Axe of the Blood God: An RPG Podcast

By Axe of the Blood GodTechnology Leisure Video Games

Axe of the Blood God: An RPG Podcast episodes

July 11, 2023Our Review of The Legend of Heroes: Trails into Reverie w/ Cam Hawkins
We've got some fellow old people listening to this show (may your tubes of Voltaren be ever on sale), and I think we can all take a little comfort in the fact many of Falcom's RPGs, including the epic The Legend of Heroes saga, are about as old as us. Heroes has had a lot of time to pump out some good storytelling, including the still-celebrated Trails sub-series. But even mighty things come to an end eventually. In this episode we invite Trails fanatic Cam Hawkins to talk about the game that's bringing Sky, Steel, and Crossbell onto one stage and putting a cap on everything: Trails into Reverie. Is it a worthy conclusion to Trails, or does it try a little too hard to cram everyone in and wrap everything up? We talk about Reverie and other Trails matters, including "Where do I even start with this dang series?" (Protip: Really hard to go wrong with Trails in the Sky.)
Also in This Episode:
The Steam Summer Sale is on! Never forget the Battle of Walletsdeep.
Baldur's Gate 3 lets you make love to bears, but will it let you throw a knife into heaven and kill with a stare?
The Pokemon Company has a "dead dove, do not eat" moment when they open their Pokemon forums and are forced to lock them within hours.
In Summer of Korra, we learn that Toph rocks the unwed wine mother role, so to speak.
Pac-Man deserves that deep puncture wound I administered.
Timestamps:
00:00 - Intro/Trails Into Reverie
48:24 - Random Encounters
51:10 - The Tavern (Discounted RPGs at the Steam Summer Sale, Logitech G-Cloud Review, The Pokemon Company tries to train feral children how to use message boards with mixed, mostly pornographic, success)
1:11:08 - Summer of Korra
1:21:21 - Nostalgia Nook
Music Used in this Episode:
Do Your Best! [Breath of Fire III]
The Pub [Final Fantasy Tictacs]
The Legend of Korra Main Theme [The Legend of Korra]
A Curious Tale [Secret of Mana]
Silver Will, Gold Wings [Trails in the Sky]

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
1 hr 30 min
July 03, 2023Our Review of 2023's RPGs (So Far)
It's summer! That means it's time to grab a burger off the grill, fish a cold one out of the cooler, lie back on a Muskoka chair (ask your local Canadian), and talk about the year in RPGs so far. 2023's been disgustingly busy with huge releases like Final Fantasy XVI, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, Diablo IV, and so much more. Your time on this planet is finite, so listen and decide which of these billion hour games are worth playing, and which should be punted onto the backlog that God will unfurl at your feet when it's time for your soul to be judged.
Also in this Episode:
It's fun to fumble around in TOTK's dark depths! Wait, we mixed up "fun" and "terrifying" again.
Did you know a Sharpie isn't sufficient for redacting words in a legal document? Sony does now.
We kick off Book 3 coverage in Legend of Korra
If you're a Sonic fan, listen to The Cult. And if you're not a Sonic fan, listen to The Cult.
Just play Ys.
Timestamps:
00:00 Intro/2023 In Review
49:36 - Random Encounters
1:02:31 - Side Quest (Rain Code, BattleBit Remastered, Sonic Adventure 2)
1:10:07 - Summer of Korra
1:23:04 - Nostalgia Nook/Outro
Music Used in this Episode
Do Your Best! [Breath of Fire III]
The Legend of Korra Main Theme [The Legend of Korra]
A Curious Tale [Secret of Mana]
Sealed Time [Ys: The Oath in Felghana]

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
1 hr 38 min
June 27, 2023Our Final Fantasy XVI Review w/ Alex Donaldson
After what seems like forever and a day, Final Fantasy XVI has finally arrived on the PlayStation 5. Except, it hasn't really been forever, has it? Game director Naoki Yoshida runs a tight ship, to be sure--but will a timely release be enough to make Final Fantasy fans fall in love with the series' first serious attempt at telling a story with Witcher levels of grit and grime? Friend of the show and VG247 writer Alex Donaldson is here to talk to us about this much-anticipated game of thrones (and Chocobos).
Also in this episode:
You're going to have grandkids before you see Elder Scrolls VI
What's deader than dead? E3's prospects
The rumored "SNES RPG remake" isn't Chrono Trigger, but it's in the same vein, kind of...
A 50-foot Korra the Explorer epic beam struggles her way into Book 3
If Alf, Alvin the Chipmunk, and Miss Piggy tell you to stop doing drugs, keep at it. You're already too far gone; just get your money's worth.
Timestamps
00:00 - Intro/Final Fantasy XVI Review
1:04:25 - Side Quest (Nintendo Direct/Super Mario RPG Remake)
1:10:32 - Random Encounters
1:15:12 - Summer of Korra
1:25:12 - Nostalgia Nook/Outro
Music used in this episode:
Let's Go Down the Wine River [Super Mario RPG]
Do Your Best! [Breath of Fire III]
The Legend of Korra Main Theme [The Legend of Korra]
A Curious Tale [Secret of Mana]
Weapons Factory [Super Mario RPG]

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
1 hr 39 min
June 20, 2023Our Diablo IV Review w/ Len
I, Nadia, take over hosting duties on Axe of the Blood God this week, which is apropos for an episode that's about Satan. That's right, we review the long-awaited Diablo IV with our very good friend and frequent Blood God guest, Len. There's a lot riding on Diablo IV, as Activision Blizzard is currently weighed down by troubled times that are largely of their own making. How does it play? How's the story? How does Act-Bliz's fascination with "always online!" sit with Diablo IV's dark, gothic feel? Is the Druid class the best? (Yes.) Stay awhile and listen.
Also in this episode:
The Fire Emblem game that started everything (in the West) is coming to the GBA via NSO. Roy's our boy!
Something something Microsoft Activision Blizzard acquisition deal stalled
Things are heating up in The Legend of Korra, but they're also cooling down because it's pretty chilly at the poles
A Gameboy is just a phone that only plays Pokemon
Walk forever in the light of the Crystal, Kittyboy Tighthole
Timestamps:
00:00 - Intro/Diablo IV
38:27 - Random Encounters
45:39 - Summer of Korra
58:12 - Nostalgia Nook/Outro
Music used in this episode:
Do Your Best! [Breath of Fire III]
The Legend of Korra Main Theme [The Legend of Korra]
A Curious Tale [Secret of Mana]
Ark [Persona 5]

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
1 hr 15 min
June 15, 2023A Look at All the RPGs at Summer Game Fest 2023 - Especially Starfield
On a very special episode of Axe of the Blood God ("special" meaning "very off schedule"), Kat, Nadia, and Eric talk about everything they saw at Prince Geoffry's Summer Game Fest 2023. Kat and Eric actually attended the show, so they have amazing insight about the games on display--especially the RPGs. And oh, were there ever a lot of RPGs. That Xbox deluge is late, sure, but rest assured it's on its way. And it's bringing Starfield with it.
Also in this episode:
Oh my God Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth exists
Oh my God Metaphor: ReFantazio exists
Sandland looks great, because Toriyama is the King of Character Design
Korra breaks up with her cop boyfriend, lol
Kat and Nadia will be at the Long Island Retro Gaming Expo on August 11 through 13. Be there or be square (enix)
Timestamps:
00:00 - Intro/Summer Games Fest
48:20 - Starfield
58:16 - Best of Show
1:03:30 - Summer of Korra
1:20:00 - Nostalgia Nook/Outro
Music used in this episode:
The Legend of Korra Main Theme [The Legend of Korra]
A Curious Tale [Secret of Mana]
The Poet and the Muse [Alan Wake]

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
1 hr 33 min
June 06, 2023Summer 2023 RPG Preview and SGDQ w/ moonblazewolf
The summer is getting started, and we've got no shortage of games ahead. But before we look at all the games waiting to steal our time, we've got speedrunner Moonblazewolf, fresh off their run of Chained Echoes at SGDQ 2023! We talk all that plus the news of the day and the start of Book 2 in our Summer of Korra.
Also in this episode:
Street Fighter 6 has all of us in its clutches
Big, beefy ships
Mindflayer worms! In your mind!
Tenzin's GOAT status in Korra
Timestamps:
00:00 - Intro / SGDQ talk w/ moonblazewolf
25:45 - Random Encounters
29:56 - Summer 2023 RPG Preview
1:20:06 - Summer of Korra
1:35:46 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook / Outro
Music used in this episode:
Do Your Best! [Breath of Fire III]
A Curious Tale [Secret of Mana]
Champions of the Sky [Chained Echoes]

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
1 hr 50 min
May 29, 2023Octopath Traveler II Deep Dive w/ The Black Stones
Howdy, friends! We've got a treat that'll make y'all happier than a fox in a henhouse! This week, we have an in-depth discussion about Octopath Traveler II, an excellent choice from our $100 Patron and special guest, The Black Stones! The talk avoids major story spoilers, but there's still tons to go over because Octopath Traveler II is a pretty special game. Its battle system is unique and highly engaging, its music is to die for, and its story is masterfully written and seamlessly interwoven into the game's mechanics. Shucks, I guarantee this episode'll have you eatin' better than a sow in an apple field!

Also in this Episode
The PlayStation Showcase sure did happen
Should we drop numbers from Final Fantasy game titles? No. But let's grouse about it anyway
A new Dragon Quest Monsters game is in development because sometimes the world is OK
Our watch of The Legend of Korra reaches the end of Book One
Game Genie! It was rad! It was waaaay far out!! And so on
Timestamps
00:00 - Intro
06:21 - Octopath Traveler II
56:48 - Random Encounters
1:02:45 - The Tavern/What We're Playing
1:25:05 - Summer of Korra
1:41:55 - The Nostalgia Nook/Outro
Music Used in this Episode
Do Your Best! [Breath of Fire III]
Octopath Traveler Main Theme [Octopath Traveler II]
The Legend of Korra Main Theme [The Legend of Korra]
A Curious Tale [Secret of Mana]
Partitio's Theme [Octopath Traveler II]

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
1 hr 54 min
May 22, 2023Our Continued Review of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom....Continues
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is big. You just won't believe how vastly, hugely, mind-bogglingly big it is. I mean, you may think Ocarina of Time is a big game, but that's just peanuts compared to Tears of the Kingdom. That's why Kat, Nadia, and Eric are assembling once again to talk about their progress in Nintendo's Dodongo-sized hit. The discussion yields some minor spoilers (as well as childlike enthusiasm), but they're minor. Turns out playing Tears of the Kingdom for a solid week hardly makes a dent in this veritable wall of content.

Also in this Episode:
Sony is hosting a PlayStation Showcase. If we're good, we might get information about FF7R.
We have a release date for Pokemon Home compatibility with Scarlet and Violet! Oh wait, no we don't.
Do Cassette Beasts bleed magnetic tape?
Controller Discourse™
Victoria Day Special: Cool Firework Mishaps Discussion
Time Stamps:
00:00 - Intro
02:45 - The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
42:40 - Random Encounters
45:25 - The Tavern/What We're Playing
1:02:05 - The Summer of Korra
1:15:30 - The Nostalgia Nook/Outro
Music Used in this Episode:
Chasm Theme [The Legend of Zelda: TOTK]]
Do Your Best! [Breath of Fire III]
The Legend of Korra Main Theme [The Legend of Korra]
A Curious Tale [Secret of Mana]
Horse Ride [The Legend of Zelda: TOTK]

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
1 hr 27 min
May 17, 2023Sharlayan Dropouts: Field Studies - The Twinning
Kick back and relax as Field Studies returns for a guided audio commentary track through fan-favourite Shadowbringers dungeon, The Twinning. Sharlayan Dropouts host Victor Hunter takes you through the history of the Crystal Tower, the cascading effect that delays in the mid-2000s had on Square that are still being felt today, and the crystalline metaphor at the heart of this tragic-but-hopeful tale.
Spoiler level: Yellow. The Twinning quest is available at the conclusion of Shadowbringers.
Music:
A Long Fall - Final Fantasy XIV Shadowbringers
Full Speed Ahead - Final Fantasy XIII
Eternal Wind - Lightning Returns

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
55 min
May 15, 2023Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Review w/ Tom Marks and Mike Mahardy
Gosh, it feels like The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom will never get here. This wait is torture–hold on, you're saying Tears of the Kingdom is out now? Oh wow. Holy crap. Uh…let's start talking about the biggest game of 2023! (So far.) We brought in Tom Marks from IGN, who reviewed the game alongside Polygon's Mike Mahardy. We have a pile of discourse about what Tears of the Kingdom does differently from its direct predecessor, Breath of the Wild, as well as what it does better…and worse. (Gasp!) Our talk is spoiler-free, so jump right in like a half-naked blonde guy leaping down into Hyrule from an impossible height.

Also in this episode:
Rumblings of a new Nintendo handheld. We'll probably see it in 2024, but when exactly?
Dragon Age: Dreadwolf is likewise looking at a 2024 release
Summer of Korra goes into episodes 4, 5, and 6. Long live pro-bending!
If hearing bells out of nowhere means you're losing your mind, what does hearing the Zelda theme out of nowhere entail…?
Music used in this episode:
Do Your Best! [Breath of Fire III]
The Legend of Korra Main Theme [The Legend of Korra]
A Curious Tale [Secret of Mana]
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Main Theme [The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom]

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
1 hr 24 min

About Axe of the Blood God: An RPG Podcast

From the publisher's feed

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