Episodes
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The appointed time is upon us. You've waited all year to hear the Axe of the Blood God's best RPG picks for 2024 (er, right?) and we're ready to dish. Nadia, Kat, and Eric hash out the winners in this extra thicc episode. Several categories are up for discussion beyond "Best RPG of 2024," such as this year's best character performance, this year's best visuals, and, uh, this year's best "freaky little guy." To listen is to understand, so shove this episode into your ear-holes, and we'll see you in 2025. Thanks for your continued support!
Also in this episode
2024's biggest RPG news stories
Our holiday plans (spoilers, we're all putting down roots for two weeks)
TEETH TEETH TEETH
Jingle Bells, Santa smells [like sulphur]
Timestamps
00:00 - Intro
05:10 - RPG Awards
1:36:42 - Random Encounters
1:38:27 - The Tavern
1:56:50 - Nostalgia Pit
Music used in this episode
Don't Cry, Baby [Ragnarok Online]
Jenova Lifeclinger [Final Fantasy VII Rebirth]
Game Opening [Metaphor]
Heismay's Awakening [Metaphor]
Faring in the Ocean [Steamworld Heist 2]
No Promises to Keep [Final Fantasy VII Rebirth]
Warriors of Valor [Metaphor]
The Promised Consort [Shadow of the Erdtree]
Brush Your Teeth [Raffi]
Campanella Stage 1 [UFO 50]
Adventure [Dragon Quest III 2DHD]
Mass Destruction [Persona 3 Reload]
Hero's Awakening [Metaphor]
Do Your Best! [Breath of Fire III]
Patty's Pub [Dragon Quest IX]
Ding Fries are Done [Peter Griffin]
Welcome, My Lord [Ragnarok Online]
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It is done. Geoff Keighley descended from Gamer Mountain with the results of 2024's Game Awards scrawled onto two stone tablets. (Brought to you by Mountain Dew.) Kat, Eric, and Nadia understandably have opinions about the games that were snubbed, and the games that received recognition. How about you? Do you agree with Geoff's decrees? Are you with us? Or against us? Listen to this episode and use your heart to decide. And make sure to have a hard think about overlooked gems this year while we talk about our own "hidden" favourites.
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/bloodgodpod
Also in this episode
Intergalactic planetary, planetary Intergalactic
Give Steam World Heist 2 its due
Siri has opinions about Witcher 4's Ciri
Eric's cat has opinions about everything
Sweet Valley Twins fans rise up
Time stamps
00:00 - Intro
08:30 - Main topic: The 2024 Game Awards
47:21 - Random Encounters
52:27 - The Tavern: Overlooked RPG Gems for 2024
1:19:52 - The Nostalgia Nook
Music used in this episode
Battle Theme [Metaphor: Refantazio]
Do Your Best! [Breath of Fire III]
It's a Sin [Pet Shop Boys]
Paddy's Pub [Dragon Quest IX]
A Curious Tale [Secret of Mana]
Faring in the Ocean [Steam Powered Giraffe]
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Missing episodes?
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Pour yourself a delicious bowl of proprietary memory cards and fire up an unskippable cutscene; we're talking all about what 30 years of Playstation has meant for RPGs!
Are we in a better timeline than the one where Square stuck with Nintendo? Find out on this week's episode!
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/bloodgodpod
Also in this episode:
Pokemon TCG Pocket Update!
What's happening with Elden Ring 2?
Path of Exile 2
Fantasian: Neo Dimension is here!
Timestamps:
01:44 - Main Topic - How Playstation Shaped RPG History
54:08 - Random Encounters
1:01:16 - The Tavern
1:28:24 - 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]
A Good Beating - [Fantasian]
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The Blood God hosts are taking a quick holiday break so as a treat we're pulling a classic episode of Pantheon of the Blood God out from behind the paywall!
Listen to this deep-dive into Lunar: Silver Star Story and if you like what you hear subscribe at the $10 tier to access the entire back catalogue of Pantheon of the Blood God. Or better yet, give the gift of the Blood God this holiday season with Patreon's new subscription gifting feature.
Regular episodes will be back soon, including our year-end lists, but until then enjoy this classic:
For the March 2023 edition of the Pantheon of the Blood God, Kat, Nadia, and Eric are joined by Anthony John Agnello and Aidan Moher for Lunar: The Silver Star Story! Their increasingly unhinged conversation covers the following:
The story of Working Designs
Luna's Boat Song
SHADOW MADNESS
And much, much more!
Then the verdict: Is Lunar: Silver Star Story worthy of the Pantheon of the Blood God? Listen in and find out!
As always, a huge thanks to our $10 and up Patrons for all your support! Every month we pick a new RPG for Pantheon contention, which is voted on by the Blood God community at large. Next up: Super Mario RPG! Join the Discord to discuss the episode, and to follow our Monthly Game Club discussions!
Time Stamps
00:00 - Introduction
05:00 - Hosts' history with the Lunar series
24:20 - Lunar's development history
57:29 - Critical reception
1:16:20 - Does Lunar deserve to be in the Pantheon?
1:43:20 - The Verdict
1:56:00 - Outro
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I hope you don't mind missables because there's no perfect route through this episode; it's time for Romancing SaGa!
Kat, Nadia, and Eric are enlightened by special guest Lucas White's SaGa knowledge as they discuss both of this year's SaGa entries: Emerald Beyond and Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven!
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/bloodgodpod
Also in this episode:
Who got snubbed in the Keighleys?
Is Sony going to ruin anime forever?
What is Obsidian cooking with Avowed?
Final Fantasy XIV Update!
Timestamps:
07:44 - Main Topic - Romancing SaGa Primer
41:22 - Random Encounters
45:24 - The Tavern
1:28:24 - 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]
Battle - [Romancing SaGa 2]
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As Canadian kid's game show "UH-OH" character Punisher once said; IT'S SLIME TIME.
Kat, Nadia, Eric, and special guest Cam Hawkins discuss the newest DQ from SE. Is the HD-2D remake of Famicom classic Dragon Quest III the definitive version? Is it a good jumping off point for new players of the series? Did you know it's actually Dragon Quest VI in Japan?
All this and more in 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/bloodgodpod
Also in this episode:
Pokemon TCG Pocket update!
A whole lotta Falcom talk for the Ys and Trails/Kiseki-heads
Eric's Dragon Age: The Veilguard update
Nadia teaches us how to swear
Victor finally picks a theme song for The Tavern
Timestamps:
00:00 - Main Topic - Dragon Quest III HD-2D
37:22 - Random Encounters
47:04 - The Tavern
1:35:44 - 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]
Village - [Dragon Quest III]
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Hey, it's a bit bonkers out there! Why not retreat for a moment into the human race's oldest form of escapism; video games!
Games like Stardew Valley are no-brainers but you may be surprised what kinds of games our panel takes comfort in when it feels like the world is burning down around them. All this 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 and subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod
Also in this episode:
Mario and Luigi: Brothership
Mass Effect! Now for TV!
Pokemon Trading Card Game Pocket
Star Trek beef
Kat's Persona 3 update!
Timestamps:
00:00 - Main Topic - Cozy RPGs
44:40 - Random Encounters
1:01:36 - The Tavern
1:35:44 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook
Music Used in this Episode:
Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III]
A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana]
Town Theme - [Story of Seasons: Friends of Mineral Town]
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Everyone look under your chair and put on your custom "Kiss the Rook" aprons I've made for you because it's time to dig into another of the massive RPGs of the year -- Dragon Age: The Veilguard!
From character creation to romance, from classes to dungeon design, the writing and the role-playing, the good and the bad; Kat, Nadia, Eric, and special guest Leana Hafer cover it all on this very special 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/bloodgodpod
Also in this episode:
Xenoblade Chronicles X is back!
Dragon Quest III HD-2D
Pokemon Trading Card Game Pocket
Monster Hunter Wilds
Timestamps:
07:12 - Main Topic - Dragon Age: The Veilguard
1:06:40 - Random Encounters
1:11:12 - The Tavern
1:40:00 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook
Music Used in this Episode:
Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III]
A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana]
Leliana's Dance - [Dragon Age: Origins]
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It's been a dragon's age since we've had a new Dragon Age but the time has finally arrived.
Kat, Nadia, and Eric discuss the entire series, its influences, its impact, and more as we get closer to the launch of Veilguard!
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/bloodgodpod
Also in this episode:
Monster Hunter Wilds Beta
The retro collecting rabbit hole
You all need to save the Saturn talk for a Victor episode
More Emio: The Smiling Man!
Halloween stories
Timestamps:
00:00 - Main Topic
1:06:40 - Random Encounters
1:13:20 - The Tavern
1:34:24 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook
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BAT!
Join Kat, Nadia, and your old pal from the edit bay Victor Hunter as they discuss the hottest (and sometimes the most mechanically interesting) characters in RPGs; the dhampir! They're not JUST for bisexuals!
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/bloodgodpod
Also in this episode:
Come play FFXI with us
Astar, a robot from Planet Danger
More Metaphor!
Timestamps:
00:00 - Main Topic
1:14:00 - Random Encounters
1:18:16 - The Tavern
1:31:20 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook
Music Used in this Episode:
Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III]
A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana]
Solar Boy Django - [Boktai 2: Solar Boy Django]
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It's time to Fantazio. Again!
Kat, Nadia, and Eric, are joined by IGN's Michael Higham to discuss the biggest RPG release of October, Metaphor: ReFantazio. Take a shot every time someone mentions Persona, or for the full effect take a shot every time someone doesn't mention SMT.
All that plus leaks, anime recommendations, passionate pleas from Nadia to end the console wars, and more on this week's jam-packed 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/bloodgodpod
Also in this episode:
The Game Freak hack
Waypoint's corpse
Before Your Eyes
Persona 3 Update!
Dragon Ball: Sparking! ZERO
Timestamps:
04:16 - Main Topic
1:03:28 - Random Encounters
1:15:44 - The Tavern - Waypoint
1:53:56 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook
Music Used in this Episode:
Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III]
A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana]
Cinematic Tale - [Persona Q2]
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Unionizations, lay-offs, tragic passings! It's been A Year! Eric, Nadia, and special guest Jesse Vitelli discuss the biggest headlines of the year and take a look at the latest Legend of Zelda!
It's an episode of tonal whiplash and fond reminiscence!
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/bloodgodpod
Also in this episode:
Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games were fun!
Mrs. Incredible. I'll say she is.
Subscribe to Jesse's newsletter: Send News
Dragon Quest at the centre of the culture war
Cadet Kelly
Timestamps:
00:00 - Main Topic
1:03:56 - Random Encounters
1:09:58 - The Tavern - Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom
1:33:52 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook
Music Used in this Episode:
Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III]
A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana]
Skull Pirates - [Legend of Zelda: Oracle of Seasons]
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On today's extra beefy episode of Axe of the Blood God, we welcome special guest Jason Schreier and talk about his upcoming book, Play Nice: The Rise, Fall, and Future of Blizzard Entertainment. Tune in for a preview that brings context to some of Blizzard's biggest successes, mishaps, and controversies, including its campus culture, the sexual harassment lawsuit leveled against it, and the infamous Cosby Suite.
Also in this episode:
First impressions of The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom
Gosh, the PS5 Pro sure exists
Nintendo! Put a GBA game slot on Switch 2, you cowards!
See a horse? Download a horse
How Nadia lost her pocket money to rigged potato chip giveaways
Time Stamps
0:00 - Intro/Main topic [Blizzard]
52:34 - Random Encounters
1:18:50 - The Tavern
1:29:07 - Further Blizzard Discussion: The Cosby Suite
1:54:24 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook
Music used in this episode:
Do your Best! [Breath of Fire III]
Patty's Pub [Dragon Quest XI]
A Curious Tale [Secret of Mana]
Battle Theme [Metaphor: ReFantazio]
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No, you see these are uh... Pocket Buddies! And we don't catch'em. We seal'em! In uh, Pocket Orbs!
Kat, Nadia, and Eric discuss Nintendo's suit against the creators of Palworld and what this means for patents and Pokemon-esque projects going forward. Plus, the crew has been playing some Dragon Age Veilguard!
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/bloodgodpod
Also in this episode:
The appeal of fine Pokemon china
You'll never guess where these Pirate Yakuza are!
UFO50
Final Fantasy VII Orchestra
Timestamps:
03:12 - Main Topic
36:36 - Random Encounters
44:18 - The Tavern - Dragon Age
1:31:07 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook
Music Used in this Episode:
Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III]
A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana]
Virbank City - [Pokemon Black and White 2]
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And it doesn't even have a new Ridge Racer.
Kat, Nadia, and Eric discuss the PS5 Pro, it's fascinating price point, Astrobot, Sony's future, and more on this week's 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/bloodgodpod
Also in this episode:
Emio: The Smiling Man
Where are there squirrels?
Praise Bahamut! A Baldur's Gate III Co-op update!
When did YOUR eyesight start going, listener?
Timestamps:
04:56 - Main Topic - PS5 Pro
40:32 - Random Encounters
44:32 - The Tavern
1:17:04 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook
Music Used in this Episode:
Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III]
A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana]
Jungle - [PlayOnline Viewer]
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For the first time since 2006's Dawn of Mana (a totally fun game, don't let anyone tell you otherwise) we have a new mainline entry in the storied Seiken Densetsu series. Does Visions of Mana prove that the mana tree still has plenty of good years left in'er, or is the vision getting blurry? Kat, Nadia, and Eric discuss this colourful action RPG and more 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/bloodgodpod
Also in this episode:
Witch Hat Atelier
Bring back Slayers!
More Final Fantasy VI discussion
Everyone definitely agrees Legend of Mana is the best
Timestamps:
03:12 - Main Topic - Visions of Mana
39:08 - Random Encounters
43:12 - The Tavern
1:16:32 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook - CONTENT WARNING
1:22:24 - End of Content Warning
Music Used in this Episode:
Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III]
A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana]
Cliff Town Gato - [Legend of Mana]
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Brr. Can you feel the chill in the air? Maybe you can, maybe you can't. The weather's been really screwy this summer. This week, the Blood God crew wades hip-deep into 2024's fall RPG season to evaluate what's coming, and to take a guess at which games look likeliest to bogart all their attention through September and October. Will it be the mystical Metaphor ReFantazio? The utterly charming Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom? Or perhaps the beleaguered Dragon Age Veilguard will dominate the autumn season. Listen in and shout your own choices at your audio output device. Or tune into the show live next time at twitch.tv/bloodgodpod. We show up every Saturday at 9:30 PT /12:30 ET.
Also in this episode:
Nadia is back, but RIP to her luggage
Visions of Mana early impressions
Our "canon event" games
This is Tenchiverse and that "cabbit" did indeed turn into a spaceship
Timestamps
00:00 - Main topic: Fall RPG Preview
55:28 - Random Encounters
1:12:13 - The Tavern
1:30:27 - Nostalgia Nook
Music used in this episode
Do Your Best! [Breath of Fire 3]
Patty's Pub [Dragon Quest IX]
A Curious Tale [Secret of Mana]
Scream [Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker]
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On this week's episode Kat, Eric, and special guest Brian Shea discuss all the news out of Gamescom! Does Xbox still need a Mario? What is happening with Blizzard? All these questions and more will be answered in this week's 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/bloodgodpod
Also in this episode:
Kat is invaded by turkeys
Role-playing with sports games
More Game Informer memories!
Timestamps:
05:52 - Gamescom Announcements
52:48 - Random Encounters + Wukong
1:10:48 - The Tavern
Music Used in this Episode:
Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III]
A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana]
Mog Resort - [Final Fantasy XI: Seekers of Adoulin]
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On this week's episode Kat, Eric, Nadia and special guest Matt McMuscles discuss the history of beat'em ups, RPGs, and where the twain shall meet! What is the first RPG beat'em up crossover? What even IS Yakuza? How does George Kamitani tie it all together? All these questions and more will be answered in this week's very special Trans Lifeline Charity Livestream 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/bloodgodpod
Also in this episode:
Tales of!
The Bouncer!
Legend of Mana!
Shenmue!
All of Victor's favs are here!
Timestamps:
00:00 - Main Topic
50:28 - Random Encounters
52:16 - The Tavern
1:26:08 - Nadia's Nostalgia Pit
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On this week's episode Kat, Eric, and special guest Alex Van Aken discuss the current landscape of soulsbornes, the future of soulsbornes, what makes a soulsborne a soulsborne, and please can we call it something else so I can stop saying soulsborne. And no one talks about Code Vein and Stranger of Paradise enough.
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/bloodgodpod
Also in this episode:
Black Myth: Wukong
Kaiju No 8
D23
2XKO
Timestamps:
14:23 - State of Soulsbornes
59:56 - Random Encounters
103:49 - The Tavern
1:36:38 - Alex's Game Informer Nostalgia Nook
Music Used in this Episode:
Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III]
A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana]
Pirates of Pravoka - [Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin]
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