Axe of the Blood God: An RPG Podcast

There's a cavalcade of indie RPG demos fighting for your attention this week and Eric, Nadia, Victor, and special guest Lucas White are here to help you find some of the ones worth wishlisting! From hardcore dungeon crawls, to neon musicals, to impressionistic adventures, and everything in-between! Plus Pokemon, Tales, Ys, and a whole lot more on this jam-packed episode of Axe of the Blood God!

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:

Did Tales of Berseria need the Remaster treatment?

Pokemon 30th Anniversary announcements galore! Winds, Waves, HitClips!

Ys X: Proud Nordics might just have the sauce

Everything is Battle Network

Timestamps:

09:58 - Main Topic - Steam Next Fest RPG Highlights!

10:20 - Parasite Mutant

22:20 - Annihilated

29:12 - Zero Parades: For Dead Spies

44:00 - THREE VERSES^3

49:40 - Calamity Angel: Special Delivery

54:24 - Esoteric Ebb

58:16 - Vampire Crawlers

1:04:32 - Curse Chapter: Dawnthief

1:07:04 - People of Note

1:13:04 - Random Encounters

1:18:46 - Mini-boss! - Pokemon News Galore! Winds, Waves, HitClips!

1:26:24 - The Tavern - Ys X Proud Nordics

1:36:24 - Tales of Berseria Remastered

01:49:20 - 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]

Theme of Velvet - [Tales of Berseria]

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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. Visit https://www.bdsmovement.net/microsoft for more information.
It's been a hell of a news week so we're gearing up for an Oops! All Random Encounters. From major pillars of the game industry collapsing in spectacular fashion, to sequels we never thought we'd see; it's a jam-packed week that is sure to have ramifications that we'll be feeling for years on this tumultuous episode of Axe of the Blood God!

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:

Sony shuts down Bluepoint

Pokemon FireRed and LeafGreen

Shutaro Iida's passing

The ghost in Mario 3's shell

Timestamps:

07:30 - Main Topic - Random Encounters - Xbox news!

29:36 - Bluepoint

1:00:00 - .hack//ZERO

1:15:44 - Tavern - Paranormasight: The Mermaid's Curse

01:38:08 - 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]

Mac Anu - [.hack//INFECTION]

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The gas leak isn't the only thing in the air; so is love!
Whether you spent Valentine's day with that special someone or that special someone is you, we've got an episode full of our favourite romanceable NPCs in RPGs, with a game show twist! Nadia, Eric, and Victor tell on themselves while trying to read each other's minds. All that and more on a very lovely episode of Axe of the Blood God.

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:

Discord is introducing their age-verification system; what we're doing about it

Timestamps:

09:28 - Main Topic - Valentine's Day Special - Round 1 - Fire Emblem

21:20 - Round 2 - Mass Effect

36:56 - Round 3 - Stardew Valley

52:04 - Round 4 - Harvest Moon

1:04:56 - Round 5 - Dragon Quest

1:09:44 - Round 6 - Final Fantasy

1:22:04 - Round 7 - Pokemon Champions

1:30:40 - Round 8 - Tales of Symphonia

1:37:32 - Round 9 - Baldur's Gate

1:44:56 - Round 10 - Love and Deepspace

44:37 - Random Encounters (minibosses)

01:20:30 - Nadia’s Nostalgia Nook

Music Used in this Episode:

Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III]

A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana]

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Dragon Quest VII: Reimagined is here, and so are the hot takes! Nadia, Eric, Victor and guest Lucas White react to the game and the criticism it’s getting out the gate. What is “quality of life” in gaming, and if you could “Click” (2006) your way through life, would you?

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:

Timestamps:

08:22 - Main Topic - DQVII

44:37 - Random Encounters (minibosses)

01:20:30 - Nadia’s Nostalgia Nook

Music Used in this Episode:

Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III]

A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana]

Seven Mysteries - [PARANORMASIGHT The Seven Mysteries of Honjo]

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Six months in, we ask the question, "How is the Switch 2 holding up as an RPG machine? Nadia, Eric, and special guest Ash Paulsen discuss the Nintendo Switch 2's RPG lineup, from Switch 1 upgrades, to system exclusives, to that glint of Pokopia on the horizon. It's a great couch system, but does it travel well?

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:

New and improved Octopath Traveler 0

An update on Haunted Chocolatier

Some side-eye-worthy comments from Bethesda

Distant Worlds, baybeee!

Timestamps:

09:04 - Main Topic - The Switch 2 as an RPG Machine

41:33 - Random Encounters

51:54 - The Tavern - Octopath Traveler 0 and Distant Worlds

01:07:49 - Nadi'a Nostalgia Nook

Music Used in this Episode:

Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III]

Pub - [Lunar Knights]

A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana]

A Long Fall (The Primals) - [Final Fantasy XIV - Scions and Sinners]

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The Millennial Fair is in full swing! Nadia, Eric, and special guest Michael Higham discuss what makes the best starter towns. Did you wake up and everyone in the town doesn’t know you? Did you rebuild the town brick by brick? Is your starter town lowkey just a hub?

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:

Timestamps:

09:25 - Main Topic - RPG Towns

01:07:28 - Random Encounters

1:28:12 - Nostalgia Nook

Music Used in this Episode:

Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III]

A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana]

Overworld Main Theme - [FFVII]

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Soup’s on! Nadia, Eric, and special guest Rebekah Valentine are cooking up an RPG Stew of games they’ve been playing lately. Plus, how prerelease parties at your local gaming store help build community, (the “G” in MTG stands for “gathering”).

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:

Nadia’s MAGfest Recap

Comments on genAI at Cygames

Final Fantasy VII Remake in “Streamlined Progression” Mode

Timestamps:

11:04 - Main Topic - RPG Stew

01:18:32 - Random Encounters

1:28:25 - Magic the Gathering Nook

Music Used in this Episode:

Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III]

A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana]

Main Theme - [Octopath Traveler 0]

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A New Year means new resolutions and for many of us that includes making a pledge to chip away at the ever-growing backlog. Are you going to tackle a new series? Revisit an old classic? Are some of last year's hits on sale for the right price? Or do you need something effervescent to pair with a white meat? Eric, Victor, and special guest John Carson discuss what drives them to check games of the list, and whether that's even something we should be beating ourselves up over.

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:

More comments on genAI at Larian

Final Fantasy XI updates for 2026!

Fire Emblem Path of Radiance on Nintendo Switch Online

Magic the Gathering Update

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. Visit https://www.bdsmovement.net/microsoft for more information.

Timestamps:

12:04 - Main Topic - How To Handle One's Backlog

59:12 - Random Encounters

1:16:32 - The Tavern - Holiday Gaming Habits

1:30:26 - Magic the Gathering Nook

Music Used in this Episode:

Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III]

A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana]

Shinjuku - [Shin Megami Tensei NINE]

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If this wasn't an RPG podcast we could have talked about Ace Combat the entire time. But luckily for you it IS an RPG podcast so Eric, Nadia, Victor, and special guest Len Hafer discuss all their most-anticipated RPGs of 2026 (and possibly beyond)! From the newest Fire Emblem to re-releases of GBA cult-classics, from Inaba to Singapore, from tactics to action; it's all here, baby, on this very futuristic episode of Axe of the Blood God!

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:

First person to correctly guess what picture Victor put in chat during the Monster Hunter Stories 3 segment gets a shout-out on the next episode

But which part of the Divinity trailer is the grossest?

How to get into Ys

Anime Music Videos

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.

Timestamps:

8:32 - Main Topic - Hidden Gems of 2025

1:29:26 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook

Music Used in this Episode:

Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III]

A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana]

Welcome to VA-11 HALL-A - [VA-11 HALL-A]

Games Mentioned in this Episode:

Warhammer 40,000: Dark Heresy

.45 Parabellum Bloodhound

Monster Hunter Stories 3

Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave

Persona 4 Revival

Final Fantasy XIV 8.0: Noonballoon

Dragon Quest VII ReImagined

Zero Parades: For Dead Spies

Divinity

Varsapura

The Adventures of Elliot: The Millenium Tales

Code Vein II

Blood of the Dawnwalker

Mina The Hollower

Sigma Star Saga DX

Pokopia

Trails in the Sky 2nd Chapter

Big Walk

Terra Invicta

Abyss X Zero

Duskbloods

Queen's Domain

Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve

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It's Been A Good Year For Games™ and Nadia, Eric, and Victor are ready to decide just how good. From the biggest smash hits like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 to the pluckiest indie darlings like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, we're covering it all!
So place some bets on your favourite RPGs of the year and warm up your vocal chords to yell at your phone; It's the 2025 Axe of the Blood God Awards!

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:

Literally nothing else. See below for the categories and see below that for the lists of nominees.

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.

Timestamps:

0:00 - Main Topic - The Blood God Awards!

3:28 - Favourite Blood God Moment

8:08 - Best Non-RPG

12:48 - Best Art Direction

19:12 - Best Innovation

28:40 - Best Revival

38:56 - Best Menu Screen

45:52 - Best Moment

56:08 - Coolest Move

1:02:56 - Best Combat System

1:15:44 - Best Music

1:21:08 - Best Party Member

1:29:20 - Best RPG of 2025

1:16:16 - Random Encounters

1:40:16 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook

Awards Nominees:

Favourite Blood God Moment:
- Kat's Sendoff
- Not Eric Playing Final Fantasy 6 lol
- The Gonster
- History of Sound Novels
- Victor liking sexy ladies

Best Non-RPG:
- Blue Prince
- Donkey Kong Bananza
- Shadow Labyrinth
- Hollow Knight: Silksong

Best Art Direction:
- Stray Children
- Artis Impact
- Hades 2
- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

Best Innovation:
- The Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy
- Elden Ring: Nightreign
- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

Best Revival:
- Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter
- Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D
- Raidou Remastered
- Tokimeki Memorial: forever with you - emotional
- Final Fantasy Tactics - The Ivalice Chronicles

Best Menu Screen:
- Xenoblade Chronicles X Definitive Edition
- Digimon Story: Time Stranger
- Monster Hunter Wilds
- Not Persona 3 Reload
- Citizen Sleeper 2
- Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Final Fantasy Tactics - The Ivalice Chronicles

Best Moment:
- Processing Grief - The Promise of Tomorrow - Patch 7.3 - Final Fantasy XIV Dawntrail
- End of Act 1 - Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- End of Chapter 12 - Xenoblade Chronicles X Definitive Edition
- Grinding for Advanced Classes - Final Fantasy Tactics - The Ivalice Chronicles
- The Gommage - Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

Coolest Move:
- Throw Rock - Final Fantasy Tactics
- Elemental Genesis - Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Giga Slash - Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D

Best Combat:
- Raidou Remastered
- Citizen Sleeper 2
- Octopath Traveler 0
- Demonschool
- The Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy
- Elden Ring: Nightreign
- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

Best Music:
- Octopath Traveler 0
- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Hades 2
- Into the Mist - Patch 7.4 - Final Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail
- Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter

Best Party Member:
- Estelle Bright - Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter
- Elma - Xenoblade Chronicles X Definitive Edition
- Susie - Deltarune
- Maelle - Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

RPG of the Year:
- Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- The Hundred Line Last Defense Academy
- Hades 2
- Quartet
- Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter
- Demonschool
- The First Berserker: Khazan
- Fantasy Life i: The Girls Who Steals Time
- Rune Factory: Guardians of Azuma
- Pokemon Legends Z-A
- Kingdom Come: Deliverance II
- Monster Hunter Wilds
- Octopath Traveler II
- Kingdom of the Dump
- Shrine's Legacy
- Citizen Sleeper 2
- Elden Ring: Nightreign
- Deltarune
- Everhood 2
- Avowed
Further Reading:
2024 Sharlayan Dropouts Valentione's Day Special
Music in this Episode:
Oasis in the 100 - The Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy

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