Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast Tales from the Backlog
| Titre | Date | Durée | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 132: Pony Island (with Chris - 1H1D) | 04 Sep 2024 | 01:25:33 | |
Do you ever feel like you missed the boat on a game? Maybe it was really influential and subsequent games used its "trick"? Maybe you wonder if that OG still has the juice even though you couldn't possibly go into the game completely blind? These were the thoughts running through my mind as I booted up Pony Island by Daniel Mullins Games for the first time in 2024. I'm happy to say that despite I'll never get the "true" experience, Pony Island has a lot more going for it than mere gimmicks. This is a game that actually has something to say, and I'm glad that I played it. Joining me for the discussion about Pony Island is Chris, one half of the 1 Hour, 1 Decision (1H1D) podcast. Along with his co-host Tom, Chris picks a random game on Xbox Game Pass, plays for an hour, and does a podcast about that experience and whether they want to keep playing. It's a good show, and you can find it on your favorite podcast app or HERE! TIMESTAMPS Music used in the episode is credited to Jonah Senzel. You can support them by purchasing the album on Bandcamp. Tracks used: Louey's Playhouse, Pony Island, Enter Pony, The Machine, Adventure Awry, The Island, Escape, Hop, Skip and a Neigh Check out Dave's guest appearance on Pixel Project Radio about 1000xRESIST! Support Tales from the Backlog on Patreon! or buy me a coffee on Ko-fi! Listen to A Top 3 Podcast on Apple, Spotify and [other podcast platforms](atop3podcast.fireside.fm)! | |||
| 131: Animal Well (with Jenny Windom - Geeks & Grounds) | 28 Aug 2024 | 02:09:34 | |
Animal Well, by Billy Basso/Shared Memory came out of nowhere. For me, and I think a lot of others, the initial announcement was more of a shock that videogamedunkey had started the BigMode publishing company than excitement about the game being published. Once people got their hands on Animal Well, however, all skepticism or publicity about dunkey publishing games went out the window- Animal Well is an absolute treat and captivated so many of us in the weeks following its launch. It's the kind of game that begs people to get together and share what they discovered, and luckily for me, I have a podcast where I can do just that! Joining me for the discussion is Jenny Windom, host of Geeks & Grounds podcast, organizer and host of Wholesome Games and much more around the industry. Geeks & Grounds is a games club podcast that is fun and insightful to play along with, which you should check out at their website, and keep up with Wholesome games by going to their website! TIMESTAMPS Music used in the episode is credited to Shared Memory. Tracks used: Dawn Chorus, Animal Well, Flames, Burrows, Manticore, Rabbit Hole, Time Capsule Support Tales from the Backlog on Patreon! or buy me a coffee on Ko-fi! Listen to A Top 3 Podcast on Apple, Spotify and [other podcast platforms](atop3podcast.fireside.fm)! | |||
| 123: 1000xRESIST (with Michael Higham) | 03 Jul 2024 | 01:55:05 | |
Sunset Visitor's 1000xRESIST came out of nowhere for me. Releasing on May 9th, 2024 meant it faced stiff indie competition on its day of release, and it wasn't until others were shouting from the rooftops that I found myself drawn to try it out (and a big thank you to Sunset Visitor and Fellow Traveler for the review code!). What I found was a story that had all the hallmarks of the best sci-fi: a high concept with cool sci-fi ideas that was firmly rooted in the real world and real, modern day experiences. I was absolutely blown away by its narrative and themes, so I needed to include it on the podcast. Joining me for the discussion about 1000xRESIST is Michael Higham from IGN. Michael wrote IGN's review for this game, which you can read HERE, and his insights were invaluable to the discussion. You can follow him on Twitter and check out more of his work! TIMESTAMPS Music used in the episode is credited to Line Katcho, Drew Redman, Alex Mah and Sunset Visitor. You can support the artists by purchasing the OST on Bandcamp. Support Tales from the Backlog on Patreon! or buy me a coffee on Ko-fi! Listen to A Top 3 Podcast on Apple, Spotify and [other podcast platforms](atop3podcast.fireside.fm)! | |||
| 52: Prey: Mooncrash (with Adam & Kiaran - The Good, the Bad & the Backlog) | 23 Nov 2022 | 01:56:30 | |
Prey (2017) is one of those widely acclaimed games that not many people seem to have played. Take that same idea, but take that up another level and you've got Prey: Mooncrash, the 2018 roguelike DLC for the aformentioned Prey, by Arkane Studios. Prey: Mooncrash got some increased buzz not when it released, but when Deathloop released and comparisons were drawn. And the verdict is in- for many people, myself included, Prey: Mooncrash is what Deathloop should have been. I was lucky enough to be joined by Adam and Kiaran from The Good, the Bad & the Backlog to discuss it! Pardon my voice in this one, I was beginning to come down with Covid! Fun! Check out everything that Adam and Kiaran are doing by following this link! TIMESTAMPS Support Tales from the Backlog on Patreon! or buy me a coffee on Ko-fi! Listen to A Top 3 Podcast on Apple, Spotify and [other podcast platforms](atop3podcast.fireside.fm)! | |||
| 51: Prey (2017) (with Nick & Will - Friday Night Gamecast) | 16 Nov 2022 | 02:49:55 | |
Prey (2017) takes the immersive sim worldbuilding, level design and freedom of expression that Arkane Studios had been honing through the years, transfers it to a sci-fi space station full of shapeshifting aliens, and sets you loose to figure out what the hell is going on. The result is....peak video game, as far as this host is concerned. And to help break it all down, I've enlisted the help of both hosts of Friday Night Gamecast, Nick and Will. This was a wonderful conversation, and we hope you enjoy it! TIMESTAMPS Check out Friday Night Gamecast wherever you listen to podcasts, or by going through this link! [Support Tales from the Backlog on Patreon!](patreon.com/realdavejackson) or buy me a coffee on Ko-fi! Listen to A Top 3 Podcast on Apple, Spotify and [other podcast platforms](atop3podcast.fireside.fm)! | |||
| 50: Citizen Sleeper (with DeadbeatPunk - WTFDYW?!) | 09 Nov 2022 | 02:05:21 | |
After playing In Other Waters, I knew that whatever Gareth Damian Martin put out next, I would have to play it. I had high expectations for Citizen Sleeper, and it absolutely blew me away. Citizen Sleeper explores a sci-fi capitalist dystopia in space, but the thing that sets this one apart from contemporaries like Prey and Hardspace: Shipbreaker is the absolute quality of the characters and writing. Citizen Sleeper ties that writing into its innovative dice system, and the finished product is a real treat. I was joined by DeadbeatPunk from WTFDYW?! to discuss it! TIMESTAMPS Check out WTFDYW?! at the show website HERE! [Support Tales from the Backlog on Patreon!](patreon.com/realdavejackson) or buy me a coffee on Ko-fi! Listen to A Top 3 Podcast on Apple, Spotify and [other podcast platforms](atop3podcast.fireside.fm)! | |||
| Happy Birthday to Tales from the Backlog! AMA + Reflections | 02 Nov 2022 | 00:36:08 | |
Tales from the Backlog is one year old! It's been a great year for the show. I've met tons of great people, played a lot of awesome games (and a few bad ones), and learned a ton about all aspects of the podcasting experience. If you'll indulge me for a bit, I reflect and reminisce on the first year of the show, and answer your questions! Thanks for a great year, and I'm looking forward to year 2. [Support Tales from the Backlog on Patreon!](patreon.com/realdavejackson) or buy me a coffee on Ko-fi! Listen to A Top 3 Podcast on Apple, Spotify and [other podcast platforms](atop3podcast.fireside.fm)! | |||
| 49: The Quarry (with Liv Beyer - Between 2 Gamers) | 26 Oct 2022 | 01:56:43 | |
After being bamboozled into playing Until Dawn earlier this year despite my dislike of scary games, I unexpectedly found myself a big fan of that game, so when The Quarry was released, it was an easy choice to play, and it didn't disappoint! Direct comparisons to Until Dawn are unavoidable, and this game improves on a lot while maybe missing some of the secret sauce, in my opinion. I was lucky enough to be joined by Liv from Between 2 Gamers to discuss our experiences! TIMESTAMPS Find everything that Between 2 Gamers are doing HERE! [Support Tales from the Backlog on Patreon!](patreon.com/realdavejackson) or buy me a coffee on Ko-fi! Listen to A Top 3 Podcast on Apple, Spotify and [other podcast platforms](atop3podcast.fireside.fm)! | |||
| 48: The Last Door (with Adelaide Lohkamp) | 19 Oct 2022 | 01:43:17 | |
Two genres that I don't normally play mashed together- horror games and point-and-click adventures, with a heavy dose of Lovecraft. The Last Door was a game that wasn't on my radar until my special guest Adelaide Lohkamp (she/her) suggested it to me, and seeing that it was made by The Game Kitchen really got my attention. Some issues with gameplay aside, this game excels aesthetically and tells a story that really displays an understanding of why Lovecraftian horror continues to fascinate. Note- Adelaide was going by a different name at the time of recording, so that's why I refer to her as Jamie. Please respect her choices, as always TIMESTAMPS [Support Tales from the Backlog on Patreon!](patreon.com/realdavejackson) or buy me a coffee on Ko-fi! Listen to A Top 3 Podcast on Apple, Spotify and [other podcast platforms](atop3podcast.fireside.fm)! | |||
| 47: Parasite Eve (with Michael Berger - Bits of Time) | 12 Oct 2022 | 01:41:33 | |
The concept of a hybrid survival horror/JRPG has been fascinating to me ever since I first heard about Parasite Eve and Koudelka, and Parasite Eve blew my expectations out of the water. It's got a fun combat system, a goofy story that appeals to my biology background, and it looks great! This was a blast to play, and it was a blast to discuss with Michael from Bits of Time. TIMESTAMPS Check out Michael and his brother Larry on Bits of Time on your favorite podcast app, or find handy links HERE [Support Tales from the Backlog on Patreon!](patreon.com/realdavejackson) or buy me a coffee on Ko-fi! Listen to A Top 3 Podcast on Apple, Spotify and [other podcast platforms](atop3podcast.fireside.fm)! | |||
| 46: Resident Evil 4 (with Michael Mays) | 05 Oct 2022 | 02:26:20 | |
Continuing the run of trying out critically and nostalgic...ally loved games way too late, this week it's Resident Evil 4! It took literal years of convincing to get me to play a Resident Evil game due to my horror game aversion, and I think I picked the best one for me. This game is barely even a horror game. What it actually is, is a kind of stepping stone between arcade shooters and modern 3rd person shooters with some of the goofiest characters and dialogue out there. I thought I would hate this, but this was an absolute blast, and I was lucky enough to be joined by Michael Mays to discuss it! TIMESTAMPS Michael and I both agree, you should check out the National Association for Urban Debate Leagues and donate nationally HERE or find something more local here. [Support Tales from the Backlog on Patreon!](patreon.com/realdavejackson) or buy me a coffee on Ko-fi! Listen to A Top 3 Podcast on Apple, Spotify and [other podcast platforms](atop3podcast.fireside.fm)! | |||
| 44: Undertale (with Eric Gess - The Unlockables) | 21 Sep 2022 | 02:18:15 | |
Another week, another game that I came to late, and did my best to understand why millions of screaming internet denizens love it. Undertale is the game this week, and I'm joined by Eric Gess, host of The Unlockables! TIMESTAMPS You can find The Unlockables by following this link! The Unlockables is Backlog Approved! [Support Tales from the Backlog on Patreon!](patreon.com/realdavejackson) or buy me a coffee on Ko-fi! Listen to A Top 3 Podcast on Apple, Spotify and [other podcast platforms](atop3podcast.fireside.fm)! | |||
| 122: Mother 3 (with Rebekah Valentine) | 26 Jun 2024 | 02:41:16 | |
Famously never localized for an English-speaking audience, HAL Laboratory and Brownie Brown's Mother 3 has almost become a meme at this point. So much so that I wondered if it could live up the inflated expectations that I unwittingly put on games that are unavailable or difficult to find, a kind of forbidden fruit syndrome. So I made sure to put Mother 3 on my Backlog Resolutions list for 2024 and hey! It's pretty good! It's a lot like Earthbound in good and bad ways, and I like the story of Mother 3 for different reasons than I liked Earthbound's story. Looks like I'm gonna need an all-star guest to dig into this one... Joining me for the discussion about Mother 3 is Rebekah Valentine! Reb is an award winning investigative reporter for IGN, reporting on the inner workings of the industry, how the games we love get made, and giving a voice to workers who are laid off or otherwise mistreated. You can find her work by following this link! TIMESTAMPS Music used in the episode is credited to Shogo Sakai. Tracks used: Fun Naming, Welcome!, Alec's Log House, Mag**** Party, Homely Yado Inn, Mr. Batty Twist, Fate, Mr. Saturn Theme Z, Mom's Hometown, Happy Town, Sorrowful Tazmily, Mother 3 Love Theme (Arr.), Mother 3 Love Theme, You Won! Find Dave's TWO guest appearances on the Retro Hangover podcast on your favorite podcast app or by clicking here! Support Tales from the Backlog on Patreon! or buy me a coffee on Ko-fi! Listen to A Top 3 Podcast on Apple, Spotify and [other podcast platforms](atop3podcast.fireside.fm)! | |||
| 43: Chrono Trigger (with Josh Covel - Still Loading) | 14 Sep 2022 | 02:33:15 | |
What happens when you miss out on childhood nostalgia for a game that seemingly everybody seems to love? Should you try to approach that game with the mindset of a mid-90s gamer? Or should you take all of the advancements (and dis..advancements? I'll find a word) of its genre in the past 30 years? Chrono Trigger was that game for me, and I'm happy to have gotten Josh Covel from Still Loading on the show to talk about it. TIMESTAMPS You can find Still Loading on Twitter, Instagram, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Twitch. [Support Tales from the Backlog on Patreon!](patreon.com/realdavejackson) or buy me a coffee on Ko-fi! Listen to A Top 3 Podcast on Apple, Spotify and [other podcast platforms](atop3podcast.fireside.fm)! | |||
| 42: Spec Ops: The Line (with Chris Coplien - Retro Hangover) | 07 Sep 2022 | 02:29:06 | |
There are games with good stories, there are games with great gameplay, and there are games where gameplay directly feeds into the story to create an experience you'll never forget. Spec Ops: The Line (Yager Development, 2012) is one of those games. Chris Coplien from Retro Hangover joins Dave for a discussion about the incredible things that this game does. TIMESTAMPS: Check out Retro Hangover! It's a very entertaining and informative retro gaming podcast. [Support Tales from the Backlog on Patreon!](patreon.com/realdavejackson) or buy me a coffee on Ko-fi! Listen to A Top 3 Podcast on Apple, Spotify and [other podcast platforms](atop3podcast.fireside.fm)! | |||
| 41: The Last of Us (with Ben Robinson - Play Along Podcast) | 31 Aug 2022 | 02:33:38 | |
Some games are released, garner acclaim and fans, and fade into our Nostalgia centers. Some games, however, keep growing until they are something much bigger. The Last of Us is a trend-setter, influencing the direction of Sony's first-party titles of the past decade, while also being remastered AND remade before spinning out into a multimedia franchise. But does it deserve the hype and continuing obsession? Is it truly one of the greatest video games ever made? Dave is joined by Ben Robinson of Play Along Podcast to discuss the original PS3 release and the PS4 remaster. TIMESTAMPS [Support Tales from the Backlog on Patreon!](patreon.com/realdavejackson) or buy me a coffee on Ko-fi! Listen to A Top 3 Podcast on Apple, Spotify and [other podcast platforms](atop3podcast.fireside.fm)! | |||
| 2022 Summer Retrolympics! (Hosted by Secret Levels podcast) | 27 Aug 2022 | 02:33:18 | |
The 2022 Summer Retrolympics are here, hosted by the Secret Levels podcast! It was originally posted on their feed, but I'm posting here for my listeners- this is a podcast collaboration like no other. The Retrolympics is a retro gaming trivia show featuring great podcasts from around the indie gaming podcast scene. Check out all of the participants, they all have my highest recommendation! [Support Tales from the Backlog on Patreon!](patreon.com/realdavejackson) or buy me a coffee on Ko-fi! Listen to A Top 3 Podcast on Apple, Spotify and [other podcast platforms](atop3podcast.fireside.fm)! | |||
| 40: Outer Wilds (with Keith Gasper - The Main Quest) | 24 Aug 2022 | 02:30:05 | |
Some games are fun to explore, some games create worlds that amaze you, some games tell stories you'll never forget...and some games do all of the above. Mobius Digital's 2019 space exploration sim Outer Wilds certainly qualifies. But was it all love all the time? Joining me to discuss it all is the great Keith Gasper from The Main Quest podcast! TIMESTAMPS Noclip documentary about the making of Outer Wilds The Main Quest is Keith's personal journey to revisit and replay every game from his childhood through early adulthood, and you can find the podcast and all social media links by clicking here! [Support Tales from the Backlog on Patreon!](patreon.com/realdavejackson) or buy me a coffee on Ko-fi! Listen to A Top 3 Podcast on Apple, Spotify and [other podcast platforms](atop3podcast.fireside.fm)! | |||
| Tales from the Backlog V.I.P.- Top 25 Games (Preview) | 20 Aug 2022 | 00:28:04 | |
This is a preview of a patron-only Tales from the Backlog VIP episode about my top 25 games of all time. Want to hear the whole thing, higher-bitrate Tales from the Backlog episodes, and many more bonus episodes to come? Head over to the Patreon page- $5/month or higher gets you the VIP feed! Thanks for listening! [Support Tales from the Backlog on Patreon!](patreon.com/realdavejackson) or buy me a coffee on Ko-fi! Listen to A Top 3 Podcast on Apple, Spotify and [other podcast platforms](atop3podcast.fireside.fm)! | |||
| 39: Deathloop (with Morgan Remington - Intergalactic Pinecone) | 17 Aug 2022 | 01:54:44 | |
After years of making critically acclaimed games in a genre that doesn't historically sell, Arkane Studios jumped on the roguelike time loop trend with their flashy, stylish Deathloop. It should have been a home run, right? The marriage of Arkane Studios' best-in-class level design and aesthetics with a game concept that would require players to use their tools creatively, lest they need to start over from square one. But was it the harmonious marriage we were waiting for? In this episode, Dave was joined by Morgan Remington, captain of the Intergalactic Pinecone, to discuss. TIMESTAMPS: Check out Morgan and all things Intergalactic Pinecone on Twitch, on YouTube, on Twitter, and on Instagram. [Support Tales from the Backlog on Patreon!](patreon.com/realdavejackson) or buy me a coffee on Ko-fi! Listen to A Top 3 Podcast on Apple, Spotify and [other podcast platforms](atop3podcast.fireside.fm)! | |||
| 38: Vampire Survivors (with Chris Rettig) | 10 Aug 2022 | 01:57:37 | |
Vampire Survivors is a special game. There are no complicated mechanics to learn, no story to keep track of, no lore to uncover, no enemy attack patterns to learn, no crafting systems, and no loot tables, and despite this, we can't stop playing it. It is pure video game, and it is a breath of fresh air in an era where video games keep getting bigger and more complex. Dave is joined by good friend and milk resale extraordinaire Chris Rettig to discuss Vampire Survivors. Please note, as this was in **Early Access* at the time of recording, we are talking about the 0.6-0.7 patch range, though I'm confident that while things will be added on the road to 1.0, it will still be the same game at its core. Check out Groove Coffee Roasters for the best coffee in the Eastern Hemisphere. [Support Tales from the Backlog on Patreon!](patreon.com/realdavejackson) or buy me a coffee on Ko-fi! Listen to A Top 3 Podcast on Apple, Spotify and [other podcast platforms](atop3podcast.fireside.fm)! | |||
| 37: Mega Man X (with Chris Nelson) | 03 Aug 2022 | 02:08:03 | |
Mega Man games have always been a bit of a struggle for me, since I didn't grow up playing the series (or the NES/SNES in general), but Mega Man X is often cited as one of the system's best, and a game that means a lot to a lot of people. So I had to get one of those people to compare our very different histories and experiences. Chris Nelson obliged, and we had a great chat about my experience, which was pretty rocky at times. [Support Tales from the Backlog on Patreon!](patreon.com/realdavejackson) or buy me a coffee on Ko-fi! Listen to A Top 3 Podcast on Apple, Spotify and [other podcast platforms](atop3podcast.fireside.fm)! | |||
| Patreon Announcement | 01 Aug 2022 | 00:05:26 | |
Hello there! Tales from the Backlog is now listener-supported via Patreon! This is a short announcement and explanation of the current support tiers! [Support Tales from the Backlog on Patreon!](patreon.com/realdavejackson) or buy me a coffee on Ko-fi! Listen to A Top 3 Podcast on Apple, Spotify and [other podcast platforms](atop3podcast.fireside.fm)! | |||
| 121: The Last Guardian (with Chris - Franchise Festival) | 19 Jun 2024 | 02:11:48 | |
Fumito Ueda's trilogy of Playstation games- Ico, Shadow of the Colossus and The Last Guardian- are idiosyncratic, minimalist art pieces. The final game in the trilogy, before the unfortunate dissolution of Japan Studio, was The Last Guardian, showcasing the uneasy partnership between an unnamed boy and a large, fearsome beast named Trico. The Last Guardian pushes back on the idea that games need to be responsive and frictionless, instead forcing you to rely on your shaky communication with an animal to progress through the game. Your mileage may vary with how willing you are to put up with this, but for me, this was a beautiful experience that I love with my entire heart. Joining me to discuss The Last Guardian is Chris, one of the hosts of the Franchise Festival podcast. It is a podcast that is well-thought out and worth your time, and you can find it on your favorite podcast app or listen for free on their Patreon page! TIMESTAMPS Music used in the episode is credited to Takeshi Furukawa: Find Dave's appearance on the Retro Spectives podcast on their website! Support Tales from the Backlog on Patreon! or buy me a coffee on Ko-fi! Listen to A Top 3 Podcast on Apple, Spotify and [other podcast platforms](atop3podcast.fireside.fm)! | |||
| Tales from the Backlog V.I.P.- Stray (Preview) | 01 Aug 2022 | 00:13:10 | |
Tales from the Backlog's Patreon campaign has just launched, and I'd like to give people an idea of what kind of bonus content they can expect, so here is a little treat- a preview of a solo episode about Stray. You can hear the full episode, with many more to come, by [supporting the Patreon](patreon.com/realdavejackson) page at the $5 tier or higher. Thanks! [Support Tales from the Backlog on Patreon!](patreon.com/realdavejackson) or buy me a coffee on Ko-fi! Listen to A Top 3 Podcast on Apple, Spotify and [other podcast platforms](atop3podcast.fireside.fm)! | |||
| Elden Ring Bosses Tier List (with Jim Rodeman) | 27 Jul 2022 | 01:53:37 | |
Wrapping up Elden Ring month, as per tradition, Dave is joined by Jim Rodeman to tier-rank the Elden Ring bosses. TOGETHAAAAA we go through all of the bosses labelled as "Great Enemy" and above! Do the tier list yourself HERE and [Support Tales from the Backlog on Patreon!](patreon.com/realdavejackson) or buy me a coffee on Ko-fi! Listen to A Top 3 Podcast on Apple, Spotify and [other podcast platforms](atop3podcast.fireside.fm)! | |||
| Elden Ring for the FromSoftware Newbie (with Aaron Angle and Ryan Arrington) | 20 Jul 2022 | 01:26:47 | |
During the pre-release marketing cycle for Elden Ring, the game's director and FromSoftware president Hidetaka Miyazaki made comments to the effect that "Elden Ring will be the most accessible FromSoftware game to date, and that we think that more people will finish Elden Ring than any of the previous games". Dave is joined by Aaron Angle and Ryan Arrington to discuss one simple question- why is Elden Ring the most approachable FromSoftware game for new players? We also read some listener responses from first-time players! TIMESTAMPS: [Support Tales from the Backlog on Patreon!](patreon.com/realdavejackson) or buy me a coffee on Ko-fi! Listen to A Top 3 Podcast on Apple, Spotify and [other podcast platforms](atop3podcast.fireside.fm)! | |||
| FromSoftware and the Open World (with Your Friendly Neighborhood Gamers) | 13 Jul 2022 | 02:11:03 | |
Elden Ring Month continues! FromSoftware certainly didn't invent the open world, and they didn't really invent any of the open world design decisions that helped make Elden Ring a success. So what makes a good open world? In this Break from the Backlog, Dave is joined by Andrew and Dylan from Your Friendly Neighborhood Gamers to discuss open-world games as a whole, as well as how FromSoftware learned from the best to make Elden Ring. TIMESTAMPS: Check out Your Friendly Neighborhood Gamers on Youtube, your favorite podcast app, and Twitch! Easily found through a simple search, and all links can be found on their website. Highly recommended! [Support Tales from the Backlog on Patreon!](patreon.com/realdavejackson) or buy me a coffee on Ko-fi! Listen to A Top 3 Podcast on Apple, Spotify and [other podcast platforms](atop3podcast.fireside.fm)! | |||
| 36: Elden Ring (with Ryan Juengling- List Off!) | 06 Jul 2022 | 03:22:34 | |
Elden Ring Month has begun on Tales from the Backlog! Up first, Dave is joined by Ryan Juengling from List Off! to discuss FromSoftware's game of the generation candidate, Elden Ring. With the elevator pitch of simply "Open-world Dark Souls" and wild expectations from fans, Elden Ring had a higher bar to clear than many new releases. Did it meet or even exceed expectations, or did it fall short? Listen in to find out! TIMESTAMPS Check out List Off! for more of Ryan (and his awesome co-host Brian) and some great gaming lists and discussions! Find everything List Off! via this link! [Support Tales from the Backlog on Patreon!](patreon.com/realdavejackson) or buy me a coffee on Ko-fi! Listen to A Top 3 Podcast on Apple, Spotify and [other podcast platforms](atop3podcast.fireside.fm)! | |||
| 35: Half-Life 2 (with Jay Davis - Super Bracket Bros) | 29 Jun 2022 | 02:20:09 | |
As someone who didn't grow up playing PC games in general, Half-Life 2 totally evaded me until I started seeing the Half-Life 3 desperation memes. So as I've attempted to get into PC gaming a bit more, or at least go back and play some of the classics, Half-Life 2 was always on the list. And the promise of doing a podcast with Jay Davis (Super Bracket Bros) was all the inspiration I needed to finally fire it up. But did it live up to its huge reputation? Or is this one best left in the nostalgia box? Hit play to find out. TIMESTAMPS: Find Jay and Super Bracket Bros on their website, Instagram and Patreon! [Support Tales from the Backlog on Patreon!](patreon.com/realdavejackson) or buy me a coffee on Ko-fi! Listen to A Top 3 Podcast on Apple, Spotify and [other podcast platforms](atop3podcast.fireside.fm)! | |||
| 34: Yakuza: Like a Dragon (with Rick Firestone - Pixel Project Radio) | 22 Jun 2022 | 02:43:03 | |
Dave is joined by Rick Firestone from Pixel Project Radio to discuss Ryu Ga Gotoku's refresh of the Yakuza franchise. Yakuza: Like a Dragon brings a new protagonist and turn-based combat into the franchise, so tune in to find out how Rick and Dave feel about it. TIMESTAMPS: Find Pixel Project Radio on Twitter, Instagram, Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts! [Support Tales from the Backlog on Patreon!](patreon.com/realdavejackson) or buy me a coffee on Ko-fi! Listen to A Top 3 Podcast on Apple, Spotify and [other podcast platforms](atop3podcast.fireside.fm)! | |||
| 33: Unsighted (with Nave - Gaming Together Podcast) | 15 Jun 2022 | 02:08:56 | |
Dave is joined by Nave from the Gaming Together Podcast to discuss Studio Pixel Punk's inventive action game, Unsighted. Unsighted merges a little bit of Zelda, a little bit of metroidvania, a little bit of Souls and a unique time mechanic- listen in to find out what we thought! *I experienced some recording issues that caused a sound quality drop in this episode- technology is a real pain sometimes! Thanks for understanding! TIMESTAMPS: Find Gaming Together Podcast on Twitter, Apple and Spotify! [Support Tales from the Backlog on Patreon!](patreon.com/realdavejackson) or buy me a coffee on Ko-fi! Listen to A Top 3 Podcast on Apple, Spotify and [other podcast platforms](atop3podcast.fireside.fm)! | |||
| 32: The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask (with Alan Nichols - A Top 3 Podcast) | 08 Jun 2022 | 02:34:58 | |
Dave is joined by Alan Nichols to discuss The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask. What was once little brother to the much more popular Ocarina of Time, Majora's Mask has begun to resonate with many of us who grew up with the N64 during our childhoods. Add in some things that hit a bit closer to home since the pandemic started, and we have a game worth revisiting. But did the gameplay hold up? Listen to find out what we think. *I experienced some technical issues wirh my track recording that affected sound quality. Hope it doesn't hinder your enjoyment of the episode! -Dave TIMESTAMPS: [Support Tales from the Backlog on Patreon!](patreon.com/realdavejackson) or buy me a coffee on Ko-fi! Listen to A Top 3 Podcast on Apple, Spotify and [other podcast platforms](atop3podcast.fireside.fm)! | |||
| 31: Shadow of the Colossus (with Adam Bucceri) | 01 Jun 2022 | 02:46:34 | |
Dave is joined by tabletop RPG developer Adam Bucceri to discuss Shadow of the Colossus. Originally released on the PS2 back in 2005, Shadow of the Colossus stands today as a truly unique experience in gaming, one that has yet to be replicated. Find out what we thought, plus a discussion on the merits of game remakes! TIMESTAMPS: Follow Adam on Twitter and check out ENTER THE SURVIVAL HORROR on his itch.io page, and [Support Tales from the Backlog on Patreon!](patreon.com/realdavejackson) or buy me a coffee on Ko-fi! Listen to A Top 3 Podcast on Apple, Spotify and [other podcast platforms](atop3podcast.fireside.fm)! | |||
| 120: Roadwarden (with Bryan Skursha - Pixelated Playgrounds) | 12 Jun 2024 | 02:14:31 | |
From the first screenshot I saw of Roadwarden (Moral Anxiety Studio), I knew that I needed to check the game out. The art is simple, yet striking, and any screenshot will convey the quality of writing. Once I booted up the game, I found that the choose-your-adventure writing, the confident RPG mechanics and the music wrapped this into a rich total package. Joining me in this episode is returning guest Bryan Skursha of Pixelated Playgrounds podcast. Pixelated Playgrounds is a gaming book club style podcast, similar to Tales from the Backlog. It is worth your time, and you can check them out on your favorite podcast app or by visiting their website! TIMESTAMPS Soundtrack is credited to Nick Roder. You can support them by purchasing the Roadwarden OST on Bandcamp. Music used in this episode: Roadwarden, Pelt of the North, Howler's Dell, Creeks, Heart of the Woods, Foggy Lake, The Spirits, Hovlaven, Roadwarden Reprise Support Tales from the Backlog on Patreon! or buy me a coffee on Ko-fi! Listen to A Top 3 Podcast on Apple, Spotify and [other podcast platforms](atop3podcast.fireside.fm)! | |||
| Dark Souls 3 Bosses Tier List (FULL SPOILERS) (with Jake Anderson) | 25 May 2022 | 01:43:53 | |
(Full spoilers!) Dave is joined by returning guest Jake Anderson to tier-rank the bosses in Dark Souls 3. This is a game with some boss fights that are among the best in the whole series, and some that are straight up Not Fun. Find out where we're ranking bosses like Abyss Watchers, Dancer of the Boreal Valley, Slave Knight Gael and Sister Friede. Make your own Dark Souls 3 bosses tier list here [Support Tales from the Backlog on Patreon!](patreon.com/realdavejackson) or buy me a coffee on Ko-fi! Listen to A Top 3 Podcast on Apple, Spotify and [other podcast platforms](atop3podcast.fireside.fm)! | |||
| 30: Dark Souls 3 (with Adam Rivera) | 18 May 2022 | 02:39:02 | |
Dave is joined once again by Adam Rivera to discuss the finale (for now) in the Dark Souls series. Dark Souls 3 combined the faster gameplay of Bloodborne with the usual Dark Souls gameplay, but was it a happy marriage? And what's going on with all the fan service? Find out how we feel in this episode! *Both Adam and I had some technical issues in this recording that affected the audio quality, but the conversation is worth it, I promise! Sorry! TIMESTAMPS: Follow Adam on Twitter! [Support Tales from the Backlog on Patreon!](patreon.com/realdavejackson) or buy me a coffee on Ko-fi! Listen to A Top 3 Podcast on Apple, Spotify and [other podcast platforms](atop3podcast.fireside.fm)! | |||
| 29: Pokemon Legends: Arceus (with Jared Moss - Play Along Podcast) | 11 May 2022 | 02:27:29 | |
Dave is joined by Jared Moss from Play Along Podcast to discuss Game Freak's 2022 hit, Pokemon Legends: Arceus. Representing a major shakeup to the established Pokemon formula, Legends makes changes to nearly every core mechanic that we've all come to know as "how Pokemon works". Was it really the game that fans have been asking for for decades? Listen in to find out what Dave and Jared thought. TIMESTAMPS: Find everything Play Along Podcast HERE! [Support Tales from the Backlog on Patreon!](patreon.com/realdavejackson) or buy me a coffee on Ko-fi! Listen to A Top 3 Podcast on Apple, Spotify and [other podcast platforms](atop3podcast.fireside.fm)! | |||
| 28: It Takes Two (with Aaron Angle - A Top 3 Podcast) | 04 May 2022 | 02:03:13 | |
Dave is joined by the author of the Book of Love, Aaron Angle, to discuss Hazelight Studio's 2021 Game of the Year winner, It Takes Two. This game has garnered a lot of attention, and Dave and Aaron agree that some parts of the game really deserve all of the accolades. The other parts, on the other hand? Listen in to find out. Timestamps: [Support Tales from the Backlog on Patreon!](patreon.com/realdavejackson) or buy me a coffee on Ko-fi! Listen to A Top 3 Podcast on Apple, Spotify and [other podcast platforms](atop3podcast.fireside.fm)! | |||
| 27: Returnal (with Ryan Delaney) | 27 Apr 2022 | 02:19:02 | |
Dave is joined by Ryan Delaney to talk about Housemarque's 2021 action roguelike hit, Returnal. Returnal brings bullet hell to 3D and adds an intriguing sci-fi story on the roguelike structure. Did this work for us on all fronts? Find out in the episode. *The Returnal: Ascension DLC was announced and release after this episode was recorded. I added a small section at the end about my story theories, but Ryan and I did not discuss it. It's fun though, you should try it! [Support Tales from the Backlog on Patreon!](patreon.com/realdavejackson) or buy me a coffee on Ko-fi! Listen to A Top 3 Podcast on Apple, Spotify and [other podcast platforms](atop3podcast.fireside.fm)! | |||
| 26: Earthbound (with Keith Gasper - The Main Quest) | 20 Apr 2022 | 03:17:52 | |
Dave is joined by Keith from the wonderful The Main Quest podcast to talk about 1994's cult classic JRPG, Earthbound. Find everything Main Quest HERE! [Support Tales from the Backlog on Patreon!](patreon.com/realdavejackson) or buy me a coffee on Ko-fi! Listen to A Top 3 Podcast on Apple, Spotify and [other podcast platforms](atop3podcast.fireside.fm)! | |||
| Bloodborne Bosses Tier List (FULL SPOILERS) (with Andrew & Dylan - Your Friendly Neighborhood Gamers) | 13 Apr 2022 | 02:51:40 | |
Dave is joined by Andrew Kimball and Dylan Wren from Your Friendly Neighborhood Gamers to tier rank the Bloodborne bosses. This episode contains full spoilers for Bloodborne! Find Your Friendly Neighborhood Gamers on your podcast platform of choice, YouTube, Twitch or their website and follow them on Twitter and Instagram. [Support Tales from the Backlog on Patreon!](patreon.com/realdavejackson) or buy me a coffee on Ko-fi! Listen to A Top 3 Podcast on Apple, Spotify and [other podcast platforms](atop3podcast.fireside.fm)! | |||
| 25: Bloodborne (with Moonborne & Jake Anderson) | 06 Apr 2022 | 03:26:06 | |
Dave is joined by Moonborne and Jake Anderson to take on FromSoftware's incredible gothic/Lovecraftian horror classic, Bloodborne. FromSoftware took a big swing with Bloodborne, a game marketed as a werewolf slaying game but with a decidedly cosmic twist. Did that big swing connect? Check out the episode to find out. Follow Moonborne on Twitter and on Youtube! [Support Tales from the Backlog on Patreon!](patreon.com/realdavejackson) or buy me a coffee on Ko-fi! Listen to A Top 3 Podcast on Apple, Spotify and [other podcast platforms](atop3podcast.fireside.fm)! | |||
| 24: Metroid Dread (with Eric Gess - The Unlockables & Sidequesting Podcast) | 30 Mar 2022 | 02:13:56 | |
Dave is joined by the wonderful Eric Gess to discuss Nintendo & MercurySteam's long-awaited entry in the beloved Metroid franchise, Metroid Dread. After a long wait, Metroid Dread released with smooth and snappy controls, upgraded combat, and a new gameplay challenge with the EMMI zones. Listen in to hear what we thought of everything! TIMESTAMPS OF NOTE: Spoiler Wall 1:48:30 For all things Eric and Unlockables, click here! [Support Tales from the Backlog on Patreon!](patreon.com/realdavejackson) or buy me a coffee on Ko-fi! Listen to A Top 3 Podcast on Apple, Spotify and [other podcast platforms](atop3podcast.fireside.fm)! | |||
| 23: Persona 5 (with Aaron Angle and Ryan Arrington) | 23 Mar 2022 | 02:39:39 | |
Dave is joined by Aaron Angle and Ryan Arrington to discuss both Persona 5 and its expansion, Persona 5 Royal, the latest in the long-running series by Atlus. Hailed as a modern JRPG classic, Persona 5 brings addictive life sim mechanics, snappy turn-based combat, stylish visual design and one hell of a soundtrack. Is there anything it can't do? Listen in to find out! TIMESTAMPS: Persona 5 11:52, [Support Tales from the Backlog on Patreon!](patreon.com/realdavejackson) or buy me a coffee on Ko-fi! Listen to A Top 3 Podcast on Apple, Spotify and [other podcast platforms](atop3podcast.fireside.fm)! | |||
| 119: Cyberpunk 2077 + Phantom Liberty (with Adam Gumbert - Respawn Aim Fire) | 05 Jun 2024 | 03:20:46 | |
Cyberpunk 2077 has had quite a journey. From the disastrous launch, the warranted criticism, and years more work by the developers at CD Projekt Red, the game is finally in proper working condition, fine tuned into a magnificent experience. Add in the Phantom Liberty expansion, and you have some of the most compelling storytelling in AAA gaming. Joining me for the discussion is Adam Gumbert of Respawn Aim Fire, a gaming variety show, and Isle of Misfit Rolls, a D&D actual play podcast. You can check out Adam on Respawn Aim Fire and Isle of Misfit Rolls! TIMESTAMPS Music used in the episode is credited to P.T. Adamczyk, Marcin Przybyłowicz and Paul Leonard-Morgan. Tracks used: V (Przybyłowicz), Extraction Action (Leonard-Morgan), Never Looking Back (Adamczyk), Wushu Dolls (Przybylowicz), The Rebel Path (Adamczyk), Never Fade Away (Samurai - Refused), You Shall Never Have to Forgive Me Again (Adamczyk), Scavengers (Adamczyk), I'm a Netrunner (Adamczyk), Been Good to Know Ya (Przybyłowicz), Test of Loyalty (Adamczyk). You can support the artists by purchasing the album on Bandcamp. Check out the King of Games 1996 tournament on Retro Hangover podcast! Support Tales from the Backlog on Patreon! or buy me a coffee on Ko-fi! Listen to A Top 3 Podcast on Apple, Spotify and [other podcast platforms](atop3podcast.fireside.fm)! | |||
| 22: Before Your Eyes (with Brian Edwards - Cane & Rinse) | 16 Mar 2022 | 02:08:02 | |
Dave is joined by Brian Edwards from Cane & Rinse to discuss GoodbyeWorld Games' wonderful experiment with interactivity, Before Your Eyes. TIMESTAMPS: Intro 0:00, Before Your Eyes 10:55, Spoiler Wall and Content Warning, 1:00:41 Find Brian on Twitter, at his blog, and on his Twitch channel. [Support Tales from the Backlog on Patreon!](patreon.com/realdavejackson) or buy me a coffee on Ko-fi! Listen to A Top 3 Podcast on Apple, Spotify and [other podcast platforms](atop3podcast.fireside.fm)! | |||
| 21: King's Field: The Ancient City (with mysticreferee) | 09 Mar 2022 | 02:59:02 | |
Dave is joined by mysticreferee to discuss part of FromSoftware's past, King's Field IV aka King's Field: The Ancient City. For everybody who has jumped on the FromSoftware train in recent years, whether it was back on the PS3 with Demon's Souls or even Elden Ring, here is a game from an older version of FromSoftware, but it still shows a lot of the world building, atmosphere and even early versions of some of the mechanics that we now strongly associate with From. [Support Tales from the Backlog on Patreon!](patreon.com/realdavejackson) or buy me a coffee on Ko-fi! Listen to A Top 3 Podcast on Apple, Spotify and [other podcast platforms](atop3podcast.fireside.fm)! | |||
| We're on Discord! Come join us! | 08 Mar 2022 | 00:01:24 | |
Announcing the Tales from the Backlog and A Top 3 Podcast Discord server! Come join us and chat about the shows and anything else! We have a cool group of people in there already and would love to have you too! [Support Tales from the Backlog on Patreon!](patreon.com/realdavejackson) or buy me a coffee on Ko-fi! Listen to A Top 3 Podcast on Apple, Spotify and [other podcast platforms](atop3podcast.fireside.fm)! | |||
| 20: Blasphemous (with Chris Nelson) | 02 Mar 2022 | 02:07:10 | |
Dave is joined by the ultimate penitent one, Chris Nelson, to discuss The Game Kitchen's 2019 metroidvania, Blasphemous. Blasphemous is much more on the "vania" side of the metroidvania genre, and it brings some truly stellar imagery and pixel art, as well as some simple but fun combat to the table. Find out how we feel in detail in the episode! TIMESTAMPS: Intro 0:00, Blasphemous 8:14, Spoiler Section 1:31:30 [Support Tales from the Backlog on Patreon!](patreon.com/realdavejackson) or buy me a coffee on Ko-fi! Listen to A Top 3 Podcast on Apple, Spotify and [other podcast platforms](atop3podcast.fireside.fm)! | |||