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Victor is joined by fellow Tales fans Lucas White, Jenni Lada, and Daniel Alba to discuss the latest in Bandai Namco's increasingly comprehensive Tales of Remastered series, the PlayStation 1 classic Tales of Eternia!Is the game itself worth playing and what does the term "remaster" even mean in a context like this? All this and so much on this episode of Axe of the Blood God! Subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at ⁠https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod⁠ and get merch at ⁠https://shop.bloodgodpod.com⁠ Mentioned in this episode: Retronauts Episode 408 - Tales of Good Vibes Gaming - Tales of Eternia Remastered Review by Daniel Alba Siliconera - Tales of Eternia Remastered Review by Jenni Lada SHACKNEWS - Tales of Eternia Remastered Review by Lucas White Timestamps: 7:06 - Main Topic - Tales of Eternia 21:20 - Combat 32:28 - Key Staff Members 51:14 - The "Remaster" of it all 1:14:56 - "Quality of Life" Music Used in this Episode: Axe of the Blood God Theme - [Lena Raine] Mintche - [Tales of Eternia] Farah - [Tales of Eternia] Bar - [Tales of Eternia] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Kingdom Hearts Collection is officially out on modern consoles, perhaps most notably on Switch 2, and we finally have a solid method of playing most Kingdom Hearts games on a modern console in the year 2026. (Though some had to, sadly, be sent to Cutscene Heaven.) Eric, Victor, Alexi, and guest Alexa Ray Corriea are here to talk about Kingdom Hearts as a series, how we feel about Kingdom Hearts, and how we feel about it moving forward. Topics discuss: Our first Kingdom Hearts games / our experiences with them Do we have favorites? Low points? How have we felt about the series' run over the years? Any stumbling blocks or notable peaks? What is the lasting legacy of Kingdom Hearts, as a series? How are you feeling about Kingdom Hearts IV? Any hopes/concerns? Listener questions! Subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at ⁠https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod⁠ and get merch at ⁠https://shop.bloodgodpod.com⁠ Also in this episode: A very brief series of random encounters Timestamps: Main spoiler zone - 50:30 - 52:01 Main topic 12:05 Random Encounters 2:17:09 Music Used in this Episode: Axe of the Blood God Theme - [Lena Raine] Sacred Moon [Kingdom Hearts] Danger Zone [Kenny Loggins] Roxas [Kingdom Hearts] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Grab your commemorative shot glass because it's time for the Sakura Wars 30th Anniversary Spectacular! Special guest Samantha Ferreira joins Victor and Nadia to discuss our favorite game that combines mech battle, theatre, and romance! We discuss its impact, its presence in The West, and ask- is it a queer narrative? Subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at ⁠https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod⁠ and get merch at ⁠https://shop.bloodgodpod.com⁠ Also in this episode: Fire Emblem Fortune’s Weave Illusion of Gaia (Pantheon coming right up!) Romancing SaGa 2 Why we don't jump in fall leaves anymore Timestamps: 10:16 - Main Topic - Sakura Wars 1:14:35 - The Tavern 1:25:12 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Axe of the Blood God Theme - [Lena Raine] Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III] Pub - [Lunar Knights] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Farewell - [Sakura Wars] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Orbments, orbments, and more orbments!Special guest Cam Hawkins joins Eric and Nadia to discuss Trails in the Sky Second Chapter while deftly avoiding spoilers. All that and so much more on this episode of Axe of the Blood God! Note: Microsoft and the Xbox brand remain subjects of the BDS (Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions) movement for their complicity in the ongoing apartheid and genocide of Palestine. Visit https://www.bdsmovement.net/microsoft for more information. Subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at ⁠https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod⁠ and get merch at ⁠https://shop.bloodgodpod.com⁠ Also in this episode: More XBox layoffs We're worried about Bungie Qliphah in Providence's Shadow Nocturne Torneko's Mystery Dungeon Timestamps: 7:45 - Main Topic - Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave 1:23:16 - Random Encounters 1:46:50 - The Tavern - WARDOGS, Qliphah in Providence's Shadow, Nocturne, Torneko's Mystery Dungeon 2:01:212 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Axe of the Blood God Theme - [Lena Raine] Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III] Pub - [Lunar Knights] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Strepitoso Fight - [Trails in the Sky SC] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Finally, a Fire Emblem game about a Metal Gear Solid 2 character's hair!Siliconera's Jenni Lada returns to chat Fortune's Weave with Eric and Nadia; is this the system-seller the Switch 2 needs? Listen to this over-2-hour episode and find out! Note: Microsoft and the Xbox brand remain subjects of the BDS (Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions) movement for their complicity in the ongoing apartheid and genocide of Palestine. Visit https://www.bdsmovement.net/microsoft for more information. Subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at ⁠https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod⁠ and get merch at ⁠https://shop.bloodgodpod.com⁠ Also in this episode: Level 5 keeps doing AI Limited-time quests are good The Prince of Tennis Sweet School Festival ~♡-40 and more...~ Timestamps: 8:00 - Main Topic - Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave 1:27:28 - Random Encounters 1:34:04 - The Tavern - Eric's WoW Journey, Prince of Tennis 2:01:212 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Axe of the Blood God Theme - [Lena Raine] Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III] Pub - [Lunar Knights] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Recruitment Medley - [Fire Emblem Premium Arrange] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

RPG hot takes, direct to you!We just had a Zelda Direct and Nintendo Direct one-two punch so Nadia, Victor, and special guest Lucas White are here to tell you why SaGa and Mystery Dungeon are the things you should be most excited about. Subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at ⁠https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod⁠ and get merch at ⁠https://shop.bloodgodpod.com⁠ Also in this episode: RIP Level-5 Eternal Anima Persona 4 Revival, Persona 6 Portopia Fate/EXTRA Record Void Terrarium, Izuna: Legend of the Unemployed Ninja, Sakura Wars: Dramatic Dungeon Timestamps: 12:30 - Main Topic - Zelda Direct 26:36 - Nintendo Direct - Romancing SaGa 3 53:16 - Torneko's Mystery Dungeon 1:13:40 - Random Encounters 1:34:04 - The Tavern - Dragon Quest Monsters, Baroque, Xenoblade Chronicles 2 Switch 2 Edition 1:47:23 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Axe of the Blood God Theme - [Lena Raine] Fighting of the Spirit - [Tales of Phantasia] Pub - [Lunar Knights] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Julian's Theme - [Romancing SaGa 3] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Did someone say Withered World? That's State of Play, baby! This week, Victor and Nadia run through the highlights of this year's State of Play, including an array of JRPGs, one of which (Rhapsody in Scarlet) surrounds 1920's jazz-era NYC with a key missing ingredient; Crimson Desert DLC, Monsters, (both the Hunter Wilds: Ascendance, and Dragon Quest Withering World variety,); and Final Fantasy VII: Revelation! Speaking of FF, Victor gives us the rundown on Final Fantasy Resonance. Victor and Nadia also give their Nintendo Direct(s) (Zelda and vanilla) predictions- listen to see if their wishes came true. Plus, Undertale in Concert, Victor breaking in his Switch 2, and so much more on this episode of Axe of the Blood God! Subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at ⁠https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod⁠ and get merch at ⁠https://shop.bloodgodpod.com⁠ Also in this episode: LEGO PS1 Megaman X Command Mission .The. Blood of .. Dawnwalker Timestamps: 12:11 - Main Topic - State of Play 42:58 - Random Encounters 1:02:57 - The Tavern 1:34:18 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Axe of the Blood God Theme - [Lena Raine] Fighting of the Spirit - [Tales of Phantasia] Pub - [Lunar Knights] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Dungeon Theme 0 - [Zelda II - The Adventure of Link (NES)] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Don't hate The Player, hate the thing wherein you'll catch the conscience of the king.Victor and Nadia are joined by the creative director of RPG developer Lovely Hellplace, James Wragg, to discuss the critically acclaimed Dread Delusion, AND the recently-released-into-early-access Entropy. It's a fantastic conversation that nearly reaches the 2-hour mark and dips into just about every topic you can imagine. So enjoy this perma-death-filled episode of Axe of the Blood God! Subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at ⁠https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod⁠ and get merch at ⁠https://shop.bloodgodpod.com⁠Topics Discussed:- The inherent impressionism of early 3D- How to push back against climate change- The power of quoting Shakespeare- Small number RPGs vs Bigger number RPGs and the importance of numbers- Perma-death Further Reading: Lovely Hellplace - Lovely Hellzine on Patreon Dread Delusion Lost In Cult EDITION Hamlet on the Holodeck Mordheim Mork Borg Game Studies Study Buddies Timestamps: 9:50 - Main Topic - Entropy, Dread Delusion and more w/ James Wragg of Lovely Hellplace 31:28 - The "Player" 40:40 - Shakespeare 51:18 - Fixed camera angles and learning from Dread Delusion 1:02:36 - Resist the wubbification of eldritch horror 1:15:48 - RPG Math and Tabletop Inspirations Music Used in this Episode: Axe of the Blood God Theme - [Lena Raine] Endless - [Dread Delusion] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the name of a bunch of depressed girls, I shall punish you!Victor and Nadia are joined by Siliconera's Jenni Lada to discuss whether Blue Reflection Quartet is the ultimate compilation of the entire magical girl RPG saga or it could have studied harder. Plus, Jenni's time with The Duskbloods and so much more on this episode of Axe of the Blood God! Subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at ⁠https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod⁠ and get merch at ⁠https://shop.bloodgodpod.com⁠ Further Reading: Famitsu's Sakura Wars 30th Anniversary Survey Jenni's Review of Blue Reflection Quartet Driving Off the Map - A Formal Analysis of Metal Gear Solid 2 Victor's Pocket Sakura Instruction Manual - Thread - Google Drive Also in this episode: Hayden Panettiere's passing Final Fantasy XI's Unlimited Free Trial rolls out in September We try to remember which Castlevania Grimoire of Souls is Dread Delusion, Entropy Timestamps: 13:01 - Main Topic - Blue Reflection Quartet Review 27:28 - Blue Reflection Ray 33:00 - Blue Reflection Sun 38:28 - Blue Reflection Second Light 16:16 - Random Encounters 1:11:28 - Tavern - The Duskbloods, Dissidia Duellum, Xenoblade 2, Umamusume, Dread Delusion, Entropy 1:36:06 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Axe of the Blood God Theme - [Lena Raine] Fighting of the Spirit - [Tales of Phantasia] Pub - [Lunar Knights] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Milk Coffee on a Rainy Afternoon - [Blue Reflection: Second Light] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our charity livestream in support of Trans Lifeline is THIS WEEKEND, August 15/16th from 10am PT to 10pm PT. Join us at twitch.tv/bloodgodpod and give to a great cause while we record live episodes, continue Kat's Nulocke run, and get up to all sorts of shenanigans.It's a cavalcade of Random Encounters as VIctor and Nadia discuss the latest headlines from across the RPG sphere. Fan-translations, farming sims, and what niche RPGs you should keep on your radar. All that and so much more on this episode of Axe of the Blood God! Subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at ⁠https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod⁠ and get merch at ⁠https://shop.bloodgodpod.com⁠ Also in this episode: Jesse Vitelli's Sub-a-thon incube8 Games - Infinity gnosisonic on PixyGarden Kurt Kalata on PixyGarden Arthur Conan Doyle vs. Harry Houdini: A Friendship Ruined by Ghosts Yasushi Nirasawa The History of Chunsoft's Sound Novels - Bowl of Lentils The Story to Save a Couple of Lost Keitai Games - Yuvi The fine folks at Discotek Was the Digimon Movie unusually Canadian? Timestamps: 12:27 - Restart Layoffs 16:16 - Fire Emblem Direct 17:38 - RPG Fusions - PachiPals, Marble Souls 25:52 - The Fan-Translation Round-Up! 27:32 - Ys III - Wanderers from Ys (PS2) 29:32 - PixyGarden 36:54 - Splatterworld 42:56 - London Spirit Detectives / 45:26 - Kamaitachi no Yoru 50:32 - Final Fantasy VII Dirge of Cerberus - Lost Episode 55:42 - Farming Sim Round-Up! 56:52 - Story of Season/Bokujo Monogatari/nee Harvest Moon 30th Anniversary - Rune Factory 20th Anniversary 1:02:38 - Fields of Mistria 1:11:28 - Tavern - Ball x Pit, Splatoon Raiders, Rhythm Heaven Groove, Hell Maiden, Tales of Phantasia OVA, Wizardry Variants Daphne 1:29:20 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Axe of the Blood God Theme - [Lena Raine] Fighting of the Spirit - [Tales of Phantasia] Pub - [Lunar Knights] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Crisis - [PixyGarden] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's finally here; your two-and-a-half-hour-long extra-special episode all about Final Fantasy and its intersection with the world of fashion.From the billowing garments of Yoshitaka Amano to the workwear-inspired looks of Tetsuya Nomura to the dresspheres of Tetsu Tsukamoto to casual street fits of Miki Tamashita and as much in-between as we could fit in this episode.I'm joined by THE Japanese street fashion guru Reggie Casual to pick his brain about the symbiotic relationship between fashion and Final Fantasy and the uniquely Japanese approach to style that makes it all possible. And my promise to you is that in an entire episode about Nomura we don't make a hack joke about zippers and belts because we're better than that.Truly this is one of my favourite episodes I've ever done and if you enjoy it a fraction as much as I enjoyed making it it'll all be worth it. It's also available in video form with helpful visual aids over on our youtube channel! Check it out!And check out Reggie's channel, The Casual, for more on the world of Japanese fashion, how to learn how to dress, and so much more.Many thanks to Steven Poole for providing me with his article from the Spring/Summer 2012 issue of Arena Homme + Subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at ⁠https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod⁠ and get merch at ⁠https://shop.bloodgodpod.com⁠ Also in this episode: How to dress well without feeling like cosplay The importance of the Job System to fashion Dissidia Duellum and the art of Final Fantasy-bounding I promise we're not gatekeeping Why do the fits in FFXV look so good? The Tokugawa Shogunate! Timestamps: 3:39 - Main Topic - Final Fantasy and Fashion 15:04 - How to Design a Character With Character? 27:00 - Final Fantasy X-2 and the Dressphere 36:46 - The World Ends With You; Bravery and Neighbourhoods 44:00 - How Have Things Changed? Styles Never Disappear 56:13 - Final Fantasy XV, Roen, and How To Become an FF Protagonist 1:16:12 - Dissidia Duellum: Digital Bodies in Physical Space 1:28:04 - The Double-Edged Sword of Accessibility 1:41:16 - His Name is Clive 1:51:52 - The Character Creator 2:06:12 - Floppy Cosplay and The Tokugawa Shogunate Music Used in this Episode: Axe of the Blood God Theme - [Lena Raine] Yuna's Theme - [Final Fantasy X-2] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Look what time it is; Letter.We're answering burning questions to distract us from the heat of the Summer. Like when you really hurt yourself so you hurt another part of you but a little less to distract yourself. I had dental surgery earlier this week so I'm thinking about pain a lot.But what isn't a pain is this episode! Nadia, Eric, and Victor reach into the mailbag to discuss some origin stories, when sokoban is welcome, and whether your daughters should be playing Disco Elysium. It's probably fine! All this and more on this sweltering episode of Axe of the Blood God! Subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at ⁠https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod⁠ and get merch at ⁠https://shop.bloodgodpod.com⁠ Also in this episode: The Smashler Kingdom Hearts Missing Link movie leaked Final Fantasy XIV Fan Fest Congratulations to Disgaea Mayhem The Xenoblade Chronicles 2 Switch 2 Edition Game Lost Chronicle, Dragon Slayer Timestamps: 13:18 - Main Topic - Mailbag 13:18 - What Games Got You Into RPGs? 25:20 - Puzzles in Dungeons 37:16 - Final Fantasy XII? 38:12 - Saturn RPGs 39:42 - The Next Draft 39:50 - Pantheon Tease 41:54 - Non-Violent RPGs- Citizen Sleeper, Harvest Moon/Story of Seasons/Stardew Valley, Atelier Marie, Moon, Stray Children, Va-11 HALL-A, Recettear, Potionomics, Coffee Talk, Necrobarista, Battle Chef Brigade, Battle Suit Aces, Steamworld, Tokimeki Memorial, Umamusume, Volcano Princess, Princess Maker, Little Goody Two-Shoes, Thirsty Suitors, Pro Spirits Baseball, GBC/GBA Mario Golf/Mario Tennis, Golf Story, Racing Lagoon 56:32 - RPGs With Other Mechanics- YIIK, Shadow Hearts, Dark Cloud, Suikoden II, Racing Lagoon, Front Mission, Xenosaga, Dragon Quest Builders 2, Mario Golf, Mario Tennis 1:05:40 - RPG Adaptations 1:11:40 - Random Encounters 1:23:00 - Tavern - Eric's Avatar Thoughts 1:44:24 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Axe of the Blood God Theme - [Lena Raine] Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III] Pub - [Lunar Knights] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Friendly Conversation - [Va-11 HALL-A] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

MILFMG t-shirts probably not coming to an Axe of the Blood God merch store near you.Summertime. A few things to note; the living is easy and the fish are jumping.So let's select one-of-three or -four gameplay mechanics to turn those fish into a mini-game opportunity!Nadia, Eric, and Victor discuss what makes a good fishing mini-game, what kinds of fishing mini-games there even are, and when does a fishing mini-game become a fishing maxi-game?All that and so much more on this episode of Axe of the Blood God! Subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at ⁠https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod⁠ and get merch at ⁠https://shop.bloodgodpod.com⁠ Also in this episode: The Mermaid Mask Glory of Heracles II Final Fantasy X's 25th Birthday Timestamps: 12:42 - Main Topic - The Best RPG Fishing Mini-Games 27:20 - Stardew Valley 30:56 - Rune Factory 4 35:00 - Final Fantasy XIV 44:20 - Breath of Fire III 48:53 - Fantasy Life i: The Girl Who Steals Time 55:28 - Final Fantasy XV 1:05:48 - Lightning Round:- Tales of Arise- The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time- The LEgend of Zelda: Link's Awakening- The LEgend of Zelda: Twilight Princess- Trails of Cold Steel- Harvest Moon 2 / Legend of the River King 2- Fire Emblem Engage- Boku no Natsuyasumi- Natsu-Mon- Romancing SaGa 2 1:19:06 - Random Encounters 1:34:00 - Tavern - The Mermaid's Mask, 1:44:24 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Axe of the Blood God Theme - [Lena Raine] Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III] Pub - [Lunar Knights] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Even the Sun's Happy - [Breath of Fire III] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"It was the best of times and everyone was like, 'this rules'" or however the book goes.This week, Eric, Nadia, Victor, and special guest Kevin Bunch are reflecting on what the best years for RPGs were, with the rules surrounding that discussion evolving in real time. Is it something in the late 90s for the sheer quantity of interesting, experimental RPGs, is the year Persona 5 single-handedly invented jazz and made JRPGs good again, or is it 1994 for being the year Final Fantasy VI came out. All this and so, so much more on this episode of Axe of the Blood God! Subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at ⁠https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod⁠ and get merch at ⁠https://shop.bloodgodpod.com⁠ Also in this episode: Games Done Quick Appreciation Star Fox Final Fantasy VII Ever Crisis closes but drops Before Crisis story Megami Tensei: Digital Devil Story in English Timestamps: 11:18 - Main Topic - Best Year For RPGs 1:11:44 - Random Encounters 1:20:36 - Tavern - Eric's GDQ Adventure, 1:41:36 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Axe of the Blood God Theme - [Lena Raine] Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III] Pub - [Lunar Knights] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Hammerhead - [Final Fantasy XV] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sony has announced the death of the game disc. What does this mean for the future of second-hand games, game preservation, game sharing, game access, and a million other things that this is going to have an effect on? Well, Nadia, Eric, and Victor are joined by collector, historian, retailer, writer, and a million other things, Kelsey Lewin (@kelslewin.bsky.social) to discuss precisely that! Apologies for the lower-than-usual quality of Kelsey's audio! It was an anomaly and we made do with the cruel hand fate dealt us! Subscribe for bonus episodes and discord access at ⁠https://www.patreon.com/bloodgodpod⁠ and get merch at ⁠https://shop.bloodgodpod.com⁠ Also in this episode: Deltarune Chapter 5 The Summer of Sakura Wars Timestamps: 13:24 - Main Topic - The End of Playstation Discs 1:04:32 - Random Encounters 1:20:08 - Tavern - Deltarune Chapter 5, Paranormasight: The Mermaid's Curse, Rhythm Heaven Groove 1:41:36 - Nadia's Nostalgia Nook Music Used in this Episode: Axe of the Blood God Theme - [Lena Raine] Do Your Best - [Breath of Fire III] Pub - [Lunar Knights] A Curious Tale - [Secret of Mana] Theme of PARANORMASIGHT - [PARANORMASIGHT] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices