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

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 megaph

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/a

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 Fir

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 Musi

"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. Ultimat

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 Curi

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

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 ch

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