Axe of the Blood God: An RPG Podcast

What are the most intriguing RPGs of 2016? Bob and Mike join Kat to discuss Persona 5, Final Fantasy XV, and all the rest of the most exciting RPGs of the new year. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What are the best RPGs of 2015? What were our main takeaways from this year in roleplaying games? Bob, Mike, Kat, and newcomer Nadia Oxford all share their thoughts on what has been a packed year for our favorite genre. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This past weekend brought with it a ton of RPG news, and Bob and Kat are here to review it alongside special guest John Learned. What does the gang think about Final Fantasy VII going episodic? Can Ni No Kuni 2 improve on the original? And what does The Old Hunters mean for Bloodborne? All this and more as we barrel toward the end of 2015. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adcho...

Polygon's Phil Kollar is back to help Kat recount the journey from Xenogears to Xenoblade Chronicles X, then the two break down the latest from Tetsuya Takahashi and Monolith Soft. We also have another question of the week! Which RPG have we invested the most time into? Kat and Phil discuss. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kat and Bob are joined by Polygon's Phil Kollar to discuss Fallout 4's opening, the sometimes confusing mechanics, and the case of the missing Dogmeat. Then, Kat and Bob lament the death of the mid-range JRPG developers following the demise of Imageepoch while cheering the return of Valkyria Chronicles. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dragon Quest VII and VIII for Nintendo 3DS have finally been confirmed for North America! Jeremy and Kat have lots of thoughts on that and Nintendo's other news. Then, XSEED's Jessica Chavez joins us to share her adventures in localized Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky SC, her favorite characters, and the challenge of working with a Japanese story. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaph...

Steve Tramer returns to discuss the high points and low points of Bethesda RPGs over the years and the one way RPGs as a whole can improve. Plus: We're giving away a free copy of Fallout 4 on Xbox One! Listen to find out how to get your copy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jason Wilson joins Kat to discuss the new Dungeons & Dragons MMORPG Sword Coast Legends and the console port of Divinity: Original Sin. Plus: We announce the winner of our Dragon Quest Heroes Slime Collector's Edition! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike joins Kat to discuss his review of Tales of Zestiria, then Kat and Bob determine whether Dragon Quest Heroes does justice to one of the best RPG franchises ever. Bonus: A Yo-kai Watch discussion, plus details on an upcoming giveaway! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

USgamer contributor John Learned joins Kat to discuss what he learned about the localization of Final Fantasy XII in his recent interview, with some added discussion about Legend of Legacy and the new Witcher 3 expansion.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike Williams joins Kat to discuss Disgaea 5, the difficult challenges facing NIS, and what he likes to see in a tactical RPG.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kat and Bob delve into the most curious RPG since Earthbound in Undertale, then jump into Persona 4: Dancing All Night before taking a belated look at the RPGs that came out of TGS. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jaz joins Kat to talk about the evolution of Destiny, what the expansion fixes, and what can still be improved. Do the RPG elements work now, or is it still a confusing mess of random systems? Here are our final thoughts on The Taken King. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Steve Tramer returns to talk Shadowrun Hong Kong and the delay of Persona 5, with Kat musing on Xenoblade Chronicles X and ranting about Destiny: The Taken King. Bonus: A random Metal Gear Solid 5 conversation! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Stay Awhile and Listen and Dungeon H@cks author David Craddock joins Kat to talk about the story behind Diablo II's tumultuous development, the earliest days of Roguelikes, and as always, what makes a game an RPG.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Elliot Gay returns to share his thoughts on Fire Emblem Fates and other recent Japanese RPGs. What's the difference between Birthright and Conquest? How does it compare to Awakening? You can find the answers here! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With USgamer's Best 15 Games Since 2000 list now complete, Kat convenes the crew to talk about the best RPGs on the list. Jaz and Mike drop by to reminisce about World of WarCraft, then Bob once again shares his undying love for Dark Souls. Plus: Honorable mentions! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bob and Steve join Kat to discuss the evolution of turn-based RPGs, their appeal versus real-time combat, and the news that the Final Fantasy VII remake's gameplay is in for "dramatic changes." What does turn-based combat mean in the modern era? The crew is here to find out. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the heels of several interesting RPG announcements, Jeremy Parish checks in to share his thoughts on Dragon Quest XI, Final Fantasy Explorers, and the Odin Sphere remake.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rowan Kaiser returns to talks about what he's playing lately and answer questions from the mailbag. What's our favorite RPG soundtrack? Do JRPGs have a future on console? We (mostly) answer these questions and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's a mega crossover event as Kat heads to Japan to join the 8-4 Play cast for an afternoon of Japanese RPGs, Fire Emblem: Awakening, and chuhai.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Steve Tramer returns to explain why you should be running the Final Fantasy V Four Job Fiesta right now, why he doesn't like Vagrant Story, and why he's excited to play Persona 5. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Final Fantasy VII remake is actually happening! Kat and Jeremy share their reactions the day after it happens, then go on to discuss the surprise Nier remake. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the occasion of Earthbound's 20th anniversary, WayForward's Tomm Hulett shares his love for the Nintendo classic with Kat and Bob as the three offer trivia, analyze the battle system, and more. Then, to wrap up the show, Kat and Bob speculate on the RPGs that will dominate E3, including whether or not Dragon Quest VII will finally get localized for the Nintendo 3DS. Learn more about your ad cho...

Our old friend Richard from Japan pops in to talk about the first 70 hours of Xenoblade Chronicles X, then Double Fine's Brad Muir talks about the trials and tribulations of designing Massive Chalice. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices