Axe of the Blood God: Making Meaningful Decisions in RPGs

PODCAST | We share Ni No Kuni 2 impressions and talk about ways to make RPG endings meaningful.

Article by Kat Bailey, Editor in Chief

9 February 2018

Axe of the Blood God is our weekly RPG podcast hosted by Kat Bailey and Nadia Oxford. You can find the previous episodes here.

In this week's episode of Axe of the Blood God (download link here), I'm joined by Caty and Mike to discuss meaningful endings in RPGs! Also, I share my Ni No Kuni 2 impressions, and we talk Yakuza 6!

This discussion originally grew out of my fear of getting the "bad ending" in Witcher 3. But it eventually grew to a wide-ranging talk in which we broke down the endings in Mass Effect 3, Witcher 3, and Dragon Age Origins (among others); talked about making meaningful decisions in RPGs, and discussed how we roleplayed those decisions. Sticking the landing in an RPG is quite tough, especially when a lot of moving parts at play. We talk about all the ways that can affect an RPG's story.

Where to find us (Subscribe, rate, and review!)

Show Description

Kat is joined by guest hosts Caty and Mike to discuss the difficult dance of making meaningful decisions in RPGs, breaking down the endings of Witcher 3, Mass Effect 3, Chrono Trigger, and more in the process. Plus: Kat shares her impressions of Ni No Kuni 2, and Caty and Mike talk about the localization of Yakuza 6!

Music from Axe of the Blood God is courtesy of Lena Chappelle, who has also contributed the themes to Active Time Babble and Roleplayers' Realm. I also use music from the RPG Music Pack over at rpgmaker.net. Check it out!

Sometimes we include links to online retail stores. If you click on one and make a purchase we may receive a small commission. See our terms & conditions.

Kat Bailey

Editor in Chief

Kat Bailey is a former freelance writer and contributor to publications including 1UP, IGN, GameSpot, GamesRadar, and EGM. Her fondest memories as a journalist are at GamePro, where she hosted RolePlayer's Realm and had legal access to the term "Protip." She is USgamer's resident mecha enthusiast, Pokemon Master, and Minnesota Vikings nut (skol).

Baldur's Gate 3's Next Update Will Have Its First Story Changes

Be sure to read the fine print about your saves, though.

Starting Screen | Now Is a Perfectly Good Time to Tackle Tough Subjects in Games Coverage

This terrible, historic year has also seen an uptick in interest around gaming. That's exactly when our best writers should follow their instincts.

Looks Like Cyberpunk 2077 Copies Have Already Started Leaking

Now's a good time to batten down the spoiler hatches.

There's a New The World Ends With You Game Arriving Next Year

This is not a drill; I repeat, this is not a drill.

Need help?

Witcher 3: How to Start the Blood and Wine DLC and Meet Its Level Requirements

We explain how to get to Toussaint and what level you should be when you do.

Witcher 3: All the Correct Play Lines in "The Play's the Thing" Quest

We explain how to perform the Doppler's play with Priscilla, as well as whether to choose tragedy or comedy.

Pokemon Sword and Shield Mystery Gift Codes List (January 2020)

You can get free gifts in Pokemon Sword and Shield by entering certain Mystery Gift Codes. Here’s a full list of all the active codes available right now.

The Outer Worlds Shrink Ray - How to Get the Unique Shrink Ray Science Weapon

This is where you can get the Shrink Ray science weapon in The Outer Worlds, one of the unique weapons in the game.