Axe of the Blood God: An RPG Podcast
Nadia Oxford, Eric Van Allen, and Victor Hunter explore the best in the wonderful world of role-playing video games. The podcast covers RPG news, reviews, and discussions. Support them on Patreon.
Episodes
Kingdom Hearts Roundtable Discussion w/Alexa Ray Corriea
The Kingdom Hearts Collection is officially out on modern consoles, perhaps most notably on Switch 2, and we finally have a solid method of playing most Kingdom Hearts games on a modern console in the year 2026. (Though some had to, sadly, be sent to Cutscene Heaven.) Eric, Victor, Alexi, and guest Alexa Ray Corriea are here to talk about Kingdom Hearts as a series, how we feel about Kingdom Heart
Sakura Wars 30th Anniversary w/ Samantha Ferreira
Grab your commemorative shot glass because it's time for the Sakura Wars 30th Anniversary Spectacular! Special guest Samantha Ferreira joins Victor and Nadia to discuss our favorite game that combines mech battle, theatre, and romance! We discuss its impact, its presence in The West, and ask- is it a queer narrative?
Subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/blo
Trails in the Sky 2nd Chapter w/ Cam Hawkins
Orbments, orbments, and more orbments!Special guest Cam Hawkins joins Eric and Nadia to discuss Trails in the Sky Second Chapter while deftly avoiding spoilers. All that and so much more on this episode of Axe of the Blood God!
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 Pales
Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave w/ Jenni Lada
Finally, a Fire Emblem game about a Metal Gear Solid 2 character's hair!Siliconera's Jenni Lada returns to chat Fortune's Weave with Eric and Nadia; is this the system-seller the Switch 2 needs? Listen to this over-2-hour episode and find out!
Note: Microsoft and the Xbox brand remain subjects of the BDS (Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions) movement for their complicity in the ongoing apartheid and g
Nintendo Direct - SaGa and Mystery Dungeon w/ Lucas White
RPG hot takes, direct to you!We just had a Zelda Direct and Nintendo Direct one-two punch so Nadia, Victor, and special guest Lucas White are here to tell you why SaGa and Mystery Dungeon are the things you should be most excited about.
Subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod and get merch at https://shop.bloodgodpod.com
Also in this episode:
FF Resonance & State of Play
Did someone say Withered World? That's State of Play, baby! This week, Victor and Nadia run through the highlights of this year's State of Play, including an array of JRPGs, one of which (Rhapsody in Scarlet) surrounds 1920's jazz-era NYC with a key missing ingredient; Crimson Desert DLC, Monsters, (both the Hunter Wilds: Ascendance, and Dragon Quest Withering World variety,); and Final Fantasy VI
Entropy & Dread Delusion w/ Director James Wragg
Don't hate The Player, hate the thing wherein you'll catch the conscience of the king.Victor and Nadia are joined by the creative director of RPG developer Lovely Hellplace, James Wragg, to discuss the critically acclaimed Dread Delusion, AND the recently-released-into-early-access Entropy. It's a fantastic conversation that nearly reaches the 2-hour mark and dips into just about every topic you c
The Duskbloods and Blue Reflection Quartet w/ Jenni Lada
In the name of a bunch of depressed girls, I shall punish you!Victor and Nadia are joined by Siliconera's Jenni Lada to discuss whether Blue Reflection Quartet is the ultimate compilation of the entire magical girl RPG saga or it could have studied harder. Plus, Jenni's time with The Duskbloods and so much more on this episode of Axe of the Blood God!
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New Fan-Translations, Farming Sims, and More!
Our charity livestream in support of Trans Lifeline is THIS WEEKEND, August 15/16th from 10am PT to 10pm PT. Join us at twitch.tv/bloodgodpod and give to a great cause while we record live episodes, continue Kat's Nulocke run, and get up to all sorts of shenanigans.It's a cavalcade of Random Encounters as VIctor and Nadia discuss the latest headlines from across the RPG sphere. Fan-translations, f
The Fashion of Final Fantasy PART ONE w/ Reggie Casual
It's finally here; your two-and-a-half-hour-long extra-special episode all about Final Fantasy and its intersection with the world of fashion.From the billowing garments of Yoshitaka Amano to the workwear-inspired looks of Tetsuya Nomura to the dresspheres of Tetsu Tsukamoto to casual street fits of Miki Tamashita and as much in-between as we could fit in this episode.I'm joined by THE Japanese st
Summer Mailbag!
Look what time it is; Letter.We're answering burning questions to distract us from the heat of the Summer. Like when you really hurt yourself so you hurt another part of you but a little less to distract yourself. I had dental surgery earlier this week so I'm thinking about pain a lot.But what isn't a pain is this episode! Nadia, Eric, and Victor reach into the mailbag to discuss some origin stori
Man, I Love Fishing Mini-Games
MILFMG t-shirts probably not coming to an Axe of the Blood God merch store near you.Summertime. A few things to note; the living is easy and the fish are jumping.So let's select one-of-three or -four gameplay mechanics to turn those fish into a mini-game opportunity!Nadia, Eric, and Victor discuss what makes a good fishing mini-game, what kinds of fishing mini-games there even are, and when does a
The Best Year for RPGs w/ Kevin Bunch
"It was the best of times and everyone was like, 'this rules'" or however the book goes.This week, Eric, Nadia, Victor, and special guest Kevin Bunch are reflecting on what the best years for RPGs were, with the rules surrounding that discussion evolving in real time. Is it something in the late 90s for the sheer quantity of interesting, experimental RPGs, is the year Persona 5 single-handedly inv
The Death of Physical PlayStation Games w/ Kelsey Lewin
Sony has announced the death of the game disc. What does this mean for the future of second-hand games, game preservation, game sharing, game access, and a million other things that this is going to have an effect on? Well, Nadia, Eric, and Victor are joined by collector, historian, retailer, writer, and a million other things, Kelsey Lewin (@kelslewin.bsky.social) to discuss precisely that!
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The Adventures of Elliot Review w/ Matt Sowinski
Nadia has spent more time with Elliot and we're joined by Matt Sowinski to discuss once-and-for-all if Adventures of Elliot makes for a good video game. Victor has been diving into Dragon Quest X. All that and so much more on this increasingly Canadian episode of Axe of the Blood God!
Subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod and get merch at https:
Next Fest RPGs, The Adventures of Elliot
Drive your old man's convertible out to lover's leap with your crush because it's time for a steamy neck-fest; all the neckin' you can handle but nothing past first base!And once you've driven your date home by curfew it's time for Steam Next Fest!There are a ton of RPGs to sift through so Victor is saving you some of the hassle! Then once you've had enough of his questionable taste in games, Nadi
Ocarina of Time, Final Fantasy Resonance, Nintendo Direct Impressions
Nintendo's Summer Direct has come and gone, and with it a slew of announcements. Upgrades we expected, leaks we saw coming, and some exciting news that blindsided us all! Nadia, Eric, and Victor gather to discuss what we should be excited about and what has left us wanting. All that and more on this episode of Axe of the Blood God!
Subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.p
Final Fantasy VII Revelation and SGF Reax w/ Lucas White
ummer feels like it starts earlier and earlier every year. Is it climate change or because all the hottest games are arriving at Summer Games Fest?!Nadia, Victor, and special guest Lucas White are here to drop all the spiciest takes on the biggest games and the dorkiest hosts in this pre-equinoctial episode of Axe of the Blood God!!
Subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.
SGF Predictions, Mina the Hollower, 007
Summer Games Fest is nearly upon us and Eric will be in attendance. What do we expect to see and why does Keighley control so much of what we are expected to care about? Nadia's been playing Mina the Hollower, Victor has a one-two punch of Y2K a e s t h e t i c games, and every one has some level of experience with James Bond, junior or otherwise, all on this freshly-picked rosy episode of Axe of
Zero Parades, Destiny 2's Eulogy, and More!
Reunited at last and it feels so good.Eric returns to complete the Hydra of the Blood God and before any of our heads can be lopped off we gotta talk about what we've been playing lately. Zero Parades: For Dead Spies, Pokopia, Tokimeki Memorial 2, Final Fantasy XI's anniversary, and so much more on this episode of Axe of the Blood God!
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People of Note & RPG Musicals w/ Jason Wishnov
Something's coming, something good -- a podcast all about musicals, RPGs, musical RPGs, and RPG musicals. Featuring a uniquely qualified guest; director of People of Note, Jason Wishnov! He joins Victor and Nadia as they talk about the parallels of these two "love-it-or-hate-it" mediums and how to transpose the world of musical theatre into digital space. All that and more on this episode of Axe o
RPGs... in SPAAAACE!
We're going to the only place where people can agree on what an RPG is... SPACE!Victor and Nadia, with a little help from the listeners, discuss their favourite RPGs set in space, RPGs that feature space stages, and RPGs that feature space travel regardless of how much of the game is played in the void of space. Three very important distinctions. All that and pretty much just that on this out-of-t
Final Fantasy Fan Fest w/ Victor & Friends
Victor is back from Final Fantasy XIV Fan Fest in Anaheim and he brought a lot of thoughts and even more interviews from listeners, friends of the show, friends of himself, and new friends! Look forward to appearances from Harper Jay, Fusionx, CrystAAHHL, and many more! It's an honourary episode of Sharlayan Dropouts as Victor and Nadia discuss what they're excited about from the announcements of
Realis w/ Austin Walker
Eric is joined by guest Austin Walker on a solo run to discuss Austin's upcoming TTRPG Realis.
Topics include:
Viewing Realis through the Shonen lens, (or Boss Babying Realis, if you prefer).
World-building in a tabletop space vs game dev space.
The art of creating a bunch of freaky little guys for your players to spec into.
Contribute to the Kickstarter for Realis, (up unt
Localizing Shin Megami Tensei: Tokyo Conception w/ Bradly Halestorm
It's a very special episode this week as Victor interviews Bradly Halestorm, the founder of LionWing Publishing, a team that specializes in localizing Japanese tabletop RPGs both old and new. We learn all about his history with RPGs and what it's like to license and localize Japanese books from 20+ years ago. It's a real treat and we get into the weeds, especially when we discuss LionWing's upcomi
Pokémon Champions
Pokemon Champions is here and we have expert guests Casey DeFreitas and Kallie Plagge to get you up to speed.
We get deep into the tall grass of Pokemon competitive battling, and ask the question: How do the gatcha components of Pokemon Champions affect players new and old? The tension between serving the new player and fulfilling the seasoned player runs high!
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The Best Cats and Dogs in RPGs, and Nadia Wrote a Book!
Pre-order Nadia's book!https://retrogamebooks.com/products/from-pixels-to-prose-what-video-games-taught-me-about-storytellingOnce you're done that come back and listen to a nice chill episode on a relaxing slow news week. Victor and Nadia discuss their favourite canine and feline party members in RPG history with plenty of help from our community! All that and so much more on this domesticated epi
Mega Man Star Force w/ Ash Paulsen, and David Oxford
Ride on! Victor and Nadia are joined by special guests David Oxford and Ash Paulsen to discuss the new Mega Man Star Force Legacy Collection. Is this the best Mega Man collection yet in terms of raw options? Do we recommend jumping into the Mega Man RPGs from the Star Force series? Did we mention you can probably skip Star Force 2? All that plus a very exciting surprise segment, and much more on t
Crimson Desert, March AI Woes w/ Joseph Bradford
With takes as hot as the desert sands, Eric, Nadia, Victor, and special guest Joseph Bradford discuss March's hottest RPG Crimson Desert. Does it work as a prequel to hit MMO Black Desert Online? Is it greater than the sum of its many many many parts? Does anyone like the main guy? All these questions and more answered on this sandy-but-not-as-sandy-as-you'd-think episode of Axe of the Blood God!
Pokopia, Monster Hunter Stories 3, Final Fantasy XIV
Probably a good idea to start learning how to salvage a dead civilization and there's no better teacher than Ditto. Pokopia is here and Eric and Nadia have plenty to share about this new Pokemon spin-off from the developers behind the cult-classic Dragon Quest Builders.
Subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod and get merch at https://shop.bloodgo
March Mailbag, Pokopia
Let's A some Qs.From RPGs that deserve a fighting game adaptation to the importance of physical strategy guides; it's a jam-packed extra-long episode as Nadia, Eric, and Victor answer questions from our community and prove themselves incapable of effective time management -- to your benefit!
Further Reading:Sharlayan Dropouts - Our FFXIV Fighting Game Roster
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Next Fest Highlights, Ys X, Tales of Berseria
There's a cavalcade of indie RPG demos fighting for your attention this week and Eric, Nadia, Victor, and special guest Lucas White are here to help you find some of the ones worth wishlisting! From hardcore dungeon crawls, to neon musicals, to impressionistic adventures, and everything in-between! Plus Pokemon, Tales, Ys, and a whole lot more on this jam-packed episode of Axe of the Blood God!
S
Paranormasight, RIP Xbox, .hack is .back
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. Visit https://www.bdsmovement.net/microsoft for more information.It's been a hell of a news week so we're gearing up for an Oops! All Random Encounters. From major pillars of the game industry collapsing in spectacular fash
Valentine's Game Show Special 2026
The gas leak isn't the only thing in the air; so is love!Whether you spent Valentine's day with that special someone or that special someone is you, we've got an episode full of our favourite romanceable NPCs in RPGs, with a game show twist! Nadia, Eric, and Victor tell on themselves while trying to read each other's minds. All that and more on a very lovely episode of Axe of the Blood God.
Subsc
Dragon Quest VII: Reimagined w/ Lucas White
Dragon Quest VII: Reimagined is here, and so are the hot takes! Nadia, Eric, Victor and guest Lucas White react to the game and the criticism it’s getting out the gate. What is “quality of life” in gaming, and if you could “Click” (2006) your way through life, would you?
Subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod and celebrate our 10th Anniversary w
The Switch 2 As An RPG Machine W/ Ash Paulsen
Six months in, we ask the question, "How is the Switch 2 holding up as an RPG machine? Nadia, Eric, and special guest Ash Paulsen discuss the Nintendo Switch 2's RPG lineup, from Switch 1 upgrades, to system exclusives, to that glint of Pokopia on the horizon. It's a great couch system, but does it travel well?
Subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod
The Best RPG Starter Towns w/ Michael Higham
The Millennial Fair is in full swing! Nadia, Eric, and special guest Michael Higham discuss what makes the best starter towns. Did you wake up and everyone in the town doesn’t know you? Did you rebuild the town brick by brick? Is your starter town lowkey just a hub?
Subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod and celebrate our 10th Anniversary with new
Cooking an RPG Stew w/ Rebekah Valentine
Soup’s on! Nadia, Eric, and special guest Rebekah Valentine are cooking up an RPG Stew of games they’ve been playing lately. Plus, how prerelease parties at your local gaming store help build community, (the “G” in MTG stands for “gathering”).
Subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod and celebrate our 10th Anniversary with new merch at https://shop.bl
Your Backlog And You w/ John Carson
A New Year means new resolutions and for many of us that includes making a pledge to chip away at the ever-growing backlog. Are you going to tackle a new series? Revisit an old classic? Are some of last year's hits on sale for the right price? Or do you need something effervescent to pair with a white meat? Eric, Victor, and special guest John Carson discuss what drives them to check games of the
Most-Anticipated RPGs of 2026
If this wasn't an RPG podcast we could have talked about Ace Combat the entire time. But luckily for you it IS an RPG podcast so Eric, Nadia, Victor, and special guest Len Hafer discuss all their most-anticipated RPGs of 2026 (and possibly beyond)! From the newest Fire Emblem to re-releases of GBA cult-classics, from Inaba to Singapore, from tactics to action; it's all here, baby, on this very fut
Best of 2025 Awards - The Bloodies
It's Been A Good Year For Games™ and Nadia, Eric, and Victor are ready to decide just how good. From the biggest smash hits like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 to the pluckiest indie darlings like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, we're covering it all!So place some bets on your favourite RPGs of the year and warm up your vocal chords to yell at your phone; It's the 2025 Axe of the Blood God Awards!
Tune
RPG Hidden Gems 2025 w/ Lucas White
Like a cave behind a waterfall or a treasure chest just out of the camera's view, so to will these games make you feel special just by the nature of finding them. Some of 2025's best RPG experiences are tucked away in the corners of your local digital storefront but luckily Eric, Nadia, Victor, and special guest Lucas White are here to point you in the right direction. Whether you're looking for a
The Game Awards Recap and The Best Cold Guys
Curl up with a hot cup of coffee (or did I lie and it's actually cold?) and warm up by the agidyne+3 because it's time to discuss our favourite frosty friends in RPGs. From ice-based monsters to wielders of frost magicks, it's the guys (of any gender) that keep things cool. Plus, the Keighleys have come and gone and it's our journalistic duty to cover them. What was announced, who won, and why it'
Octopath Traveler 0 Review w/ Jesse Vitelli
With a name like "Wishvale" there's no way that town wasn't going to get torched at the beginning of an RPG.Does this adaptation of a gacha mobage manage to sell itself as a standalone single-player console RPG? Eric, Nadia, and special guest Jesse Vitelli are here to discuss Octopath Traveler 0 and whether it can come in under the wire as a contender for RPG of the Year. All this and so much more
Sakura Wars - Pantheon of the Blood God
Happy American Thanksgiving! We're taking the week off but as a very special treat we're pulling one of our favourite Pantheon episodes out from behind the paywall. To celebrate the upcoming 30th anniversary it's our deep-dive into Sakura Wars for the Sega Saturn! If you can find 3 entire hours to sneak away from your family this Thanksgiving, it's a rollercoaster ride of emotions and packed with
Class Conscious: Warriors, Berserkers, & Barbarians w/ John Learned
Call us Hamburger Helper because this week we're cooking with beef!Eric, Nadia, and special guest John Learned are here to discuss only the rawest slabs of DPS meat. What's appealing about the unga bunga and how does it fit into the party composition? Get ready for a list full of himbos and fur bikinis!
Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgo
Card-Based RPGs - PART 1: History and Appeal
I'm pulling a Retronauts and calling this "Part One" because we barely even got around to talking about the games themselves; instead, Victor, Eric, and Nadia wax philosophical about the seemingly-universal appeal of card games, the stories that can be told with a deck of cards, and how they fit perfectly into the systems and structure of both tabletop games and video games. Maybe in Part Two we'l
Phantasy Star TTRPG Interview w/ Rich Lescouflair
May the Falz be with you!Award-winning creator of the Phantasy Star Tabletop RPG, Rich Lescouflair, joins Victor for an in-depth interview all about adapting a beloved JRPG into tabletop form, the joys of freeing oneself from the shackles of narrative canon, and why Phantasy Staar Online Episode III: CARD Recolution actually kicks ass.This is one multiplayer Phantasy Star that doesn't require a Hu
Dragon Quest I & II Review w/ Lucas White
A podcast draws near!Eric, Nadia, and special guest Lucas White are here to discuss the latest Dragon Quest HD2D remake(s)! Is this collection of the first two entires in the seminal series a must-play or should you puff-puff pass?
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.patr
Outer Worlds 2, Enjoying Things For Grown Ups
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 but encourage you to visit https://www.bdsmovement.net/microsoft for more information.Capitalism. In space!Eric and Nadia have been spending time with Outer Worl
Pokemon Z-A, Vampire: The Masquerade
During this month of Every Game Finally Coming Out, Victor, Nadia, Eric, and special guest Giovanni Colantonio talk Pokemon Z-A, walkable cities in games, and what makes a good sidequest.Plus, Eric gives us the (vampire) rundown on Vampire: The Masquerade – Bloodlines and why you probably shouldn't wait 20 years to make a sequel.
Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at ht
The Best GhoOoOosts in RPGs
Vampires are so last year.Call your local Hex Maniac because Victor, Nadia, and Eric are holding a seance to determine the best spectres, phantoms, ghasts, and frights across the history of RPGs. It's time to talk ghosts!From the cutest to the cultists, from friendly to frightening, it's all ghosts all the time. Just don't mess around with a ouija board while listening to this episode. Or if you d
Digimon Story: Time Stranger w/ Kenneth Shepard, Jesse Vitelli
Digi-see? Digi-hear? Digi-know it was coming?Your digi-destiny starts today and Eric, Nadia, and special guests, Kenneth Shepard, and Jesse Vitelli are your digi-guides through it all. Time Stranger, the latest in the Digimon Story sub-series of RPGs is finally here and it might just be a perfect entry point into the digital world. Learn al about it on this prodigious episode of Axe of the Blood G
Kat's Mailbag Sendoff
Cheerio! Kat is moving to the UK and we celebrate with a mail bag AMA centered on her experience serving the Blood God, and you know it wouldn’t be a Kat episode without delving into the worlds of soccer and Magic The Gathering.
- Plus, discussion of Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles
- The meaning of “mature” storylines
- Whether or not Mario is a superhero.
Learn more about you
Kat's Perfect RPG Library, Trails in the Sky, and BIG NEWS
As we prepare for our fearless leader's graduation, it's time to celebrate the RPGs that made her. From tactics to action, from sim to rogue-lite, Kat, Eric, and Victor discuss Kat's idea of the perfect RPG library. Plus, Eric's been playing Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter; is this the Trails games that will hook newcomers? Listen to this perfectly bitter-sweet episode of Axe of the Blood God to fin
Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave, Pokopia, and More Nintendo Direct News
Pick a god and pray; Fire Emblem is back along with a deluge of news from the latest Nintendo Direct. Slow-life Pokemon, collections of Mega Mans, and remakes of good Dragon Quests. Kat, Nadia, and Victor discuss all this and more on the 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, subscribe for bonus epi
Ivalice Chronicles is Correcting History w/ Tom James and BowlofLentils
The Final Fantasy Tactics you played back on the PS1 is not the real Final Fantasy Tactics. In fact, if you played it in the West you missed out on entire games-within-games that not only flesh out the world of Ivalice, but hold clues to the future of Square Enix. And these secrets are all tucked away in... Sound Novels!That's right, this week Victor and Nadia are joined by experts in the history
The Best RPG Weddings?
Kat, Nadia, Eric, and Victor discuss their favorite weddings in RPGs, whether they serve the plot or they just think they’re neat! If you get married in FFXIV you get a sick Chocobo mount (the good kind of sick). Does marrying Shane in Stardew Valley fix him? No, girl, run!
Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod, subscribe for bonus epi
Gamescom Announcements, PlayStation Price Hikes
They grow Geoff Keighleys in Europe too?!A bevy of announcements have poured in from Gamescom so Kat, Nadia, and Eric are here to sift through it all and give you the straight dope.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 Anniversa
Game Key Cards and the Importance of Physical RPGs
More like Lame Key Cards. Kat, Nadia, Eric, and Victor discuss the pros and cons of physical vs digital and what it means specifically to the history and culture of RPGs. Could it be that sometimes BOTH approaches are appropriate and that instead of pitting them against each other we should be addressing the underlying corporate systems that prevent us from experiencing art as anything other than
The Adventures of Elliot and The Future of HD-2D
To HD-2D, or not to HD-2D? That is the question Eric, Nadia, and special guest Timothy Monbleau are asking on this week's episode.From retro revivals like Live-A-Live and Dragon Quest to brand-new throwbacks like Octopath Traveler and The Adventures of Elliot, Square sure loves its depth-of-field-and-bloom-filled pixel-art dioramas! But should EVERY mid-budget RPG be adopting this style or is ther
Switch 2 Partner Direct Reax
Elliot is killing the adventurer industry.Big Switch 2 RPG news as we react to the announcements coming out of the latest Nintendo Direct! Kat, Nadia, and Eric discuss the pros and cons of digital storefronts, the impact tariffs are having on video games, and more Magic: The Gathering talk!Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod, subscribe
Class Conscious: Knights
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 Co
Retro Handheld Buyer's Guide w/ Jake Steinberg
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 y
Mailbag, The Future of Final Fantasy
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'sTune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod
RIP Xbox: Layoffs and Industry Fallout w/ Giovanni Colantonio
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 t
Defend Your Favorite Final Fantasy w/ Sena Bryer
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 onl
2025's Best RPGs So Far, What To Look Forward To
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,
Final Fantasy x Magic: the Gathering Primer w/ Shivam Bhatt
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 strai
Bonus: New Xbox Handheld, Persona 4 Revival, and Showcase Reax
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
Switch 2 Impressions, State of Play and SGF Recap
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 Su
Elden Ring: Nightreign Review, SGF Predictions w/ Mitchell Saltzman
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
Console RPG Quest: Switch - Definitive Edition, Fantasy Life i
The Nintendo Switch™ Family of Video Gaming Entertainment Consoles is dead. Long live the Nintendo Switch 2™ Family of Video Gaming Entertainment Consoles.Kat, Nadia, and Eric deliver the final judgement on the Switch's contributions to the RPG landscape. From Pokemon's bumpy road to Fire Emblem's revival to Square's blunderbuss, it's all here in this satisfyingly clickable episode of Axe of the B
The Future of Kingdom Hearts, Giant Bomb's Return w/ Mike Minotti
You're getting 'Norted! And you're getting 'Norted! And YOU'RE getting 'Norted!Xakt, Dianxa, Ixerc, and special guest Kexim are here to discuss the old adage; "When Nomura closes one door, he opens another with a very large key"Missing Link's cancellation and Kingdom Hearts IV's new screenshots have stirred up conversation and Giant Bomb's own KH expert Mike Minotti is here to tell us all about it
No Expedition 33 Mini-Map Isn't a Bad Thing, FF + MtG Reax, and Sakura Wars 2 in English
The maps are mini but the discourse is maxi!Kat, Nadia, and Victor embrace their cartographical spirit this week as they discuss the pros and cons of the mini-map; Does EVERY game need them? Do NO games need them? At what point should you meet the game's systems where they are and adapt? Find out on this week's disorientingly good episode of Axe of the Blood God!Tune in to live recordings of the s
Are Games Too Expensive, The Collapse of Games Media
The rent is too damn high!Hey, it's rough out there. But as development costs climb, retail prices skyrocket, and the institutional knowledge of decades of journalism slips out from under us due to corporate greed, Kat, Nadia, and Eric are at least here to explain what this means for the future of RPGs!Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodp
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Review w/Kenneth Shepard
Sacre Bleu! Incroyable! Tabarnak! We get to say all these words and more on this week's episode of Axe of the Blood God, which is about Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. Special guest Kenneth Shepard joins Kat, Nadia, and Eric (they're together again!) on this quest to ask this Paintress lady what her whole deal is.
Also in this episode:
Stop right there, criminal scum! Suddenly, Oblivion R
The Lunar Remastered Review, Switch 2 Updates w/ Lucas White
How many licks DOES it take to get to the center of a Tootsie Pop?
Eric, Nadia, and special guest Lucas White won't find out in the Lunar: Remastered Collection but they'll sure discuss localization choices like it. Find out if the new re-release does justice to these cult classics of the 32-bit era.
Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod
Class Conscious: Black Mage w/ Timothy Monbleau
I am the Black Mage! I casts the spells that makes the peoples fall down!
Time to put on your robe and wizard hat; we're talkin' Black Mages!
From Vivi to Donald Duck, all your favourite magic missile-slingers are here and ready to nuke Eric, Nadia, and special guest Timothy Monbleau!
Special Thanks to Edwyn "Omahdon" Tiong, voice of Black Mage.
Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturda
Switch 2 Direct and Hands-on Impressions w/ Brian Shea
Should've called it the Swiitch.
Kat, Nadia, Eric, and special guest Brian Shea tell you everything you need to know about the Nintendo Direct Switch 2 announcements plus Brian's hands-on experience at the recent press event. There's a slew of RPGs of all stars and stripes heading for the console. Whether you'll be able to get your little hands on them without selling a body part or two remains to
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