Episodes

  • 194: The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (with Michael Berger - Bits of Time)

    194: The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (with Michael Berger - Bits of Time)
    Dec 3 2025
    Support my work on Patreon- https://patreon.com/realdavejackson Join the Tales from the Backlog Discord server- https://discord.gg/kAqSBb6jH2 Buy me a coffee on Ko-fi- https://ko-fi.com/realdavejackson What could Nintendo possibly do to follow up the game that "saved gaming" for me? Well, they simply iterated on and evolved everything about Breath of the Wild to make one of the most creativity and freedom-focused games ever. It's simple, really- why don't more people think of this? Sarcasm aside, Tears of the Kingdom is an absolute wonder, and we're lucky to have it. Hope you enjoy the discussion! Guest info: Michael Berger (he/him) * Check out Bits of Time on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@bitsoftimemedia * Check out the Bits of Time podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bits-of-time/id1616941089 * Check out everything else Michael is doing https://campsite.bio/matterofmichael TIMESTAMPS * 0:00 Title Card * 0:21 Introductions * 5:35 Our Histories with Zelda and Tears of the Kingdom * 8:49 Opening Thoughts About Tears of the Kingdom * 16:39 Story Setup * 20:26 Storytelling and Nonlinear Design * 25:34 Emergent Story and the Adventure * 29:52 Link's New Toys * 48:58 Emergent Gameplay and the Magic of Scrounging * 57:18 Dungeons and Boss Fights * 1:03:15 Enemy and Boss Variety * 1:08:07 The Depths and Exploration * 1:16:33 Art Design and Music * 1:23:20 Final Thoughts and Recommendations * 1:31:31 Bits of Time * 1:36:11 Spoiler Wall and Patron Thank-Yous * 1:38:25 Spoiler Section- Favorite Temples and Backstory * 2:03:11 Final Boss and Ending Music used in the episode is credited to Hajime Wakai, Manaka Kataoka, Maasa Miyoshi, Masato Ohashi and Tsukasa Usui. Tracks used: Title, Hyrule Castle - Upheaval, Shrine Battle, Seized Construct Battle, Skydive, Lookout Landing, Ganondorf's Theme, Final Dive 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
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    2 hrs and 28 mins
  • 193: Asura's Wrath (with Nick & Will - Friday Night Gamecast)

    193: Asura's Wrath (with Nick & Will - Friday Night Gamecast)
    Nov 26 2025
    Support my work on Patreon- https://patreon.com/realdavejackson Join the Tales from the Backlog Discord server- https://discord.gg/kAqSBb6jH2 Buy me a coffee on Ko-fi- https://ko-fi.com/realdavejackson Some games just stand out from the pack, and with its episodic anime structure, QTE-heavy cutscenes and South Asian religious inspirations, there is nothing quite like Asura's Wrath (CyberConnect2, Capcom, 2012). A quintessential flawed game that everyone should try, Asura's Wrath overcomes its bad combat and dated approach to player engagement by just simply being cooler and more hype than basically every other game. Listen in to find out more! Guest info: Nick (he/him) and Will (he/him) of Friday Night Gamecast * Check out Friday Night Gamecast https://fridaynightgamecast.buzzsprout.com/ * Follow on BlueSky https://bsky.app/profile/fngcpod.bsky.social * Follow on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/fridaynightgamecast/ TIMESTAMPS * 0:00 Title Card * 0:27 Introductions * 5:17 Our Histories with Asura's Wrath * 11:16 Top-Level Thoughts * 19:44 Story Setup and Worldbuilding * 28:47 Episodic Anime Structure * 37:03 Presentation and Spectacle * 43:48 More QTEs Than You Can Shake a Stick At * 51:33 Action Gameplay * 1:14:00 Closing Thoughts and Recommendations * 1:17:26 Friday Night Gamecast * 1:20:28 Spoiler Wall & Patron Thank-Yous * 1:22:32 Spoiler Section- Hype Moments, The Gohma and the Demigods * 1:46:55 Spoiler Section- Asura's Revenge & Epilogue Music used in the episode is credited to Chikayo Fukuda. Tracks used: Main Theme, Furious, Orphan Wolf Legend - Fang, One Who Spins Ideas, Option, Asura's Wrath, In Your Belief, Trembling Belief Catch Dave on Geeks & Grounds all of November and December for a deep dive into Final Fantasy X: https://www.geeksandgrounds.com/ 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
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    2 hrs and 13 mins
  • 192: Heaven's Vault (with Rebekah Valentine)

    192: Heaven's Vault (with Rebekah Valentine)
    Nov 19 2025
    Support my work on Patreon- https://patreon.com/realdavejackson Join the Tales from the Backlog Discord server- https://discord.gg/kAqSBb6jH2 Buy me a coffee on Ko-fi- https://ko-fi.com/realdavejackson Ever have one of those games that sits in your library, untouched for years, until something finally gives you the push to play it...and you end up kicking yourself for waiting so long? That's Heaven's Vault, and without our community Backlog Resolutions challenge, I would have missed out on one of the coolest games I think I've ever played. Listen in to find out why! Guest info: Rebekah Valentine (she/her) * Read Reb's work on IGN https://www.ign.com/person/duckvalentine * Follow on BlueSky https://bsky.app/profile/duckvalentine.bsky.social * Check out Nintendo Voice Chat https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/nintendo-voice-chat/id276268457 TIMESTAMPS * 0:00 Title Card * 0:22 Intros * 5:05 Our Histories with Heaven's Vault and Language Learning * 9:43 Opening Thoughts * 14:30 Story Setup and Reactive Storytelling * 29:37 Aliyah and Six * 35:52 Language Learning * 50:22 Visuals and Music * 55:40 Closing Thoughts and Recommendations * 58:13 Reb's Work at IGN * 1:01:34 Spoiler Wall and Patron Thank-Yous * 1:03:35 Spoiler Section- What Happened in Our Playthroughs? * 1:35:53 Spoiler Section- Language Discoveries * 1:44:40 Spoiler Section- The Wildest Turn of Events * 2:03:54 Spoiler Section- Ending Discussion Music used in the episode is credited to Laurence Chapman. Tracks used: An Ancient Language, The Desperate Ways, Before the Fall, The Nebula, Fantasia on One Good Moon, Heaven's Vault, An Ancient Language (Cello & Piano) 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
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    2 hrs and 35 mins
  • 191: Pokémon Scarlet and Violet (with Kate & Emily - No Small Games)

    191: Pokémon Scarlet and Violet (with Kate & Emily - No Small Games)
    Nov 12 2025
    Support my work on Patreon- https://patreon.com/realdavejackson Join the Tales from the Backlog Discord server- https://discord.gg/kAqSBb6jH2 Buy me a coffee on Ko-fi- https://ko-fi.com/realdavejackson Modern Pokémon games are divisive, but rarely due to technical performance. Pokémon Scarlet and Violet (Game Freak, 2022) released in an embarrassing state, and are hoping for a comeback with their recent Switch 2 editions. So now that the bugs are squashed and the framerate is stable, what kind of game was lurking under all of those issues? Listen in to find out. Guest info: Kate Hunter (she/any) and Emily Merritt (she/her) * Check out the No Small Games podcast and website https://nosmallgames.com/ * Follow Kate on BlueSky https://bsky.app/profile/katerblossom.bsky.social * Follow Emily on BlueSky https://bsky.app/profile/aspecificegg.bsky.social TIMESTAMPS * 0:00 Title Card * 0:16 Intros * 5:53 Our Personal Histories with Pokémon * 12:52 Opening Thoughts About Pokémon Scarlet & Violet * 21:44 World and Story Setup * 36:07 Nonlinear Design * 42:50 Is the Story Actually Good, or Are We Grading On a Curve? * 54:25 Visuals/Presentation * 1:01:37 Open World Design * 1:17:28 New Quick Battle System * 1:22:28 Combat, Team Building and Challenge? * 1:41:08 Closing Thoughts and Recommendations * 1:47:16 No Small Games * 1:54:07 Spoiler Wall and Patron Thank-Yous * 1:56:55 Spoiler Section- Our Teams, Area Zero, Ending * 2:28:06 Spoiler Section- DLCs Music used in the episode: * Title Screen (Junichi Masuda, Go Ichinose) * Home (Junichi Masuda) * Poco Path (Junichi Masuda) * Battle! (Trainer Battle) (Junichi Masuda) * Area Zero (GAME FREAK) * Pokémon Center (Junichi Masuda) * Welcome to the Paldea Region! (Minako Adachi, Toby Fox) Check out Dave on Geeks & Grounds in November and December- https://www.geeksandgrounds.com/ Check out Dave on the Character Issues podcast- https://www.buzzsprout.com/1306474 Check out Dave on Nostalgium Arcanum- https://nostalgiumarcanum.fireside.fm/ 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
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    2 hrs and 44 mins
  • 190: Pseudoregalia (with Bo__Po - Underplayed)

    190: Pseudoregalia (with Bo__Po - Underplayed)
    Nov 5 2025
    Support my work on Patreon- https://patreon.com/realdavejackson Join the Tales from the Backlog Discord server- https://discord.gg/kAqSBb6jH2 Buy me a coffee on Ko-fi- https://ko-fi.com/realdavejackson Pseudoregalia (Rittzler, 2023) represents a few things that are either making a resurgence or breaking out within indie games lately- retro PS1/N64 style graphics, megastructures, and 3D platformers. Combining incredibly tight and expressive platforming with nonlinear Metroidvania design and a vibey soundtrack, Pseudoregalia is a very good snack of a game, though not without some critical discussion points. Guest info: Beau aka Bo__Po (he/him) * Check out Underplayed podcast https://open.spotify.com/show/3qRQdjTtDRE1GZbFHhSYgu * Follow Beau on Twitch https://www.twitch.tv/bo__po * Follow on BlueSky https://bsky.app/profile/bo-po.bsky.social TIMESTAMPS * 0:00 Title Card * 0:14 Introductions * 5:02 Personal Histories with Pseudoregalia * 11:21 Opening Thoughts * 18:52 Story Setup * 24:42 Movement and Creativity * 38:10 Open-Ended Design * 47:50 The Map and Getting Lost * 58:01 Combat * 1:04:41 Visual Aesthetic and Music * 1:12:57 Closing Thoughts and Recommendations * 1:20:00 UnderPlayed podcast and Beau on Twitch * 1:26:11 Spoiler Wall & Patron Thank-Yous * 1:27:51 Spoiler Section Music used in the episode: * Remnants of the Dream (potatoTeto) * Revival (potatoTeto) * Their Subdued History (potatoTeto) * Outside the Castle Walls (potatoTeto) * Delirious Acting (potatoTeto) * Paramnesiac (still crisp) 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
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    1 hr and 53 mins
  • 189: Lies of P (with Rob & Kelvin - The Gaming Duo)

    189: Lies of P (with Rob & Kelvin - The Gaming Duo)
    Oct 29 2025
    Support my work on Patreon- https://patreon.com/realdavejackson Join the Tales from the Backlog Discord server- https://discord.gg/kAqSBb6jH2 Buy me a coffee on Ko-fi- https://ko-fi.com/realdavejackson Nobody is more skeptical of a new Soulslike on the block than me. Too often, Soulslikes build around the superficial qualities of FromSoftware's hits and neglect the secret sauce (or miss it entirely). Luckily for me and those who feel the same way, Round8 Studio and Neowiz knocked it out of the park with their Pinocchio-inspired Soulslike, Lies of P. I felt right at home playing through this, and it turned into a really fun conversation. Guest info: Rob Garcia (he/him) and Kelvin Rolon (he/him) * Check out The Gaming Duo https://www.gamingduopod.com/ * Follow on BlueSky https://bsky.app/profile/thegamingduo.bsky.social TIMESTAMPS * 0:00 Title Card * 0:28 Intros * 5:40 Personal Histories with Soulsborne and Lies of P * 11:50 Personal Histories with Pinocchio * 15:40 Opening Thoughts About Lies of P * 19:20 Story Setup and Adapting Pinocchio * 34:33 Visual Design * 41:14 Music * 49:09 Difficulty and How to Succeed * 58:56 Weapons and Tools * 1:18:17 Level Design and Exploration * 1:28:21 Boss Fights * 1:33:45 Closing Thoughts and Recommendations * 1:38:14 The Gaming Duo Podcast * 1:41:38 SPOILER WALL and Patron Thank-Yous * 1:43:38 Spoiler Section- Top 3 Boss Fights * 2:05:26 Story Discussion * 2:19:47 Backstory, Comparisons to the Book and Post-Credits Scene Music used in the episode is from the Lies of P OST. Tracks used: * Main Menu (Round8 Studio Sound Team, YK Music) * Divine Service (Electronic Boutique) * Feel (DJ Mocha, Seo Ja Young) * Dreadful March (Studio LAY-BACK) * Judgement of Mourning (Studio LAY-BACK) * Hotel Krat (Studio LAY-BACK) * Quixotic (bermei.inazawa, foolen) * Eventide Hotel (Silun Lee) 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
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    2 hrs and 47 mins
  • 188: Outer Wilds: Echoes of the Eye (with Rick Firestone)

    188: Outer Wilds: Echoes of the Eye (with Rick Firestone)
    Oct 22 2025
    Support my work on Patreon- https://patreon.com/realdavejackson Join the Tales from the Backlog Discord server- https://discord.gg/kAqSBb6jH2 Buy me a coffee on Ko-fi- https://ko-fi.com/realdavejackson As I said way back in The Outer Wilds episode, I respect the hell out of that game and think it's a miracle, but I didn't love it as much as others, and I kind of wish I could Eternal Sunshine that game out of my mind and try again. But as it turns out, the Echoes of the Eye expansion gave me just that chance. Did lightning strike twice? Did the game that "you can only truly play once" work again? Listen in and find out. Guest info: Rick Firestone (he/him) * Check out Pixel Project Radio https://linktr.ee/pixelprojectradio * Follow Rick on Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/pixelprojectradio.bsky.social TIMESTAMPS * 0:00 Title Card * 0:23 Introductions * 6:08 Thoughts About Outer Wilds * 9:11 Thoughts About Echoes of the Eye * 24:14 Pixel Project Radio Podcast * 26:42 SPOILER WALL and Patron Thank-Yous * 28:40 Spoiler Section- Initial Discoveries * 48:05 Spoiler Section- A New World to Explore * 1:24:00 Spoiler Section- Story Analysis and Endings Music used in the episode is credited to Andrew Prahlow. Tracks used: The River, River's End, Elegy for the Rings, Echoes of the Eye, Departure Check out Dave on Retro Hangover's King of Games '99 series: https://linktr.ee/retrohangover Check out Dave on The Tiny Game Chronicles: https://tinyurl.com/m5jhfat9 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
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    2 hrs and 10 mins
  • 187: Fear & Hunger (with Adam Bucceri)

    187: Fear & Hunger (with Adam Bucceri)
    Oct 15 2025
    Support my work on Patreon- https://patreon.com/realdavejackson Join the Tales from the Backlog Discord server- https://discord.gg/kAqSBb6jH2 Buy me a coffee on Ko-fi- https://ko-fi.com/realdavejackson Sometimes a game's reputation precedes it in a way that makes you question whether you want to play it at all, and Fear & Hunger (Miro Haverinen, 2018) certainly fits that bill. Punishing difficulty, harsh teaching, extreme content warnings and more put me off from playing the game for a while, but I'm glad to have played it now, and all of that made for a great conversation. Content warnings for Fear & Hunger: https://www.doesthedogdie.com/media/17804 Guest info: Adam Bucceri (he/him) * Check out Adam's games https://boocherry.itch.io/ TIMESTAMPS * 0:00 Title Card * 0:15 Intros * 6:03 Our Histories with Fear & Hunger * 9:55 Should We Play Fear & Hunger 1 or 2? * 11:27 Opening Thoughts About Fear & Hunger * 17:24 Content Warnings * 26:15 Game Setup and Character Selection * 31:15 Difficulty and Learning How to Play * 44:55 Player-Hostile Design and Pressures * 58:34 Immersive Sim Elements, Experimentation and Emergent Narrative * 1:07:47 Combat * 1:21:36 Visuals and Sound Design * 1:27:20 Closing Thoughts and Recommendations * 1:34:20 Adam's Games and Creative Works * 1:37:18 SPOILER WALL and Patron Thank-Yous * 1:39:18 Spoiler Section- The Girl, Le'garde and Fun Discoveries * 2:26:35 Spoiler Section- Endings Music used in the episode is credited to Miro Haverinen. Tracks used: Fear & Hunger, The Four Apostles, Pulse & Anxiety, Ancient City, Tomb of the Gods, Everyday Schoolday Check out Dave's guest appearance on The Pre-Order Bonus about Rain World- https://www.patreon.com/c/preordercast 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
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    2 hrs and 54 mins