2025's Best RPGs So Far, What To Look Forward To

To celebrate our 4th Annual Trans Lifeline Charity Livestream, Sena Bryer of Final Fantasy XIV fame is here to fight to the death! Kat, Nadia, Eric, and Sena will enter the ring with their favorite Final Fantasy but only one can emerge victorious. It's a debate for the ages with hot takes that would make a purposely-inflammatory youtube thumbnail blush. You'll pay for the whole seat but you'll only need the edge on this very special episode of Axe of the Blood God!Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod, subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod and celebrate our 10th Anniversary with new merch at https://shop.bloodgodpod.com Also in this episode: Final Fantasy XVI for Switch 2 Monster Hunter Update Why Sakaguchi was the Boss The Front Mission 3 Disaster Timestamps: 14:52 - Main Topic - Defend Your Favorite Final Fantasy 1:29:08 - Random Encounters 1:38:38 - The Tavern - Kat's Attempt to Finish FF7 Rebirth, and FFXIV Update 1:20:32 - SENA'S NOSTALGIA NOOK Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III] Pub - [Lunar Knights] Filter Branch - [PlayOnline Viewer] Final Fantasy Main Theme - [Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We're halfway through 2025 and if we were only judging years by the quality of their RPGs this would be a pretty good one! By every other metric; it sure is a year!This week Kat, Nadia, and Eric are recapping the RPG standouts of the year so far and predicting what hits we still have on the horizon!Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod, subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod and celebrate our 10th Anniversary with new merch at https://shop.bloodgodpod.com Also in this episode: Clair Obscur 100 Line Final Fantasy x Magic: The Gathering Monster Hunter Wilds PC optimization Elden Ring: Nightreign's longevity Kingdom Come Deliverance II Fantasy Life i Deltarune 3 + 4 Pokemon Legends Z-A A lot of Pokemon Scarlet and Violet Discourse Timestamps: 9:04 - Main Topic - 2025 So Far 46:56 - 2025 RPGs to Watch Out For 1:01:16 - Random Encounters I dunno, it just blends into Random Encounter lately - The Tavern 1:20:32 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III] Pub - [Lunar Knights] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Abandoned Ship - [Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's time to duel!The Final Fantasy Magic: The Gathering set is here and the hosts have been ripping packs and building decks. Kat, Nadia, and Eric are joined by special guest Shivam Bhatt to dive into the deep cuts, the flavor, the art, and everything about this landmark moment in FF and MtG history.Also, it's me; I'm the FFXIII guy who knows what Fal'cie and L'cie are. It's honestly pretty straightforward.Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod, subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod and celebrate our 10th Anniversary with new merch at https://shop.bloodgodpod.com Also in this episode: Fantasy Life i How fish give birth The Zelda Movie Eric's journey to Summer Games Fest The Expanse RPG Critical Role's move to crush Dungeons & Dragons Eric's phrase of the day! Timestamps: 5:40 - Main Topic - Magic: the Gathering Primer 42:56 - How to Get Into Magic 1:06:16 - Random Encounters 1:35:12 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Mhaura Selbina Voyager - [Final Fantasy Tribute Thanks] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Editor's Note: While we opted to cover this showcase, we would be remiss if we didn't once again highlight the ongoing Xbox boycott A Persona 4 remake! An Xbox handheld! Some actual RPGs! But no Fable? Kat and Nadia react to the Xbox Showcase and speculate on what's in store in 2026. Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod, subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod and celebrate our 10th Anniversary with new merch at https://shop.bloodgodpod.com Timestamps: 0:10 - Xbox handheld reax 7:20 - Persona 4 Revival 10:39 - Clockwork Revolution 13:46 - Roundup: Animo, Fallout 76, and more 22:00 - Xbox's outlook in 2026 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode is a Podcast Key Card™. To download the episode, an internet connection and enough free space in your Nintendo Switch 2 system memory or microSD Express card are required. Once the episode is downloaded, you’re ready to play!Kat and Nadia recap their Switch 2 experience so far, what RPGs to look forward to in the Switch 2's future, and what was announced at Sony's State of Play and Summer Games Fest.Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod, subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod and celebrate our 10th Anniversary with new merch at https://shop.bloodgodpod.com Also in this episode: Bravely Default HD Cyberpunk 2077 Pokemon Scarlet and Violet Link's Awakening Final Fantasy x Magic: The Gathering Pre-Release Timestamps: 7:12 - Main Topic - Switch 2 Impressions 40:16 - Random Encounters 43:44 - State of Play and Summer Games Fest Recap 1:04:48 - Nintendo Store 1:20:32 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Group (Meal) - [Yu-No] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

FromSoftware's multiplayer Elden Ring experience is here and we're here to figure out exactly what it even is. Kat, Nadia, Eric, and special guest Mitchell Saltzman discuss this divisive new addition to Elden Ring and more on this week's Axe of the Blood God!Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod, subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod and celebrate our 10th Anniversary with new merch at https://shop.bloodgodpod.com In this episode: Persona 4 remake seemingly confirmed by the OG voice cast? Switch 2 game key cards woes EA abandoning RPGs Mario Kart FOMO Summer Games Fest predictions A power drill down the pants Timestamps: 6:50 - Main Topic - Elden Ring: Nightreign 47:16 - Random Encounters 1:13:36 - SGF Predictions 1:25:12 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III] Pub - [Lunar Knights] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Rememberance - [Vagrant Story] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Nintendo Switch™ Family of Video Gaming Entertainment Consoles is dead. Long live the Nintendo Switch 2™ Family of Video Gaming Entertainment Consoles.Kat, Nadia, and Eric deliver the final judgement on the Switch's contributions to the RPG landscape. From Pokemon's bumpy road to Fire Emblem's revival to Square's blunderbuss, it's all here in this satisfyingly clickable episode of Axe of the Blood God!Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod, subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod and celebrate our 10th Anniversary with new merch at https://shop.bloodgodpod.com In this episode: Xenoblade Chronicles 3 Octopath Traveler/2 Pokemon's Switch Legacy Animal Crossing: New Horizons Xenoblade Chronicles X Timestamps: 5:50 - Main Topic - Switch RPG Quest: Definitive Edition 1:00:56 - Random Encounters 1:11:04 - The Tavern - Fantasy Life 1:22:16 - Xenoblade Chronicles X Final Thoughts 1:31:20 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III] Pub - [Lunar Knights] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Your Voice - [Xenoblade Chronicles X] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You're getting 'Norted! And you're getting 'Norted! And YOU'RE getting 'Norted!Xakt, Dianxa, Ixerc, and special guest Kexim are here to discuss the old adage; "When Nomura closes one door, he opens another with a very large key"Missing Link's cancellation and Kingdom Hearts IV's new screenshots have stirred up conversation and Giant Bomb's own KH expert Mike Minotti is here to tell us all about itTune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod, subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod and celebrate our 10th Anniversary with new merch at https://shop.bloodgodpod.com Also in this episode: Justice for 358/2 Days Nintendo Store San Fransisco Bravely Default HD Do serial killers like Aerosmith? Timestamps: 10:08 - Main Topic - What is the future of Kingdom Hearts? 47:20 - Random Encounters 49:12 - Final Fantasy x Magic the Gathering 1:04:48 - Nintendo Store 1:25:00 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III] Pub - [Lunar Knights] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Dearly Beloved (Swing Ver.) - [Kingdom Hearts: Melody of Memory] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The maps are mini but the discourse is maxi!Kat, Nadia, and Victor embrace their cartographical spirit this week as they discuss the pros and cons of the mini-map; Does EVERY game need them? Do NO games need them? At what point should you meet the game's systems where they are and adapt? Find out on this week's disorientingly good episode of Axe of the Blood God!Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod, subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod and celebrate our 10th Anniversary with new merch at https://shop.bloodgodpod.com Also in this episode: LIVE reactions as the Final Fantasy x Magic: the Gathering cards are revealed! Sakura Wars 2 fan-translation Dokyusei Tokimeki Memorial ~forever with you~ Emotional Play Maddy Thorson's latest Super Mario World romhack, Masterpiece, with art by friend of the show, darcydee Miserable Canadian clowns Timestamps: 07:20 - Main Topic - Do RPGs need mini-maps? 40:44 - Random Encounters 45:20 - Final Fantasy x Magic the Gathering Reactions 1:02:08 - The Tavern: Sakura Wars 2, Dokyusei, Tokimeki Memorial 1:20:20 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III] Pub - [Lunar Knights] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Continuation of the Dream - [Sakura Wars 2] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The rent is too damn high!Hey, it's rough out there. But as development costs climb, retail prices skyrocket, and the institutional knowledge of decades of journalism slips out from under us due to corporate greed, Kat, Nadia, and Eric are at least here to explain what this means for the future of RPGs!Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod, subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod and celebrate our 10th Anniversary with new merch at https://shop.bloodgodpod.com Also in this episode: Gameification of Disney World Chrono Trigger remake - PSYCH! Fandom is the worst website in the world Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 impressions update! Final Fantasy Magic: The Gathering hype Timestamps: 05:50 - Main Topic - What to do about expensive video games 52:08 - Random Encounters 55:24 - Polygon and Giant Bomb's collapse 1:10:28 - Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 update 1:30:16 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Enjoyment Theme - [Sakura Wars 2] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices