Axe of the Blood God: An RPG Podcast

Polygon and RPG Site reviewers Carolyn Petit and Alex Donaldson join the show to analyze the biggest RPG of 2020: Cyberpunk 2077! They talk about the ways that it does (and doesn't) push the cyberpunk genre forward, its technical problems, and whether its handling of trans issues is as poor as it seems. [No spoilers!] Also, breaking down the Mass Effect reveal and more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With Cyberpunk 2077 finally due out this week, it's time to take a harder look at the studio that is CD Projekt. Where did it come from? How did it rise to the top of the RPG heap over the past generation? And what are some potential stumbling blocks it faces in the future? Nadia and Kat delve into all this, with additional chatter about Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon & the Blade of Light, Atelier Ryza 2, and more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week we're taking a break and trying something new at Axe of the Blood God: An RPG Quiz Show! Kat plays host as Nadia, Eric, and Mathew Olson compete to see who knows the most about the role-playing genre (or can at least come up with the most amusing answers). It's RPG fun for the whole family! Plus, breaking down the follow-up to The World Ends With You, and more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We're firmly in the teeth of the 2020 release season, and the RPGs are arriving fast. Kat and Nadia circle back on some of the RPGs they missed, including Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin, WoW: Shadowlands, Godfall, and more. Plus: Cyberpunk's performance on current-gen consoles, The Game Awards RPG nominations, and more thoughts on Yakuza: Like a Dragon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kat and Nadia bid farewell to Mike Williams the only way they know how—with a lengthy conversation about Final Fantasy 14. They also welcome back old friend Ash Paulsen, who joins the group to talk about Kingdom Hearts: Melody of Memory and more. Finally, Kat and Nadia have an announcement about the future of Axe of the Blood God. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X are out this week, and we've got the whole gang to break it all down over the course of a two hour mega-pod extravaganza! Kat, Mike, Nadia, and Eric are here to compare the PS5 and Xbox Series X, look at the launch lineup, and break down all the pros and cons for early adopters. Also in this episode, we review Yakuza: Like a Dragon, and lots of cats appear! Don't miss out! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In a continuation of their look back on the most recent console generation, Kat and Nadia examine the outsized impact of the PlayStation 4 on RPGs. From the return of Japan to the "mainstreaming" of RPGs, to VR and "service games," the pair talk about all the way that RPGs have changed over the past seven years. Also in this episode: Cyberpunk 2077's delay, Trails of Cold Steel 4 impressions, and much more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With the next generation of consoles mere weeks away, we're jumping ahead in the Console RPG Quest to the Xbox One! While at first glance the Xbox One's RPG legacy is quite weak, there's more to it than meets the eye. Kat and Nadia talk about the importance of backward compatibility, the possibilities afforded by streaming, and lessons learned as they delve into the Xbox One's console history. Also, Torchlight 3 reviews, Crown Tundra impressions, and much more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kat and Nadia take a break from the grind of the RPG release schedule to talk about how some of today's most popular genres can be combined with the wonders of role-playing, including battle royale, Among Us, and more. Plus, we talk about Phil Spencer's recent comments concerning Bethesda, Yakuza 7, and more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Larian founder Swen Vincke returns to the podcast to discuss the initial feedback on Baldur's Gate 3's early access release, turn-based vs. real-time with pause, dice rolls, and more! (Starts around 26:20) Plus, Kat and Nadia share their impressions on Genshin Impact, the Monster Hunter movie trailer, and more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices