Best Aidan Hunter Podcasts (2025)

1
163: Vagrant Story (with Aidan Moher) 2:34:58

2d ago2:34:58

2:34:58

Like many of Square's RPGs of the late 90's and early 2000's, Vagrant Story is an ambitious, flawed, divisive and fantastic RPG, full of big ideas that didn't get a chance to full develop into what was planned. What we got was only one part of a larger saga (see also: Xenogears from just a few years prior), a game that stands on its own, proudly di…

1
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Review w/Kenneth Shepard 1:51:05

4d ago1:51:05

1:51:05

Sacre Bleu! Incroyable! Tabarnak! We get to say all these words and more on this week's episode of Axe of the Blood God, which is about Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. Special guest Kenneth Shepard joins Kat, Nadia, and Eric (they're together again!) on this quest to ask this Paintress lady what her whole deal is. Also in this episode: Stop right ther…

1
162: Prey (2006) (with Asa GreenRiver) 2:01:39

9d ago2:01:39

2:01:39

No, this isn't the Arkane Studios Prey, this is the one that Arkane was forced to name their game after for no good reason. In fact, that's what got me interested in Human Head Studios' Prey (2006) in the first place, even before I learned what the game is about. So what did we think of this shooter caught between two eras, with seemingly 10 differ…

1
The Lunar Remastered Review, Switch 2 Updates w/ Lucas White 1:51:18

11d ago1:51:18

1:51:18

How many licks DOES it take to get to the center of a Tootsie Pop? Eric, Nadia, and special guest Lucas White won't find out in the Lunar: Remastered Collection but they'll sure discuss localization choices like it. Find out if the new re-release does justice to these cult classics of the 32-bit era. Tune in to live recordings of the show every Sat…

1
161: Wanderstop (with Matt aka Stormageddon & CGDannyB) 2:45:34

16d ago2:45:34

2:45:34

Review code provided by Ivy Road- thank you! I think we all viewed Davey Wreden's new project announcement, a "cozy game about making tea", with a bit of side-eye. Is it really just going to be about making tea? You sure there isn't going to be a subversion in there? Are you still reading this? Well, Wanderstop is here, and it may not have the type…

1
Class Conscious: Black Mage w/ Timothy Monbleau 1:44:48

18d ago1:44:48

1:44:48

I am the Black Mage! I casts the spells that makes the peoples fall down! Time to put on your robe and wizard hat; we're talkin' Black Mages! From Vivi to Donald Duck, all your favourite magic missile-slingers are here and ready to nuke Eric, Nadia, and special guest Timothy Monbleau! Special Thanks to Edwyn "Omahdon" Tiong, voice of Black Mage. Tu…

1
160: Sifu (with Ryan Juengling - List Off) 1:44:19

23d ago1:44:19

1:44:19

From the first trailer, I knew that Sifu (Sloclap, 2022) looked like a game I wanted to play. There was just one small thing- it released two weeks before Elden Ring, and I was clearing the decks in a big way. No mental bandwidth to get stuck in a demanding action game. And so I waited. And waited. And forgot about it. And waited some more. And now…

1
Switch 2 Direct and Hands-on Impressions w/ Brian Shea 1:57:32

25d ago1:57:32

1:57:32

Should've called it the Swiitch. Kat, Nadia, Eric, and special guest Brian Shea tell you everything you need to know about the Nintendo Direct Switch 2 announcements plus Brian's hands-on experience at the recent press event. There's a slew of RPGs of all stars and stripes heading for the console. Whether you'll be able to get your little hands on …

1
159: Metaphor: ReFantazio (with Scott White) 2:13:51

1M ago2:13:51

2:13:51

Only one studio out there can inspire the following sentence- the first time I saw the menu UI in Metaphor: ReFantazio, I knew that Atlus and Studio Zero were cooking. They've mastered the art of making menu-based RPGs flashy and stylish, as well as mastering the "Persona" calendar-based structure in general. On several fronts, this is the best gam…

1
Switch Direct Reax, Switch 2 Direct Predictions, and Pillars of Eternity Turns 10 1:49:15

1M ago1:49:15

1:49:15

This podcast of mine glows with an awesome power! Its hot takes tell me to treat you! TAKE THIS! My love, my anger, and ALL my opinions! Super Robot Wars is joined by some other games also announced in the opening left hook of the Nintendo Direct one-two punch combo. Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitc…

1
158: Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots (with Geoff Moonen - "Fun" and Games) 2:49:47

1M ago2:49:47

2:49:47

In my ongoing first-time playthrough of the Metal Gear Solid series, we've arrived at the canonical end of Solid Snake's story, while seeing series creator Hideo Kojima at his most self-indulgent (yet) and most creative. Metal Gear Solid is a series of multitudes, and 2008's Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots is no different. Listen in to fin…

1
Christian Brothers; Elliott Smith, Greasy Food & Scripture 1:30:35

1M ago1:30:35

1:30:35

We discuss current events, Elliott Smith, and what we should eat for lunch. We destroy our bodies for your entertainment by eating greasy food and mixing zyn and caffeine in large doses. We then end the episode by turning to scripture for forgiveness (The Bible, LoTR, & more).

1
Xenoblade Chronicles X Switch Review, GDC Recap, and a Persona 4 Remake Wishlist 1:51:21

1M ago1:51:21

1:51:21

Living here in New LA, fighting villains from afar. You got to find first gear in your giant robot car. The Xenoblade saga on Switch is now complete with the inclusion of Xenoblade Chronicles X (Xenoblade Cross if you're nasty). But it's been 10 years since the original release on WiiU; has it aged well? The very idea of video games "aging well" is…

1
157: Unpacking (with Kate Hunter - No Small Games) 1:59:57

1M ago1:59:57

1:59:57

Ever since the podcast started in 2021, I always knew I'd do an episode about Unpacking (Witch Beam, 2021) someday. John Fogerty sang that someday never comes, but here we are, and Unpacking is on the show! Unpacking is a great example of using the interactivity of video games to tell a story in a unique, gameplay-forward way. Through the ONE SIMPL…

1
Atelier Yumia Review and Series Primer w/ Lucas White 1:30:48

2M ago1:30:48

1:30:48

The only two good things to come out economic recession. Eric, Nadia, and special guest Lucas White are here to give the long-running, cult-classic Atelier series it's flowers. But can the latest entry, Yumia, hang with the Ryzas and the Maries and the Irises and the Eschas and the Logys? Listen up to find out! Tune in to live recordings of the sho…

1
156: Mouthwashing (with Ash Parrish) 1:51:06

2M ago1:51:06

1:51:06

Mouthwashing (Wrong Organ, 2024) is a rare horror game that gets scarier after you finish the game. Its nonlinear structure, reality-blurring presentation and subtle (at times) storytelling leave you to put the pieces together yourself. Once you do that, you'll find a strikingly real story where the most unbelievable thing is the fact that it takes…

1
Suikoden I&II HD Remaster Review, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Preview, and More w/ Aidan Moher 1:43:22

2M ago1:43:22

1:43:22

Oscar season has passed but the stars are still out; all 108 of them! Kat, Nadia, and Eric are joined by a special guest who literally wrote the book on Suikoden; Aidan Moher! They discuss the ups and downs of the recently released remaster and whether they are the versions of Suikoden you should play! Tune in to live recordings of the show every S…

1
155: Shenmue (with Luis Aguasvivas) 1:52:58

2M ago1:52:58

1:52:58

I remember reading about Shenmue (AM2 of CRI, Sega, 2000) in the magazines back in the day and really marveling at how cool it all sounded- a revenge/investigation story, a town with characters that live their own lives outside of interacting with you, life in small-town Japan...but I didn't have a Dreamcast, so I never got to play it and eventuall…

1
Axe of the Blood God 500: 10 Years of the Podcast, 10 Greatest RPGs 2:11:20

2M ago2:11:20

2:11:20

Wanna feel old? Well don't! You're only 10 years older than you were when Axe of the Blood God started and if you placed the entirety of your life so far in Carl Sagan's cosmic calendar you would exist as a mere blip in the final second of the final day. But there's never been a better blip to exist in than this one if you're really into RPGs! So j…

1
154: Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector (with John Rogers - Gaming in the Wild) 2:23:27

2M ago2:23:27

2:23:27

When Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector (Jump over the Age / Gareth Damian Martin, 2025) was announced, it was a surprise, but it also jumped straight to the top of my most anticipated games list. And while it fulfills the promise of a sequel by doubling down on the strengths of the first game, it also introduces some harsh mechanics that took a lo…

1
Monster Hunter Wilds Review, Final Fantasy x MtG, and More! 1:33:22

2M ago1:33:22

1:33:22

It's just another MonHun Monday! Bring your Cool Drinks to survive the Hot Takes in our review of Monster Hunter Wilds. Will this be the entry that makes MonHun skeptics take the leap? Kat, Nadia, and Eric discuss this Elder Dragon-sized game! Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod and sub…

1
153: Ace Combat 5: The Unsung War (with MarcoMeatball) 1:56:33

2M ago1:56:33

1:56:33

Sometimes I think I know about video games, and then a series that I'd been ignoring for years absolutely blows me away. Ace Combat 5: The Unsung War (Namco, 2004) is one of those games. Exhilerating air combat, the best spectacle that the PS2 could offer, and a grand and amazing soundtrack all set the hooks, then a surprisingly good story pulls yo…

1
Avowed Review, State of Play, and More w/ John Carson 1:27:33

2M ago1:27:33

1:27:33

Obsidian's new covert entry in the Pillars of Eternity world is out now; but is it just a Skyrim-like? I don't mind telling you upfront; no. But what IS it, I hear you screaming? Kat, Nadia, Eric, and special guest John Carson are here to tell you! Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod an…

1
152: The Plucky Squire (with Roger Reichardt - The Gamerheads Podcast) 1:20:36

3M ago1:20:36

1:20:36

Entering 2024, there were very few indie games as hotly anticipated as The Plucky Squire (All Possible Futures, Devolver Digital)...but then release date came, it got good-not-great reviews, and seemed to inspire more disappointment than anything else. So what happened? And how is the game, actually? Buckle up, because we've got you covered. Guest …

1
Kingdom Come: Deliverance II Review, Final Fantasy Live Letter, and More w/ Jason Fanelli and Leana Hafer 2:02:10

3M ago2:02:10

2:02:10

The only thing orthodox about this episode of Axe of the Blood God is the allusions the Catholicism! Eric is joined by special guest Leana Hafer to talk RPG news and they're both joined by other special-guest Jason Fanelli and other other special guest Nadia Oxford to dig into one of the biggest RPGs of 2025 so far; Kingdom Come: Deliverance II Tun…

1
151: Tacoma (with CtrlAltNoob) 1:58:17

3M ago1:58:17

1:58:17

Fullbright made a name for themselves with 2013's Gone Home, leading many to anticipate their next project. 2017's Tacoma, however, seems to have come and gone without much fanfare. It is a fairly simple game that may not reach the emotional peaks of Gone Home, but Tacoma is a very good game in its own right. And then, due to director Steve Gaynor'…

1
Shorter RPGs Without Sacrificing Story, Citizen Sleeper 2, and P3 Reload Final Thoughts 1:58:03

3M ago1:58:03

1:58:03

It is once again Letter Tiiiiiiime. Kat, Nadia, and Eric answer YOUR burning questions like: What are some big freaky guys? If you'd like a chance to have your letters read on a future episode join us over on the discord! Tune in to live recordings of the show every Saturday morning at https://www.twitch.tv/bloodgodpod and subscribe for bonus episo…

1
150: Mad Max (with Jacob Price & Cameron Warren - The Pre-Order Bonus) 2:14:10

3M ago2:14:10

2:14:10

Learn about and support the SAG-AFTRA union and video game actors on strike. Whenever the topic of "7/10 games" or "underrated games" or "bargain bin gems" comes up, Mad Max (Avalanche Studios) is almost guaranteed to be mentioned in the conversation. This game isn't tied into the movie storylines, but it does a great job of getting you into the gr…

1
Are We In A Turn-Based Renaissance? 1:41:47

3M ago1:41:47

1:41:47

If it is then Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is looking like The Birth of Venus. Why did turn-based RPGs ever fall out of vogue? Did they ever? Kat, Nadia, and Eric discuss the mainstream resurgence of the turn-based RPG and wether we might be seeing even more on the horizon. All that and more on this menu-based episode of Axe of the Blood God! Tune i…

1
149: Nine Sols (with Josh) 2:41:12

3M ago2:41:12

2:41:12

As a fan of Red Candle Games' previous projects, Devotion (episode 139) and Detention (bonus episode on Patreon), Nine Sols instantly leapt onto my watchlist as soon as it was announced. However, as it released, I was a bit nervous to dive into it due to its Sekiro-inspired combat. I like Sekiro a lot, but did I want another one right then? Luckily…

1
Switch 2 Reactions, Remembering David Lynch, and More w/ Jon Cartwright 1:50:00

3M ago1:50:00

1:50:00

The Switch 2 is here! Well, it's THERE. Somewhere. But now we know that when it gets HERE it will look like that! And sometimes that's all you can ask for in this crazy world. Join Kat, Nadia, Eric, and Good Vibe's Gaming's Jon Cartwright as they discuss everything we know and everything we DON'T know about Nintendo's new console. Tune in to live r…

1
148: Pathologic 2 (with Jack) 3:01:57

4M ago3:01:57

3:01:57

I once heard the original Pathologic (Ice-Pick Lodge) described as "the best game you shouldn't play", which is an oddly appealing pitch to me. I need to see what it is that puts it in that category, ya know? Luckily for me, Pathologic 2 exists and seems to be the preferred way for many to get the Pathologic experience, and I was not disappointed w…

1
Why Is Everything An RPG? w/ Reb Valentine 1:58:57

4M ago1:58:57

1:58:57

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 eith…

1
Backlog Resolutions 2025 1:51:04

4M ago1:51:04

1:51:04

In 2024, we began a new community event in the Tales from the Backlog Discord server- the Backlog Resolutions Challenge. A big group of us picked a list of games that had been collecting dust in our libraries and resolved to play them! This episode is all about how that challenge went- what worked, what didn't work, why most of us didn't complete o…

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Aidan Hunter Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen