Axe Of The Blood God: Usgamer's Official Rpg Podcast

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 w

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

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 (Nin

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

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

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 - Octopat

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/

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 epi

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 Bes

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

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 Mus

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]

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]

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 Fores

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 a