Kat Bailey, Nadia Oxford, and Eric Van Allen explore Final Fantasy, Skyrim, and all the best in the wonderful world of role-playing video games! Support us on P...
If everything is an RPG then nothing is an RPG.
Nadia, Eric, and special guest Reb Valentine are here to discuss the RPG-ification of games over the past decade and change; what does it mean to adopt RPG-like mechanics? When are systems metaphor for player action and when are they a means to pad out a progression loop for commercial value? Are either of those things better than the other? All this philosophy and more, Horatio, on this episode of Axe of the Blood God!
Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod and subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod
Also in this episode:
Harvest Moon Memories
Our holiday gaming sessions
BIG GAMES COMING TO SWITCH 2
Nine Sols
What's wrong with game awards categories
Final Fantasy XII is a really good video game
Snakes & Ladders
Timestamps:
05:50 - Main Topic - Why Is Every Game An RPG Now?
1:03:32 - Random Encounters
1:08:04 - The Tavern
1:45:20 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook
Music Used in this Episode:
Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III]
Pub - [Boktai DS]
A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana]
Lilycove City - [Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire]
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1:58:57
The 2025 RPG Preview, Switch 2 Speculation, and More
It's a new year, and that means a whole lot more RPGs are on the way to ruin our backlogs and occupy our time. Kat, Nadia, and Eric gather together to talk about all the big hits you should look out for, as well as:
What's Nintendo going to do in 2025?
Who drew Persian like that?
The Blood God buys the super-expensive Terra statue?
Timestamps:
00:00 - Intro
01:50 - The 2025 RPG Preview
Music used in this episode:
The AOTBG Intro Theme
Sophisticated Fight [The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky]
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1:41:36
Pantheon of the Blood God - Dragon Quest Builders 2
The Blood God hosts are taking a quick holiday break so as a treat we're pulling a classic episode of Pantheon of the Blood God out from behind the paywall!
Listen to this deep-dive into Dragon Quest Builders 2 and if you like what you hear subscribe at the $10 tier to access the entire back catalogue of Pantheon of the Blood God. Or better yet, give the gift of the Blood God this holiday season with Patreon's new subscription gifting feature.
Regular episodes will be back soon but until then enjoy this classic:
Dragon Quest Builders 2 is an action RPG that's literally about building yourself up from scratch. You cook the food that sustains you. You build the forges that fire your swords. Heck, you want to sleep in an Inn? Build it yourself, lazybones. And when you do, it just feels so good.
Minecraft's blood runs thick through Dragon Quest Builders 2, but Square Enix's game adds so much more to Mojang's classic block-building phenomenon. At least that's what Nadia says. But is it Pantheon worthy? That's what Eric and Nadia are here to discuss alongside two very prominent Builders with beautiful voices: Jon Cartwright and Brandon Jones!
Topics of Discussion:
The joys of building affronts to God
Malroth Rulez #1
Are these Bri'ish accents actually any good?
Eric builds one big toilet for his villagers and forces them all to go at the same time
Tom Nook blows goats, I have proof.
Music Used in Episode:
The Dragon Quest Theme (Dragon Quest Builders 2)
Cave Theme (Dragon Quest Builders 2)
Bustling City (Dragon Quest Builders 2)
Gateway (Mega Man X8)
Village Theme: Khrumble Dun (Dragon Quest Builders 2)
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1:30:56
The 2024 Blood God RPG Awards
The appointed time is upon us. You've waited all year to hear the Axe of the Blood God's best RPG picks for 2024 (er, right?) and we're ready to dish. Nadia, Kat, and Eric hash out the winners in this extra thicc episode. Several categories are up for discussion beyond "Best RPG of 2024," such as this year's best character performance, this year's best visuals, and, uh, this year's best "freaky little guy." To listen is to understand, so shove this episode into your ear-holes, and we'll see you in 2025. Thanks for your continued support!
Also in this episode
2024's biggest RPG news stories
Our holiday plans (spoilers, we're all putting down roots for two weeks)
TEETH TEETH TEETH
Jingle Bells, Santa smells [like sulphur]
Timestamps
00:00 - Intro
05:10 - RPG Awards
1:36:42 - Random Encounters
1:38:27 - The Tavern
1:56:50 - Nostalgia Pit
Music used in this episode
Don't Cry, Baby [Ragnarok Online]
Jenova Lifeclinger [Final Fantasy VII Rebirth]
Game Opening [Metaphor]
Heismay's Awakening [Metaphor]
Faring in the Ocean [Steamworld Heist 2]
No Promises to Keep [Final Fantasy VII Rebirth]
Warriors of Valor [Metaphor]
The Promised Consort [Shadow of the Erdtree]
Brush Your Teeth [Raffi]
Campanella Stage 1 [UFO 50]
Adventure [Dragon Quest III 2DHD]
Mass Destruction [Persona 3 Reload]
Hero's Awakening [Metaphor]
Do Your Best! [Breath of Fire III]
Patty's Pub [Dragon Quest IX]
Ding Fries are Done [Peter Griffin]
Welcome, My Lord [Ragnarok Online]
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2:08:59
Game Awards Reax, Elden Ring Nightreign, Witcher 4, and RPG Hidden Gems of 2024
It is done. Geoff Keighley descended from Gamer Mountain with the results of 2024's Game Awards scrawled onto two stone tablets. (Brought to you by Mountain Dew.) Kat, Eric, and Nadia understandably have opinions about the games that were snubbed, and the games that received recognition. How about you? Do you agree with Geoff's decrees? Are you with us? Or against us? Listen to this episode and use your heart to decide. And make sure to have a hard think about overlooked gems this year while we talk about our own "hidden" favourites.
Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod and subscribe for bonus episodes and Discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod
Also in this episode
Intergalactic planetary, planetary Intergalactic
Give Steam World Heist 2 its due
Siri has opinions about Witcher 4's Ciri
Eric's cat has opinions about everything
Sweet Valley Twins fans rise up
Time stamps
00:00 - Intro
08:30 - Main topic: The 2024 Game Awards
47:21 - Random Encounters
52:27 - The Tavern: Overlooked RPG Gems for 2024
1:19:52 - The Nostalgia Nook
Music used in this episode
Battle Theme [Metaphor: Refantazio]
Do Your Best! [Breath of Fire III]
It's a Sin [Pet Shop Boys]
Paddy's Pub [Dragon Quest IX]
A Curious Tale [Secret of Mana]
Faring in the Ocean [Steam Powered Giraffe]
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Kat Bailey, Nadia Oxford, and Eric Van Allen explore Final Fantasy, Skyrim, and all the best in the wonderful world of role-playing video games! Support us on Patreon: https://patreon.com/bloodgodpod