Axe of the Blood God: An RPG Podcast

Axe of the Blood God

About

Kat Bailey, Nadia Oxford, and Eric Van Allen explore Final Fantasy, Skyrim, and all the best in the wonderful world of role-playing video games! Support us on Patreon: https://patreon.com/bloodgodpod

Available on

Community

498 episodes

Dragon's Dogma 2 Review w/ Jesse Vitelli

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

1h 20m
Apr 01
Retronauts X AotBG: Toriyama’s Legacy, Dragon’s Dogma, No Baldur’s Gate 4, and the 90s

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

1h 45m
Mar 26
Unicorn Overlord Review, FF7 Rebirth Dating, And More

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

1h 35m
Mar 19
Paying Tribute to Akira Toriyama, Unicorn Overlord, and More

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

1h 48m
Mar 11
Does Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth Have the Best Characters in the Series? Plus: Layoffs, Balatro, and More

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

1h 48m
Mar 04
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth Review w/ Nick Limon

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

1h 52m
Feb 26
February Mailbag

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

1h 39m
Feb 19
Why Making a Great RPG Romance Is Harder Than Ever

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

1h 36m
Feb 12
How Did Persona Get So Big, Persona 3 Reload Impressions, State of Play, and More w/ Kenneth Shepard

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

1h 55m
Feb 05
Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth Review w/ Jesse Vitelli

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

1h 52m
Jan 29
Game Developer Quest: Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio w/ Michael Higham

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

1h 38m
Jan 22
Ranking the Top 5 RPG Studios 2024 w/ Ethan Gach

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

1h 34m
Jan 15
What Will Be The Best RPG of 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

1h 37m
Jan 08
The Most Anticipated RPGs of 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

1h 32m
Jan 01
A Look Back at the RPGs of 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

2h 15m
Dec 25, 2023
Hidden Gems of 2023 w/ Reb Valentine

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

1h 51m
Dec 18, 2023
The Game Awards 2023 Recap: An Embarrassment of RPG Riches and Just Plain Embarrassment

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

1h 39m
Dec 11, 2023
Is Darkest Dungeon 2 an Underrated Gem of 2023? w/ Matthew Salisbury

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

1h 32m
Dec 04, 2023
Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within - Commentary of the Blood God

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

2h 3m
Nov 27, 2023
Persona 5 Tactica, Mario RPG Remake, Ranking the Persona Spin-offs, and More

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

1h 30m
Nov 21, 2023
Live Action Zelda w/ Alex Stedman

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

1h 41m
Nov 13, 2023
Star Ocean 2: The Second Story R Review w/ Jada Griffen

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

1h 15m
Nov 06, 2023
The Best SpoOoOky RPGs!

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

1h 21m
Oct 30, 2023
Our Favorite RPG Music of 2023, Biggest Surprises, and More

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

1h 38m
Oct 23, 2023
Microsoft and Activision Blizzard w/ Reb Valentine

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

1h 50m
Oct 16, 2023
Baldur's Gate III Final Thoughts, For Now

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

1h 33m
Oct 09, 2023
The History of Quintet w/ Anthony John Agnello and Scott White

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

1h 25m
Oct 02, 2023
Cyberpunk 2.0 w/ Michael Higham

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

1h 40m
Sep 25, 2023
Nintendo Direct and State of Play

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

1h 38m
Sep 18, 2023
Sea of Stars w/ Brenden Groom

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

1h 39m
Sep 11, 2023