Top 25 RPG Countdown: Fallout, How Anthem Can Avoid the Mistakes of Star Wars: The Old Republic Feb 11, 2019

With Nadia away, Mike Williams returns for #7 on the Top 25 RPG Countdown list: Fallout! Mike and Kat talk about its amazing writing, the memorable world it created, and why the rest of the Fallout series is still trying to match it to this day. Plus, Mike and Kat go through all of the week's RPG news while talking about how Anthem can avoid the mistakes of BioWare's last online game: Star Wars: The Old Republic.

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The Retro RPGs We Lost With the Wii Shop Closure (And Where to Find the Rest) Feb 04, 2019

The Wii Shop is officially gone, making high-quality versions of everything from Chrono Trigger to Faxanadu much harder to find. Nadia and Kat go through the list to highlight the various affected RPGs (Ogre Battle!), alternative sources for playing them, and of course, why they're worth remembering.

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Kingdom Hearts 3 Review [No Spoilers], Anthem's Potentially Fatal Flaw Jan 28, 2019

Having looked back on the history of Kingdom Hearts, it's time to talk about the newest game in the series: Kingdom Hearts 3! Caty, Kat, and Nadia get together to talk about how well it wraps up the story; the updates to the battle system, and its notable lack of Final Fantasy. Plus, Kat shares her thoughts on Anthem, and wonders if BioWare might have botched a key part of its appeal.

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Looking Back on Kingdom Hearts: How it Reflects Animation History, Making Sense of Its Crazy Story Jan 21, 2019

Kat and Nadia are joined by Kingdom Hearts fan Caty McCarthy to look back on the history of the series up until now. How does it reflect animation history, and what the heck is up with that story? We answer these questions and more as we reflect on Tetsuya Nomura's masterpiece (?) til now.

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Top 25 RPG Countdown: Dragon Quest V, The Big Destiny Split, and More Jan 14, 2019

Kat and Nadia leap back into the Top 25 RPG countdown with the best Dragon Quest of them all: Dragon Quest V! The pair explain why its epic sweep, monster hunting mechanics, and odd (but hilarious) romance system make it a classic. Plus, they cover the big Destiny split, Tales of Vesperia on Switch, and more!

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Five Big Questions as We Preview 2019 in RPGs Jan 07, 2019

Kat and Nadia ask five big questions as they preview the year 2019 in RPGs. Will Kingdom Hearts 3 live up to expectations? Will Anthem save BioWare? And what about Persona 5 on Switch. Plus, we talk about some of the smaller RPGs that we're excited to play in the new year (Indivisible!). Will 2019 rebound after a so-so 2018? Let's find out!

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Our Favorite RPG of 2018 (And a Couple Overlooked Gems) Dec 31, 2018

Kat and Nadia conclude 2018 by each choosing their favorite RPG of 2018, as well as a couple underrated gems. Then they do one last mailbag while looking ahead to 2019.

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USG Game of the Year Special Extravaganza 2018 Dec 17, 2018

Kat and the entire USG gang get together to recap all of the best games of 2018! From Red Dead Redemption 2 to Return of the Obra Dinn, we argue over what worked, what didn't work, and whether they match up to the best of 2018. Plus, we talk about the year's biggest trends, and look ahead to 2019!

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2018 RPG Recap: The Best and Worst in the Year of RPGs Dec 10, 2018

Many RPGs were released in 2018. Some of them were good, others were very bad. Kat and Nadia go through the calendar and talk about the high points and low points of an interesting year in RPGs, covering Monster Hunter: World, Octopath Traveler, Fallout 76, and more. Plus: Kat and Nadia recap the announcement of Persona's Joker for Smash Bros., and Kat gets very excited about The Outer Worlds.

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The Top 25 RPGs: Should it be Persona 4 or Persona 5? Dec 03, 2018

Persona 4 was a transformative RPG in many respects. Persona 5 might be even better. But which one should be represented in our Top 25 RPG Countdown? Kat and Nadia are still torn, so they've decided to hash it out in podcast form, comparing and contrasting their impacts, their immense positives, controversies, and more. Whichever one you support, it's a tribute to two outstanding RPGs. (Note: Major Persona 4 spoilers and some medium Persona 5 spoilers within this discussion).

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Top 25 RPG Countdown: Baldur's Gate 2 Nov 26, 2018

Mass Effect and KOTOR are more popular, but Baldur's Gate 2 is BioWare's magnum opus. Guest Troy Goodfellow joins Kat to break down the story, the world, and all the other reasons that this magnificent RPG deserves to be in the Top 10 RPGs of all time. Now available on Spotify!

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We Review Pokemon Let's Go and Fallout 76! Plus: New Final Fantasy XIV Expansion! Nov 19, 2018

It's an RPG double-whammy as Nadia and Kat talk about why Pokemon Let's Go works so well, and reviews editor Mike Williams discusses why Fallout 76... uh... doesn't. It's a mixture of cute cuddly monsters and the post-apocalyptic in an episode that should have something for everyone. Special bonus: We discuss the newly-announced Final Fantasy XIV expansion and the introduction of the Blue Mage!

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Fire Emblem 15th Anniversary Retrospective, Tabata's Shocking Resignation, and Geno Nov 12, 2018

On the 15th anniversary of Fire Emblem's release in America, Kat and Nadia remember the first entry to make it overseas. They talk Marth and Roy's first appearance in Smash Bros. Melee, the reasons for Blazing Sword being chosen over Binding Blade, and of course, perma-death. Plus: An investigation into why Smash Bros. fans love Super Mario RPG's Geno, Hajime Tabata's shocking resignation, and more!

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Deltarune, Diablo 3 on Switch, and Top 25 RPGs #11: Morrowind Nov 05, 2018

Kat and Nadia talk about some of the announcements from Blizzcon, including a Diablo mobile game, as well as the surprise appearance of Deltarune, the new game by Toby Fox. Then the pair share their impressions of Diablo 3 and talk about why it's such a great fit for Nintendo Switch. Afterward, special guest Matthew Allen comes on the show to add Elder Scrolls: Morrowind to our Top 25 RPGs list! Listen as we discuss why its story was ahead of its time, what made its world so unique, and why it was the end of an era for Bethesda.

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The 5 Best RPG Cowboys, Fallout 76 Beta Impressions, More Persona 5 Oct 29, 2018

Yee-haw! Red Dead Redemption 2 is here, and Kat and Nadia are here to rank their five favorite RPG cowboys (there are more than you think!) Plus, Kat and Nadia share their impressions of Fallout 76, and Kat talks about her continued neverending quest to finish Persona 5!

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Top 25 RPGs: KOTOR + Kat Returns to Persona 5 (Again) Oct 22, 2018

Kat is playing Persona 5... again! She and Nadia discuss her very slow progress through an admittedly great RPG while also taking some time to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Mother 3's fansub. Then special guest John Learned joins Kat and Mike Williams to add Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic to our Top 25 RPG list! We talk about why it signaled a sea change in console RPGs, how it popularized BioWare, and why it's still one of the best Star Wars sandboxes around.

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Reviewing The World Ends With You on Switch + Assassin's Creed Odyssey Oct 15, 2018

Caty McCarthy returns to talk about The World Ends With You's move to Nintendo Switch, where the group talk about how the controls translate, co-op, playing on the big screen, and the new endgame content. Then Mike Williams joins in to talk about Assassin's Creed Odyssey's bonafides as an RPG, its romantic options, and the troublesome problem of microtransactions.

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Answering the Big Questions About Fallout 76 + Top 25 RPGs #13: Fallout New Vegas Oct 08, 2018

It's a week in which Axe of the Blood God pushes the big red button as Nadia returns from her trip to West Virginia to share her experience with Fallout 76. Kat and Nadia talk about what it's like to play solo, the nuclear quest, and whether it fits with the character of the series. Then Kat and Nadia add a new entry to their Top 25 RPG list: Fallout New Vegas! Listen as they talk about Fallout New Vegas' classic quests, its rich history, and the unique choices that help separate it from the rest of the 3D Fallout games.

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Valkyria Chronicles 4 Review [No Spoilers] + Chris Avellone Interview Oct 01, 2018

Chris Avellone, writer of Pathfinder: Kingmaker, Fallout 2, and Divinity Original Sin 2, joins Kat to talk his newest game, making evil decisions in RPGs, and the state of RPG writing today. But not before Nadia and Kat review Valkyria Chronicles 4, where they discuss the updates to the tactics, the story, and how it plays on Switch!

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The Top 25 RPG Countdown: Pokemon Gold/Silver, Plus: PS1 Classic RPGs Sep 24, 2018

With the PlayStation Classic being officially announced, Nadia and Kat discuss the its rich RPG legacy and talk about which games will be announced for it yet (c'mon Valkyrie Profile). Then they continue the Top 25 RPG Countdown with the greatest Pokemon generation of them all: Gold and Silver! Kat and Nadia talk about the magic of Johto, the fun of returning to Kanto, and why it holds up better than any generation to date.

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Where the Heck is Final Fantasy VIII on Switch? Plus: Brian Fargo on Bard's Tale 4 and a Switch Mea Culpa Sep 17, 2018

A lot of Final Fantasy games just got announced for Switch. Final Fantasy VIII is not one of them. Nadia and Kat discuss its relative merits and discuss why it's getting ignored, plus delve a bit into some of the other announcements (like Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles!) Then legendary RPG developer Brian Fargo returns to talk Wasteland 2, Bard's Tale 4, the changing landscape of indie development, and his shifting attitude on Nintendo Switch.

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Dragon Quest XI Review (No Spoilers) | 09/10/2018 Sep 10, 2018

Kat and Nadia are here to offer their spoiler-less review of Dragon Quest XI! Is it really just "more Dragon Quest VIII?" How does the cast stack up? And what about that music? The pair have plenty of thoughts on the latest entry in the series. Plus: Bob Mackey returns to add Earthbound to our Top 25 RPG list!

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PAX West LIVE: Celebrating Mass Effect w/ Austin Walker, Matthew Allen, Mike Williams Sep 04, 2018

We take our Top 25 RPG countdown LIVE to PAX West, where we talk Renegade vs. Paragon, Male Shepard vs. Female Shepard, Kaidan vs. Ashley, and laugh along to the infamous alien sex scene. Special guests: Waypoint's Austin Walker, Vidjagame Apocalypse's Matthew Allen, and USG reviews editor Mike Williams!

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World of WarCraft: Battle for Azeroth w/ Mike Williams, Top 25 RPG Countdown #17 Aug 27, 2018

Mike Williams returns to talk about his massive history of World of WarCraft on USgamer, as well as to share his thoughts on the latest expansion. Then Nadia and Kat go over number 17 on their ongoing countdown of the Top 25 RPGs: Deus Ex! Find out why this groundbreaking PC RPG deserves to be counted among the greatest ever.

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Five Things We Miss Most From Classic RPGs | 08/20/2018 Aug 20, 2018

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.

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History of RPGs With Jeremy Parish, Part 2: The Second Wave Aug 13, 2018

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!

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Top 25 RPG Countdown #19: Phantasy Star IV Aug 06, 2018

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.

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Banner Saga 3 Review, Top 25 RPG Countdown #20 Jul 31, 2018

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.

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The Top 25 RPG Countdown #21: World of WarCraft Jul 23, 2018

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.

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Octopath Traveler Review, Top 25 Countdown #22: Vampire: The Masquerade Jul 16, 2018

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.

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Octopath Traveler Review Pt. 1, Top 25 Countdown #23: Nethack Jul 09, 2018

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.

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Ultima and Teletype RPGs, Top 25 RPG Countdown #24: Tactics Ogre Jul 02, 2018

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!

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The Top 25 Best RPG Countdown Begins! Jun 25, 2018

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.

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E3 Wrap-Up: Recapping our Tetsuya Nomura Interview, The Beginning of the End of the Current Generation of Consoles, and More Jun 18, 2018

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!

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E3 2018! Cyberpunk 2077, Starfield, Square Enix's Disappointing Press Conference, and More! Jun 11, 2018

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.

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Fallout 76, Pokemon Let's Go, Moonlighter | 06/01/2018 Jun 04, 2018

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!

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Pillars of Eternity 2 Review and Detective RPGs With Doc Burford | 05/24/2018 May 28, 2018

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.

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Kat Returns With Pokemon Leaks, Kingdom Hearts 3, and SMT Strange Journey Redux | 05/18/2018 May 21, 2018

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!

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What a Wonderful Night to Talk About Castlevania | 05/14/2018 May 14, 2018

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].

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Long Lost RPGs We Desperately Want to Play, but Probably Never Will | 05/07/2018 May 07, 2018

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].

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From the Impact of Graphics to the First Super Robot Wars You Should Play | 04/29/2018 Apr 30, 2018

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].

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Where Ni No Kuni 2's Story Went Wrong | 04/23/2018 Apr 23, 2018

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!

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The 5 Best Legendary Weapons in RPG History | 04/13/2018 Apr 16, 2018

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.

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Two RPGs at a Crossroads | 04/09/2018 Apr 10, 2018

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!

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Should Dragon Quest XI be on the 3DS? | 03/30/2018 Apr 02, 2018

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?

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Ni No Kuni 2's Insane Opening, Zanki Zero, Ultima Online War Stories | 03/26/2018 Mar 26, 2018

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.

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Our Ni No Kuni 2 Review! | 03/19/2018 Mar 19, 2018

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!

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Nintendo Direct Recap, Radiant Historia, Xenoblade Chronicles 2 | 03/09/2018 Mar 12, 2018

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.

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A Tribute to Demon's Souls, the Chrono Trigger Port Disaster | 03/02/2018 Mar 05, 2018

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!

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The Best RPG Endings | 02/23/2018 Feb 26, 2018

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.

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Kingdom Come: Deliverance, Secret of Mana Remake | 02/18/2018 Feb 19, 2018

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]

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Making Meaningful Decisions in RPGs | 02/09/2018 Feb 10, 2018

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!

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Panzer Dragoon Saga's 20th Anniversary With The RInger's Ben Lindbergh | 02/02/2018 Feb 03, 2018

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!

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Monster Hunter World Review, Cosmic Star Heroine Report #2 | 01/27/2018 Jan 27, 2018

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].

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Fable Revival Rumors, The Cosmic Star Heroine Report #1 | 01/18/2018 Jan 19, 2018

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.

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Our Most Anticipated RPGs for 2018 | 01/12/2018 Jan 12, 2018

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.

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Final Fantasy IX Report Wrap-up & RPGs We Played Over Winter Vacation Jan 05, 2018

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.

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The 2017 RPG Year in Review Spectacular | 12/21/2017 Dec 22, 2017

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!

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Xenoblade Chronicles Chapter 3 and Final Fantasy IX Report #10 | 12/15/2017 Dec 15, 2017

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!

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Breath of the Wild DLC, Kat Plays Xenoblade Chronicles 2, NieR Automata | 12/08/2017 Dec 09, 2017

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].

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Our Xenoblade Chronicles 2 Review [No Spoilers], Secret of Mana Report #3 | 12/01/2017 Dec 01, 2017

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]

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What We're Thankful for in the World of RPGS 2017 | 11/22/2017 Nov 24, 2017

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!

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Pokemon Ultra Sun/Ultra Moon Review, Xenoblade Chronicles 2 Impression, FFIX Report #9 | 11/17/2017 Nov 17, 2017

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].

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Horizon Zero Dawn DLC Review, Nadia's Dive Into Etrian Odyssey V, FFIX Report #8 | 11/10/2017 Nov 11, 2017

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.

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The Xbox's Checkered RPG History, Final Fantasy IX Report #7 | 11/03/2017 Nov 03, 2017

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?

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Witcher 3's Influence on AC Origins, SMT V Announcement, FFIX Report #6, Secret of Mana Report #2 Oct 28, 2017

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.

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Etrian Odyssey 5, South Park Review, Secret of Mana Remake, FFIX Report #5 | 10/20/2017 Oct 20, 2017

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!

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Loot Boxes, Ys VIII Localization Controversy, the Secret of Mana Report, Final Fantasy IX Report #4 | 10/13/2017 Oct 13, 2017

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).

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Golf Story, Mario & Luigi, Final Fantasy IX Report, and Chris Kohler | 10/06/2017 Oct 06, 2017

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]

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Final Fantasy Report #2 and SNES RPGs... From Hell Sep 29, 2017

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 usgamer@usgamer.net. We may read your letter on the show!

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The Final Fantasy IX Report Begins! | 09/22/2017 Sep 22, 2017

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 usgamer@usgamer.net. We may read your letter on the show!

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Project Octopath Traveler Looks Awesome! | 09/15/2017 Sep 15, 2017

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 usgamer@usgamer.net. We may read your letter on the show.

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Fallout New Vegas With Obsidian and FFVII's 20th Anniversary | 09/08/2017 Sep 08, 2017

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 usgamer@usgamer.net. We may read your letter on the show.

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Pillars of Eternity II: Deadfire With Obsidian's Josh Sawyer | 09/01/2017 Sep 01, 2017

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 usgamer@usgamer.net. We may read your letter on the show.

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Counting Down the Most Exciting RPGs of Fall 2017 | 08/25/2017 Aug 25, 2017

Kat and Nadia talk about the weirdness of Assassins' Creed x Final Fantasy (which is indeed a real thing), then count down the biggest RPGs of Fall 2017! (22:00) Pokemon! Xenoblade Chronicles 2! South Park! We discuss them all and pick the ones we're most excited to play. Plus: We read your perfect RPG parties! (01:06:10)

Read more at http://usgamer.net! Follow us on Twitter and Facebook at @usgamernet! Have comments or questions about the show? Email us at usgamer@usgamer.net. We may read your letter on the show.

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We Build Our Perfect RPG Party | 08/17/2017 Aug 18, 2017

What party would Kat and Nadia build if they could take any character from any RPG ever? That's what they explore in this week's episode of Axe of the Blood God! (18:00). Also, Nadia recounts her trip to Otakon, the pair praise Undertale (6:45), and they read comments from last week's deep dive into RPG battle systems! (48:16) Read more at http://usgamer.net! Follow us on Twitter and Facebook at @usgamernet! Have comments or questions about the show? Email us at usgamer@usgamer.net. We may read your letter on the show.

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A Deep Dive Into RPG Battle Systems | 08/10/2017 Aug 11, 2017

Friend of the podcast Steve Tramer returns to have an honest discussion about Persona 5's flaws and extol the virtues of NieR Automata (12:26). Then the pair dive into this episode's main topic: battle systems! (27:00) Kat and Steve discuss the evolution of RPG battle systems; what defines them; notable systems throughout history, and of course, their favorites.

Read more at http://usgamer.net! Follow us on Twitter and Facebook at @usgamernet! Have comments or questions about the show? Email us at usgamer@usgamer.net. We may read your letter on the show.

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Is Atlus Milking the Persona Series Too Much? | 08/04/2017 Aug 04, 2017

Kat and Nadia get together to discuss Dragon Quest XI's confirmation for North America, the push toward even more Persona spinoffs (13:00), and thoughts after playing the Final Fantasy XV Multiplayer Beta (24:00). And as always, we read your comments for the show!

Read more at http://usgamer.net! Follow us on Twitter and Facebook at @usgamernet! Have comments or questions about the show? Email us at usgamer@usgamer.net. We may read your letter on the show.

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The USgamer Podcast Returns! | 08/02/2017 Aug 03, 2017

The USgamer Podcast is back and we're sharing the first episode with our Axe of the Blood God listeners! Kat, Nadia, Caty, and Mike get together to talk Splatoon 2 (4:00), the NHL 18 Beta (11:00), Fortnite (17:00), and the ongoing SNES Classic Game by Game (26:00) in the return of the USgamer podcast. There's also quick hit headlines (34:18) and this week's topic: What we want in sequels. Make sure to tune in and subscribe as we update every week!

Read more at http://usgamer.net! Follow us on Twitter and Facebook at @usgamernet! Have comments or questions about the show? Email us at usgamer@usgamer.net. We may read your letter on the show.

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The World Ends With You is 10 Years Old! | 07/28/2017 Jul 28, 2017

Kat, Nadia, and guest Caty McCarthy get together to discuss Final Fantasy XV's weird new multiplayer (2:00), rag on Miitopia (12:45), and review Pyre (26:14). That's all leading up to the main topic: The 10th anniversary of The World Ends With You! (36:30). Why is Square Enix's cult RPG such a beloved favorite after all these years? We discuss!

Read more at http://usgamer.net! Follow us on Twitter and Facebook at @usgamernet! Have comments or questions about the show? Email us at usgamer@usgamer.net. We may read your letter on the show.

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The Persona 4 Golden and Chrono Trigger Report Finales! | 07/20/2017 Jul 21, 2017

Kat and Nadia finally wrap up their Chrono Trigger (22:00) and Persona 4 Golden (47:36) reports, but not before diving into Final Fantasy XII and (gasp) Kingdom Hearts 3. It's a historic first for the Blood God as we go LIVE!

Read more at http://usgamer.net! Follow us on Twitter and Facebook at @usgamernet! Have comments or questions about the show? Email us at usgamer@usgamer.net. We may read your letter on the show!

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Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age Review and a Huge "What-if" | 07/14/2017 Jul 14, 2017

Kat and Nadia dive into "The Pokemon Mystery Files," Ni No Kuni 2's delay, and an old man yellling at Fallout 4 before reviewing Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age (28:54). In the process, they investigate a huge "what-if" for Final Fantasy XII that might have affected Square Enix's past decade. Afterward, they answer the most pertinent question: what's the best JRPG battle system?

Read more at http://usgamer.net! Follow us on Twitter and Facebook at @usgamernet! Have comments or questions about the show? Email us at usgamer@usgamer.net. We may read your letter on the show!

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Our Stormblood Review, Breath of the Wild DLC, and More Jul 07, 2017

Kat and Nadia band together once more to talk about the Breath of the Wild DLC and a recent interview with Nihon Falcom president Toshiro Kondo. Then Mike Williams comes aboard to review Stormblood, and to talk about the state of MMORPGs in general (30:42). And, of course, we've got more listener mail! (1:06:00).

Read more at http://usgamer.net! Follow us on Twitter and Facebook at @usgamernet! Have comments or questions about the show? Email us at usgamer@usgamer.net. We may read your letter on the show!

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The SNES Classic Appears, Valkyria Revolution Fails | 06/30/2017 Jul 01, 2017

Kat and Nadia break down the RPGs of the SNES Classic, talk about the latest batch of Final Fantasy XV's DLC (24:30), and lament the utter failure of Valkyria Revolution (37:40).

Read more at http://usgamer.net! Follow us on Twitter and Facebook at @usgamernet! Have comments or questions about the show? Email us at usgamer@usgamer.net. We may read your letter on the show!

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Ever Oasis, .hack, and Sakaguchi's Terra World | 06/23/2017 Jun 23, 2017

With E3 2017 done and dusted, Kat and Nadia settle in to talk about the Terra Battle sequels (03:00), Pillars of Eternity moving to console (14:10), Final Fantasy XIV's Stormblood expansion (19:30), and .hack's HD remaster (23:00). Then they break down Ever Oasis, the new RPG by the director of Secret Mana (33:50) and dive into listener comments! (49:00).

Read more at http://usgamer.net! Follow us on Twitter and Facebook at @usgamernet! Have comments or questions about the show? Email us at usgamer@usgamer.net. We may read your letter on the show!

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E3 2017: Xenoblade Chronicles 2, Anthem, Beyond Good & Evil 2, and More Jun 16, 2017

Kat and Nadia recap all of the big announcements from the past week at E3 including Anthem (3:00), the announcement that Xenoblade Chronicles 2 will be out this year (9:35), a new Pokemon generation for the Switch (50:00), and more. Plus: Lots of talk about Yakuza and Etrian Odyssey 5!

Read more at http://usgamer.net! Follow us on Twitter and Facebook at @usgamernet! Have comments or questions about the show? Email us at usgamer@usgamer.net. We may read your letter on the show!

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Pokemon Ultra Sun & Moon, Mass Effect Andromeda's Woes, and E3 2017 | 06/07/2017 Jun 09, 2017

Kat and Nadia talks about Game Freak's decision to favor the 3DS over the Switch with Pokemon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon (05:50), Kotaku's report on the woes of Mass Effect Andromeda (25:45) and the leak of Etrian Odyssey 5's localization (34:00). Then Kat and Nadia preview E3 2017 (45:06) and Kat goes on an epic rant about why she misses the days when there were only 493 Pokemon (1:04:00).

Read more at http://usgamer.net! Follow us on Twitter and Facebook at @usgamernet! Have comments or questions about the show? Email us at usgamer@usgamer.net. We may read your letter on the show!

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Where I Am Setsuna Went Wrong, Where Elders Scrolls Online Has Gone Right | 06/02/2017 Jun 02, 2017

Kat and Nadia get together to discuss Indivisible's move to the Switch (5:00), the Monster Hunter XX announcement (11:40), and where I Am Setsuna went wrong (23:22). Then Mike Williams returns to discuss Elder Scrolls Online's new Morrowind expansion and MMORPGs in general (37:30). And of course: more reader comments!

Read more at http://usgamer.net! Follow us on Twitter and Facebook at @usgamernet! Have comments or questions about the show? Email us at usgamer@usgamer.net. We may read your letter on the show!

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The Chrono Trigger Report Returns! | 05/26/2017 May 26, 2017

Kat and Nadia talk about the Final Fantasy VII Remake (4:20), Dragon's Dogma Dark Arisen (8:55), and Divinity Original Sin 2 (17:20) before diving into a brand new Chrono Trigger Report (22:20). Plus: Even more reader responses! Read more at http://usgamer.net! Follow us on Twitter and Facebook at @usgamernet! Have comments or questions about the show? Email us at usgamer@usgamer.net. We may read your letter on the show!

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Fire Emblem Echoes and Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age | 05/19/2017 May 20, 2017

Kat and Nadia talk about the importance of NPCs in the context of Destiny 2 (1:00), review Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia (7:30), and offer their impressions after a couple weeks with Final Fantasy XII: The Zodiac Age (26:10). Plus we read your responses to last week's Skyrim discussion! Read more at http://usgamer.net! Follow us on Twitter and Facebook at @usgamernet! Have comments or questions about the show? Email us at usgamer@usgamer.net. We may read your letter on the show!

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Skyrim Isn't the Best RPG of All Time | 05/12/2017 May 12, 2017

Kat and Nadia share Fire Emblem: Shadows of Valentia impressions (5:00) and rant about Skyrim topping Game Informer's Top 100 RPGs of All Time list (22:00), then welcome news editor Matt Kim and his pitch for Nier: Automata being the Game of the Year in a year that has thus far included... a lot of good games (37:08). Listen and let the power of the Blood God flow through you!

Read more at http://usgamer.net! Follow us on Twitter and Facebook at @usgamernet! Have comments or questions about the show? Email us at usgamer@usgamer.net. We may read your letter on the show!

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Our Trails in the Sky the 3rd Review, Deep Learning in RPGs, and More | 05/05/2017 May 05, 2017

Kat and Nadia use the latest episode of the RPG podcast to cover a wide range of topics, including Morrowind's 15th anniversary (01:00), Nadia's initial thoughts on Persona 5 (5:20), Deep Learning AI in RPGs (18:15), Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadow of Valentia's expensive DLC (33:15) and, of course, our review of Trails in the Sky the 3rd. Plus, we read your responses to our deep dive into RPG dungeons!

Read more at http://usgamer.net! Follow us on Twitter and Facebook at @usgamernet! Have comments or questions about the show? Email us at usgamer@usgamer.net. We may read your letter on the show!

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Diving Deep Into RPG Dungeons | 04/28/2017 Apr 28, 2017

Kat and Nadia delve deep into RPG dungeons this week (30:44), where they talk about their origins, their purposes, and what makes them enjoyable. They also share some of their favorites! Also in this episode, Kat and Nadia discuss Ian Bogost's recent argument that games shouldn't have stories. Naturally, as RPG fans, Kat and Nadia have Thoughts. Read more at http://usgamer.net! Follow us on Twitter and Facebook at @usgamernet! Have comments or questions about the show? Email us at usgamer@usgamer.net. We may read your letter on the show!

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Fire Emblem: Shadows of Valentia Impressions & Cosmic Star Heroine | 04/21/2017 Apr 21, 2017

Kat and Nadia get together to discuss Fire Emblem: Shadows of Valentia (2:00) before being joined by Cosmic Star Heroine creator Robert Boyd for a discussion of the trials and travails of developing an indie RPG (28:00). Bonus: The penultimate Persona 4 Golden Report! (14:00). Read more at http://usgamer.net! Follow us on Twitter and Facebook at @usgamernet! Have comments or questions about the show? Email us at usgamer@usgamer.net. We may read your letter on the show!

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Why We Love RPGs | 04/14/2017 Apr 14, 2017

It's Axe of the Blood God's 100th episode, and after a quick discussion about Dragon Quest XI, Kat and Nadia use the occasion to talk about their history with the genre and why it means so much to them (14:10). Afterward, Caty drops in to share some thoughts of her (55:14), and we hear from you the listener on why RPGs are just the best. Read more at http://usgamer.net! Follow us on Twitter and Facebook at @usgamernet! Have comments or questions about the show? Email us at usgamer@usgamer.net. We may read your letter on the show! Read more at http://bloodgodpod.libsyn.com/#KqJoKWyobFJtjhLp.99

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Persona 5's Streaming Controversy and Seiken Densetsu 3 on Switch | 04/07/2017 Apr 07, 2017

Kat and Nadia get together to talk about the possibility of Seiken Densetsu 3 getting an official English release on Switch (1:04), then talk about their progress through Breath of the Wild (12:40), Persona 5's harsh streaming guidelines (31:52), and, of course, another Persona 4 Golden Report (47:42). Read more at http://usgamer.net! Follow us on Twitter and Facebook at @usgamernet! Have comments or questions about the show? Email us at usgamer@usgamer.net. We may read your letter on the show!

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FFXV DLC, Persona 5 (No Spoilers), and Destiny 2 | 03/31/2017 Mar 31, 2017

Kat is joined by Nadia and Caty for another Persona 4 Golden Report (20:34), Persona 5 chatter (42:34, no spoilers), and a look at the Final Fantasy XV DLC (03:00). Then Destiny superfan Doc Burford drops by to sell us all of on his favorite shooter and talk about the recent Destiny 2 trailer (01:14:44).

Read more at http://usgamer.net! Follow us on Twitter and Facebook at @usgamernet! Have comments or questions about the show? Email us at usgamer@usgamer.net. We may read your letter on the show!

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What Went Wrong With Mass Effect Andromeda? (No Spoilers) | 03/24/2017 Mar 24, 2017

Kat is joined by special guest Rowan Kaiser this week for a spoiler-free discussion on what's gone wrong with Mass Effect Andromeda (24:05), as well as to look back on the original trilogy. Plus, Kat and Rowan finally get a chance to talk about the RPG that fell between the cracks of this crazy release season -- Torment: Tides of Numenera! (00:30)

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Nier Automata, Persona 4, Chrono Trigger, and Andromeda Drama | 03/17/2017 Mar 17, 2017

This week's episode of Nadia and Kat goofing on Mass Effect Andromeda's odd animation problems (1:00) before returning to Persona 4 (10:45) and Chrono Trigger (26:27). Then Caty returns to talk Nier Automata (41:00) and which Shin Megami Tensei games to play after Persona 5 (1:04:30). It's a double helping of RPG goodness! Read more at http://usgamer.net! Follow us on Twitter and Facebook at @usgamernet! Have comments or questions about the show? Email us at usgamer@usgamer.net. We may read your letter on the show! Read more at http://bloodgodpod.libsyn.com/#jCljPgi1Kg43opvc.99

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Diving Deep into Zelda: Breath of the Wild | 03/10/2017 Mar 10, 2017

Kat and Nadia talk about their experiences with the Nintendo Switch (1:00), then dive deep into a discussion of Breath of the Wild covering its differences from previous games, its difficulty, its RPG elements, and much more (21:40). Suffice it to say we really like it! Minor spoilers up to the point where you might head to your first dungeon.

Read more at http://usgamer.net! Follow us on Twitter and Facebook at @usgamernet! Have comments or questions about the show? Email us at usgamer@usgamer.net. We may read your letter on the show!

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Revisiting Chrono Trigger, Final Fantasy XV, and More | 03/03/2017 Mar 03, 2017

Kat invites friend of the pod Steve Tramer aboard to talk about Horizon Zero Dawn's quest design (04:20) before taking a deep dive back into Final Fantasy XV (10:30). Then Kat shares another Chrono Trigger Report (44:50), after which the two ping through Nier (01:08:35), the Switch (01:12:20), and Night in the Woods (01:19:30). Read more at http://usgamer.net! Follow us on Twitter and Facebook at @usgamernet! Have comments or questions about the show? Email us at usgamer@usgamer.net. We may read your letter on the show!

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Chrono Trigger, Horizon Zero Dawn Review, and Persona 3 | 02/24/2017 Feb 24, 2017

USgamer's new reviews editor Caty McCarthy joins Kat and Nadia to talk Persona 3 (04:40) and Horizon Zero Dawn (22:20). Then Kat and Nadia have a frank conversation about review scores (40:15) before ending with a warm and fuzzy conversation about Chrono Trigger (47:00).

Read more at http://usgamer.net! Follow us on Twitter and Facebook at @usgamernet! Have comments or questions about the show? Email us at usgamer@usgamer.net. We may read your letter on the show!

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Nioh and Fire Emblem Heroes | 02/10/2017 Feb 10, 2017

Kat and Nadia discuss Teddy's big reveal in their latest Persona 4 Golden Report, then talk about the ways in which microtransactions corrupt RPGs in Fire Emblem Heroes.

00:00 Intro

05:12 Personal 4 Golden Report: Teddy's Big Reveal

14:42: Fire Emblem Heroes

44:38: Nioh

01:17:00 Outro

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Have comments or questions about the show? Email us at usgamer@usgamer.net. We may read your letter on the show.

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Hands-on With Switch, Horizon Zero Dawn, and Where the Heck is Final Fantasy VII? | 02/02/2017 Feb 03, 2017

Kat shares her experiences with the Switch and Horizon Zero Dawn, Nadia rants about the absence of Final Fantasy VII Remake, and the pair deliver their verdict on whether Kat should play Persona 3 Portable or Chrono Trigger while on the road.

0:00 Intro

02:00 Nintendo Switch Impressions and Zelda Escape Room 15:18: Persona 4 Golden Report

31:40 Where is Final Fantasy VII Remake?

38:45 BioWare's New IP

45:00 Horizon Zero Dawn

55:58: Chrono Trigger or Persona 3 Portable? The Vedict!

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Have comments or questions about the show? Email us at usgamer@usgamer.net. We may read your letter on the show.

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Life After Pokemon Bank, Dragon Quest VIII & Torment: Tides of Numenera Interview | 01/27/2017 Jan 27, 2017

Kat and Nadia discuss the recently announced Pillars of Eternity sequel, life after Pokemon Bank, and Dragon Quest VIII before hopping into an interview with Brian Fargo about Torment: Tides of Numenera!

02:39 Persona 4 Golden Report

18:06 Pillars of Eternity Sequel

22:40 Pokemon Bank!

31:26 Dragon Quest VIII and Kat's Next RPG

38:47: Torment: Tides of Numera Interview

59:54: Wrap-up and contact info

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Have comments or questions about the show? Email us at usgamer@usgamer.net. We may read your letter on the show. Read more at http://bloodgodpod.libsyn.com/#JY7carkKlAHRJMA1.99

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Fire Emblem and the Switch's RPGs | 01/20/2017 Jan 20, 2017

Kat and Nadia goof on one another for their travails in Final Fantasy IV and Persona 4 Golden (and talk about curry) before settling down to look at the Switch's announced RPG lineup and its long-term prospects. After that, it's on to Fire Emblem as Kat lays out the franchise's decline and subsequent revival and talks about the newly-announced games.

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Have comments or questions about the show? Email us at usgamer@usgamer.net. We may read your letter on the show.

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What We Learned From Final Fantasy VII's Oral History | 01/13/2017 Jan 14, 2017

Kat and Nadia welcome Polygon's Matt Leone discuss everything we learned from his mammoth oral history of Final Fantasy VII. Uematsu was jealous of Suikoden? Square almost killed off the entire cast? There are a lot of great revelations, and a ton of ground to cover in his outstanding piece of history, and we discuss it all here. Plus! Another Persona 4 Golden Report and the untimely death of Scalebound.

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Our Most Anticipated RPGs of 2017! | 01/06/2017 Jan 06, 2017

Kat and Nadia conduct another Persona 4 Golden Report, talk some Final Fantasy IV, then settle into a discussion of the most interesting RPGs of 2017. Persona 5! Mass Effect Andromeda! Horizon Zero Dawn! South Park! Torment: Tides of Numenera! It's going to be another great year for RPGs, so join us as we talk about the ones we're looking forward to the most!

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The 2016 RPG Year in Review Spectacular | 12/22/2016 Dec 23, 2016

Kat and Nadia get together to recap all of the most interesting RPGs before picking the Blood God's Chosen RPG of 2016. Pokemon! Final Fantasy XV! Fire Emblem Fates! Dragon Quest VII! Deus Ex! Witcher 3! We hit them all and more as we relive the past year in RPGs.

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Star Wars, the Switch, and a Persona 4 Update | 12/16/2016 Dec 17, 2016

Mike Williams joins Kat and Nadia to explain why he thinks Knights of the Old Republic is the best Star Wars game ever made. Then, Nadia shares a Persona 4 update before the pair talk Valkyria Revolution, SD Gundam, and the Switch's specs. All of the teraflops? All of the teraflops.

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Persona, Ni No Kuni 2, and Final Fantasy XV's Patches | 12/09/2016 Dec 09, 2016

Nadia returns to the show to share some opening thoughts on Persona 4 Golden, speculate on Ni No Kuni 2, and take a dice into SD Gundam Generation Genesis. Then it's back to Final Fantasy XV as the pair read your thoughts and discuss the Square Enix's decision to patch certain elements of the story.

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Our Final Fantasy XV Review (No Spoilers) | 12/02/2016 Dec 02, 2016

Polygon's Phil Kollar and long-time JRPG enthusiastic Miguel Concepcion join Kat to go in-depth on Final Fantasy XV. Does the open-world world? Is that combat actually better than it seems? And what music did they listen to while cruising around in the Regalia? (Spoiler: Kat liked Final Fantasy IX). It's been a long-time coming, but it's time to finally dig in to the game we never thought would come out. End times, my friends. End times.

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Pokemon Stars, the Vita's Secret Strength, and Thanksgiving Memories | 11/25/2016 Nov 25, 2016

Kat and Nadia recall their misspent youths playing RPGs over Thanksgiving, then delve into the Vita's secret strengths and rumors of Pokemon Stars for the Nintendo Switch, before finishing off with a discussion of which Pokemon is the best to start with. Grab a leftover turkey sandwich and settle in for another hour of RPG discussion over the holiday weekend.

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Our Pokemon Sun and Moon Review | 11/18/2016 Nov 19, 2016

Kat and Nadia recount Conan O'Brien's Clueless Gamer segment on Final Fantasy XV and discuss the latest Persona 5 delay, then dive deep into Pokemon Sun and Moon. Is the story successful? How are the totem battles? Do we like the new monsters? And just how glad are we that HMs are finally dead? (Spoiler: We're really glad). Note: Spoilers begin at the 44:15 mark and end at the 1:04:10 mark of the episode!

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Mass Effect Andromeda, Tyranny, Grandia 2 | 11/09/2016 Nov 11, 2016

Kat and Nadia put aside their post-election gallows humor to discuss the recent Mass Effect Andromeda info dump, the first hours of Tyranny, and what RPGs they would like to see from the villain's point of view. Plus, our Underrated RPG Pitches segment return with a pitch for Grandia 2!

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Skyrim Remastered, Exist Archive, and RPG Accessibility | 11/04/2016 Nov 04, 2016

Nadia and Kat have a lot to rant about as they take on Skyrim Special Edition, Exist Archive, and what accessibility means for the RPG genre. Does Skyrim hold up? Does Exist Archive deserve to called a spiritual successor to Valkyrie Profile? All of this and more!

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Final Fantasy XV Impressions and a Chat With Wasteland 3's Brian Fargo | 10/28/2016 Oct 28, 2016

Legendary RPG designer Brian Fargo joins the pod to discuss Wasteland 3, his history with the series, the evolution of RPGs, and what it was like to make games back in the '80s. But first, Jeremy and Nadia go in-depth on Final Fantasy XV. Do the characters work? Is the battle system better than advertised? All of our impressions and more!

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Nintendo Switch! | 10/21/2016 Oct 21, 2016

Kat and Nadia go in-depth on Nintendo's newest console. Is it the heir to the Japanese market? Can it go toe-to-toe with the Xbox One and PlayStation 4? And just how excited are we to play Skyrim on the road? All this and more as take a deep dive into the Nintendo Switch. Plus: We discuss the demos for World of Final Fantasy and Pokemon Sun and Moon!

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Pokemon Sun & Moon, Bravely Default, and More Dragon Quest Builders | 10/14/2016 Oct 14, 2016

Nadia and Kat share some additional thoughts on Dragon Quest Builders, then Kat talks about her hands-on experience Pokemon Sun & Moon and how it's coming along. In the second segment, they puzzle over a potential teaser for Bravely Third before taking yet another underrated RPG pitch. Exciting!

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Dragon Quest Builders, Stardew Valley Update, Steamworld Heist, and Yo-Kai Watch 2 | 10/06/2016 Oct 07, 2016

Kat and Nadia make their first foray into Dragon Quest Builders, examine Darkest Dungeon's foray onto console, and heap (deserved) praise on Steamworld Heist. Then Bob drops by to share his thoughts on Yo-Kai Watch and the possibility of VR RPGs.

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More Persona 5, Wasteland 3, and Sports Games as RPGs | 09/30/2016 Sep 30, 2016

Kat and Nadia share some more thoughts on Persona 5's import version, discuss the Wasteland 3 announcement, and revisit the merits of Dragon Quest on mobile. Then, at 31:15, Bryan Wiedey of pastapadre.com joins the pod to talk about the advent of story modes in sports sims and why they are putting a greater emphasis on roleplaying than ever.

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Persona 5 and SMT 4: Apocalypse | 09/23/2016 Sep 23, 2016

Elliot Gay returns to share his thoughts on the first 40 (!) hours of Persona 5, then sticks around to offer his opinion on Shin Megami Tensei IV: Apocalypse and Super Robot Wars OG: The Moon Dwellers. It's a Japanese import extravaganza!

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Let's Review Dragon Quest VII! | 09/16/2016 Sep 16, 2016

Kat and Nadia get together to discuss a remake that's been a long time coming in North America: Dragon Quest VII. What's the story like? Does it improve on the flawed PSX version? And how long does it take to get to an actual battle? All that and more! Plus: Halcyon 6: Starbase Commander and Trails of Cold Steel 2 feedback!

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Trails of Cold Steel 2, Valkyrie Profile, and World of WarCraft: Legion | 09/09/2016 Sep 09, 2016

Kat and Nadia take a look at Trails of Cold Steel 2, then Kat takes an Underrated RPG pitch for her favorite RPG of all time: Valkyrie Profile. Afterward (38:38), Jaz and Mike drop by to discuss the pros and cons of the newly-released World of WarCraft: Legion.

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SNES in Perspective: Final Fantasy | 09/02/2016 Sep 02, 2016

Kat, Nadia, and Bob continue their ongoing "SNES in Perspective" series with the big one: Final Fantasy. How did the SNES change Final Fantasy and vice versa? What was it about the 16-bit era that seemed to find Hironobu Sakaguchi and company at their best? We discuss! Plus: We delve into Fallout 4's Nuka-World DLC and God Eater!

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Divinity: Original Sin 2's Chris Avellone & Swen Vincke | 08/26/2016 Aug 26, 2016

Kat and Bob get together to discuss the little known SNES RPG Robotrek, then Kat welcomes Chris Avellone and Swen Vincke to discuss Divinity: Original Sin 2 - the sequel to 2014's breakout hit RPG.

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Secret of Mana, Final Fantasy XV, and Another RPG Pitch | 08/19/2016 Aug 19, 2016

Kat and Nadia chat about some of the latest RPG news (and lament Ash's Pokemon League failures) before diving into the Super Nintendo's impact on the Seiken Densetsu series (20:15) and discussing another underrated RPG pitch (45:35).

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SNES RPGs in Context, Shadow Hearts, and Localization Hell | 08/12/2016 Aug 12, 2016

Kat and Bob get together to pay their respects to Manabu Daishima, talk about Dragon Quest X on the NX and how it's still alive (02:50), true tales of localization hell (12:15), how the move to the SNES affected Dragon Quest (26:07), and more pitches for underrated RPGs (49:10).

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From Ys to Witcher 3 to Golden Sun (And More) | 08/04/2016 Aug 05, 2016

Kat and Nadia mark the final days before the next storm of games hit by discussing Ys: Oath in Felghana; Kat's difficulty in engaging with Witcher 3 (12:40); why Dragon Age Inquisition is underrated (25:25); the Pokemon Go controversy's impact on the main series (37:20), and listener pitches for lesser-known RPGs (53:13). It's a summer RPG feast!

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I Am Setsuna with Kotaku's Jason Schreier Jul 29, 2016

JRPG nerds unite as Kotaku's Jason Schreier joins Kat and Nadia for this week's episode of the podcast. The trio begin by discussing Trails of Cold Steel before moving on to reviewing I Am Setuna (19:30) - the new RPG by Square Enix's Tokyo RPG Factory. Does it live up to expectations? Listen and find out!

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Fall 2016 RPG Preview | 07/22/16 Jul 23, 2016

On this week's Kat-less episode, Bob, Mike, and Nadia dive into the many RPG releases of the next few months while lamenting their lack of free time.

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Pokemon Go and Monster Hunter Generations | 07/15/2016 Jul 15, 2016

Pokemon Go mania has gripped the Internet, but not Bob Mackey, who is this week's guest. Kat and Bob debate the merits of Pokemon Go, then review Monster Hunter Generations (24:00) in this monster-filled episode of our RPG podcast.

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8-4 Play x Axe of the Blood God II | 07/08/2016 Jul 08, 2016

Kat once again teams up with the crew from 8-4 Play to discuss the progress JRPGs have made over the past 10 years. How has Japanese game development changed, and where is it going? We crack open a chuhai and delve into a tumultuous period in the genre's history.

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The Best RPGs of 2016 (So Far) | 07/01/2016 Jul 01, 2016

Kat, Bob, and Nadia discuss Final Fantasy's latest turn on mobile and review the new Star Ocean (15:40) before moving on to discuss the best RPGs through the first half of 2016 (33:56). Odin Sphere, Dark Souls, Fire Emblem Fates, and more!

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Grand Kingdom & Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE | 06/24/2016 Jun 24, 2016

With E3 2016 now behind them, Kat and Nadia talk about why RPGs struggle to demo well at big events before jumping into a discussion of Grand Kingdom - the new tactics RPG from NISA. Then, in the second segment, Mike joins the crew to extol the virtues of Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE.

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The RPGs of E3 2016 | 06/16/2016 Jun 17, 2016

Kat, Jeremy, and Mike come together to discuss RPGs including Horizon: Zero Dawn, Persona 5, Dragon Quest Builds, and of course, Zelda in their post-E3 wrapup show. Lots and lots of RPGs to cover as the USG crew finishes up yet another E3!

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Final Fantasy XII HD, Super Robot Wars V, and More Odin Sphere | 06/10/2016 Jun 10, 2016

Angels sound from on high as Square Enix finally announces the Final Fantasy XII HD Remake, and our fearless leader Jeremy Parish drops by to share his love for one of the franchise's most controversial games. Then Elliot Gay returns to discuss why American anime fans should be excited about Super Robot War V (23:33), and Nadia and Kat revisit Odin Sphere Leifthrasir (49:10) in this packed pre-E3 episode.

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The Push to Revive Suikoden, Odin Sphere, and More | 06/03/2016 Jun 03, 2016

It's a packed episode this week as Kat and Nadia revisit Bravely Second and Dragon Quest Monster Joker 2, offer initial thoughts on Odin Sphere Leifthrasir (27:00), discuss the campaign to revive Suikoden (33:40), and examine how Valkyria Chronicles and Persona delve into Jewish persecution and gender roles respectively (48:26). For more content like this check us out at http://usgamer.net!

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Dragon Quest Turns 30! | 05/27/2016 May 28, 2016

Nadia, Bob, and Kat share all of their favorite things from 30 years of Dragon Quest while also getting input from the fans. Favorite monsters, favorite moments, and of course, our favorite games - it's a podcast of love and positivity for a foundational JRPG. Plus: Mike drops by to talk Witcher 3 and Fallout 4 DLC.

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Mario RPG, Yo-Kai Watch 2, and Oblivion PSP (!?) | 05/20/2016 May 20, 2016

Kat, Nadia, and Bob talk about the latest RPG news, including the announcement of Yo-Kai Watch 2 and the appearance of Oblivion PSP footage, then take a trip back to 1996 to revisit Mario RPG and Square Enix's subsequent break with Nintendo.

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Valkyria Chronicles, Persona 5 News, Lost RPGs | 05/06/2016 May 06, 2016

Kat and Nadia revisit Valkyria Chronicles, which is getting remastered for the PlayStation 4, discuss the recent Persona 5 news, and talk about the lost RPG franchises that they miss the most.

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The Best and Worst of RPG Boss Fights | 04/29/2016 Apr 29, 2016

What are the best RPG boss fights? And what makes a good RPG boss fight in the first place? Nadia and returning guest Steve Tramer join Kat to dissect this crucial aspect of creating a good roleplaying game.

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Bravely Second | 04/22/2016 Apr 22, 2016

Nadia joins Kat to discuss Bravely Second, the sequel to the surprise hit retro RPG. How does it stack up to its predecessor? What is it about retro RPGs that seems to inspire so much passion in its fans? And has the series finally managed to win Kat over? All these answers and more, plus a Twitter mailbag.

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Dark Souls 3 Review Roundtable | 04/15/2016 Apr 15, 2016

Kat returns to host a review roundtable with Dark Souls experts Bob Mackey and Phil Kollar of Polygon, with topics including the new combat abilities, questions about linearity, covenants, and whether the series is feeling a tiny bit of franchise fatigue.

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Final Fantasy XV is Real | 04/01/2016 Apr 01, 2016

Nadia joins Kat to discuss Final Fantasy XV's release date, the Brotherhood anime, and the Platinum Demo. Is this real life? Or is this just fantasy? We'll know soon enough. Kat and Nadia also take the time to catch up on the surprise Steam hit Stardew Valley - a farming sim with some deep JRPG roots.

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Salt & Sanctuary and an Interview with Tyranny Director Brian Heins | 03/25/2016 Mar 25, 2016

Nadia and guest John Learned join Kat to discuss Salt & Sanctuary from the point of a view of both a Dark Souls fan and a non-fan. Then director Brian Heins talks about the concept behind Obsidian's new RPG, the decision to reduce party size, and how it will build on what Pillars of Eternity started.

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I Am Setsuna, Tyranny, and VR: 03/18/2016 Mar 18, 2016

Steve Tramer returns for a special GDC episode in which he and Kat discuss Square Enix's I Am Setuna, the newly-revealed Tyranny, XCOM 2, and the pros and cons of VR as it relates to RPGs. Pokken Tournament makes an appearance as well!

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Our Favorite Legend of Zelda | 03/11/2016 Mar 11, 2016

Nadia and Bob join Kat to discuss our recent Legend of Zelda rankings and share their favorite games in the series. Plus, we delve once again into the Odin's Sphere remake, Pokken Tournament, and the news that another Pokemon mobile game is on the way.

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Obsidian's Josh Sawyer | 03/04/2016 Mar 04, 2016

Obsidian's Josh Sawyer joins Kat to reflect on Pillars of Eternity a year later, explain his approach to RPG design, discuss the development of the expansions, and talk about what's next for Obsidan.

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Pokemon's 20th Anniversary | 02/26/2016 Feb 26, 2016

Kat and Nadia discuss how Pokemon got them into anime, recall the Pokemon Black and Lavender Town creepypastas, and share some of their favorite monsters on the 20th anniversary of Pokemon Red and Green's release in Japan.

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Fire Emblem Fates & Project X Zone 2 | 02/19/2016 Feb 19, 2016

Mike and Kat discuss map design, crazy King Garon, and the difference between Birthright and Conquest in their in-depth review of Fire Emblem Fates. Afterward, Nadia explains to Kat why she ended up digging Project X Zone 2.

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Breath of Fire and Final Fantasy IX | 02/12/2016 Feb 12, 2016

Can an RPG succeed on mobile? Has Breath of Fire held up in the years since its 2016 heyday? Kat and Nadia ponder these questions and more as Breath of Fire 3 and Final Fantasy IX make their triumphant return. Plus: The mailbag returns!

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What Makes a Good RPG Story?: 02/05/2016 Feb 05, 2016

Stiv Tramer returns to discuss the possibility of an official localization for Mother 3, then delves deep into the nature of narrative in RPGs. What are the different types of RPG stories? What are some of the tools that developers use to craft a good RPG story? And what are some of our favorite stories? We answer all of these questions and more as we take a deep dive into RPG narratives.

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Final Fantasy Explorers & Mario and Luigi: Paper Jam: 01/29/2016 Jan 29, 2016

GamesBeat's Jason Wilson joins Kat to discuss the merits of Square Enix's latest foray into the Monster Hunter genre, then Bob drops by to share this thoughts on Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam and Dragon's Dogma: Dark Arisen.

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Interview: Exploring the Darkest Dungeon With Tyler Sigman: 01/22/2016 Jan 22, 2016

Red Hook Studios designer Tyler Sigman talks about how the art and design of Darkest Dungeon has come together over the past year, as well where his new RPG stands at release and where it's going. Read more at USgamer.

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What Hot in Japan 2016: 01/15/2016 Jan 15, 2016

Elliot Gay returns to talk about the RPGs that are big in Japan, including SMT x Fire Emblem and Odin Sphere. We also cover what's coming out for the rest of the year, and go more in depth with Trails of Cold Steel.

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Counting Down the Most Interesting RPGs of 2016: 01/08/2016 Jan 08, 2016

What are the most intriguing RPGs of 2016? Bob and Mike join Kat to discuss Persona 5, Final Fantasy XV, and all the rest of the most exciting RPGs of the new year.

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The Best RPGs of 2015: 12/18/2015 Dec 19, 2015

What are the best RPGs of 2015? What were our main takeaways from this year in roleplaying games? Bob, Mike, Kat, and newcomer Nadia Oxford all share their thoughts on what has been a packed year for our favorite genre.

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Final Fantasy VII Remake, Ni No Kuni 2, and Bloodborne DLC | 12/11/2015 Dec 12, 2015

This past weekend brought with it a ton of RPG news, and Bob and Kat are here to review it alongside special guest John Learned. What does the gang think about Final Fantasy VII going episodic? Can Ni No Kuni 2 improve on the original? And what does The Old Hunters mean for Bloodborne? All this and more as we barrel toward the end of 2015.

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Xenoblade Chronicles X (And the Rest of the Series): 12/04/2015 Dec 04, 2015

Polygon's Phil Kollar is back to help Kat recount the journey from Xenogears to Xenoblade Chronicles X, then the two break down the latest from Tetsuya Takahashi and Monolith Soft. We also have another question of the week! Which RPG have we invested the most time into? Kat and Phil discuss.

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Fallout 4, Stella Glow, and Valkyria: Azure Revolution: 11/20/2015 Nov 20, 2015

Kat and Bob are joined by Polygon's Phil Kollar to discuss Fallout 4's opening, the sometimes confusing mechanics, and the case of the missing Dogmeat. Then, Kat and Bob lament the death of the mid-range JRPG developers following the demise of Imageepoch while cheering the return of Valkyria Chronicles.

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Dragon Quest VII & VIII Arrive at Last & Trails in the Sky SC Interview: 11/17/2015 Nov 17, 2015

Dragon Quest VII and VIII for Nintendo 3DS have finally been confirmed for North America! Jeremy and Kat have lots of thoughts on that and Nintendo's other news. Then, XSEED's Jessica Chavez joins us to share her adventures in localized Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky SC, her favorite characters, and the challenge of working with a Japanese story.

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Bethesda's RPGs, How RPGs Can Improve, and Another Giveaway: 11/06/2015 Nov 06, 2015

Steve Tramer returns to discuss the high points and low points of Bethesda RPGs over the years and the one way RPGs as a whole can improve. Plus: We're giving away a free copy of Fallout 4 on Xbox One! Listen to find out how to get your copy.

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Sword Coast Legends, Divinity, and a Mailbag Giveaway Winner: 10/29/2015 Oct 30, 2015

Jason Wilson joins Kat to discuss the new Dungeons & Dragons MMORPG Sword Coast Legends and the console port of Divinity: Original Sin. Plus: We announce the winner of our Dragon Quest Heroes Slime Collector's Edition!

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Tales of Zestiria and Dragon Quest Heroes: 10/25/2015 Oct 26, 2015

Mike joins Kat to discuss his review of Tales of Zestiria, then Kat and Bob determine whether Dragon Quest Heroes does justice to one of the best RPG franchises ever. Bonus: A Yo-kai Watch discussion, plus details on an upcoming giveaway!

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Legend of Legacy, Final Fantasy XII and RPG Localization: 10/19/2015 Oct 19, 2015

USgamer contributor John Learned joins Kat to discuss what he learned about the localization of Final Fantasy XII in his recent interview, with some added discussion about Legend of Legacy and the new Witcher 3 expansion.

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Disgaea 5 and Other Tactical RPGs: 10/09/2015 Oct 09, 2015

Mike Williams joins Kat to discuss Disgaea 5, the difficult challenges facing NIS, and what he likes to see in a tactical RPG.

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Undertale, P4: Dancing All Night, and a Belated TGS Recap: 10/02/2015 Oct 02, 2015

Kat and Bob delve into the most curious RPG since Earthbound in Undertale, then jump into Persona 4: Dancing All Night before taking a belated look at the RPGs that came out of TGS.

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Wrapping Up Destiny: The Taken King: 9/25/2015 Sep 25, 2015

Jaz joins Kat to talk about the evolution of Destiny, what the expansion fixes, and what can still be improved. Do the RPG elements work now, or is it still a confusing mess of random systems? Here are our final thoughts on The Taken King.

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Lots and Lots of RPGs (and Metal Gear): 9/18/2015 Sep 18, 2015

Steve Tramer returns to talk Shadowrun Hong Kong and the delay of Persona 5, with Kat musing on Xenoblade Chronicles X and ranting about Destiny: The Taken King. Bonus: A random Metal Gear Solid 5 conversation!

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Secrets of Diablo II: 9/11/2015 Sep 11, 2015

Stay Awhile and Listen and Dungeon H@cks author David Craddock joins Kat to talk about the story behind Diablo II's tumultuous development, the earliest days of Roguelikes, and as always, what makes a game an RPG.

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Fire Emblem Fates: 08/22/2015 Aug 23, 2015

Elliot Gay returns to share his thoughts on Fire Emblem Fates and other recent Japanese RPGs. What's the difference between Birthright and Conquest? How does it compare to Awakening? You can find the answers here!

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The Best RPGs Since 2000: 8/14/2015 Aug 14, 2015

With USgamer's Best 15 Games Since 2000 list now complete, Kat convenes the crew to talk about the best RPGs on the list. Jaz and Mike drop by to reminisce about World of WarCraft, then Bob once again shares his undying love for Dark Souls. Plus: Honorable mentions!

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Turn-based RPGs in Modern Gaming: 8/07/2015 Aug 08, 2015

Bob and Steve join Kat to discuss the evolution of turn-based RPGs, their appeal versus real-time combat, and the news that the Final Fantasy VII remake's gameplay is in for "dramatic changes." What does turn-based combat mean in the modern era? The crew is here to find out.

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Dragon Quest XI, Final Fantasy Explorers, and Odin Sphere: 7/31/2015 Aug 01, 2015

On the heels of several interesting RPG announcements, Jeremy Parish checks in to share his thoughts on Dragon Quest XI, Final Fantasy Explorers, and the Odin Sphere remake.

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Mailbag! RPG Soundtracks, Victor Vran, and More: 7/23/2015 Jul 24, 2015

Rowan Kaiser returns to talks about what he's playing lately and answer questions from the mailbag. What's our favorite RPG soundtrack? Do JRPGs have a future on console? We (mostly) answer these questions and more.

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USgamer x 8-4 Play: 7/17/2015 Jul 17, 2015

It's a mega crossover event as Kat heads to Japan to join the 8-4 Play cast for an afternoon of Japanese RPGs, Fire Emblem: Awakening, and chuhai.

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Four Job Fiesta, Vagrant Story, and Persona 5: 7/06/2015 Jul 06, 2015

Steve Tramer returns to explain why you should be running the Final Fantasy V Four Job Fiesta right now, why he doesn't like Vagrant Story, and why he's excited to play Persona 5.

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Kat and Jeremy React to the Final Fantasy VII Remake: 6/23/2015 Jun 23, 2015

The Final Fantasy VII remake is actually happening! Kat and Jeremy share their reactions the day after it happens, then go on to discuss the surprise Nier remake.

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Earthbound's 20th Anniversary & Looking Ahead to E3: 6/12/2015 Jun 12, 2015

On the occasion of Earthbound's 20th anniversary, WayForward's Tomm Hulett shares his love for the Nintendo classic with Kat and Bob as the three offer trivia, analyze the battle system, and more. Then, to wrap up the show, Kat and Bob speculate on the RPGs that will dominate E3, including whether or not Dragon Quest VII will finally get localized for the Nintendo 3DS.

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Xenoblade Chronicles X Import Preview & Massive Chalice: 6/08/2015 Jun 08, 2015

Our old friend Richard from Japan pops in to talk about the first 70 hours of Xenoblade Chronicles X, then Double Fine's Brad Muir talks about the trials and tribulations of designing Massive Chalice.

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A Deeper Dive into Witcher 3 & Destiny: 5/29/2015 May 29, 2015

Kotaku's Kirk Hamilton joins Kat to talk about his two favorite subjects - Destiny and The Witcher 3. The pair revisit Witcher 3's combat, talk about the game's depiction of sex, and discuss Destiny's odd appeal.

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The Witcher 3: 5/22/2015 May 22, 2015

Kat, Mike, and guest Jason Wilson break down The Witcher 3's expansive open world, quest design and combat. Does it stack up to the best RPGs on the market? The crew have differing opinions.

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Canvassing the RPG Landscape I: 5/15/2015 May 15, 2015

Jason Wilson returns to canvass the RPG landscape with Kat, covering a host of topics including fetch quests, Persona Q, and Xenoblade Chronicles, as well as the best RPGs so far this year.

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Diablo and Marvel Heroes with David Brevik: 5/8/2015 May 08, 2015

David Brevik joins Kat to talk about the evolution of Marvel Heroes, remember his days with Blizzard North, and share his updated feelings on Diablo III.

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Bravely Second and What Else is Hot in Japan: 4/24/2015 Apr 24, 2015

Japan correspondent Elliott Gay joins Kat to share his initial thoughts on Bravely Second, Super Robot Wars Z3, and Yokai Watch vs. Pokemon as the pair discuss what's happening in the Japanese RPG scene.

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Dark Souls II: Scholar of the First Sin and Path of Exile: 4/17/2015 Apr 17, 2015

Mike Williams joins Kat to share his perspective on Dark Souls II: Scholar of the First Sin as a relative newcomer to the series, as well as his thoughts on Dragon Age and Netflix's Daredevil. Then, Jonathan Rogers joins Kat to discuss Path of Exile's newly-announced expansion pack.

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The Gateway Guide to Roguelikes: 4/10/2015 Apr 10, 2015

Guest Steve Tramer joins Kat and Jeremy to talk Roguelikes on the occasion of the release of Etrian Mystery Dungeon in the latest episode of our RPG podcast. What makes a good Roguelike? Why are Roguelikes suddenly so prevalent? And where should a curious newcomer get started? The answers lie within! (Answers contingent on successful item check).

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Pillars of Eternity: 4/02/15 Apr 03, 2015

GamesBeat editor Jason Wilson and writer Rowan Kaiser join Kat to break down Obsidian's love letter to the Infinity Engine RPG. Does the style still hope up after all these years? Or is Pillars of Eternity's appeal less than eternal?

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Bloodborne: 3/27/15 Mar 27, 2015

Polygon's Phil Kollar joins Bob and Kat to discuss From Software's exciting new dungeon crawler, as well as the Souls series itself. Does Bloodborne live up to the Souls series' lofty reputation? Or has the novelty started to wear off?

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Final Fantasy XV Demo and Final Fantasy Type-0 HD: 3/20/15 Mar 20, 2015

Nine years and a name change after its first announcement, Final Fantasy XV finally has a demo. Does it live up to expectations? Kat and Jeremy analyze Episode Duscae, then hop into another long-awaited Final Fantasy release - Final Fantasy Type-0 HD. When they're finished, stick around to find out which version of Final Fantasy VI you should be playing, and more.

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Final Fantasy VI and Cosmic Star Heroine: 3/13/15 Mar 13, 2015

Kat, Bob, and Jeremy inaugurate the "Canon of the Blood God," where they decide whether to add Final Fantasy VI to the canon. Plus, Kat interviews Robert Boyd, creator of the upcoming retro-styled RPG Cosmic Star Heroine. Bonus: A quick mailbag!

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Chatting with Richard Garriott and Shadowrun Chronicles' Jan Wagner: 3/06/15 Mar 06, 2015

Richard Garriott offers an update on Shroud of the Avatar as well as some of his philosophy on game design in this special episode for GDC 2015. Plus, Cliffhanger's Jan Wagner speaks frankly on the challenges of developing Shadowrun Online (now Shadowrun Chronicles) using money from Kickstarter.

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What is an RPG?: 2/20/15 Feb 20, 2015

Kat, Bob, and Jeremy kick off the very first episode of USgamer's new RPG podcast with the age old question, "What exactly is an RPG?" You know, aside from a miserable pile of secrets? We explore the ingredients of a good RPG, the importance of a good story, and more.

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