

Axe of the Blood God: An RPG Podcast
Axe of the Blood God
Nadia Oxford, Eric Van Allen, and Victor Hunter explore the best in the wonderful world of role-playing video games! Support us on Patreon: https://patreon.com/bloodgodpod
Episodes
Mentioned books

Mar 10, 2025 • 1h 41min
Suikoden I&II HD Remaster Review, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Preview, and More w/ Aidan Moher
Oscar season has passed but the stars are still out; all 108 of them!Kat, Nadia, and Eric are joined by a special guest who literally wrote the book on Suikoden; Aidan Moher! They discuss the ups and downs of the recently released remaster and whether they are the versions of Suikoden you should play!Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod and subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpodAlso in this episode:
Other Suikoden news of varying quality!
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
Adult Swim memories
Timestamps:
10:24 - Main Topic - Suikoden I&II HD Remaster
51:12 - Random Encounters
1:08:00 - The Tavern - Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
1:32:16 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook
Music Used in this Episode:
Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III]
A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana]
A Bustling Town - [Suikoden II]
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 3, 2025 • 2h 9min
Axe of the Blood God 500: 10 Years of the Podcast, 10 Greatest RPGs
Wanna feel old? Well don't! You're only 10 years older than you were when Axe of the Blood God started and if you placed the entirety of your life so far in Carl Sagan's cosmic calendar you would exist as a mere blip in the final second of the final day. But there's never been a better blip to exist in than this one if you're really into RPGs! So join Kat, Nadia, Eric, and Victor as they discuss what they believe to be the finest RPGs the last 10 years had to offer.Whether you're a new listener or you've been with us since the beginning, thank you for your support. Here's to 10 more bloody years!Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod and subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpodAlso in this episode:
Pokemon Direct update!
A very special appearance by Ben Starr
New merch by Nina Matsumoto available now at https://shop.bloodgodpod.com
Timestamps:
06:20 - Main Topic - Top 10 RPGs of the Past Ten Years
1:42:52 - Random Encounters
1:57:46 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook
Music Used in this Episode:
Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III]
A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana]
Matoya's Cave (Airship Cruise Beats Version) - [Square Enix Airship Cruise Beats]
*SPOILERS* THE FINAL LIST:10- Octopath Traveler II9- Xenoblade Chronicles 38- Persona 57- Fire Emblem: Three Houses6- NieR: Automata5- Final Fantasy XIV: Shadowbringers4- Elden Ring3- Undertale 2- Baldur's Gate III1- Disco Elysium Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feb 24, 2025 • 1h 31min
Monster Hunter Wilds Review, Final Fantasy x MtG, and More!
It's just another MonHun Monday!Bring your Cool Drinks to survive the Hot Takes in our review of Monster Hunter Wilds. Will this be the entry that makes MonHun skeptics take the leap? Kat, Nadia, and Eric discuss this Elder Dragon-sized game!Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod and subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpodAlso in this episode:
Final Fantasy x Magic: The Gathering
Remembering 10 Years of Blood God
Why are we not excited about new Avatar?
NetEase layoffs
Lunchboxes!
Timestamps:
05:20 - Main Topic - Monster Hunter Wilds Review
40:52 - Random Encounters - 10 Years of Blood God
59:12 - The Tavern - Final Fantasy x Magic: The Gathering
1:17:52 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook
Music Used in this Episode:
Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III]
A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana]
The Village of Wind and Meadow - [Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate]
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feb 17, 2025 • 1h 26min
Avowed Review, State of Play, and More w/ John Carson
Obsidian's new covert entry in the Pillars of Eternity world is out now; but is it just a Skyrim-like? I don't mind telling you upfront; no. But what IS it, I hear you screaming? Kat, Nadia, Eric, and special guest John Carson are here to tell you!Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod and subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpodAlso in this episode:
The February Cornucopia of RPGs
Pokemon TCG Pocket update!
The State of Magic: The Gathering
*hacker voice* I'm in
Timestamps:
05:04 - Main Topic - Avowed
43:02 - Random Encounters
1:00:48 - Magic: The Gathering
1:12:46 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook
Music Used in this Episode:
Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III]
A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana]
South Town Guitarist ~ Summer - [Tokimeki Memorial 2]
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feb 10, 2025 • 2h
Kingdom Come: Deliverance II Review, Final Fantasy Live Letter, and More w/ Jason Fanelli and Leana Hafer
The only thing orthodox about this episode of Axe of the Blood God is the allusions the Catholicism! Eric is joined by special guest Leana Hafer to talk RPG news and they're both joined by other special-guest Jason Fanelli and other other special guest Nadia Oxford to dig into one of the biggest RPGs of 2025 so far; Kingdom Come: Deliverance IITune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod and subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpodAlso in this episode:
Mechabellum
Final Fantasy XIV Live Letter feat. Victor's Mini-Dropouts
Civilization VII
Eric's Final Fantasy XII update
Video games are water
Timestamps:
07:12 - Main Topic - Kingdom Come: Deliverance II
56:26 - Random Encounters
1:23:08 - The Tavern
1:44:28 - Leana's Nook
Music Used in this Episode:
Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III]
Pub - [Boktai DS]
A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana]
Chaotic Bar - [Phantasy Star Online ]
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feb 3, 2025 • 1h 56min
Shorter RPGs Without Sacrificing Story, Citizen Sleeper 2, and P3 Reload Final Thoughts
It is once again Letter Tiiiiiiime.Kat, Nadia, and Eric answer YOUR burning questions like: What are some big freaky guys?If you'd like a chance to have your letters read on a future episode join us over on the discord!Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod and subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpodAlso in this episode:
The future of BioWare after layoffs
How to handle spoilers and learn to appreciate the journey
Final thoughts on Persona 3 Reload
Getting very bad grades
Timestamps:
04:22 - What Will Major Franchises Look Like When The Creators Are Gone?
12:48 - What Cybernetic Parts/Tattoos Do You Want?
19:36 - How Do You Pick A Game Back Up?
26:24 - Will We See A World With Shorter RPGs?
34:08 - Newsletter Wishlist
39:44 - Freaky Big Guys
44:28 - Should We Bring Back Fixed Camera Angles/Pre-rendered Backgrounds?
48:24 - What Folklore and Myth Would You Like To See Explored?
52:24 - Plans For More Audio Commentaries?
58:40 - Random Encounters
1:03:24 - The Tavern
1:20:16 - This Week In Gekkoukan
1:30:40 - Citizen Sleeper 2
1:27:44 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook
Music Used in this Episode:
Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III]
Pub - [Boktai DS]
A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana]
Here She Comes - [Xenosaga Episode II]
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jan 27, 2025 • 1h 40min
Are We In A Turn-Based Renaissance?
If it is then Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is looking like The Birth of Venus.Why did turn-based RPGs ever fall out of vogue? Did they ever? Kat, Nadia, and Eric discuss the mainstream resurgence of the turn-based RPG and wether we might be seeing even more on the horizon. All that and more on this menu-based episode of Axe of the Blood God!Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod and subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpodAlso in this episode:
Dragon Age: The Veilguard Post-Mortem
Dynasty Warriors: Origins
Ys Memoire: The Oath in Felghana
The Fast And The Furious is the Yakuza of movies
Timestamps:
05:50 - Main Topic - Are We In A Turn-Based Renaissance?
46:20 - Random Encounters
49:24 - The Tavern
1:27:44 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook
Music Used in this Episode:
Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III]
Pub - [Boktai DS]
A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana]
Spumoni - Franca's Cafe - [Phantasy Star Online 2]
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jan 21, 2025 • 1h 48min
Switch 2 Reactions, Remembering David Lynch, and More w/ Jon Cartwright
The Switch 2 is here!Well, it's THERE. Somewhere. But now we know that when it gets HERE it will look like that! And sometimes that's all you can ask for in this crazy world.Join Kat, Nadia, Eric, and Good Vibe's Gaming's Jon Cartwright as they discuss everything we know and everything we DON'T know about Nintendo's new console.Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod and subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpodAlso in this episode:
Remembering David Lynch's monumental influence on gaming
The dark side of Mario Paint
Kat's Final Fantasy XIV Progress report!
Timestamps:
04:16 - Main Topic - SWITCH 2 REVEALED
59:44 - Random Encounters
1:36:32 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook
Music Used in this Episode:
Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III]
A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana]
Audrey's Dance - [Twin Peaks]
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jan 13, 2025 • 1h 57min
Why Is Everything An RPG? w/ Reb Valentine
If everything is an RPG then nothing is an RPG.Nadia, Eric, and special guest Reb Valentine are here to discuss the RPG-ification of games over the past decade and change; what does it mean to adopt RPG-like mechanics? When are systems metaphor for player action and when are they a means to pad out a progression loop for commercial value? Are either of those things better than the other? All this philosophy and more, Horatio, on 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 and subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpodAlso in this episode:
Harvest Moon Memories
Our holiday gaming sessions
BIG GAMES COMING TO SWITCH 2
Nine Sols
What's wrong with game awards categories
Final Fantasy XII is a really good video game
Snakes & Ladders
Timestamps:
05:50 - Main Topic - Why Is Every Game An RPG Now?
1:03:32 - Random Encounters
1:08:04 - The Tavern
1:45:20 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook
Music Used in this Episode:
Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III]
Pub - [Boktai DS]
A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana]
Lilycove City - [Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire]
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jan 6, 2025 • 1h 42min
The 2025 RPG Preview, Switch 2 Speculation, and More
It's a new year, and that means a whole lot more RPGs are on the way to ruin our backlogs and occupy our time. Kat, Nadia, and Eric gather together to talk about all the big hits you should look out for, as well as:
What's Nintendo going to do in 2025?
Who drew Persian like that?
The Blood God buys the super-expensive Terra statue?
Timestamps:00:00 - Intro01:50 - The 2025 RPG PreviewMusic used in this episode:
The AOTBG Intro Theme
Sophisticated Fight [The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky]
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices


