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 of Japanese adventure games, Tom James and BowlofLentils, to discuss how The Ivalice Chronicles is steering us back onto the path of understanding the lineage of this misunderstood genre. Visual novels, sound novels, adventures games, point-and-clicks, text adventures, dating sims, oteme games, galge? What do they have in common and what makes them completely different? Find out on this expository episode of Axe of the Blood God! Sorry if you thought this was going to be about like, the nature of remakes or adaptations and the Ship of Theseus or whatever, but we've got sound novels to talk about!

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 Anniversary with new merch at https://shop.bloodgodpod.com

Also in this episode:

Eternal Sonata

Vanillaware's alternate Princess Maker timeline

Doshin the Giant

Why Inspector Gadget owes his life to Lupin III

We mention Hollow Knight: Silksong purely for SEO purposes

428 Shibuya Scramble

Famicom Detective Club

FURTHER READING:

BowlofLentils Youtube Channel:
https://www.youtube.com/@bowloflentils

Tom James' Blog:
https://dateemups.com/

Sharlayan Dropouts - The Veil of Wiyu:
https://bloodgodpod.com/sharlayan-dropouts-lore-veil-of-wiyu/

Timestamps:

7:20 Main Topic - Ivalice Chronicles Resurrecting the Lost Sound Novels

1:32:08 - Random Encounters

1:36:08 - Nadia’s Nostalgia Nook

Music Used in this Episode:

Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III]

A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana]

Contact - [YU-NO: a girl who chants love at the bound of this world]

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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 episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod and celebrate our 10th Anniversary with new merch at https://shop.bloodgodpod.com

Also in this episode:

A tier list of Final Fantasy XIII characters.

Final Fantasy XIV third party mods controversy.

Turning your wedding table into a sovereign nation.

Timestamps:

9:41 Main Topic - Weddings in RPGS

1:03:32 - Random Encounters

1:27:08 - The Tavern

1:57:30 - Nadia’s Nostalgia Nook

Music Used in this Episode:

Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III]

Pub - [Lunar Knights]

A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana]

Stand By Me - [Final Fantasy XV]

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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 Anniversary with new merch at https://shop.bloodgodpod.com
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.

Also in this episode:

BSG but it's FTL!

Monster Hunter Wilds x Final Fantasy XIV

Performance on Switch 2: Elden Ring, Cyberpunk, and more

Bottles of Brownie Batter

Vampire: The Masquerade: Bloodlines 2's development hell

Pokemon TCG Pocket Updates

Zero Parades

Magic: The Gathering Update

Lads and Bros playing Footy

Bizarre Print Ads

Timestamps:

3:28 - Main Topic

56:40 - Random Encounters

1:02:28 - The Tavern - Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter, PlayStation Price Increase

1:39:28 - Bonus Mailbag!

Music Used in this Episode:

Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III]

Pub - [Lunar Knights]

A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana]

eScape - [Final Fantasy XIV: Stormblood]

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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 consumers? Probably!
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 Anniversary with new merch at https://shop.bloodgodpod.com
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.

Also in this episode:

The joy of getting a map with a game

The frustration of downloading mandatory patches

EA really is the worst

What Tales game needs a remaster

Hernias and Ronald McDonald

Timestamps:

6:30 - Main Topic - Game Key Cards and the Importance of Physical Game Releases

1:05:14 - Random Encounters

1:11:04-ish - The Tavern - Dragon Age and Mass Effect Remasters, Tales of Xillia Remaster

1:34:00 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook

Music Used in this Episode:

Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III]

Pub - [Lunar Knights]

A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana]

The Hollow City - [Tales of Xillia 2]

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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 there a time and place for this look? All that and more on a very anachronistically aliased 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 episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod and celebrate our 10th Anniversary with new merch at https://shop.bloodgodpod.com

Also in this episode:

Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound

Super Smash Bros Beach Volleyball

He Is Coming

Eric's in his Movie Era

Nadia hates Casablanca

Timestamps:

8:48 - Main Topic - Adventures of Elliot and the Future of HD-2D

57:36 - Mailbag

1:03:20 - Random Encounters

1:04:28 - The Tavern

1:28:10 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook

Music Used in this Episode:

Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III]

Pub - [Lunar Knights]

A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana]

One With Hope I - [OCTOPATH TRAVELER: Champions of the Continent]

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod and celebrate our 10th Anniversary with new merch at https://shop.bloodgodpod.com

Also in this episode:

The Adventures of Elliot: The Millenium Tales

Octopath Traveler 0

Monster Hunter Stories 3

Persona 3 Reload

Game Key Card Controversy

Switch Price Increases

Monster Hunter Wilds

Eeveelution Tier List

Why Fast-Travel is Killing RPGs

Magic: The Gathering Pre-release

My Girl spoilers

Timestamps:

5:36 - Main Topic - Switch 2 Partner Direct

58:08 - Random Encounters - Monster Hunter Wilds

1:12:32 - The Tavern - Eric's Magic Pre-release Report

1:31:20 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook

Music Used in this Episode:

Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III]

Pub - [Lunar Knights]

A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana]

Bestower of Wealth - [OCTOPATH TRAVELER Arrangements Break & Boost Vol.2]

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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 Conscious: Knights!
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 Anniversary with new merch at https://shop.bloodgodpod.com

Also in this episode:

Is Donkey Kong Bananza an RPG? No but we're talking about it

Should you have a Switch 2 yet?

Eric's Final Fantasy IX Update!

I thought Donkey Kong wanted to kill me

Timestamps:

8:06 - Main Topic - Retro Handhelds

58:08 - Random Encounters

1:00:56 - The Tavern - Donkey Kong Bananza

1:26:16 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook

Music Used in this Episode:

Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III]

Pub - [Lunar Knights]

A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana]

Rose of May - [Final Fantasy IX]

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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 your journey into the world or retro handhelds!
For more of Jake check out his Youtube channel:
https://youtube.com/@jakesteinberg?si=Z2kaNkSkH-qNwSQl
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 Anniversary with new merch at https://shop.bloodgodpod.com

Also in this episode:

The problems with the state of game preservation

Why the Playdate rules

Live Action Zelda casting news

Eric's Final Fantasy IX Update

The Best Games of the PSP

Timestamps:

6:56 - Main Topic - Retro Handhelds

58:108 - Random Encounters

1:18:48 or so - The Tavern

1:47:32 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook

Music Used in this Episode:

Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III]

Pub - [Lunar Knights]

A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana]

A Little Friendship - [Golden Sun]

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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's
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 Anniversary with new merch at https://shop.bloodgodpod.com

Also in this episode:

Fahrensius' origin story

Cyberpunk: Edgerunners 2

Subnautica news

Final Fantasy IX Retrospective

Kat says "The MMOs don't count" and I'll never forgive her

Gundam TCG

The Tale of the Talking Finger

Timestamps:

6:56 - Main Topic - Mailbag - What RPG would you speedrun?

14:56 - What ISN'T an RPG?

28:28 - What sharacter have we seen age the most?

37:20 - What's Nadia's favourite pizza place?

45:20 - What games use non-active party members the best?

55:44 - Where does Poe's name come from?

57:20 - Boardgame Sidequest?

1:02:16 - Random Encounters

1:24:40 - The Tavern

1:47:32 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook

Music Used in this Episode:

Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III]

Pub - [Lunar Knights]

A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana]

Not Alone Jazz Arrangement - [Square Enix Jazz - Final Fantasy]

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 the layoff of over 9000 workers, Microsoft ain't lookin' so hot. What does this mean for the rest of the video game industry? Special guest Giovanni Colantonio joins Eric and Nadia to precisely that!
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 Anniversary with new merch at https://shop.bloodgodpod.com

Also in this episode:

The starfish part of Animorphs

Who tanks the Uber driver?

Persona 5: The Phantom X's Subway Slammer

Summer Games Done Quick

Battle Train

Rematch

Umamusume

Timestamps:

6:56 - Main Topic - What Is Happening At Xbox?

1:02:16 - Random Encounters

1:04:00 - The Tavern

1:20:32 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook

Music Used in this Episode:

Entry of the Gladiators - [Julius Fucik]

Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III]

Pub - [Lunar Knights]

A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana]

Palma - [Phantasy Star]

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