Axe of the Blood God: An RPG Podcast

Kat is officially back! And she and Nadia celebrate by talking Pokemon leaks, the first hands-on with Kingdom Hearts 3, and SMT Strange Journey Redux! Can you believe that Kingdom Hearts 3 is actually coming out? We can't either! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kat's on vacation for a few seconds more, so it's Anthony and Nadia again, along with special guest John Learned! This week, the trio talks about the excellent features John wrote for USgamer about Final Fantasy XII and Vagrant Story's localizations [4:00], the big news about Nintendo Switch Online and how it might pertain to RPGs [8:45], and what we hope to see at Square-Enix's E3 2018 press conference [22:10] before launching into our main topic: The gem that is Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow [43:46]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kat had the nerve to take a vacation, so Nadia drags out a ghost-editor from her history as a freelancer, Anthony John Agnello, and orders him to co-host this week. They talk about old times before diving into the sad state of game preservation and how the Wii U's diminishing presence is adding to the problem [5:20]. Then Anthony wonders if Montreal Eidos working on the Shadow of the Tomb Raider means we'll never see a Deus Ex game again (and Nadia proves how alert she is by mixing up Eidos and Ubisoft) [15:20]. The duo celebrate the beautiful RPG / beat-em-up hybrid, Dragon's Crown Pro, featuring the peerless art of the mad god George Kamitami [36:20] before launching into their wish list of untouchable RPGs that are lost to the future [43:20]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kat and Nadia talk about their favorite RPG stories, the impact that art style can have, and many other topics including Persona 5, Radiant Historia, and Bojack Horseman. Then Kat jumps into her guide to Super Robot Wars [27:18]. What is it? How did it start? And more important, which one should you play first? Finally, Kat and Nadia wrap up the Cosmic Star Heroine Report as it launches on PlayStation Vita [51:56]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kat and Nadia have discuss Ni No Kuni 2's story and where it went wrong as they wrap up their conversation about Level-5's sequel [22:52]. Plus: The pair talk about Monster Hunter World's new event, Persona 5's gay panic, and even more legendary weapons. Note: Spoilers for NNK2 begin at 22:52 and end at 01:07:16! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kat and Nadia delve into Final Fantasy, World of WarCraft, and more to find the best legendary weapons in RPG history. From weapons that helped define their series, to weapons that were impossible to get, to weapons that were simply cool, we survey the RPG landscape for our favorites. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What do Dragon Quest XI and World of WarCraft have in common? They're two RPGs asking themselves, "What's next?" Kat and Nadia discuss that, Kat's other experiences at PAX East, and her hands-on with Underworld: Ascendant. Plus, we discuss your comments on the 3DS and The Alliance Alive! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Alliance Alive is out on 3DS, but it won't be joined by Dragon Quest XI. Kat and Nadia talk about the spiritual successor to Legend of Legacy [5:00] before moving on to the news that Dragon Quest XI will be coming to Steam and PS4, but not the 3DS [25:15]. Is Square Enix making a mistake? And amid the continued stream of "nostalgic JRPGs," what form of JRPG is being underserved? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kat returns from a busy week at GDC to talk Bard's Tale and Zanki Zero, as well as to share some of Ultima Online's craziest war stories. Then Nadia and Kat talk about Ni No Kuni 2's insane opening and the tonal whiplash that follows. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kat and Nadia settle down to review Ni No Kuni 2! [22:00] How does the combat hold up? Why does the overworld look like it was imported from the PS2? And will Evan Pettiwhisker be the first against the wall when the revolution comes? We have answers to all these questions and more! Plus: The move by triple-A action games to co-op skill trees. Does it work? We discuss! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices