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Axe of the Blood God: An RPG Podcast

Sports & Recreation Podcasts

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

Location:

United States

Description:

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

Language:

English


Episodes

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

3/25/2024
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] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Duration:01:45:36

Unicorn Overlord Review, FF7 Rebirth Dating, And More

3/18/2024
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] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Duration:01:35:10

Paying Tribute to Akira Toriyama, Unicorn Overlord, and More

3/11/2024
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

Duration:01:48:46

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

3/4/2024
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

Duration:01:48:04

Final Fantasy VII Rebirth Review w/ Nick Limon

2/26/2024
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] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Duration:01:52:04

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

2/19/2024
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

Duration:01:39:04

Why Making a Great RPG Romance Is Harder Than Ever

2/12/2024
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

Duration:01:36:57

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

2/5/2024
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] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Duration:01:55:28

Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth Review w/ Jesse Vitelli

1/29/2024
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

Duration:01:52:03

Game Developer Quest: Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio w/ Michael Higham

1/22/2024
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

Duration:01:38:38

Ranking the Top 5 RPG Studios 2024 w/ Ethan Gach

1/15/2024
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

Duration:01:34:58

What Will Be The Best RPG of 2024?

1/8/2024
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

Duration:01:37:03

The Most Anticipated RPGs of 2024

1/1/2024
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

Duration:01:32:28

A Look Back at the RPGs of 2023

12/25/2023
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

Duration:02:15:22

Hidden Gems of 2023 w/ Reb Valentine

12/18/2023
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

Duration:01:51:05

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

12/11/2023
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

Duration:01:39:55

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

12/4/2023
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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Duration:01:32:12

Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within - Commentary of the Blood God

11/27/2023
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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Duration:02:03:14

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

11/21/2023
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] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Duration:01:30:02

Live Action Zelda w/ Alex Stedman

11/13/2023
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] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Duration:01:41:13