Axe of the Blood God: An RPG Podcast

Latest Episodes:

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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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