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208: Death Howl (with Bryan Skursha - Pixelated Playgrounds)

208: Death Howl (with Bryan Skursha - Pixelated Playgrounds)

Dave is joined by Bryan Skursha (Pixelated Playgrounds) to discuss The Outer Zone and 11 Bit Studios' 2025 Soulslike deckbuilder, Death Howl.

Tales from the Backlog

March 25, 20262h 24mExplicit

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Show Notes

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Join Dave and guest Bryan Skursha as they deep dive Death Howl (The Outer Zone, 11 Bit Studios, 2025) on their journey through the underworld to find out what the hell a soulslike deckbuilder even is. Brutal turn-based combat, a story about grieving and a mother's love, and all the fucked up guys a gamer could ask for. Listen in to find out more!

Guest info: Bryan Skursha (he/him)

TIMESTAMPS

  • 0:00 Title Card
  • 0:18 Introductions
  • 5:39 Our Histories with Death Howl
  • 10:50 Top-Level Thoughts
  • 15:42 Story Setup
  • 23:58 Dreamy, Hazy Visuals and Sound
  • 40:01 Combat Basics and Deckbuilding Strategy
  • 54:58 Is It Soulslike?
  • 1:05:00 Open-Ended Structure and Side Quests
  • 1:10:22 Combat Depth
  • 1:16:40 Who Should Play Death Howl?
  • 1:19:00 Pixelated Playgrounds
  • 1:22:55 Spoiler Wall & Patron Thank-Yous
  • 1:24:58 Spoilers- Favorite Areas, Bosses, Decks
  • 1:41:00 Spoilers- Final Area and Final Bosses
  • 1:55:46 Spoilers- Story Discussion

Music used in the episode is credited to Chris Bjørumslet & Malte Burup. Tracks used: Death Howl, Olvi, Shadows of Rot, Cantharsis, Meadows of Delusion, Moon Eel, Ever Since Your Heart Stopped Beating

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

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Topics

gamesvideo gamesgames podcastvideo games podcastvideo game critiquevideo game analysisdeath howldeath howl reviewdeath howl analysisdeath howl critiqueindie gamesindie game reviewssoulslike gamessoulslike reviewsdeckbuilderdeckbuilder reviews