Episodes

  • 163: Vagrant Story (with Aidan Moher)

    163: Vagrant Story (with Aidan Moher)
    Apr 30 2025
    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! (https://patreon.com/realdavejackson) or buy me a coffee on Ko-fi (https://ko-fi.com/realdavejackson)! Join the Tales from the Backlog Discord server! (https://discord.gg/V3ZHz3vYQR) 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://www.instagram.com/jackallencaricatures/ and his other pages (https://linktr.ee/JackAllenCaricatures) Listen to A Top 3 Podcast on Apple (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-top-3-podcast/id1555269504), Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/2euGp3pWi7Hy1c6fmY526O?si=0ebcb770618c460c) and other podcast platforms (atop3podcast.fireside.fm)!
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    2 hrs and 35 mins
  • 162: Prey (2006) (with Asa GreenRiver)

    162: Prey (2006) (with Asa GreenRiver)
    Apr 23 2025
    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! (https://patreon.com/realdavejackson) or buy me a coffee on Ko-fi (https://ko-fi.com/realdavejackson)! Join the Tales from the Backlog Discord server! (https://discord.gg/V3ZHz3vYQR) 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://www.instagram.com/jackallencaricatures/ and his other pages (https://linktr.ee/JackAllenCaricatures) Listen to A Top 3 Podcast on Apple (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-top-3-podcast/id1555269504), Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/2euGp3pWi7Hy1c6fmY526O?si=0ebcb770618c460c) and other podcast platforms (atop3podcast.fireside.fm)!
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    2 hrs and 2 mins
  • 161: Wanderstop (with Matt aka Stormageddon & CGDannyB)

    161: Wanderstop (with Matt aka Stormageddon & CGDannyB)
    Apr 16 2025
    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! (https://patreon.com/realdavejackson) or buy me a coffee on Ko-fi (https://ko-fi.com/realdavejackson)! Join the Tales from the Backlog Discord server! (https://discord.gg/V3ZHz3vYQR) Social Media: BlueSky (https://bsky.app/profile/tftblpod.bsky.social) Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/talesfromthebacklog/) Twitter (https://twitter.com/tftblpod) Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/TalesfromtheBacklog/) Cover art by Jack Allen- find him at https://www.instagram.com/jackallencaricatures/ and his other pages (https://linktr.ee/JackAllenCaricatures) Listen to A Top 3 Podcast on Apple (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-top-3-podcast/id1555269504), Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/2euGp3pWi7Hy1c6fmY526O?si=0ebcb770618c460c) and other podcast platforms (atop3podcast.fireside.fm)!
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    2 hrs and 46 mins
  • 160: Sifu (with Ryan Juengling - List Off)

    160: Sifu (with Ryan Juengling - List Off)
    Apr 9 2025
    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! (https://patreon.com/realdavejackson) or buy me a coffee on Ko-fi (https://ko-fi.com/realdavejackson)! Join the Tales from the Backlog Discord server! (https://discord.gg/V3ZHz3vYQR) 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://www.instagram.com/jackallencaricatures/ and his other pages (https://linktr.ee/JackAllenCaricatures)
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    1 hr and 44 mins
  • 159: Metaphor: ReFantazio (with Scott White)

    159: Metaphor: ReFantazio (with Scott White)
    Apr 2 2025
    Only one studio out there can inspire the following sentence- the first time I saw the menu UI in Metaphor: ReFantazio, I knew that Atlus and Studio Zero were cooking. They've mastered the art of making menu-based RPGs flashy and stylish, as well as mastering the "Persona" calendar-based structure in general. On several fronts, this is the best game this studio has made, but left us wanting in a few areas as well. Listen in to this deep dive discussion and let us know what you think! Guest info: Scott White * Check out his writing: https://linktr.ee/scottwhite * Check out RPG University podcast: https://linktr.ee/RPGU_IP * Follow on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/professorrpg.bsky.social TIMESTAMPS * 0:00 Title Card * 0:35 Intro/Personal Histories/Opening Thoughts * 10:43 Story Setup * 35:05 Presentation * 46:25 Combat/Archetype System * 59:47 Life Sim Gameplay * 1:15:43 SPOILER WALL, Patron Thank-Yous * 1:17:37 Spoiler Section Music used in the episode is credited to ATLUS Sound Team. Tracks used: * Call of Magic (Shoji Meguro) * A Brief Respite (Shoji Meguro) * Castle of Dread (Maiko Katagiri, Shoji Meguro) * Warriors in Valour (Keisuke Honryo, Shoji Meguro) * Journey's Legs (Shoji Meguro) * Ode to Heroes (Shoji Meguro) * Hero's Awakening (Shoji Meguro) * Formidable Foe (Shoji Meguro) * King's Verdict (Shoji Meguro) Check out Dave's guest appearance on Pixelated Playgrounds about Persona 4 Golden: https://www.pixelatedplaygrounds.com/bookclub Support Tales from the Backlog on Patreon! (https://patreon.com/realdavejackson) or buy me a coffee on Ko-fi (https://ko-fi.com/realdavejackson)! Join the Tales from the Backlog Discord server! (https://discord.gg/V3ZHz3vYQR) 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://www.instagram.com/jackallencaricatures/ and his other pages (https://linktr.ee/JackAllenCaricatures) Listen to A Top 3 Podcast on Apple (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-top-3-podcast/id1555269504), Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/2euGp3pWi7Hy1c6fmY526O?si=0ebcb770618c460c) and other podcast platforms (atop3podcast.fireside.fm)!
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    2 hrs and 14 mins
  • 158: Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots (with Geoff Moonen - "Fun" and Games)

    158: Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots (with Geoff Moonen - "Fun" and Games)
    Mar 26 2025
    In my ongoing first-time playthrough of the Metal Gear Solid series, we've arrived at the canonical end of Solid Snake's story, while seeing series creator Hideo Kojima at his most self-indulgent (yet) and most creative. Metal Gear Solid is a series of multitudes, and 2008's Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots is no different. Listen in to find out what we thought! Guest info: Geoff Moonen * Check out "Fun" and Games podcast https://funandgames.libsyn.com/ * Follow Geoff on BlueSky https://bsky.app/profile/geoffmakesnoise.bsky.social * Need a voice actor? https://www.geoffmoonen.com/ TIMESTAMPS * 0:00 Title Card * 0:28 Intros/Personal Histories/Opening Thoughts * 18:42 Story Setup * 35:02 Story Themes/Presentation * 54:08 Gameplay * 1:18:28 Final Thoughts/Plugs * 1:30:24 SPOILER WALL * 1:32:18 Spoiler section Music in the episode is credited to Harry Gregson-Williams. Tracks used: * Old Snake * Metal Gear Saga * Midnight Shadow * Haven Troopers * Breakthrough * Drebin 893 * Guns of the Patriots * Father & Son * Everything Begins Check out Dave's guest appearance on Pixels and Polygons! https://open.spotify.com/show/1scBiQBcm6u03qSjFkDvzD?si=k1OReY87SRSamyl6bPgiCw Support Tales from the Backlog on Patreon! (https://patreon.com/realdavejackson) or buy me a coffee on Ko-fi (https://ko-fi.com/realdavejackson)! Join the Tales from the Backlog Discord server! (https://discord.gg/V3ZHz3vYQR) 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://www.instagram.com/jackallencaricatures/ and his other pages (https://linktr.ee/JackAllenCaricatures) Listen to A Top 3 Podcast on Apple (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-top-3-podcast/id1555269504), Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/2euGp3pWi7Hy1c6fmY526O?si=0ebcb770618c460c) and other podcast platforms (atop3podcast.fireside.fm)!
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    2 hrs and 50 mins
  • 157: Unpacking (with Kate Hunter - No Small Games)

    157: Unpacking (with Kate Hunter - No Small Games)
    Mar 19 2025
    Ever since the podcast started in 2021, I always knew I'd do an episode about Unpacking (Witch Beam, 2021) someday. John Fogerty sang that someday never comes, but here we are, and Unpacking is on the show! Unpacking is a great example of using the interactivity of video games to tell a story in a unique, gameplay-forward way. Through the ONE SIMPLE TRICK of unpacking boxes and organizing your stuff when you move, a life story is told, and it's fantastic. Listen in for the deep-dive conversation! Guest Info: Kate Hunter aka Katerblossom * Listen to her podcast No Small Games https://nosmallgames.com/ * Follow her on BlueSky https://bsky.app/profile/katerblossom.bsky.social * Check her streams out on Twitch https://www.twitch.tv/katerblossom TIMESTAMPS * Title Card 0:00 * Intros/Personal Histories/Opening Thoughts 0:26 * Story Setup 11:47 * Gameplay/Music/Presentation 26:12 * Final Thoughts/Recommendations/Housekeeping * Spoiler Wall/Patron Shoutouts 48:38 * Spoiler Section 50:34 Music used in the episode is credited to Jeff van Dyck. You can purchase the soundtrack on Bandcamp (https://jeffvandyck.bandcamp.com/album/unpacking-original-soundtrack). Tracks used: * Unpacking Theme * Child's Play * Own Two Feet * Friends for Life * Infatuation * Lost and Found * Home Sweet Home Support Tales from the Backlog on Patreon! (https://patreon.com/realdavejackson) or buy me a coffee on Ko-fi (https://ko-fi.com/realdavejackson)! Join the Tales from the Backlog Discord server! (https://discord.gg/V3ZHz3vYQR) 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://www.instagram.com/jackallencaricatures/ and his other pages (https://linktr.ee/JackAllenCaricatures)
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    2 hrs
  • 156: Mouthwashing (with Ash Parrish)

    156: Mouthwashing (with Ash Parrish)
    Mar 12 2025
    Mouthwashing (Wrong Organ, 2024) is a rare horror game that gets scarier after you finish the game. Its nonlinear structure, reality-blurring presentation and subtle (at times) storytelling leave you to put the pieces together yourself. Once you do that, you'll find a strikingly real story where the most unbelievable thing is the fact that it takes place in outer space. We had a great discussion on the show about what this game says about certain types of leaders, what "taking responsibility" means, analogues to the games industry and much more! Guest info: Ash Parrish, journalist and critic for The Verge. * Find her work here https://www.theverge.com/authors/ash-parrish * Follow her on Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/adashtra.bsky.social * Check out the Insert Credit Show https://www.youtube.com/@insertcreditshow Content warnings for Mouthwashing: https://www.doesthedogdie.com/media/1312968 TIMESTAMPS * Title Card 0:00 * Intros/Personal Histories/Opening Thoughts 0:16 * Story Setup/Themes Overview/Presentation 9:30 * Closing Thoughts/Recommendations/Housekeeping 30:54 * SPOILER WALL 37:50 Music used in the episode is credited to Martin Halldin. You can purchase the soundtrack on Steam (https://store.steampowered.com/app/3276830/Mouthwashing_Soundtrack/). Tracks used: * Main Theme * Medium Rare * The Windows are Plastic * Dragonbreath Theme * Heroes Support Tales from the Backlog on Patreon! (https://patreon.com/realdavejackson) or buy me a coffee on Ko-fi (https://ko-fi.com/realdavejackson)! Join the Tales from the Backlog Discord server! (https://discord.gg/V3ZHz3vYQR) 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://www.instagram.com/jackallencaricatures/ and his other pages (https://linktr.ee/JackAllenCaricatures) Listen to A Top 3 Podcast on Apple (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-top-3-podcast/id1555269504), Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/2euGp3pWi7Hy1c6fmY526O?si=0ebcb770618c460c) and other podcast platforms (atop3podcast.fireside.fm)!
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    1 hr and 51 mins