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]

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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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To celebrate our 4th Annual Trans Lifeline Charity Livestream, Sena Bryer of Final Fantasy XIV fame is here to fight to the death! Kat, Nadia, Eric, and Sena will enter the ring with their favorite Final Fantasy but only one can emerge victorious. It's a debate for the ages with hot takes that would make a purposely-inflammatory youtube thumbnail blush. You'll pay for the whole seat but you'll only need the edge 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, 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:

Final Fantasy XVI for Switch 2

Monster Hunter Update

Why Sakaguchi was the Boss

The Front Mission 3 Disaster

Timestamps:

14:52 - Main Topic - Defend Your Favorite Final Fantasy

1:29:08 - Random Encounters

1:38:38 - The Tavern - Kat's Attempt to Finish FF7 Rebirth, and FFXIV Update

1:20:32 - SENA'S NOSTALGIA NOOK

Music Used in this Episode:

Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III]

Pub - [Lunar Knights]

Filter Branch - [PlayOnline Viewer]

Final Fantasy Main Theme - [Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra]

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We're halfway through 2025 and if we were only judging years by the quality of their RPGs this would be a pretty good one! By every other metric; it sure is a year!
This week Kat, Nadia, and Eric are recapping the RPG standouts of the year so far and predicting what hits we still have on the horizon!
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:

Clair Obscur

100 Line

Final Fantasy x Magic: The Gathering

Monster Hunter Wilds PC optimization

Elden Ring: Nightreign's longevity

Kingdom Come Deliverance II

Fantasy Life i

Deltarune 3 + 4

Pokemon Legends Z-A

A lot of Pokemon Scarlet and Violet Discourse

Timestamps:

9:04 - Main Topic - 2025 So Far

46:56 - 2025 RPGs to Watch Out For

1:01:16 - Random Encounters

I dunno, it just blends into Random Encounter lately - The Tavern

1:20:32 - 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]

Abandoned Ship - [Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire]

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It's time to duel!
The Final Fantasy Magic: The Gathering set is here and the hosts have been ripping packs and building decks. Kat, Nadia, and Eric are joined by special guest Shivam Bhatt to dive into the deep cuts, the flavor, the art, and everything about this landmark moment in FF and MtG history.
Also, it's me; I'm the FFXIII guy who knows what Fal'cie and L'cie are. It's honestly pretty straightforward.
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:

Fantasy Life i

How fish give birth

The Zelda Movie

Eric's journey to Summer Games Fest

The Expanse RPG

Critical Role's move to crush Dungeons & Dragons

Eric's phrase of the day!

Timestamps:

5:40 - Main Topic - Magic: the Gathering Primer

42:56 - How to Get Into Magic

1:06:16 - Random Encounters

1:35:12 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook

Music Used in this Episode:

Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III]

A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana]

Mhaura Selbina Voyager - [Final Fantasy Tribute Thanks]

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Editor's Note: While we opted to cover this showcase, we would be remiss if we didn't once again highlight the ongoing Xbox boycott

A Persona 4 remake! An Xbox handheld! Some actual RPGs! But no Fable? Kat and Nadia react to the Xbox Showcase and speculate on what's in store in 2026.

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

Timestamps:

0:10 - Xbox handheld reax

7:20 - Persona 4 Revival

10:39 - Clockwork Revolution

13:46 - Roundup: Animo, Fallout 76, and more

22:00 - Xbox's outlook in 2026

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This episode is a Podcast Key Card™. To download the episode, an internet connection and enough free space in your Nintendo Switch 2 system memory or microSD Express card are required. Once the episode is downloaded, you’re ready to play!
Kat and Nadia recap their Switch 2 experience so far, what RPGs to look forward to in the Switch 2's future, and what was announced at Sony's State of Play and Summer Games Fest.
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:

Bravely Default HD

Cyberpunk 2077

Pokemon Scarlet and Violet

Link's Awakening

Final Fantasy x Magic: The Gathering Pre-Release

Timestamps:

7:12 - Main Topic - Switch 2 Impressions

40:16 - Random Encounters

43:44 - State of Play and Summer Games Fest Recap

1:04:48 - Nintendo Store

1:20:32 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook

Music Used in this Episode:

Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III]

A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana]

Group (Meal) - [Yu-No]

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