How much ax could an Ax Battler battle if an Ax Battler could battle ax is a question Golden Axe fails to address, but it gets to be brilliant and foundational all the same. We then turn to Avowed, Obsidian's latest RPG.

What We're Playing

01:02 Mark: The Hidden Ones (Morefun Studios, 2025)

15:50 Caitlin: A Little to the Left (Max Inferno, 2022)

18:23 Caitlin: Monster Hunter Wilds (Capcom, 2025)

27:20 GOOF: Golden Axe (Sega, 1999)

44:03 Feature Game: Avowed (Obsidian, 2025)

SHOUT

1:11:19 Caitlin: Dark Deity 2 (Sword & Axe LLC)

1:12:49 Mark: Neon Inferno (Zenovia Interactive)

It's all about swords, Aristotle, and romance this week, where we discuss Bushido Blade and Transistor.

What We're Playing

00:56 Caitlin: Final Fantasy III (Square, 1990)

10:11 Mark: Whisker Squadron Survivor (Flippfly, 2025)

18:35 GOOF: Bushido Blade (Square, 1997)

30:46 Feature Game: Transistor (Supergiant, 2014)

SHOUT

55:45 Caitlin: Suikoden I&II HD Remaster (Konami)

56:49 Mark: Retroid Pocket Flip 2 (Retroid)

We look back at Namco's other fighting game series, Soul Calibur. Also, in non-fighting games, the best horse game of all time, says Caitlin of Red Dead Redemption 2.

What We're Playing

00:59 Mark: Samurai Shodown, Samurai Shodown II, Samurai Shodown IV (SNK, 2019, 1994, 1996)

Matt McMuscles' excellent Samurai Shodown history: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1yQoCrZBfIo

13:11 Caitlin: Monster Hunter Wilds Beta (Capcom, 2025)

15:52 Caitlin: The Roottrees are Dead (Robin Ward, 2025)

23:26 GOOF: Soul Calibur II (Namco, 2002)

37:58 Feature Game: Red Dead Redemption 2 (Rockstar, 2018)

SHOUT

1:09:57 Caitlin and Mark: Saros (Housemarque)

We return to the humble beginnings of AMBFAD by discussing the Hellblade sequel, and we further mine Caitlin's childhood with Ch-Ch-Ch-Chip and Dale.

What We're Playing

00:52 Caitlin: Monster Hunter: Wilds BETA (Capcom, 2025)

10:10 Mark: Helldivers II (Arrowhead, 2024)

13:10 Mark: Eternal Strands (Yellow Brick Games, 2025)

21:02 GOOF: Chip & Dale Rescue Rangers (Capcom, 1990)

30:55 Feature Game: Hellblade II: Senua's Saga (Ninja Theory, 2024)

SHOUT

55:49 Caitlin: Monster Hunter: Wilds (Capcom)

56:07 Mark: Sworn (Windwalk Games)

Fighting games! Castlevania! Crawling over monsters in Dragon's Dogma 2! That pretty much covers all of human endeavors, really.

What We're Playing

01:06 Mark: Dead or Alive 6 (Koei Tecmo, 2019)

04:38 Mark: Virtua Fighter 5 R.E.V.O. (Sega AM2, 2025)

13:08 Caitlin: Void Crew (Hutlihut Games,, 2024)

24:16 GOOF: Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow (Konami, 2003)

25:51 Feature Game: Dragon's Dogma II (Capcom, 2025)

SHOUT

1:01:34 Caitlin abandons all hope and optimism

1:01:36 Mark: Avowed (Obsidian)

Lots of talk of anime, cats, and anime-related cats this week! We take the Little Kitty to the Big City after we shoot so many things in Gunstar Heroes.

What We're Playing

01:53 Mark: Blade Chimera (Team Ladybug, 2025)

09:21 Caitlin: Inkbound (Shiny Shoe, 2024)

18:07 GOOF: Gunstar Heroes (Treasure, 1993)

25:51 Feature Game: Little Kitty, Big City (Double Dagger Studios, 2024)

SHOUT

50:40 Caitlin: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 (Sandfall Interactive)

53:04 Mark: Eternal Strands (Yellow Brick Studios)

We talk about early indie darling Hyper Light Drifter, as well as Secret of Evermore from Caitlin's childhood. More light Sluggish Heavy Drifter, amirite?

What We're Playing

00:56 Caitlin: Metaphor: ReFantazio (Atlus, 2024)

09:40 Mark: 20 Minutes till Dawn (flanne, 2023)

16:38 Mark: Rayman Legends (Ubisoft, 2013)

22:18 GOOF: Secret of Evermore (Square, 1995)

35:05 Feature Game: Hyper Light Drifter (Heart Machine, 2016)

SHOUT

53:33 Caitlin: Stage Fright (Ghost Town Games)

55:08 Mark: Valkyrie Squad: Siege Breakers (Digital Crafters)

Having been emancipated from duties to the Veilguard, we return to Metaphor: ReFantazio. We also headbutt Caitlin's childhood with Bonk's Adventure.

What We're Playing

00:57 Mark: [REDACTED] (Striking Distance Studios, 2024)

04:30 Mark: Gain Ground (Sega, 1988, 1991, and 1992)

12:22 Caitlin: Helldivers 2 (Arrowhead, 2024)

14:38 Caitlin: Fae Farm (Phoenix Labs, 2023)

19:34 GOOF: Bonk's Aventure (Atlus, 1989)

33:31 Feature Game: Metaphor: ReFantazio (Atlus, 2024)

SHOUT

57:38 Caitlin: Dave the Diver: In the Jungle (MINTROCKET)

58:46 Mark: MagicX 3:2 clamshell handheld