There's never been a more appropriate year to anticipate RPGs than this one! Whether it's "Like A", "Quest", or "Dogma 2", the Year of the Dragon is bound to bring you something you'll sink a not-insignificant part of your year into! Join Kat, Nadia, and Eric as they each talk about their Top 5 Most Anticipated RPGs of 2024 and more! Also in this Episode: Will we be getting a Switch 2 in 2024? Will the PS5 and Xbox ever feel like the current gen? Garfield? Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro 06:40 - Main Topic - RPGs We're Looking Forward To 1:25:16 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook 1:26:16 - Nadia's BONUS NOOK Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best! - [Breath of Fire III] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] New Year's Day (2 AM - 5 AM) - Animal Crossing New Horizons Games Mentioned in this Episode: Dragon's Dogma 2 Persona 3 Reload Unicorn Overlord Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth Metaphor: ReFantazio Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines 2 Decapolice Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth Dragon Quest III HD-2D Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes Visions of Mana Final Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail Citizen Sleeper 2 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Merry Chrysler! We here at Axe of the Blood God prepared this very special episode that takes both a deeply critical and celebratory look at the nutty year that just passed us by. We had RPGs galore! Have we ever seen such bounty? New Zelda! New Baldur's Gate! New Cyberpunk...sort of! But we had troubles galore, too. Layoffs and downsizing left and right. The end of vintage game media websites and game studios. What awaits us in 2024? We dunno! But we can guarantee the Blood God will always be with you. That's what Christmas is all about. In this episode: Our Game of the Year! Zelda, Zelda, Baldur's Gate, Zelda! The Super Mario RPG remake is great! Starfield discourse that's as long and girthy as Luigi's schlong And lots more! Music used in this episode: Tantal [Xenoblade Chronicles 2] Narshe March [Final Fantasy VI] Secret of Mana Santa art source  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Holidays are right around the corner and you know what that means? That's right! All the children who have been good year 'round gather at the local podcast to hear the wise old hosts dispense their recommendations for the year! But what's this? Mean Mr. Grinch stole aaaaaall the popular games this year! Fret not, little one. Just because mainstream gaming media hasn't covered it doesn't mean it's not worth curling up with next to the fire. In fact, just for you we've compiled a list of wonderful games no one seems to be talking about! Let Eric, Nadia, and beloved guest Reb Valentine (along with a mail-in ballot from our editor abroad, Victor Hunter) tell you what you missed while you were being a sweet angel 24/7. Also in this Episode: End of E3-gelion The Game Awards speeches that weren't Nadia's burnt-beard-filled Christmas Pit Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro 1:10:40 - Random Encounters 1:27:36 - The Tavern 1:41:52 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best! - [Breath of Fire III] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Jeuno Starlight Celebration - Final Fantasy XI [Square Enix X'mas Collection] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sponsored by Factor It was an embarrassment of RPG riches as well as just plain embarrassment at this year's Game Awards 2023 as Keighley Fest 2023 once again brought us trailers, celebrities, and way too much Hideo Kojima. Nadia, Kat, and Eric recap everything that happened at this year's show, including the major reveals (Monster Hunter! Exodus!), the winners (Baldur's Gate 3... a lot!) and controversies (maybe don't play developers off the stage when they're trying to honor dead colleagues!). All that and more in this week's episode of Axe of the Blood God! Also in this Episode: GTA VI mania! Dragon Age gets a short reveal Nadia's Christmas Pit ? Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro/Pantheon poll winner 07:45 - Game Awards 2023 Announcements, Winners, and Controversies 1:05:00 - Random Encounters 1:08:00 - The Tavern 1:26:38: Nadia's Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best! - Breath of Fire III A Curious Tale - Secret of Mana Maze of Life - Persona Q Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The year 2023 has been absolutely packed with RPGs, and there's always something flying under the radar. Darkest Dungeon 2 might just be one of those - a follow-up to a beloved dungeon-crawler that still feels like it hasn't had quite the same impact as its predecessor. So one of our Patreon supporters joined us this week to talk the Darkest Dungeon series and why it's worth keeping an eye on the sequel. We dive into the history, mechanics, dark humor, and gorgeous art of the Darkest Dungeon this week. Also in this Episode: Kat is starting Final Fantasy V again! Eric asks why there hasn't been a Godzilla RPG yet Nadia throws another curve ball in the Nostalgia zone Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro/Pantheon poll winner 10:45 - Darkest Dungeon talk 44:04 - Random Encounters 1:06:25 - The Tavern 1:23:48: Nadia's Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best! - Breath of Fire III A Curious Tale - Secret of Mana Clash on the Big Bridge - Final Fantasy V Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's the DVD commentary you didn't know you wanted! If you haven't already, now's the time to watch the movie that may have shaped RPG history more than any other. Time for L'arc en Ciel, the most bizarre performance of Steve Buscemi's career, and the Final Fantasy story that most closely resembles the works of L. Ron Hubbard! This episode is best experienced as a commentary alongside playback of Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within but also functions perfectly well as a stand-alone podcast so pick your poison and join Kat, Nadia, Eric, and Victor as we dig around Within and see what those Spirits are up to! MOVIE STARTS - 10:08 FINAL THOUGHTS - 1:48:17 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There are more Persona spin-offs than there are stars in the night sky but luckily most of them are pretty darn good! Listen as Kat, Nadia, and Eric discuss the Phantom Thieves' latest heist in Persona 5 Tactica. Even the Persona Q series gets some love! Good! It deserves it! Plus, Nadia takes us on a Geno Whirl-wind journey through Super Mario RPG. Editor's Note: Yes, Kat's microphone cuts out at a certain point. But consider this; maybe it'll be something we can all laugh about ten years from now. And besides, the solution I came up with it cosmically funny and won't bother anyone. Also in this Episode: - Final Fantasy on N64! No way! - Eric Got Through: Mellow Zone Act 1 - A social experiment involving Animalese Timestamps: 00:00 - Intros 39:28 - Random Encounters 1:20:22 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best! - [Breath of Fire III] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Beware the Forest's Mushrooms - [Super Mario RPG] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This is Miyamoto. It's actually happening. A live action Legend of Zelda is on the way. How much faith do we have in the team behind it? What is our dream casting? And how can we talk about Love Actually instead? All these questions and more will be answered by Kat, Nadia, and special guest Alex Stedman! For what it's worth I think they missed their chance when Jonathan Taylor Thomas aged out of playing Link in the 90s but no one bothered to ask me. I also think every live action adaptation should end with a Red Hot Chili Peppers drop like the Death Note movies do. Again, no one asked me. Adaptation (2002) is really the only good adaptation anyway. Go watch that. Also in this Episode: - One Piece is good - Disney is bad - Avatar might be fine? - Baldur's Gate and Starfield. Timestamps: 00:00 - Intros 44:48 - Random Encounters 1:00:48 - Baldur's Gate Talk Begins 1:21:04 - Baldur's Gate Talk Ends, Starfield Talk Begins 1:32:00 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best! - [Breath of Fire III] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Fairy Fountain (Pause) - [Cadence of Hyrule] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Did you know Tri-Ace was founded when the members of Wolf Team developing Tales of Phantasia grew tired of Namco's involvement and split off to create their own studio in the middle of development? And then in 2019 the mobile game Star Ocean: Anamnesis featured a crossover event with Tales, bridging the two series after nearly a quarter-century? Anyway this episode is all about the new remake of Star Ocean 2 with special guest Jada Griffen! George Yang is also supposed to be here but the best laid plans of mice and men etc. Luckily it's still a great discussion about Star Ocean's place in the genre and beyond! This episode is sponsored by Factor. Head to factormeals.com/axeRPGadventure50 and use promo code axerpgadventure50 for 50% off! Also in this Episode: - Thirsty Suitors - World of Warcraft is prepping for the next 20 years - USGamer was a really good website! Timestamps: 00:00 - Intros 04:17 - Main Topic - Star Ocean 2 R 26:00 - Random Encounters 29:04 - The Tavern 59:44 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Gentle Wind - [Baten Kaitos] Do Your Best! - [Breath of Fire III] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Affinity Love Club - [Soul Hackers] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"Darkness falls across the land. The midnight hour is close at hand." Uhhhh Persona vibes much?! The history of RPGs is inextricably tied to horror and it's the perfect time of year talk about the scariest parts of our favourite games, as well as the RPGs that are straight up capital "H" Horror. Bloodborne, Undertale, Vampire: The Masquerade and more on this hair-raisingly scary episode with your terrifying hosts Bat Scale-y, Blah!-dia Axeford, and BEWARE-ic Vamp Hell-en. Also in this Episode: - World of Horror - Slay the Princess - Class choices for Baldur's Gate III Co-op Timestamps: 00:00 - Intros 04:17 - Main Topic - Spooky RPGs 46:08 - Random Encounters 48:16 - The Tavern 1:06:34 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best! - [Breath of Fire III] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Coffin Fetish - [Shadow Hearts] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's Letter Tiiiiime! It's Letter Tiiiime! It's a very special Mailbag episode this week as Kat, Nadia, and Eric answer questions about everything from cheesecake and boss fights to the very future of this podcast! If you want to take part in future mailbag episode,s and get a chance to have your questions answered, check out the Axe of The Blood God Discord by subscribing at patreon.com/bloodgodpod. Also in this Episode: - Long Gone Days, Super Mario Wonder, and even more from Baldur's Gate III and Chrono Trigger - Michael Keaton is great no matter what universe he's in - Nadia vs Nuns - Nature is reclaiming Kat's childhood Timestamps: 00:00 - Intros 56:08 - Random Encounters 58:00 - 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] The Grand Duchy of Jeuno - [Final Fantasy XI] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

More like Acquisition Blizzard, heh. If you want a guest who can explain the ins-and-outs of the business side of this colossal consolidation of industry titans while also explaining why it's relevant to the culture and future of RPGs, you can't find anyone better than the one and only Reb Valentine. Listen as Kat, Nadia, and Reb discuss exactly what this means and how it will effect us all going forward, for better or worse. And maybe Kat is sort of kinda starting to enjoy some parts of Starfield? Also in this Episode: - Call of Duty yaoi - PS5 Slim - Our unslakable thirst for expanded universes and endless IP churn is merely an extension of our fear of death - In Stars and Time seems cool! - Nadia has played Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth! Timestamps: 02:00 - Intros 49:44 - Random Encounters 1:02:40 - The Tavern 1:35:44 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Gentle Wind - [Baten Kaitos] Do Your Best! - [Breath of Fire III] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Cosmo Canyon - [Super Smash Bros. Ultimate] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Everything has been leading to this. Through the battles, the story beats, and the very very attractive party members, it's time to wrap up the conversation on what may end up being the biggest "game", let alone RPG, of 2023, Baldur's Gate III. Kat has wrapped up her 100+ hour journey and the gang has plenty to say about their personal experiences. Spoiler Warning: Mango(?) Also in this Episode: - Nadia has myriad difficulties with animals - To save-scum or not to save-scum - River Dancing through Thordan Unreal - Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty also exists! - More Chrono Trigger Report Timestamps: 00:00 - Intros 51:20 - Baldur's Gate Talk Ends, Random Encounters Begin 55:12 - The Tavern 1:21:50 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Chaotic Dance - [Baten Kaitos] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Before NieR's depressing side quests, Quintet was giving kids lessons about the uncaring neutrality of the universe back in the 90s! Journey through the morally-grey, bleak worlds of Quintet and its adorable 16-bit veneer with host Nadia Oxford and special guests Anthony John Agnello and Scott White! Terranigma, Illusion of Gaia, ActRaiser, Soul Blazer and more in this retrospective deep dive! Also in this Episode: - Sad goats - The only podcast that has ever talked about Robotrek - Mysterious disappearances - Listen real close and you can hear Victor (your old pal from the edit bay) getting more and more frustrated no one is talking about Quintet's best game, Planet Laika Timestamps: 00:48 - Intros 1:03:12 - The Tavern 1:13:28 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Light and Darkness - [Terranigma] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We're back in Night City jacking into the firewalls of cyber-brains and scrapping digi-cops or whatever with the new Phantom Liberty expansion! Is this Cyberpunk 2077's redemption arc or would you be better off watching a holo-prog in your cogni-puter? I have no idea what terms they use for things in Cyberpunk but I feel like I must be pretty close. I'm sure there's a drug called like, FRAG or something. Anyway, special guest Michael Higham returns to talk with Eric and Nadia about all that and more! Also in this Episode: - Unity keeps falling down stairs - Microsoft sprung a leak - Where is P stored? - Chrono Trigger Update! Timestamps: 02:16 - Intros 05:36 - Main Topic 56:56 - Random Encounters 1:04:16 - The Tavern 1:29:52 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Gentle Wind - [Baten Kaitos] Do Your Best! - [Breath of Fire III] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] My Blue Sky - [Sakura Wars] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The past week's one-two punch from Nintendo and Sony have us floored by a panoply of RPG announcements and reveals. How will we recover? As we lay there in a stupor all we can do is reflect on the choices that got us here. Someday we'll redouble our efforts and re-enter the fray. But for now, in the interim, we can do naught but ice our wounds and talk for an hour-and-a-half about the incredible games on the horizon. Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, Unicorn Overlord, SaGa Emerald Beyond, and Eiyuden Chronicle just to name a few! Also in this Episode: - If it isn't Paper Mario, you old dog, you. How long has it been? Feels like a Thousand Years! - Star Ocean: Second Story R. The 'R' stands for 'Really Good So Far'! - Unity did a big oops - Starfield, Kat has some notes Timestamps: 00:00 - Intros 07:20 - Main Topic 27:44 - FF7 Spoiler Warning 44:00 - FF7 Discussion Ends 45:36 - Random Encounters 58:32 - The Tavern 1:30:00 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best! - [Breath of Fire III] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Town of Good Harvest - [Baten Kaitos II] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/bloodgod and get on your way to being your best self. Finally, a throwback RPG inspired by classics like Chrono Trigger! But perhaps Sea of Stars is hiding something truly special? No spoilers this episode but prepare to have your interest piqued by this very special little homage to the JRPG golden age full of twists and turns. Kat, Nadia, and Eric are joined by special guest Brenden Groom of the Pass the Controller podcast to discuss this hidden gem! Also in this Episode: - The crew finds more opportunities to throw Golden Sun under the bus! - I want shorter RPGs with worse graphics and I'm NOT kidding - The Joy of Fishing - Eric's Chrono Trigger Report - Kat's Starfield Report Timestamps: 02:08 - Intros 07:20 - Main Topic 48:16 - Random Encounters 51:36 - The Tavern 1:27:36 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Gentle Wind - [Baten Kaitos] Do Your Best! - [Breath of Fire III] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Languishing Mambo - [Sakura Wars] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/bloodgod and get on your way to being your best self. It's time to party with special guest Michael Higham as the crew talks about hotly anticipated sci-fi epic Starfield. What works, what doesn't, and do either of those things matter if you're having a nice time in Todd Howardland? Also in this Episode: -Get lost in a Sea of Stars -Maybe Ashoka is good! -Hey you, reading this. Play Ghost Trick. -How do you verbally express a backwards 'K'? Timestamps: 1:03:30 - Random Encounters 1:06:16 - The Tavern 1:30:14 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Relaxing Place - [Eternal Sonata] Do Your Best! - [Breath of Fire III] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Pirate Island - [Boktai 2] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Did you know Baldur's Gate is actually based off of a really obscure game called Dungeons and Dragons? And you play it in your head! And it makes you worship the devil! Here to discuss the dungeon mastery of Baldur's Gate 3 with Kat and Eric is special guest Mikel Reparaz of Vidjagame Apocalypse. Also in this Episode: -The Art of Save Scumming -Short King smooching -More deeply frustrating layoffs -Kat's EA Rant? -The end of The Summer of Korra Timestamps: 41:40 - Random Encounters 44:00 - The Tavern 1:12:57 - Summer of Korra Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best! - [Breath of Fire III] Gunmetal Action - [Wild Arms 3] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Plan ahead for the fall and pick up a new scarf because it's Nadia's time to shine with an episode all about Mega Man's OTHER foray into the world of RPGs, Mega Man X: Command Mission. Timelines get twisted, fan-favourite characters show up and then are never heard from again, and poor X and friends get Randam Hajile'd! Also in this Episode: - Nadia and David discuss writing the official Maverick Hunter Field Guide - Everyone agrees Absolute Zero and Iron Maiden are great designs - Nadia reflects on her life choices Timestamps: 56:53 - Random Encounters 1:01:20 - The Tavern 1:11:23 - Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Cheerful Thief Marino - [Mega Man X: Command Mission] Do Your Best! - [Breath of Fire III] Irregular Battle 2 - [Mega Man X: Command Mission] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Trajectory of Battle - [Mega Man X: Command Mission] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You don't have to go home but you CAN stay here and listen to this pretty fly panel from the Long Island Retro Gaming Expo all about the landmark year for RPGs that was 1998! Pokemon, Baldur's Gate, Ocarina of Time, Panzer Dragoon Saga, Parasite Eve and more! You'll believe in life after love once you listen to the hosts of Axe of the Blood God and Retronauts (the Armageddon and Deep Impact of video game podcasts) tell you all about the important games released that year, the cultural shifts happening underneath it all, and why 1998 is unimpeachable. Music Used in this Episode: One Week - [Barenaked Ladies] Hard Knock Life - [Jay Z] This Kiss - [Faith Hill] Somnia Memorias - [Parasite Eve] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hot (like, heat dome hot) off the heels of the wildly successful charity livestream and Final Fantasy XIV Fan Fest it?s time to talk Baldur?s Gate 3. Eric and special guest Kenneth Shepard are here to spill some preliminary beans. Plus, summer movie talk; two titans of merchandising join forces this summer with heartfelt stories touching on powerful themes to briefly take your mind off the monstrous greed of the people at the top of the industry food chain! Also in this Episode: -?We HAVE to stop talking TMNT on AotBG!? -Aquarium IS a great album -Serious trash talk -Nadia?s Fan Fest recap -Eric?s EVO recap -Kenneth?s Barbie recap Timestamps: 15:26 - Main Quest (Baldur?s Gate 3) 56:32 - Random Encounters 57:38 - The Tavern 1:24:48 - Summer of Korra 1:35:23 - Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Main Theme - [Baldur?s Gate] Do Your Best! - [Breath of Fire III] The Legend of Korra Main Theme - [The Legend of Korra] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Dolphin - [PlayOnline Viewer] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this week's episode we're joined by Larian Studios director Swen Vincke... very briefly. Unfortunately technical difficulties kept us from going in deep on this particular interview, but we'll have him back soon! In the meantime, special guest Len Hafer has plenty to say about her experience with Baldur's Gate 3 and more. Final Fantasy XIV has a new expansion! Kat and Eric talk about their Armored Core VI experiences Legend of Korra sure has some politics, huh? This episode was part of our special livestream benefiting Trans Lifeline in which we were able to raise more than $12,000! Thank you all so much for your generous support! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome back to Axe of the Blood God. Kat is not here for this week's episode because she headed out for San Diego Comic Con, a known slaughtering ground where Harry Potter cosplayers will take out your eye with their wands before you can even say "something something Patronus." No fear: Our good friends Ash Parrish and Kenneth Shepard are here to fill in the gap. We're talking all about character creators, from the basic three-choice templates to Baldur Gate 3's dong-and-dumplings slider. (which Kenneth has already lovingly handled.) Do you prefer building a character from the ground-up, or stepping into the boots of an established adventurer? Chime in! Also in this Episode: "Look, Smithers! Globro is coming!" Might & Magic: Clash of Heroes still rules Pikachu knows when you fart in your sleep The Empire Strikes Back this week on The Legend of Korra Being born is for suckers Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro and Main Quest (Character Creators) 47:20 - Random Encounters 49:13 - The Tavern (Thoughts about Viewfinder, Clash of Heroes, and the horror of Pokemon Sleep) 1:15:12 - Summer of Korra 1:30:35 - Nostalgia Nook/Outro Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best! [Breath of Fire III] Antique Cowboy [Ragnarok Online] The Legend of Korra Main Theme [The Legend of Korra] A Curious Tale [Secret of Mana] A Long Fall [Final Fantasy XIV/The Primals] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's summertime, playing Zelda in your car, heading to a LAN party, and the night air is filled with wildfire smoke. Welcome to a laid back episode of Axe of the Blood God, where we just chill out and talk about associations between summer and RPGs. That means everything from the RPGs we played during our summer break to the best tropical environments in RPGs past and present. Just remember: The secret to better RPGs is more giant centipede monsters. Also in this Episode: The Microsoft/Sony/FTC drama is going, going, it's gone, it's finished, it's over. Does this mean we all get CoD on Switch, or am I misunderstanding this whole thing? FromSoftware is a masterful visual storyteller, but Nintendo's not far behind with Tears of the Kingdom's Depths Summer of Korra: Someone ate a bear The Summer of Pokemon and Puke Skeletor Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro and Main Quest (RPGs of Summer) 42:19 - Random Encounters 56:28 - The Tavern (Thoughts about Final Fantasy XVI, Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, and ExoPrimal) 1:19:20 -The Summer of Korra 1:29:50 - Nostalgia Nook / Outro Music Used in this Episode: Boys of Summer [The Ataris] Do Your Best! [Breath of Fire III] Antique Cowboy [Ragnarok Online] The Legend of Korra Main Theme [The Legend of Korra] A Curious Tale [Secret of Mana] Scars of Time [Chrono Cross] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

All aboard, gatcha sickos. Honkai: Star Rail is now available to download. It's totally free, just like miHoYo's preceding game, Genshin Impact, but you can bet the awesome-looking characters in the banner events will wear your resolve down to a nub. But there's more to Star Rail than gatcha, right? After all, it's a full-bodied RPG with hours of content. Does it actually feel like a traditional turn-based adventure, or is strangled by its own sales pitch? We talk about Honkai: Star Rail's launch and beyond with avowed Genshin fan, Good Vibes Gaming's Daniel Alba. Also in this episode: Kat's digging deep into Final Fantasy V Nadia plays Final Fantasy XIV's NiER raid. Everything turns out great Xbox boss Phil Spencer is sowwy Redfall is not very good :3 Korra discourse gets underway with episodes 1 through 3 Nadia is picking up Tears of the Kingdom in the same store she picked up Ocarina of Time, because traditions must be honoured and the old gods must be sated Music used in this episode: Do Your Best! [Breath of Fire III] Login Music [Honkai: Star Rail] The Legend of Korra Main Theme [The Legend of Korra] A Curious Tale [Secret of Mana] Main Zelda Theme Orchestrated [The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hey Microsoft! How's that Activision Blizzard deal coming along? ?Oh. That bad, huh? Well, we're sure everything will be fine.  Psst. That's a lie, dear listeners. We actually brought Polygon's own Nicole Carpenter to discuss the myriad ways this gargantuan acquisition attempt is going poorly for the Big M. And whatever's bad for Microsoft is probably bad for a lot of western RPG studios. Buck up. It's not all doom and gloom. We also talk about: Hokai: Star Rail finds immediate success with its patented Anime Chicks and Dudes in Space sales method. Might & Magic: Clash of Heroes is getting a deserved Switch remake Goodbye Waypoint :(  The Summer of Korra begins! How a remake of a historic Square Enix game can potentially teach you how to make napalm the way your grandma used to (Well, not anymore) Music used in this episode: Do Your Best! [Breath of Fire III] Xbox Series X start-up sound [Microsoft/Xbox] The Legend of Korra Main Theme [The Legend of Korra] A Curious Tale [Secret of Mana] Floating Continent [Final Fantasy VI Pixel Remaster] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's another Class Conscious episode of Axe of the Blood God, and we're going after the class that was elected "Most Likely to Steal your Heart and your Wallet" in high school: the Thief. Thieves have been part of the RPG landscape forever. These lithe, sticky-fingered tricksters excel at jacking stuff from enemies (and innocents) while avoiding traps and setting down a few of their own. Gosh, what a scummy bunch, right? Not exactly. Thieves do their secret work for myriad reasons, with myriad methods. We talk about all of it (along with special guest Lucas White), from the boomerang-flinging thieves of Dragon Quest to Final Fantasy VI's roguish Locke Cole, who is totally not thinking about Rachel right now. Also in this episode: Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster discourse Advance Wars 1+2 Reboot Camp is out, and war is over Live A Live is coming to PC, PS4, and PS5 and you should play it The Pantheon Thunderdome is upon us! Who will survive the cull? The Legend of Zelda: A P.I. Had to Rescue This Manga Music used in this episode: Do Your Best! [Breath of Fire III] Locke Cole's Theme [Final Fantasy VI Pixel Remaster] Torn from the Heavens [Final Fantasy XIV] A Curious Tale [Secret of Mana] Forged in Crimson [Final Fantasy XIV] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Once upon a time, Microsoft opened up its mouth and swallowed the near entirety of the western RPG market. Fallout, Elder Scrolls, Fable--their home is on the Xbox now. That's great, but we have to ask: Where are all these RPGs that are supposed to be dropping from your well-stocked loins, Microsoft? Starfield is finally secured for a release this year, yes, but we don't have much information on what's supposed to follow. Is the dream corroding from the inside? Kat, Nadia, and Eric talk all about what's going wrong with the Xbox Series X/S's RPG scene, and how it might be patched up. Also in this episode: Nintendo's banger of a Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom trailer FFXVI's also-banger trailer of Clive going Eikon-on-Eikon This week's Pantheon re-evaluation: Fire Emblem: Three Houses The Worlds of power Nintendo books make reading fun and cool, kids! Honest! Oh God, just open a book. Please. Music in this episode: Do Your Best! [Breath of Fire III] Xbox Series X start-up sound [Microsoft/Xbox] Torn from the Heavens [Final Fantasy XIV] A Curious Tale [Secret of Mana] Antique Cowboy [Ragnarok Online] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We're taking a breather this week, but fret not: for those who couldn't make it to our panel at PAX East 2023, this week we're uploading the audio from it! Kat, Nadia, and Eric were joined by friends of the show Michael Higham and Scott White to host a fantasy draft, making the perfect RPG in the process. We touch on many topics, including: The value of a villain Truly memorable game soundtracks And yes, what is an RPG? All that and more in our special panel episode. A huge thanks to everyone who came out in person, and we hope to host even more in the future! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ding, dong, E3 is dead. Which E3? We don't know. The once world-famous video game trade show has endured so many trials and tribulations, it's hard to way which iteration is getting axed. Let's just say E3 2023 was supposed to be the show's big comeback, and it's getting cancelled instead. Kat, Nadia, Eric, and Reb are all E3 veterans, so they find lots to chew over here. What hobbled this year's show? What's next for the E3 brand, if anything? Which RPGs were bolstered by E3 hype back in the olden days? Also in this episode: Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom looks "hype af," as the kids say. When you fish with Dredge, you fish with Satan. When you Slay the Princess, you also fish with Satan. We have our new Pantheon game! Which Zelda title are we playing this month? Happy [Japanese] Anniversary, FFVI! Do you name your RPG characters? And if not, what's wrong with you? Music used in this episode: Do Your Best! [Breath of Fire III] Torn from the Heavens [Final Fantasy XIV] A Curious Tale [Secret of Mana] FFVI: The Impresario OCREmix [Jake Kaufman, Tommy Pedrini] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kat, Eric, and Nadia are all together in the same room for PAX East! There they share their adventures through PAX East and GDC, their thoughts on the Diablo 4 beta, and much more. Also in this episode  It's Morbin Time Nadia is very confused by Fire Emblem Engage's story The gang try to come up with their best RPG-themed cocktails and it goes... poorly? We reveal the next Pantheon vote! Unfortunately, no post show this week owing to lack of a stream and being on the road. We'll be off next week, but we'll be posting the panel audio along with plenty more content to come. Want merch? Check us out at shop.bloodgodpod.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week on Axe of the Blood God, Nadia, Kat, and Eric bid sayonara to the best RPGs on the Nintendo 3DS and the [snide snicker] Wii U. Nintendo is yanking the plug on the 3DS and Wii U digital storefronts very soon, but there's still time to thumb through some must-buy recommendations. Radiant Historia! Persona Q! SMT IV and Strange Journey Redux! Maybe they'll end up on the Switch somewhere down the road, but there's no way of knowing. Best to gorge yourself now while the kitchen door's still open. Also in this episode: Paranormasight is another amazing Square Enix game that will probably slide into obscurity because there's no way it's going to sell the seventy bojillion copies Square Enix probably expects it to sell Want to know why Tears of the Kingdom is $70? Doug Bowser has an answer Bloodborne is up for a Pantheon revisit. Does it deserve to?yeah. Yeah, of course it does. What a question. RIP Lance Reddick. :( Music used in this episode: Do Your Best! [Breath of Fire III] Silence of the Forest [Bravely Default/End Layer] Torn from the Heavens [Final Fantasy XIV] A Curious Tale [Secret of Mana] Schwarzweiss [Atelier Iris 3] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Axe of the Blood God has now officially hit 400 episodes, and what better way to celebrate than return to the root of it all and ask: just what is an RPG? Kat, Nadia, and Eric are joined by The CRPG Book editor Felipe Pepe to discuss what makes a virtual role-playing game different from all the others. Other topics include: We're still on the Octopath Is Zelda an RPG? A revisit of one of our past Pantheon contestants Nadia's strange, strange trip Music used in this episode: Do Your Best! [Breath of Fire III] A Curious Tale [Secret of Mana] Mines [Arcanum: Of Steamworks and Magick Obscura] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Final Fantasy XVI Preview w/ Ash Parrish and Michael Higham Why do they call it "FINAL Fantasy" when there are sixteen--oh God please put the serrated knives away, I'm just joking. This week, we invited Verge's Ash Parrish and freelance writer/regular guest Michael Higham to talk about their hands-on impressions of Final Fantasy XVI alongside our own Eric. How does it look? How does it play? How does it sound? And what about Producer Naoki Yoshida's controversial remarks about the term "JRPG?" We waddle right into it all, like a herd of Chocobos into a mud pit. Also in this episode: Octopath Traveler 2 rules As does Fire Emblem Engage Elden Ring DLC will get here when it gets here Re-examining Chrono Cross in the context of the Pantheon Bar Mitzvahs are crunk Music used in this episode: Do Your Best! [Breath of Fire III] Heavensward title screen [Final Fantasy XIV] Awakening trailer music [Final Fantasy XVI] Torn from the Heavens [Final Fantasy XIV] A Curious Tale [Secret of Mana] Hopes and Dreams [Undertale] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

All of life's paths intersect and intertwine, so it was inevitable the Axe of the Blood God would walk down Octopath Traveler 2's twisted roads. This week we're joined by Bloomberg's Jason Schreier, who was less than enthused about the original Octopath Traveler. How does its sequel fare? Let's just say a game studio can learn a lot in five years. Also in this episode: The Last of Us on HBO will steal your emotions and make you its slave Nadia is watching a cat destroy the world (in Dragon Ball Super) Is Mass Effect still deserving of being in the Pantheon? Nadia's new saga: Sex, Death, and Zip Ties--the Life of a Pigeon Music used in this episode: Do Your Best! [Breath of Fire III] Intro theme [Octopath Traveler 2] Partitio's theme  [Octopath Traveler 2] Torn from the Heavens [Final Fantasy XIV] A Curious Tale [Secret of Mana] Partitio's theme 2 [Octopath Traveler 2] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Axe of the Blood God listeners often come to us for RPG recommendations, and we're happy to oblige (with help from our good friend Rebekah Valentine). We're especially happy when said recommendations are specific, even weirdly so. We'll admit up front that we sadly don't have a suggestion for anyone who likes RPGs featuring naked elves throwing Cool Whip at dragons, because we live in a stifled world. Need a PokeClone recommendation that you won't bounce from, though? We got you covered. Unlike the naked elf in our dream game. Also in this episode: A brief review of Like a Dragon: Ishin! Nadia's bopping along to Theatrhythm Final Bar Line Golden Sun rises again to enflame Reb's retro dreams This week's Pantheon revisit: Does Terranigma still deserve to be recognized as one of the greatest RPGs of all time? 1 "yes" = 1 dead goat husband Music used in this episode: Do Your Best! [Breath of Fire III] Torn from the Heavens [Final Fantasy XIV] A Curious Tale [Secret of Mana] Underside World [Terranigma] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

February is truly when the northern hemisphere gets winter-weary, so hurrah on Nintendo for lighting our lives with another Nintendo Direct presentation. And what an unexpected presentation it was. While we knew we were going to get another trailer for The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, we also got some real surprises in the mix. An Etrian Odyssey HD collection? A new Fantasy Life?? Game Boy games, Game Boy Colour games and Game Boy Advance games??? A veritable well of retro RPG goodness is now open for business. Kat, Nadia, and Eric discuss it all. Also in this episode:  Baiten Kaidos re-releases are coming, too!  Advance Wars Re-Boot Camp finally has a release date after being stalled by the Russian invasion of Ukraine. War is truly over if you want it Does System Shock 2 still deserve to be ranked in the Pantheon of the greatest RPGs? Listen to us debate the topic, meat sack Oh no, wizard game discourse We have a very nice, very civilized conversation about powerful game music on the Nostalgia Nook. Nothing explodes. (Not while the mic is hot, anyway) Music used in this episode: Do Your Best! [Breath of Fire III] Torn from the Heavens [Final Fantasy XIV] A Curious Tale [Secret of Mana] Forged in Crimson [Final Fantasy XIV] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It?s the battle of the babes this month on Sharlayan Dropouts as we go wall-to-wall to figure out which hotties buff our hosts to max potency. That?s right, we?re ranking the Top 12 stone foxes, the veritable mamacitas, of Final Fantasy XIV. Listen as Victor Hunter, Nadia Oxford, Mike Williams, and Eric Van Allen tell on themselves for your enjoyment. Find out if your favs made the list! And if they didn?t, head on over to patreon.com/bloodgodpod to get Discord access and yell at us about it there! Spoiler Level Orange: This is a scattershot discussion that touches upon a few elements from a several different storylines including Endwalker 6.3 and Save the Queen, though light on actual detail and context. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Madness? This...is...no, no, I'm not going to finish this. Drag me, I deserve it. Just make sure to eviscerate me while listening to our awesome conversation with Robert Boyd, the maker of This Way Madness Lies. Do you like Shakespeare? Do you like PC Engine Magical Girl RPGs? Do you like Little Shop of Horrors references? This Way Madness Lies might just be your digital soulmate. Also in this episode: Jammin' with Noctis and the Boys in Final Fantasy Theatrhythm's demo Ike Fights for His Friends? No Nintendo, Sony, or Microsoft at E3 2023. Soooo... Pantheon of the Blood God revisits Final Fantasy 8. Is Squall still cool? !*!*!~wElc0mE to Da WAREZ Z0NE~!!!! Gr33ts go to my homies xxx_s0L1d_Sp1K3_xxx and +++CrashhMan_69+++!!!!!!!!!!   Music used in the ep: Do Your Best [Breath of Fire 3] Title Screen [This Way Madness Lies] Transonic Gravity [Sayonara Wild Hearts] Torn from the Heavens [Final Fantasy XIV] A Curious Tale [Secret of Mana] The Man With the Machine Gun [Final Fantasy VIII]   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices