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A good friend of mine likes to say "every game is somebody's favorite game", but I'm always intrigued when some oddball picks enter those conversations, and DoubleFine's Psychonauts is mentioned often enough that I felt like I had to play it someday. And my show patrons (thank you!) made it a point to vote it onto the show, so away we go for a discussion about a fascinating game!

Guest info: Marc aka Try of My Life in Gaming

• Check out My Life in Gaming on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@mylifeingaming
• Check out The Backloggery https://backloggery.com/

TIMESTAMPS

• 0:00 Title Card
• 0:18 Intros
• 4:46 Personal Histories with Psychonauts
• 10:34 Opening Thoughts
• 16:20 Story Setup, Comedic Tone
• 23:48 Visual Aesthetic
• 32:25 Music
• 35:37 Voice Acting
• 40:49 A Fun Story with Odd Pacing
• 55:43 Platforming and Combat
• 1:13:15 Cool But Unintuitive
• 1:27:11 Wrap-Up Thoughts/Recommendations
• 1:33:57 My Life In Gaming/The Backloggery/King of Games
• 1:42:32 SPOILER WALL/Patron Thank-Yous
• 1:44:33 Spoiler Section

Music used in the episode is credited to Peter McConnell. Tracks used: Title and Credits Montage, Whispering Rock Psychic Summer Camp, The Meat Circus, Fighting for the Cause in Lungfishopolis, Agent Cruller's Sacred Hall, The Milkman Conspiracy

Social Media:
BlueSky- https://bsky.app/profile/tftblpod.bsky.social
Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/talesfromthebacklog/

Cover art by Jack Allen- find him at https://linktr.ee/JackAllenCaricatures

Support Tales from the Backlog

Support my work on Patreon- https://patreon.com/realdavejackson
Join the Tales from the Backlog Discord server- https://discord.gg/V3ZHz3vYQR
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Hazelight Studios were already on the map before their Game of the Year winner It Takes Two, but that game was so much fun that everyone, including me, was waiting to see what their next offering would be like. And it turns out, 2025's Split Fiction is very similar- a ton of fun to play, gorgeous graphics, bad story, and great gaming memories made with a friend. Tune in to find out more.

Guest info: Aaron Angle

• Check out A Top 3 Podcast https://atop3podcast.fireside.fm/

TIMESTAMPS

• 0:00 Title Card
• 0:32 Intros
• 4:49 Our Histories with Hazelight and Split Fiction
• 6:46 Opening Thoughts About Split Fiction
• 11:30 Story Setup
• 26:55 Loudly Bad vs Quietly Bad
• 34:10 Gameplay and Difficulty
• 40:17 Changing Up Gameplay
• 47:57 Visuals/Music
• 58:41 Truly a Cooperative Game
• 1:03:46 Recommendations/Closing Thoughts
• 1:10:12 A Top 3 Podcast
• 1:12:51 SPOILER WALL/Patron Thank-Yous
• 1:14:47 Spoiler Section

Music used in the episode is credited to Gustaf Grefberg and Jonatan Järpehag. Tracks used:

• Gravity Bike (Gustaf Grefberg)
• Split Fiction Main Theme (Jonatan Järpehag)
• The Legend of the Sandfish (Gustaf Grefberg)
• The Monkey King (Jonatan Järpehag)
• In Memory of Blake Hudson (Jonatan Järpehag)

Social Media:
BlueSky
Instagram
Cover art by Jack Allen- find him at https://linktr.ee/JackAllenCaricatures

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I didn't hear about Dragon Quest for a very long time, probably an embarrassingly long time, and once I played one, I didn't....get it. It all seemed too plain, too simple, too lacking in complexity, and while a part of me was relieved to suddenly have less "homework" to do as I'm forever catching up on RPGs that I missed, part of me felt an ever-present need to "get it". Yada yada yada, I finally had another reason to try Dragon Quest, starting with Dragon Quest V: Hand of the Heavenly Bride on DS, and folks....I get it now. Tune in to find out how I got there.

Guest info: Chris Coplien of Retro Hangover

• Listen to Retro Hangover https://linktr.ee/retrohangover
• Check out the first of Dragon Quest V's episodes in the King of Games 1992 tournament https://retrohangover.captivate.fm/episode/king-of-games-92-round-1-match-4-sonic-the-hedgehog-2-vs-dragon-quest-v
• Follow on BlueSky https://bsky.app/profile/retrohangover.bsky.social

TIMESTAMPS

• 0:00 Title Card
• 0:42 Intros
• 6:10 Personal Histories with Dragon Quest V
• 12:15 Opening Thoughts
• 14:54 Story Setup/Generational Structure
• 26:19 Overcoming Constraints/Presentation
• 34:26 Story Themes/Cozy Charm
• 45:16 Soundtrack/Influence
• 56:10 Gameplay- Combat/Monster Collecting
• 1:12:05 Final Thoughts/Recommendations
• 1:14:45 Retro Hangover Podcast
• 1:19:23 SPOILER WALL/Patron Thank-You's
• 1:21:15 Spoiler Section- Act 1 and 2
• 2:06:04 Spoiler Section- Act 3 and Closing Thoughts

Music used in the episode is credited to Koichi Sugiyama. Tracks used: Overture, Overworld, Town, Battle, Melody in an Ancient Town, The Ocean, Zenithia, Saint

Social Media:
BlueSky
Instagram
Cover art by Jack Allen- find him at https://linktr.ee/JackAllenCaricatures

Listen to A Top 3 Podcast on Apple, Spotify and [other podcast platforms](atop3podcast.fireside.fm)!

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Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio has risen to the gaming mainstream with its beloved Like a Dragon series, and when a hot streak occurs, a heat check often follows, and there is no bigger heat check than a game where you play through a Hawaiian pirate adventure starring the series' lovable maniac, Goro Majima. So why has Like a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii fallen out of the conversation, even among series diehards? Did the heat check connect, or is it the beginning of a downturn? All that and more in this great conversation.

Guest info: Brian Edwards

• Listen to the Cane and Rinse podcast https://caneandrinse.com/
• Listen to the Character Issues podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-character-issues-podcast/id1530881747
• Follow Brian on BlueSky https://bsky.app/profile/characterissues.bsky.social

TIMESTAMPS

• 0:00 Title Card
• 0:20 Intros
• 5:45 Personal Histories With Yakuza Series
• 9:53 The Yakuza Secret Sauce
• 14:12 Opening Thoughts about Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii
• 20:34 Like a Dragon Series Fatigue?
• 35:15 Story Setup, Majima the Leading Man
• 45:40 Framing Device, Substories, Goofs
• 1:11:18 Pirate Gameplay, Ship Combat
• 1:33:51 Action Combat
• 1:44:59 Mini-Games and Side Activities
• 1:52:36 Closing Thoughts/Recommendations
• 1:57:57 Character Issues, Cane and Rinse
• 2:02:33 Spoiler Wall/Patron Thank-Yous
• 2:04:37 Spoiler Section- Substories
• 2:18:42 Spoiler Section- Main Story and Ending

Music used in the episode:

• Anchors Aweigh (Saori Yoshida)
• Nameless Traveler (Saori Yoshida)
• Palekanian Dance (Yuri Fukuda)
• Mad Dog (Keitarou Hanada)
• Echoes of Hope (Kazuki Takagi)
• Masaru's Love Journey (Mitsuhara Fukuyama)

Check out the King of Games 1999 tournament on Retro Hangover! https://linktr.ee/retrohangover

Social Media:
BlueSky
Instagram
Cover art by Jack Allen- find him at https://linktr.ee/JackAllenCaricatures

Listen to A Top 3 Podcast on Apple, Spotify and [other podcast platforms](atop3podcast.fireside.fm)!

Support Tales from the Backlog

Support my work on Patreon
Join the Tales from the Backlog Discord server!
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Once or twice a year, a game will hook me so strongly that not only can I not stop playing it, I can't stop thinking about it. If it's not the constant pull to get back on the sticks and play, it was the constant pull to think about the story. Sandfall Interactive caught lightning in a bottle with their debut game, and I couldn't wait to have this conversation and share it all with you.

Guest info: Michael Higham

• Read Michael's review of Expedition 33 https://www.ign.com/articles/clair-obscur-expedition-33-review
• Follow Michael on BlueSky https://bsky.app/profile/brazyazn.bsky.social

TIMESTAMPS

• 0:00 Title Card
• 0:42 Intros
• 6:25 Personal Histories with Expedition 33
• 9:31 Opening Thoughts about Expedition 33
• 13:12 Story Setup/Worldbuilding/A Strong Story Hook
• 24:15 Cast of Characters
• 31:29 Overview of Themes
• 39:55 Comic Relief in a Bleak Story
• 45:15 Music/Presentation
• 1:03:02 Combat- Dodging and Parrying, Difficulty
• 1:14:57 Combat- Offense and Character Building
• 1:28:28 Closing Thoughts/Recommendations
• 1:36:28 Michael's Work at IGN
• 1:39:37 SPOILER WALL/Patron Thank-You's
• 1:41:20 Spoiler Section- What's Happening?
• 2:07:28 Spoiler Section- Endings and Interpretations
• 2:39:13 Spoiler Section- Optional Bosses, More Thoughts, "For Those Who Come After"

Music used in the episode:

• Alicia (Lorien Testard, Alice Duport-Percier)
• Lumière (Lorien Testard, Alice Duport-Percier)
• Gustave (Lorien Testard)
• World Map- In Lumière's Name (Lorien Testard)
• Une vie à t'aimer (Lorien Testard, Alice Duport-Percier, Victor Borba)
• Our Painted Family (Lorien Testard)
• We Lost (Lorien Testard, Alice Duport-Percier, Victor Borba)
• Verso (Music Box) (Lorien Testard)
• Is It a Gestral or a Volleyball? (Lorien Testard)

You can purchase the soundtrack here: https://lacedrecords.bandcamp.com/album/clair-obscur-expedition-33-original-soundtrack

Social Media:
BlueSky
Instagram
Cover art by Jack Allen- find him at https://linktr.ee/JackAllenCaricatures

Listen to A Top 3 Podcast on Apple, Spotify and [other podcast platforms](atop3podcast.fireside.fm)!

Support Tales from the Backlog

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Two podcasters entered the room on a collision course, one with a backlog the size of a mobster's rap sheet, the other with one foot in the past. There was only one way out of this mess- one podcast to end them all. The subject was an old friend, if you consider a man out of options a friend. A man with a thirst for revenge that nothing could quench- Max Payne.

Guest info: Nomad (The Retro Wildlands)

• Listen to The Retro Wildlands https://linktr.ee/retrowildlands
• Check out the Superpod Network https://superpodnetwork.com/
• Follow Nomad on BlueSky https://bsky.app/profile/retrowildlands.bsky.social

TIMESTAMPS

• 0:00 Title Card
• 0:32 Intros
• 5:24 Our Histories with Remedy and Max Payne
• 10:36 Opening Thoughts About Max Payne
• 16:00 Story Setup/Revenge Themes
• 23:00 Neo-Noir Storytelling and Presentation
• 32:25 Remake Talk
• 34:25 Music
• 38:22 Combat
• 52:02 Other Gameplay
• 1:00:23 Closing Thoughts/Recommendations
• 1:08:13 The Retro Wildlands Plugs
• 1:15:11 SPOILER WALL/Patron Thank-Yous
• 1:16:35 Spoiler Section- Plot Twists and Mysteries
• 1:25:18 Spoiler Section- Revenge and Vigilantism

Music used in the episode is credited to Kärtsy Hatakka and Kimmo Kajasto. Tracks used: Max Payne Theme, Graphic Novel, Whack Him, Mr. Big, Max Payne Theme (Short Version)

Join the Tales from the Backlog Discord server!
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Social Media:
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Instagram
Cover art by Jack Allen- find him at https://linktr.ee/JackAllenCaricatures

Listen to A Top 3 Podcast on Apple, Spotify and [other podcast platforms](atop3podcast.fireside.fm)!

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As a lifelong Indiana Jones agnostic, there was no way that MachineGames would make an Indiana Jones game I would care about, right? Right? Well, it certainly looked that way when the first gameplay trailer for Indiana Jones and the Great Circle dropped. But then I started hearing my activation phrases start to bounce around- "this is like Hitman", "this is like Dishonored", so I knew I had to give it a try. And boy am I glad that I did!

Guest info: Dan of The Greatest Story Ever Played

• Check out the podcast https://linktr.ee/thegreateststoryeverplayed
• Follow Dan on BlueSky https://bsky.app/profile/storyeverpod.bsky.social

TIMESTAMPS

• 0:00 Title Card
• 0:36 Intros
• 3:33 Personal Histories with Indiana Jones and The Great Circle
• 7:55 Opening Thoughts
• 11:33 Story Setup and Troy Baker as Indiana Jones
• 16:35 A Great Villain and Supporting Cast
• 24:54 Music and Visual Presentation
• 34:36 Combat and Stealth
• 48:28 Side Quests, Exploration and Level Design
• 1:04:19 Final Thoughts/Recommendations
• 1:08:24 The Greatest Story Ever Played Plugs
• 1:13:07 SPOILER WALL/Patron Thank-Yous
• 1:14:46 Spoiler Section

Music used in the episode is credited to Gordy Haab. Tracks used: The Great Circle, A New Adventure Awaits, Where Are We, Gina's Theme, Signs of the Stones, Until the Next Adventure

Join the Tales from the Backlog Discord server!
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Social Media:
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Instagram
Cover art by Jack Allen- find him at https://linktr.ee/JackAllenCaricatures

Listen to A Top 3 Podcast on Apple, Spotify and [other podcast platforms](atop3podcast.fireside.fm)!

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Strange Scaffold is a rare game studio that gets as much, or maybe even more, positive attention for their workplace ethos and number of releases per year as they do for their games themselves. I found myself in that same position, with great respect for their process, but no experience with the games themselves....until now! El Paso, Elsewhere is an emotional take on neo-noir, vampire stories, Max Payne and boomer shooters, and it works really well!

Guest info: Jacob McCourt and Luke Lewis

• Check out their shared podcast Crossplay Conversations https://www.youtube.com/@crossplayconvos
• Check out Lukewarm Games https://www.lukewarmgames.com/
• Follow Luke on BlueSky https://bsky.app/profile/lukewarmlewis.bsky.social
• Check out Left Behind Game Club https://leftbehindgame.club/
• Check out Jacob's written reviews on The Gaming Brief https://thegamingbrief.ca/
• Follow Jacob on BlueSky https://bsky.app/profile/jacob.bsky.social

TIMESTAMPS

• 0:00 Title Card
• 0:22 Intros
• 4:20 Personal Histories with Strange Scaffold/El Paso, Elsewhere
• 10:43 Top-Level Thoughts on El Paso, Elsewhere
• 15:10 Story Setup
• 20:49 Presentation and Storytelling
• 27:02 Music
• 34:39 Shooting and Bullet Time
• 48:57 Gameplay Pacing
• 55:03 Closing Thoughts/Recommendations
• 1:01:27 Jacob and Luke Plug Their Stuff!
• 1:11:31 SPOILER WALL/Patron Thank-Yous
• 1:13:45 Spoilers- Janet, Draculae and James
• 1:33:06 Spoilers- Addiction, Being a Good Person, Endings

Music used in the episode is credited to R.J. Lake and LAKE SAVAGE. Tracks used: a forty-six story motel, GONNA CUT, GHOSTIN' THE MAINFRAME, audio demon, almost exactly the same, next time on elpasoball z.

• Buy the score- https://spellmynamewithabang.bandcamp.com/album/el-paso-elsewhere-part-one-the-score
• Buy the rap album- https://spellmynamewithabang.bandcamp.com/album/el-paso-elsewhere-part-two-the-album

Join the Tales from the Backlog Discord server!
Buy me a coffee on Ko-fi!
Social Media:
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Cover art by Jack Allen- find him at https://linktr.ee/JackAllenCaricatures

Listen to A Top 3 Podcast on Apple, Spotify and [other podcast platforms](atop3podcast.fireside.fm)!

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I was admittedly very late to the King's Field and Shadow Tower bandwagons, energized by my love for FromSoftware's modern titles and a desire to dig into their history some more. However, I didn't anticipate loving those games so much that I wanted more like them, and that's where Kira LLC's Lunacid (2023) entered the fray. Lunacid is a fantastic game, leaning more on the exploration and vibes of those FromSoftware dungeon crawlers than the opaque RPG mechanics, capturing the spirit in a modern way. A true indie success- listen in to find out why.

Guest info: Dave Cox of Monster Dear Monster

• Check out Monster Dear Monster podcast https://www.monsterdear.monster/
• Follow Dave on BlueSky https://bsky.app/profile/senplus.bsky.social

TIMESTAMPS

• 0:00 Title Card
• 0:27 Intros/Personal Histories/Opening Thoughts
• 11:53 Story/World Setup
• 28:51 PS2-era Presentation/Controls
• 40:53 Soundtrack
• 47:52 Gameplay/RPG Mechanics
• 1:09:07 World Design/Exploration
• 1:13:53 "Breaking the Level Design"
• 1:29:49 Closing Thoughts/Recommendations/Guest Plugs
• 1:38:57 SPOILER WALL/Patron Thank-Yous
• 1:41:13 Spoiler Section- Discoveries and Easter Eggs
• 2:04:22 Spoiler Section- Story and Ending

Music used in the episode is credited to Kira LLC. Tracks used:

• River of Death (Akuma Kira)
• The Great Well (Jarren Crist)
• Washed Away (Akuma Kira)
• Falling To My Death (Jarren Crist)
• Serence (Jarren Crist)
• The World and You (Akuma Kira)
• Serence (Reprise) (Jarren Crist)
• Purchase the soundtrack- https://store.steampowered.com/app/2692630/Lunacid_Original_Soundtrack/

Join the Tales from the Backlog Discord server!
Buy me a coffee on Ko-fi!
Social Media:
BlueSky
Instagram
Cover art by Jack Allen- find him at https://linktr.ee/JackAllenCaricatures

Listen to A Top 3 Podcast on Apple, Spotify and [other podcast platforms](atop3podcast.fireside.fm)!

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Some games just grab your attention from the first trailer, and South of Midnight is one of those games. A breathtaking art style and a gothic Southern fantasy setting? South of Midnight jumped straight to the top of my to-play list, and it did not disappoint.

Guest info: Kate Sánchez of But Why Tho?

• Check out all of the writing and reporting on But Why Tho? https://butwhytho.net/
• Check out Kate's article on the folklore inspirations in South of Midnight https://butwhytho.net/2025/04/south-of-midnight-real-southern-folklore/
• Follow Kate on BlueSky https://bsky.app/profile/ohmymithrandir.bsky.social

TIMESTAMPS

• 0:00 Title Card
• 0:30 Intros/Personal Histories/Opening Thoughts
• 13:54 Story Setup/Folklore/Southern Gothic Storytelling
• 46:37 Presentation- Visuals/Music
• 1:01:46 Gameplay/Combat
• 1:21:49 Recommendations/Guest Plugs
• 1:30:37 SPOILER WALL/Patron Thank-Yous
• 1:32:26 Spoiler Section

Music used in the episode is credited to Olivier Deriviere. You can purchase the soundtrack here. Tracks Used: Hazel's Story, The Storm, The Floods, Two-Toed Tom (Boss Fight), The Full Story, The Story Ends

Join the Tales from the Backlog Discord server!
Buy me a coffee on Ko-fi!
Social Media:
BlueSky
Instagram
Cover art by Jack Allen- find him at https://linktr.ee/JackAllenCaricatures

Listen to A Top 3 Podcast on Apple, Spotify and [other podcast platforms](atop3podcast.fireside.fm)!

Support Tales from the Backlog

Support my work on Patreon- https://patreon.com/realdavejackson

Persona games are a tough sell for a guy who does a weekly podcast like this, so thank you to my wonderful patrons for voting Persona 4 Golden onto the show. While it has all of the pacing issues that you would expect an 80 hour game to have, I thought this is, in some ways, the best of the Persona 4/5/Metaphor trio that I've played in the last five years. Tune in to the episode to find out why.

Guest Info: Flora Merigold

• Find her writing at Epilogue Gaming https://epiloguegaming.com/flora-merigold/
• Hear her on Left Behind Game Club https://leftbehindgame.club/
• Follow her on BlueSky https://bsky.app/profile/floramerigold.bsky.social

TIMESTAMPS

• 0:00 Title Card
• 0:22 Intros
• 4:40 Personal Histories with Persona and Persona 4
• 8:07 Opening Thoughts about Persona 4 Golden
• 16:05 Murder Mystery Story Setup
• 21:55 Characters and Problematic Representation(?)
• 37:13 Story Themes and PSA for New Players
• 49:03 Visuals
• 57:12 Music
• 1:05:42 Dungeon Crawling and Combat
• 1:28:03 Life-Sim Gameplay
• 1:44:52 Closing Thoughts/Recommendations/Plugs
• 1:55:14 SPOILER WALL/Patron Thank-Yous
• 1:56:49 Spoilers- Kanji, Naoto and Representation
• 2:37:34 Spoilers- Teddie and Rise and More

Music used in the episode is credited to Shoji Meguro. Tracks used: Glimpse of a Memory, Signs of Love, Like a Dream Come True, Heartbreak, Heartbeat, Reach Out to the Truth (First Battle), Sauna, Studio Backlot, Junes Theme, Your Affection, Results

Buy me a coffee on Ko-fi!
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Social Media:
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Cover art by Jack Allen- find him at https://www.instagram.com/jackallencaricatures/ and his other pages

Support Tales from the Backlog

What if Resident Evil 1 was just puzzles? What if it was also about eccentric artists and how they view their art and the creative process vs how their work is perceived? Lorelei and the Laser Eyes (Simogo, 2024) is that game! Tune in to find out how we felt about it!

Guest Info: Jesse Guarascia

• Find Jesse's work on Noclip's YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@NoclipDocs
• Support Noclip on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/cw/noclip
• Check out Blowback https://blowback.show/
• Follow on BlueSky https://bsky.app/profile/jesseguarascia.com

TIMESTAMPS

• 0:00 Title Card
• 0:35 Intros/Personal Histories/Opening Thoughts
• 15:10 Story Setup/Story Themes
• 34:40 Puzzles
• 51:23 Presentation
• 1:09:11 Closing Thoughts/Recommendations/Guest Plugs
• 1:18:49 SPOILER WALL/Patron Thank-Yous
• 1:21:12 Spoiler Section

Music used in the episode is credited to Linea Olsson, Daniel Olsén and Jonathan Eng. You can purchase the soundtrack here. Tracks used:

• Titles (Linea Olsson, Daniel Olsén)
• Art (Linea Olsson, Daniel Olsén)
• Mind Game (Linea Olsson, Daniel Olsén)
• Quiz Club (Daniel Olsén)
• The Black Arts Coffee Club (Linea Olsson, Daniel Olsén, Jonathan Eng)
• Interrogation (Daniel Olsén, Jonathan Eng)
• The Last Dream (Linea Olsson, Daniel Olsén)
• How It Ends (Linea Olsson, Daniel Olsén)

Support Tales from the Backlog on Patreon! or buy me a coffee on Ko-fi!
Join the Tales from the Backlog Discord server!
Social Media:
BlueSky
Instagram
Twitter
Facebook
Cover art by Jack Allen- find him at https://www.instagram.com/jackallencaricatures/ and his other pages

Listen to A Top 3 Podcast on Apple, Spotify and [other podcast platforms](atop3podcast.fireside.fm)!

Support Tales from the Backlog

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I can hear it now- "Another Ace Combat game? Didn't Dave just do one?" and the answer to those questions is "You bet your ass I'm doing another one, I'm IN IT NOW"....ahem, Ace Combat rules, and Ace Combat 7 (Bandai Namco, 2019) is the most Ace Combat that Ace Combat has ever been. Join us as we give it the deep dive!

Guest info: Derek Van Dyke

• Follow on BlueSky https://bsky.app/profile/derekvandyke.bsky.social
• Check out Derek's past work on SDGC https://officialsdgc.com/
• Check out Castle Bravo for all of your Godzilla needs https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/castle-bravo-a-godzillaverse-retrospective/id1591745386

TIMESTAMPS

• 0:00 Title Card
• 0:31 Introductions/Personal Histories/Opening Thoughts
• 14:37 Story Setup
• 34:04 Music/Visual Presentation
• 45:25 Gameplay
• 1:01:04 Closing Thoughts/Recommendations/Guest Plugs
• 1:11:23 SPOILER WALL/Patron Thank-You's
• 1:13:53 Spoiler Section

Music used in the episode is primarily credited to Keiki Kobayashi. Tracks used: Daredevil, Sol Squadron, Yinshi Valley, Archange, Skies Unknown, Hush

Support Tales from the Backlog on Patreon! or buy me a coffee on Ko-fi!
Join the Tales from the Backlog Discord server!
Social Media:
BlueSky
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Cover art by Jack Allen- find him at https://www.instagram.com/jackallencaricatures/ and his other pages

Support Tales from the Backlog

Support my work on Patreon- https://www.patreon.com/realdavejackson

PAX East 2025 show floor was dominated by indie games, and here are all 17 of the indie games that I had a chance to play! Thank you to the folks at PAX for allowing me to cover the convention!

TIMESTAMPS

• 0:00 Intro
• 0:47 Tanuki: Pon's Summer https://store.steampowered.com/app/3218570/TANUKI_Pons_Summer/
• 2:39 Airframe Ultra https://store.steampowered.com/app/2522120/Airframe_Ultra/
• 4:18 Ultimate Sheep Raccoon https://store.steampowered.com/app/2923350/Ultimate_Sheep_Raccoon/
• 6:04 Mycopunk https://store.steampowered.com/app/3247750/Mycopunk/
• 7:39 BOTSU https://store.steampowered.com/app/885160/BOTSU/
• 9:20 GIGASWORD https://store.steampowered.com/app/1885930/GIGASWORD/
• 11:07 Altered Alma https://store.steampowered.com/app/2190700/Altered_Alma/
• 12:41 Constance https://store.steampowered.com/app/2313700/Constance/
• 13:54 The Berlin Apartment https://store.steampowered.com/app/2280430/The_Berlin_Apartment/
• 15:47 Compensation Not Guaranteed https://store.steampowered.com/app/2795590/Compensation_Not_Guaranteed/
• 18:10 Undusted: Letters from the Past https://store.steampowered.com/app/2891020/Undusted_Letters_from_the_Past/
• 19:49 Fresh Tracks https://store.steampowered.com/app/3202950/Fresh_Tracks/
• 22:17 Nocturne https://store.steampowered.com/app/1374860/Nocturne/
• 24:13 Fretless: The Wrath of Riffson https://store.steampowered.com/app/2429050/FretlessThe_Wrath_of_Riffson/
• 25:45 The Lacerator https://store.steampowered.com/app/2339330/The_Lacerator/
• 27:30 Demonschool https://store.steampowered.com/app/1900250/Demonschool/
• 29:39 Love Eternal https://store.steampowered.com/app/3010610/LOVE_ETERNAL/
• 31:13 Video Game Trivia, Six One Indie Showcase and Thank You**

Check out Jacob Mccourt https://www.youtube.com/@JacobMcCourt for the Video Game Trivia show I was in, and follow Six One Indie https://www.youtube.com/@SixOneIndie for more indie game announcements on May 22nd!

Intro/outro music composed by Bert Cole- https://www.bitbybitsound.com

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Cover art by Jack Allen- find him at https://www.instagram.com/jackallencaricatures/ and his other pages

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Support my work on Patreon https://patreon.com/realdavejackson

Is it really the most innovative shooter I've played in years? SUPERHOT Team struck gold with this idea, did just enough with it, and got out before things got stale. Now that's what I call SUPER. HOT.

Guest info: Emily Merritt aka aspecificegg

• Check out No Small Games https://nosmallgames.com/
• Follow No Small Games on BlueSky https://bsky.app/profile/nosmallgames.bsky.social
• Catch Emily on Twitch https://www.twitch.tv/aspecificegg
• Follow Emily on BlueSky https://bsky.app/profile/aspecificegg.bsky.social

TIMESTAMPS

• 0:00 Title Card
• 0:14 Intros/Personal Histories/Opening Thoughts
• 11:07 Story Setup/Presentation
• 26:35 Gameplay
• 52:58 Closing Thoughts/Recommendations/Guest Plugs
• 1:01:30 SPOILER WALL/Patron Thank-Yous
• 1:02:55 Spoiler Section

Music used in the episode: SUPER. HOT. by SUPERHOT Team

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Social Media:
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Instagram
Twitter
Facebook
Cover art by Jack Allen- find him at https://www.instagram.com/jackallencaricatures/ and his other pages

Listen to A Top 3 Podcast on Apple, Spotify and [other podcast platforms](atop3podcast.fireside.fm)!

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Review code provided by Capcom. Thank you!

Monster Hunter has been around for a long time, but has only recently fully broken into the mainstream. And with mainstream success comes grumbling from longtime fans. Is the game actually too streamlined? Does quality of life take away from quality of game? And what about the new focus on the story? All that and more in this lengthy discussion.

Guest info: Brad Gallaway

• Check out written game reviews on GameCritics https://gamecritics.com/
• Listen to So...Videogames! https://gamecritics.com/category/podcasts/so-videogames/
• Follow Brad on BlueSky https://bsky.app/profile/bradgallaway.bsky.social

TIMESTAMPS

• 0:00 Title Card
• 0:28 Intros/Personal Histories/Opening Thoughts
• 15:11 New Player Experience/Fight Prep
• 35:04 Monster Fights/Upgrades and Gear
• 1:04:32 Story/Presentation
• 1:24:12 Closing Thoughts/Recommendations/Guest Plugs
• 1:33:10 SPOILER WALL/Patron Thank-Yous
• 1:35:23 Spoiler Section

Music used in the episode is credited to Miwako Chinone. Tracks used:

• Main Title Theme
• Proof of a Hero (Wilds Version)
• Nu Udra Battle Theme
• Mizutsune Battle Theme
• Rey Dau Battle Theme
• Suja Village Daytime
• Zoh Shia Battle Theme Phase 1- Arrant Calamity
• Quest Clear Theme

Check out Dave on Pixel Project Radio giving first impressions on Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 https://open.spotify.com/episode/2EYHKnevmhrHHa5kTMCOLb
Check out Dave on Your Friendly Neighborhood Gamers talking about Monster Hunter Wilds (May 5th) https://www.fngamers.com/

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Buy me a coffee on Ko-fi!
Social Media:
BlueSky
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Cover art by Jack Allen- find him at https://linktr.ee/JackAllenCaricatures

Listen to A Top 3 Podcast on Apple, Spotify and [other podcast platforms](atop3podcast.fireside.fm)!

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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 displaying all of the rough edges and brilliant ideas for all to see. It made for a great discussion on the podcast!

Guest info: Aidan Moher

• Check out Aidan's new podcast FunFactor https://funfactorpod.com/
• Find Aidan's writing on Astrolabe https://astrolabe.aidanmoher.com/
• Find Aidan's book Fight, Magic, Items https://fightmagicitems.rocks/
• Look forward to Aidan's next book about Suikoden 1 and 2 https://astrolabe.aidanmoher.com/suikoden-1-2-history-boss-fight-books-2026/
• Follow on BlueSky https://bsky.app/profile/aidanis.fun

TIMESTAMPS

• 0:00 Title Card
• 0:38 Intros/Personal Histories/Opening Thoughts
• 14:58 Story Setup/Themes/Localization
• 42:35 Presentation
• 1:03:32 Combat/Equipment
• 1:36:21 Closing Thoughts/Recommendations/Plugs
• 1:45:45 SPOILER WALL/Patron Thank-Yous
• 1:47:38 Spoiler Section

Music used in the episode is credited to Hitoshi Sakimoto. Tracks used: Opening Movie, Greyland Event Climax, Snowfly Forest, Dullahan, Minotauros, Remembrance, Dawn of Lea Monde, Fanfare

Support Tales from the Backlog on Patreon! or buy me a coffee on Ko-fi!
Join the Tales from the Backlog Discord server!
Social Media:
BlueSky
Instagram
Cover art by Jack Allen- find him at https://www.instagram.com/jackallencaricatures/ and his other pages

Listen to A Top 3 Podcast on Apple, Spotify and [other podcast platforms](atop3podcast.fireside.fm)!

Support Tales from the Backlog

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 different puzzle mechanics? How did we find a rare AAA attempt at indigenous representation? Listen in and find out!

Guest info: Asa GreenRiver

• BlueSky https://bsky.app/profile/agreenriver.bsky.social
• TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@agreenriver07
• YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@borderlineentertainment
• Twitch https://www.twitch.tv/BorderlineEntertainment

TIMESTAMPS

• 0:00 Title Card
• 0:25 Intros/Personal Histories/Opening Thoughts
• 12:07 Story Setup/Indigenous Representation/Presentation
• 37:43 FPS Gameplay/Puzzles
• 1:04:10 Closing Thoughts/Recommendations/Housekeeping
• 1:15:58 SPOILER WALL/Patron Thank-Yous
• 1:17:58 Spoiler Section

Music used in the episode is credit to Jeremy and Julian Soule. Tracks used: Prey Overture, Aniwyah Calling, Desperate Measures, Upside Down, The Land of the Ancients

Check out Dave on Retro Hangover discussing Psychonauts! https://retrohangover.captivate.fm/episode/psychonauts-milk-mans-delicious-milk-ft-dave-jackson

Support Tales from the Backlog on Patreon! or buy me a coffee on Ko-fi!
Join the Tales from the Backlog Discord server!
Social Media:
BlueSky
Instagram
Cover art by Jack Allen- find him at https://www.instagram.com/jackallencaricatures/ and his other pages

Listen to A Top 3 Podcast on Apple, Spotify and [other podcast platforms](atop3podcast.fireside.fm)!

Support Tales from the Backlog

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 of subversion that we expected, but it is most definitely not just a cozy game about making tea. This is a longer episode, because there is just that much to discuss. Grab a mug and enjoy!

Guest Info: Matt Storm aka Stormageddon and CGDannyB

• Listen to Matt's podcasts: "Fun" and Games- https://www.certainpov.com/fun-and-games and Reignite- https://www.certainpov.com/reignite
• Find Matt on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/djstormageddon.com
• Find Danny's streams, Playlog Podcast, YouTube channel and more- https://solo.to/cgdannyb

TIMESTAMPS

• 0:00 Title Card
• 0:36 Intros/Personal Histories/Opening Thoughts
• 16:13 Story Setup/Themes Overview
• 38:36 Gameplay and Story, Presentation
• 1:16:24 Recommendations/Guest Plugs
• 1:32:00 Spoiler Wall/Patron Thank-Yous
• 1:33:44 Spoiler Section

Music used in the episode is credited to C418. You can purchase the soundtrack here- https://c418.bandcamp.com/album/wanderstop-fm. Tracks used: Introduction, The Fighter, Unknowable, Broom, Wanderstop pt. 1, Boredom, Trust, Farewell

Support Tales from the Backlog on Patreon! or buy me a coffee on Ko-fi!
Join the Tales from the Backlog Discord server!
Social Media:
BlueSky
Instagram
Twitter
Facebook
Cover art by Jack Allen- find him at https://www.instagram.com/jackallencaricatures/ and his other pages

Listen to A Top 3 Podcast on Apple, Spotify and [other podcast platforms](atop3podcast.fireside.fm)!

Support Tales from the Backlog

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, in 2025, after Elden Ring is (maybe) finished, it was time to revisit Sifu. And boy...it was worth the wait.

Guest Info: Ryan Juengling of List Off

• Listen to their show, including an episode with Dave! https://listoff.buzzsprout.com/
• Follow on BlueSky https://bsky.app/profile/listoffpodcast.bsky.social

TIMESTAMPS
0:00 Title Card
0:22 Intros/Personal Histories/Opening Thoughts
9:46 Story Setup/Presentation
29:30 Combat
52:05 Roguelike Structure/Route Planning
1:06:56 SPOILER WALL/Patron Thank You's
1:09:23 Spoiler Section

Music used in the episode is credited to Howie Lee. Tracks used:

• Martial Mastery
• Twin Villains
• Crash the Dancefloor
• Enter the Gang Turf
• The Wuguan
• Fearless

Check out Dave's appearance on the new Gamerheads Podcast game show, The 1Up Showdown: https://youtu.be/mkr8lo3iSCg?si=Jrp8lv0bNlIUFlBH

Support Tales from the Backlog on Patreon! or buy me a coffee on Ko-fi!
Join the Tales from the Backlog Discord server!

Social Media:
BlueSky
Instagram
Cover art by Jack Allen- find him at https://www.instagram.com/jackallencaricatures/ and his other pages

Support Tales from the Backlog