Axe of the Blood God: An RPG Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Class Conscious: Knights Jul 28, 2025

Show notes

As The Bee Gees once said, "Give me that knight fever!"
Polish up your plate mail, pledge fealty to your lord of choice, and prepare to get chivalry wit it; we're talking knights!
Eric, Nadia, and special guest Len Hafer discuss Paladins, Dark Knights, Pegasus Knights, Dragon Knights, Onion Knights, and more on this deep dive into the archetypes and mechanics that make characters sing. It's Class Conscious: Knights!
Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod, subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod and celebrate our 10th Anniversary with new merch at https://shop.bloodgodpod.com

Also in this episode:

Is Donkey Kong Bananza an RPG? No but we're talking about it
Should you have a Switch 2 yet?
Eric's Final Fantasy IX Update!
I thought Donkey Kong wanted to kill me

Timestamps:

8:06 - Main Topic - Retro Handhelds
58:08 - Random Encounters
1:00:56 - The Tavern - Donkey Kong Bananza
1:26:16 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook

Music Used in this Episode:

Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III]
Pub - [Lunar Knights]
A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana]
Rose of May - [Final Fantasy IX]

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Retro Handheld Buyer's Guide w/ Jake Steinberg Jul 21, 2025

Show notes

Is that a bespoke third-party retro handheld in your pocket or are you just happy to see me?
Special guest Jake Steinberg joins Kat, Nadia, and Eric to discuss the rise of the boutique industry of retro handhelds that has emerged over the past decade. From playing vintage GBC carts to emulation machines that can give you a PS2 in your hands, the crew gives you everything you need to know to start your journey into the world or retro handhelds!
For more of Jake check out his Youtube channel:
https://youtube.com/@jakesteinberg?si=Z2kaNkSkH-qNwSQl
Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod, subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod and celebrate our 10th Anniversary with new merch at https://shop.bloodgodpod.com

Also in this episode:

The problems with the state of game preservation
Why the Playdate rules
Live Action Zelda casting news
Eric's Final Fantasy IX Update
The Best Games of the PSP

Timestamps:

6:56 - Main Topic - Retro Handhelds
58:108 - Random Encounters
1:18:48 or so - The Tavern
1:47:32 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook

Music Used in this Episode:

Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III]
Pub - [Lunar Knights]
A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana]
A Little Friendship - [Golden Sun]

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Mailbag, The Future of Final Fantasy Jul 14, 2025

Show notes

It's Letter Tiiiime, It's Letter Tiiiime!
Kat, Nadia, and Eric answer your burning questions this week as well as discuss Naoki Yoshida's recent comments about the future of Final Fantasy and celebrate the 25th Anniversary of Final Fantasy IX. All that and quite a bit of talk about pizza on this week's
Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod, subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod and celebrate our 10th Anniversary with new merch at https://shop.bloodgodpod.com

Also in this episode:

Fahrensius' origin story
Cyberpunk: Edgerunners 2
Subnautica news
Final Fantasy IX Retrospective
Kat says "The MMOs don't count" and I'll never forgive her
Gundam TCG
The Tale of the Talking Finger

Timestamps:

6:56 - Main Topic - Mailbag - What RPG would you speedrun?
14:56 - What ISN'T an RPG?
28:28 - What sharacter have we seen age the most?
37:20 - What's Nadia's favourite pizza place?
45:20 - What games use non-active party members the best?
55:44 - Where does Poe's name come from?
57:20 - Boardgame Sidequest?
1:02:16 - Random Encounters
1:24:40 - The Tavern
1:47:32 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook

Music Used in this Episode:

Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III]
Pub - [Lunar Knights]
A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana]
Not Alone Jazz Arrangement - [Square Enix Jazz - Final Fantasy]

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RIP Xbox: Layoffs and Industry Fallout w/ Giovanni Colantonio Jul 07, 2025

Show notes

Note: Microsoft and the Xbox brand remain subjects of the BDS (Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions) movement for their complicity in the ongoing apartheid and genocide of Palestine. In the interest of journalism we've chosen to cover Microsoft's recent layoffs but encourage you to visit https://www.bdsmovement.net/microsoft for more information.
In the wake of an 80 billion dollar investment in AI and the layoff of over 9000 workers, Microsoft ain't lookin' so hot. What does this mean for the rest of the video game industry? Special guest Giovanni Colantonio joins Eric and Nadia to precisely that!
Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod, subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod and celebrate our 10th Anniversary with new merch at https://shop.bloodgodpod.com

Also in this episode:

The starfish part of Animorphs
Who tanks the Uber driver?
Persona 5: The Phantom X's Subway Slammer
Summer Games Done Quick
Battle Train
Rematch
Umamusume

Timestamps:

6:56 - Main Topic - What Is Happening At Xbox?
1:02:16 - Random Encounters
1:04:00 - The Tavern
1:20:32 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook

Music Used in this Episode:

Entry of the Gladiators - [Julius Fucik]
Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III]
Pub - [Lunar Knights]
A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana]
Palma - [Phantasy Star]

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Defend Your Favorite Final Fantasy w/ Sena Bryer Jun 30, 2025

Show notes

To celebrate our 4th Annual Trans Lifeline Charity Livestream, Sena Bryer of Final Fantasy XIV fame is here to fight to the death! Kat, Nadia, Eric, and Sena will enter the ring with their favorite Final Fantasy but only one can emerge victorious. It's a debate for the ages with hot takes that would make a purposely-inflammatory youtube thumbnail blush. You'll pay for the whole seat but you'll only need the edge 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, subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod and celebrate our 10th Anniversary with new merch at https://shop.bloodgodpod.com

Also in this episode:

Final Fantasy XVI for Switch 2
Monster Hunter Update
Why Sakaguchi was the Boss
The Front Mission 3 Disaster

Timestamps:

14:52 - Main Topic - Defend Your Favorite Final Fantasy
1:29:08 - Random Encounters
1:38:38 - The Tavern - Kat's Attempt to Finish FF7 Rebirth, and FFXIV Update
1:20:32 - SENA'S NOSTALGIA NOOK

Music Used in this Episode:

Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III]
Pub - [Lunar Knights]
Filter Branch - [PlayOnline Viewer]
Final Fantasy Main Theme - [Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra]

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2025's Best RPGs So Far, What To Look Forward To Jun 23, 2025

Show notes

We're halfway through 2025 and if we were only judging years by the quality of their RPGs this would be a pretty good one! By every other metric; it sure is a year!
This week Kat, Nadia, and Eric are recapping the RPG standouts of the year so far and predicting what hits we still have on the horizon!
Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod, subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod and celebrate our 10th Anniversary with new merch at https://shop.bloodgodpod.com

Also in this episode:

Clair Obscur
100 Line
Final Fantasy x Magic: The Gathering
Monster Hunter Wilds PC optimization
Elden Ring: Nightreign's longevity
Kingdom Come Deliverance II
Fantasy Life i
Deltarune 3 + 4
Pokemon Legends Z-A
A lot of Pokemon Scarlet and Violet Discourse

Timestamps:

9:04 - Main Topic - 2025 So Far
46:56 - 2025 RPGs to Watch Out For
1:01:16 - Random Encounters
I dunno, it just blends into Random Encounter lately - The Tavern
1:20:32 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook

Music Used in this Episode:

Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III]
Pub - [Lunar Knights]
A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana]
Abandoned Ship - [Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire]

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Final Fantasy x Magic: the Gathering Primer w/ Shivam Bhatt Jun 17, 2025

Show notes

It's time to duel!
The Final Fantasy Magic: The Gathering set is here and the hosts have been ripping packs and building decks. Kat, Nadia, and Eric are joined by special guest Shivam Bhatt to dive into the deep cuts, the flavor, the art, and everything about this landmark moment in FF and MtG history.
Also, it's me; I'm the FFXIII guy who knows what Fal'cie and L'cie are. It's honestly pretty straightforward.
Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod, subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod and celebrate our 10th Anniversary with new merch at https://shop.bloodgodpod.com

Also in this episode:

Fantasy Life i
How fish give birth
The Zelda Movie
Eric's journey to Summer Games Fest
The Expanse RPG
Critical Role's move to crush Dungeons & Dragons
Eric's phrase of the day!

Timestamps:

5:40 - Main Topic - Magic: the Gathering Primer
42:56 - How to Get Into Magic
1:06:16 - Random Encounters
1:35:12 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook

Music Used in this Episode:

Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III]
A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana]
Mhaura Selbina Voyager - [Final Fantasy Tribute Thanks]

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Bonus: New Xbox Handheld, Persona 4 Revival, and Showcase Reax Jun 12, 2025

Show notes

Editor's Note: While we opted to cover this showcase, we would be remiss if we didn't once again highlight the ongoing Xbox boycott

A Persona 4 remake! An Xbox handheld! Some actual RPGs! But no Fable? Kat and Nadia react to the Xbox Showcase and speculate on what's in store in 2026.

Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod, subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod and celebrate our 10th Anniversary with new merch at https://shop.bloodgodpod.com

Timestamps:

0:10 - Xbox handheld reax
7:20 - Persona 4 Revival
10:39 - Clockwork Revolution
13:46 - Roundup: Animo, Fallout 76, and more
22:00 - Xbox's outlook in 2026

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Switch 2 Impressions, State of Play and SGF Recap Jun 09, 2025

Show notes

This episode is a Podcast Key Card™. To download the episode, an internet connection and enough free space in your Nintendo Switch 2 system memory or microSD Express card are required. Once the episode is downloaded, you’re ready to play!
Kat and Nadia recap their Switch 2 experience so far, what RPGs to look forward to in the Switch 2's future, and what was announced at Sony's State of Play and Summer Games Fest.
Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod, subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod and celebrate our 10th Anniversary with new merch at https://shop.bloodgodpod.com

Also in this episode:

Bravely Default HD
Cyberpunk 2077
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet
Link's Awakening
Final Fantasy x Magic: The Gathering Pre-Release

Timestamps:

7:12 - Main Topic - Switch 2 Impressions
40:16 - Random Encounters
43:44 - State of Play and Summer Games Fest Recap
1:04:48 - Nintendo Store
1:20:32 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook

Music Used in this Episode:

Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III]
A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana]
Group (Meal) - [Yu-No]

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Elden Ring: Nightreign Review, SGF Predictions w/ Mitchell Saltzman Jun 02, 2025

Show notes

FromSoftware's multiplayer Elden Ring experience is here and we're here to figure out exactly what it even is. Kat, Nadia, Eric, and special guest Mitchell Saltzman discuss this divisive new addition to Elden Ring and more on this week's Axe of the Blood God!
Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod, subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod and celebrate our 10th Anniversary with new merch at https://shop.bloodgodpod.com

In this episode: