Tales from the Backlog

Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance, a teamup between PlatinumGames and Konami brings incredible action gameplay into the world of Metal Gear. This game is fantastic, memorable, memeable and so much more. I was lucky enough to be joined by Jacob McCourt for this episode, as we walk through its wild story and dismemberment-focused gameplay. You should check out Jacob's podcasts, Left Behind Game Club, Cutscenes: A Video Game Movie & TV Podcast and Crossplay Conversations and follow him on Twitter and Bluesky! TIMESTAMPS Intros/Personal Histories/Opening Thoughts 1:45 Story Setup/Tone/Soundtrack 14:17 Combat 34:16 Gameplay, continued 46:38 SPOILER WALL 1:06:48 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: 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)!

Redfall, by Arkane Studios Austin released earlier this year to a slew of terrible reviews, clips showcasing its unfinished state, and general dunking as the internet does. But what was it that actually made it so bad? Is it actually as bad as people say? Can the Power of Friendship save Redfall? I'm joined by Nick and Will from Friday Night Gamecast to discuss. You can find all of FNGC's quality podcasts here! TIMESTAMPS Intros/Personal Histories/Opening Thoughts 1:35 Story Setup/Characters 16:16 Gameplay- What It's Not 41:03 Gameplay- What It Is 1:03:57 SPOILER WALL 1:44:26 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: 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)!

Baldur's Gate 2, the second in BioWare's landmark RPG series, was always kind of "the goal", as it's usually said to be one of the best RPGs ever made, even more so than the first. And I do believe that it holds up in that way- the adventuring is unmatched, the characters are vivid and memorable, and you're able to see your character's arc come to a close, all the way from the beginning of Baldur's Gate 1. Joining me today is Bryan Skursha of Pixelated Playgrounds, a gaming book club podcast. Pixelated Playgrounds takes a very thoughtful and analytical approach to the games they cover, which I love. Check them out! TIMESTAMPS Intros/Personal Histories/Opening Thoughts 1:33 Story Setup/Storytelling/Characters/Role Playing 16:12 Visuals/Music 51:34 Combat/Gameplay 1:00:23 SPOILER WALL 1:28:12 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: 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)!

Remakes are so hot these days. From 20+ year old influental titles like Metroid to games that were still available on modern platforms like The Last of Us, love em or hate em, remakes here to stay. So in this episode, Dave & Dylan from Offshore Gamescast join me to discuss when remakes are wanted, why some succeed and what we'd like to see in the future. You can find all things Offshore Gamescast at their website! 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: 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)!

This episode has been a long time coming. One of my favorite games of all time, a game that I've played most of the way through several times, but never finished until now! Final Fantasy VI, Square's landmark Super Nintendo RPG brought us a wonderful cast of characters, an iconic villain, a bangin soundtrack, and an unforgettable story. How does it hold up today? Joining me to discuss is my longtime friend and my co-host on A Top 3 Podcast, Aaron Angle! TIMESTAMPS Intro/Personal Histories/Opening Thoughts 1:49 Story Setup/Characters/Tone 14:10 Music 37:24 Visuals 46:57 Combat/Gameplay 52:01 SPOILER WALL 1:14:25 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: 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)!

Hope you're ready to hold hands as we discuss Ico, a supremely influential game from Japan Studio and Team Ico. Its influences spread wide throughout the industry, as its minimalist storytelling, cinematic approach, animation and sound design can still be felt throughout your favorite modern games. But how does it hold up today? Joining me to discuss is Josh Covel from the wonderful Still Loading podcast. You can find everything Still Loading by following this link! TIMESTAMPS Intro/Personal Histories/Opening Thoughts 1:40 Story Setup/Storytelling/Presentation/Gameplay Intro 21:44 Puzzles/Combat 53:11 SPOILER WALL 1:25:25 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: 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)!

For as much as I love role playing games, and some later entries into the CRPG genre, I had never played the original Baldur's Gate, by BioWare....until now. This game largely holds up, despite being made with an antiquated Dungeons and Dragons ruleset, but my issues with the game were a bit more basic than deciphering THAC0 like I expected. I was joined for this episode by Phil Morgan from Deleted Saves, which is a highly recommended podcast. You can find Deleted Saves on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or your favorite podcast app, on Twitter and on Instagram! TIMESTAMPS Intros/Personal Histories/Opening Thoughts 1:26 Story Setup/Setting 18:49 Visuals/Voice Acting/Sound Design/Gameplay 38:49 SPOILER WALL 1:17:32 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: 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)!

The Last of Us Part II, by Naughty Dog is one of the most polarizing video games ever made. The sequel to a wildly successful, and some would say "complete", video game was bound to leave some feeling left behind, but this game quickly joined The Discourse....and I didn't hear any of it. So I came to this relatively fresh, and invited on Flora Merigold from Epilogue Gaming and Left Behind Game Club to discuss! Find out how we felt about this landmark, yet controversial game. TIMESTAMPS Intros/Personal Histories/Opening Thoughts 1:21 Story Setup/Tone/Visuals/Horror 12:09 Gameplay 43:41 SPOILER WALL 1:10:42 As always, thank you to my patrons, and you can be like them- here's the link to 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: 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)!

Nobody saw this one coming. Hi-Fi RUSH, by Tango Gameworks shadow dropped during an Xbox showcase and took the gaming world by storm. A colorful and cartoonish art style, a rockin soundtrack and the friendliest rhythm action gameplay around all make this game an absolute joy to play. Joining me to discuss is Kevin Ainsworth from Save the Game Media! Check out all of the shows that Save the Game does by following this link! TIMESTAMPS Intros/Personal Histories/Opening Thoughts 1:26 Story Setup/Rhythm Gameplay 14:37 Boss Fights 36:30 SPOILER WALL 55:23 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: 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)!

How do you remake a game that is: beloved by fans, acclaimed by critics, widely available on modern systems, AND still a blast to play? I don't have the answer, but Capcom sure as hell does. Resident Evil 4 (Remake) walks the line expertly: it modernizes mechanics while keeping the spirit of the original and it updates the story to make it a bit more modern. Joining me to discuss it are Jala Prendes (Jala-chan's Place, The Level) and Adam Bucceri (Boocherry Productions, Halftone Takes)! We had a great time talking about it, and we hope you enjoy it too! TIMESTAMPS Intros/Personal Histories/Opening Thoughts 1:33 Story Setup 21:57 Visuals/Music/Horror Elements 35:28 Gameplay/Combat 51:09 SPOILER WALL 1:36:06 Join the Tales from the Backlog Discord server! Support Tales from the Backlog on Patreon! or buy me a coffee on Ko-fi! Social Media: 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)!

This just in- patrons at the Tube Backer ($5 tier) will get a new monthly series called Tales from the WAY Backlog, which will be shorter (20-30 minutes) reviews of retro games at least 30 years old. Retro is a huge hole in my gaming history and a source of frustration for me, so this is both a history tour and a challenge for me to experience these older games. This episode is available to all as a taste of what's to come. If you enjoyed this and want more, future episodes will be available to $5 and higher patrons HERE! If Patreon isn't your jam, you can buy me a coffee on Ko-fi! Join the Tales from the Backlog Discord server! Social Media: 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)!

Dredge, the 2023 cosmic horror fishing game by Black Salt Games, marries the explore-gather-craft-explore gameplay loop with cosmic horror. You want to stay out late to gather as many materials as you can...but the night is dark and full of terrors. I'm joined by Jill Grodt, who helms The Indie Informer, a fantastic website for all things indie gaming. Check it out! Thank you to Black Salt Games and Team17 for providing a review code! TIMESTAMPS Intros/Personal Histories/Opening Thoughts 1:23 Story Setup 13:18 Gameplay 21:30 Visuals/Music/Closing Thoughts 48:15 SPOILER WALL 1:01:43 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: 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)!

For longtime fans of the Yakuza/Like a Dragon series, Like a Dragon: Ishin! is a fun "familiar faces in new places" ride, almost like seeing your favorite characters putting on a play. Your favorite faces and voices take on the roles of historical figures in 1860s Japan, as rival forces compete for the rule of Japan and reshape society as we know it. Joining me in this episode is Nave from Gaming Together: A Cooperative Podcast, and you should check out the show, it's great! TIMESTAMPS Intro/Personal Histories/Opening Thoughts 0:58 Story Setup/Familiar Faces in New Places 11:14 Open World/Setting/Combat 32:08 Visuals/Music/Closing Thoughts 1:03:02 SPOILER WALL 1:17:25 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: 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)!

Dave is joined by Matt aka Stormageddon for another Producer's Choice episode, focusing on why we love the Yakuza/Like a Dragon series. Ryu Ga Gotoku's long-running crime melodrama series has introduced us to some of our favorite protagonists, side characters and level 100 weirdos through the years, so we wanted to take some time and talk about it. You can find all of Matt's wonderful podcasts ("Fun" and Games, Reignite, Screen Snark) on your favorite podcast app or at their website. Producer's Choice is a bonus series on Tales from the Backlog, where Patreon supporters at the "Tube Producer" level get to pick an episode topic and come on the show to chat about it. If that sounds cool to you, or you want to vote on games for the show, get patron-only episodes and have my everlasting love and respect, you can support Tales from the Backlog on Patreon!. If Patreon isn't your jam, you can buy me a coffee on Ko-fi! Join the Tales from the Backlog Discord server! Social Media: 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)!

There's an extremely common refrain out there in Gaming Discourse Land that goes a little something like this- "if you're not having fun with a game, why are you playing it?" and it got me thinking....is that all games should offer? Do things like frustration, getting lost, tedium or even boredom have a place in video games? So I enlisted some all-star guests to discuss it- Brad Gallaway (gamecritics.com, So...Videogames! podcast) and Ryan Batie (Lightning Strikes Thrice podcast). Check out their work via those links! 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: 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)!

Pentiment, by Obsidian Entertainment, made an immediate impression on everybody who saw the art style, and then saw that this game wasn't made by an indie team with a dream, it was made by one of the most established and respected game studios out there. The incredible art is only the tip of the iceberg in this journey to the past. The music, writing, characters and plot all take you into 16 century Bavaria for a tale of murder, faith, tragedy and hope, and I was joined by the one and only TroytlePower to discuss it! You can find Troy on Twitter and check out Troy's writing and podcasts at his website! TIMESTAMPS Intros/Personal Histories/Opening Thoughts 1:24 Story Setup/Gameplay 15:39 Art/Music 41:07 SPOILER WALL 58:16 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: 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)!

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is many things. It was a giant risk. It is a joyous experience as an open world sandbox, but it alienated some longtime fans of the Zelda series. It is a callback to the original Legend of Zelda game. It's also the one single game that I can say brought me back into gaming in 2017. Jake and Cameron from the Pre-Order Bonus podcast (Website, Twitter) join me to discuss this landmark title. TIMESTAMPS Intros/Personal Histories/Opening Thoughts 1:15 Story Setup/Open World 20:38 Gameplay/Exploration 40:58 Emergent Gameplay 1:03:18 Music/Final Thoughts 1:49:37 SPOILER WALL 2:05:53 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: 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)!

The gaming landscape is so full of games aping what makes other games successful that we end up with a lot of games that are of good quality but otherwise unremarkable. And then on the other side of the room is Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin. Stranger of Paradise uses the setting of the first Final Fantasy game to give Jack space to cook, and cook he does. The result is a game that does swing and miss in some areas, but will leave a mark in your memory more than a lot of games that might be "better". So which of those would you rather play? Joining me to discuss Stranger of Paradise is Eric Gess of The Unlockables and Keith Gasper of The Main Quest, two podcasts that are great and worth your time. Click the links to check out their shows! TIMESTAMPS Intros/Personal Histories/Opening Thoughts 1:12 Story Setup/Jack 19:24 Combat/Gameplay 34:16 Visuals/Music 1:08:18 SPOILER WALL 1:31:25 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: 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)!

We haaaave a plan! Red Dead Redemption 2, Rockstar's 2018 western open world mega hit tells the story of Arthur Morgan and the decline of the outlaw era of American history...when you can pull yourself away from the hunting and fishing. Alex and Luke join to discuss this masterpiece in storytelling. You can check out Low Five Gaming on every podcast app or by visiting their website. TIMESTAMPS Intros/Personal Histories/Opening Thoughts 1:04 Story Setup/Presentation 12:31 Methodical Gameplay 35:21 Combat/Closing Thoughts 1:11:36 SPOILER WALL 1:28:06 [Support Tales from the Backlog on Patreon!](htt ps://patreon.com/realdavejackson) or buy me a coffee on Ko-fi! Join the Tales from the Backlog Discord server! Social Media: 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)!

Catherine: Full Body, the 2019 re-release of the original Catherine from 2011, is one of the more unique games I've ever played. A mashup of life sim and watching an anime, all built around an interesting puzzle game. Themes of adultery, responsibility, relationships, indecision and social commentary on modern-day Japan are all parts of a story that really surprised me. I didn't know what to expect from this game before I played it, but I was very pleasantly surprised. I'm joined in this episode by Rick Firestone from Pixel Project Radio and Ryan Juengling from List Off!, two good friends of mine from two of my favorite gaming podcasts. Check out Rick on Pixel Project Radio and Ryan on List Off!, and all three of us making appearances on each show! TIMESTAMPS Intros/Personal Histories/Opening Thoughts 1:06 Story Setup 15:38 Visuals/Music/Voice Acting 35:30 Gameplay/Final Thoughts 42:37 SPOILER WALL 1:10:03 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: 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)!

Silicon Dreams, the product of two-person studio Clockwork Bird, has one hell of an elevator pitch- "Blade Runner meets Papers, Please". For the right type of person, that pitch should rocket this game straight up to the top of the to-play list. It is a text-based interrogation game, where you are tasked with getting to the root of problem behaviors in androids through a series of dialogue puzzles. Excellent writing and a new perspective on a not-so-new story lift Silicon Dreams above its elevator pitch, and it is absolutely worth a play if that elevator pitch sounds good to you at all. I'm joined by good friend and returning guest to the show Scott Danielson to discuss! TIMESTAMPS Intros/Personal Histories/Opening Thoughts 1:01 Story Setup 8:41 Decision Making/Music/Final Thoughts 38:21 SPOILER WALL 1:06:14 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: 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)!

Chained Echoes, a solo project by developer Matthias Linda, might grab your attention with its elevator pitch- "The JRPG classics like Final Fantasy VI, Chrono Trigger, Suikoden, Secret of Mana and more get a modern makeover/love letter", but to say that all Chained Echoes does is modernize those games would only be telling half of the story. Chained Echoes not only writes an effective love letter to the games that inspired it, but stands on its own merits as one of the best in the genre with its inventive combat system, satisfying story and great visuals and music. I'm joined by my A Top 3 Podcast co-host Aaron Angle to discuss it! Chained Echoes OST was done by Eddie Marianukroh! You can support by purchasing this awesome OST here! TIMESTAMPS Intros/Personal Histories/Opening Thoughts 1:11 Story Setup 12:15 Combat 33:35 RPG Stuff 1:01:22 Visuals/Music 1:16:07 SPOILER WALL 1:32:09 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: 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)!

Dave is joined by Brian Edwards of Character Issues and Cane and Rinse podcasts to discuss Nier: Replicant. Yoko Taro's 2010 cult classic got a makeover in 2021, so let's find out how it is! Nier will do anything to save his sick sister Yonah, and along the way he meets a stellar supporting cast of characters, including the stuck-up talking book Grimoire Weiss, the scantily clad badass Kaine, and the lovable Emil. Joining me to discuss the story, characters and gameplay is none other than Brian Edwards! You may have heard Brian on the wonderful Character Issues and Cane and Rinse podcasts. Brian is a wonderful person and I loved this conversation with him- you should check out Character Issues and Cane and Rinse by following the links! TIMESTAMPS Intros/Personal Histories/Opening Thoughts 1:23 Story Setup/Characters/Repetition 16:09 Visuals/Music/Atmosphere 54:01 Gameplay 1:09:21 Final Thoughts/Housekeeping 1:24:33 SPOILER WALL 1:30:46 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: 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)!

Emergent gameplay- when simple gameplay mechanics interact to create unique and complex situations and solutions to problems, and it might be the secret sauce that takes your favorite games from good to great! I'm joined by Moonborne, Alex (Please Don't Listen) and Nave (Gaming Together) to talk about emergent gameplay and our favorite examples from games like Breath of the Wild, Hitman, Deus Ex, Rain World, Magic: The Gathering and more! You should also check out Moonborne's YouTube Channel, Please Don't Cast, and Gaming Together! 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: 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)!

Eastward (Pixpil) is a game that has a great elevator pitch- absolutely gorgeous pixel art, bopping music and gameplay/story that evoke The Legend of Zelda, Earthbound and Dragon Quest, but failed to live up to the heights of any of those games for me. Poor pacing and a baffling decision to have a silent protagonist dragged this game way down into the "this feels like homework" zone. And that's a shame, because a) we never want a game to feel like that, and b) this game won a patreon poll! I still love you, patrons! Joining me on the podcast to discuss Eastward is Chris Dominguez, one of the two hosts of A Novel Console, a podcast dedicated to video games, books and food. As I told them on the show- if you're not up for video games, books and food, I don't know what to tell you. You can check out their show by following this link, and I was also on their show last week to talk about The Lord of the Rings and all of the other Tolkien adaptations. TIMESTAMPS Intros/Personal Histories/Opening Thoughts 1:16 Story Setup 11:12 Aesthetics 34:02 Gameplay 40:49 SPOILER WALL 1:07:42 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: 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)!

Sequels are tricky! There are a few schools of thought, and God of War: Ragnarök is about as direct a sequel as you could imagine, especially for a video game. It takes the God of War reboot from 2018 and adds to it in every aspect...but were those additions productive? Or does this sequel sag under its own weight? Listen in to find out. Joining me to discuss God of War: Ragnarök is Ryan Juengling, host of the now-retired List Off! podcast. Brian and Ryan have tipped their hats and ridden off into the sunset, but they have 2 years of video game lists on their show List Off! that I highly recommend! You can find their show by searching in your favorite podcast app or by following this link! TIMESTAMPS Intros/Personal Histories/Opening Thoughts 1:12 Story Setup 11:38 Presentation/Voice Acting 32:37 Gameplay 44:32 SPOILER WALL 1:08:35 God of War: Ragnarök OST composed by** Bear McCreary**. 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: 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)!

Tunic is a game I respect more than I actually enjoyed playing, when it was all said and done. I respect the vision to rely almost completely on the player to do the extra work that other games do for them, and I had some struggles with this due to my goldfish brain. I respect the attempt to make a challenging game that is unlocked by piecing together opaque mechanics, but I found it to be too difficult at a base level. And I respect the hell out of the art design and music, even though....nevermind, the art and music are great throughout. And if you condensed this game's target demographic down to one person, it would be my guest for this episode, Ryan Batie of Lightning Strikes Thrice podcast. Lightning Strikes Thrice! is a book club style podcast for JRPGs- you can and should check it out HERE! TIMESTAMPS Intros/Personal Histories/Opening Thoughts 1:03 Story Setup/Discovery 17:11 Gameplay 34:27 Visuals/Music 54:45 SPOILER WALL 1:06:51 Tunic's OST is by Lifeformed and Janice Kwan! 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: 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)!

"A cozy management game about dying"- this elevator pitch tells you all you need to know about Spiritfarer, the 2020 indie darling by Thunder Lotus Games. Spiritfarer mixes addicting management/crafting gameplay with an exploration of death- the impact that people have on others, unfinished business and the idea of closure. I was extremely lucky to be joined by Charlie and Lauren Young for this episode- the spoiler section is one of my favorites in the history of the show thus far. NOTE Please check the content warning at the beginning of the episode, as this game and episode both deal heavily in personal experiences with death. TIMESTAMPS Content Warning 1:05 Intros/Personal Histories/Opening Thoughts 2:08 Story Setup/Characters/Exploration of Death 12:12 Gameplay 33:38 Music and Visuals 51:45 SPOILER WALL 1:11:36 Spiritfarer OST is by Max LL! Find his music HERE and support him! 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: 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)!

It may surprise everyone to know that I just played Metal Gear Solid for the first time! And it was....an experience! And adding onto the experience was doing this episode with pro voice actor Mick Arcade! This is one of the most entertaining episodes of the show so far, as we make our way through the hundreds of plot twists, and Mick provides so many great voice impressions. Check out everything that Mick is doing around the internet HERE! TIMESTAMPS Intros/Personal Histories/Opening Thoughts 1:16 Story Setup/Kojima-isms 19:44 Gameplay 42:13 Presentation/Music 58:33 SPOILER WALL 1:19:55 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: 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)!

Bayonetta 3 represents a turning point for the series. A new protagonist is introduced, story takes more of a center stage role, and the levels give you lots of optional content to do in between fights. But all of that raises the question...is all of that worth it? And even more crucially, did it enhance the game? Joining me to discuss it all is Matt aka Stormageddon, host of many great shows on the Certain POV Network, such as "Fun" and Games, Reignite, Screen Snark and CPOV: Autographs. You can find all of Matt's shows and more by visiting djstormageddon.com! TIMESTAMPS Intros/Personal Histories/Opening Thoughts 1:06 Story Setup 20:20 Combat/Gameplay 35:18 Level Exploration/Optional Gameplay/Final Thoughts 58:40 SPOILER WALL 1:27:34 [Support Tales from the Backlog on Patreon!](patreon.com/realdavejackson) or buy me a coffee on Ko-fi! Join the Tales from the Backlog Discord server! Social Media: 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)!

Thank you Jake! In the second installment of the Tube V.I.P. Producer's Choice, longtime friend and patron of the show Jake aka Zulgeek joins me to talk about our top 3 childhood gaming traditions. This is a mini series on Tales from the Backlog where patrons at the Tube Producer level can join me for an episode about whatever they want! If you're interested, you can click the link below to check out the Patreon page! 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: 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)!

For this Break from the Backlog, we're doing a roundtable discussion on long games and why some keep us engaged into the triple-digit hour counts while some burn us out long before. I was joined by three wonderful guests, Jared Moss (Play Along Podcast), Bill Barber (Gaming and Collecting) and Aaron Klaassen (Super Pod Saga). You can, and should, check out their shows! TIMESTAMPS Long Games We Loved 1:28 Long Games that Burned Us Out 55:12 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: 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)!

Some other entries in the long running Final Fantasy series have more mainstream attention, but Square's Final Fantasy IX is the one that feels like the underground favorite. Hailed as a love letter to all of the games in the series that came before it, Final Fantasy IX returns the series to high fantasy and puts together a top-notch cast of characters. Joining me to discuss it is Rick Firestone from Pixel Project Radio and Alejandro Ortiz from A Random Gamer's Corner. You can, and should, check out their podcasts by following this link for Pixel Project Radio and this link for A Random Gamer's Corner. TIMESTAMPS Intros/Personal Histories/Opening Thoughts 1:10 Story Setup/"Back to Basics" 19:28 Visuals 46:39 Music 54:09 Combat/Gameplay 1:01:29 To Remake? 1:21:53 SPOILER WALL 1:34:52 [Support Tales from the Backlog on Patreon!](patreon.com/realdavejackson) or buy me a coffee on Ko-fi! Join the Tales from the Backlog Discord server! Social Media: 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)!

What happens when a game is created with the idea of re-capturing nostalgia for an age gone by, but you don't share that nostalgia? Turns out, if the game is as good as Shovel Knight (Yacht Club Games), that doesn't matter! Shovel Knight is a masterpiece from front to back- it has tight gameplay, best-in-class tutorialization, fun boss fights, and a god-tier soundtrack. It is an absolute treat from start to finish, and I had the great pleasure of talking with Mikey Tabletop from Big Drink Energy about it in this episode. Find all things Big Drink Energy by following this link! TIMESTAMPS Intros/Personal Histories/Opening Thoughts 0:45 Development History/Story Setup 18:24 Gameplay 26:54 Boss Fights/Visuals/Music 50:39 SPOILER WALL 1:12:45 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: 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)!

I thought I knew what to expect from Xenoblade Chronicles 3 as a series fan, and in some ways, I was right. The gameplay, soundtrack, world design and combat were what I knew to expect from a Xenoblade game, to varying degrees of enjoyment. But the story and worldbuilding absolutely blew me away, in a series known for story and worldbuilding! And I was lucky enough to be joined by Kolby from Switch it Up podcast to discuss! You can find Switch it Up on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Twitter! TIMESTAMPS Intros/Personal Histories/Opening Thoughts 1:18 Story Setup/Story Thoughts 15:37 Gameplay/Exploration 39:29 Combat 50:22 Music 1:02:35 SPOILER WALL 1:16:34 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: 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)!

Per tradition, I end the year by talking about my favorite games that I played. This one focuses on 2022 releases, and if you'd like to hear me talk about the non-2022-release games that I loved this year, you can hear it by supporting Tales from the Backlog on Patreon! or buy me a coffee on Ko-fi! Join the Tales from the Backlog Discord server! Social Media: 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)!

Of of 2021's surprise breakout favorites makes its way onto the podcast! Modern Storyteller's reimagining of a successful Skyrim mod, The Forgotten City, tells the story of a society that lives under a draconic "Golden Rule"- where if one person sins, everybody dies...and somebody is going to break the Golden Rule soon. What unfolds over the next 6-10 hours is a thoroughly enjoyable mystery, full of memorable characters, beautiful locations and some real pieces of shit that you just want to fill full of arrows....but you can't! I was joined in this episode by Chris from the 1 Hour 1 Decision podcast to discuss this one! They pick a random game on Xbox Game Pass, play the first hour, and discuss whether they want to continue playing or not! You can find the show by searching in your favorite podcast app or by clicking this link! TIMESTAMPS Intros/Personal Histories/Opening Thoughts 1:33 Story Setup 14:10 Gameplay/Visuals/Music 29:55 Final Thoughts 46:52 SPOILER WALL 52:13 [Support Tales from the Backlog on Patreon!](patreon.com/realdavejackson) or buy me a coffee on Ko-fi! Join the Tales from the Backlog Discord server! Social Media: 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)!

Some games are worth the wait! Inscryption was a game that I had to sit and listen to everyone say "this is awesome! I can't tell you why though, but trust me!" for a while before it finally came to a platform that I own. But again, worth the wait! And I deep dive on it with John Rogers from Gaming in the Wild, which can be found wherever you listen to podcasts or by following this link. TIMESTAMPS Intro/Personal Histories/Opening Thoughts 1:28 Aesthetics 14:46 Card Game/Deckbuilding 25:26 Escape Room/Final Thoughts 53:53 SPOILER WALL 1:01:12 [Support Tales from the Backlog on Patreon!](patreon.com/realdavejackson) or buy me a coffee on Ko-fi! Join the Tales from the Backlog Discord server! Social Media: 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)!

We have a new series running on The Tube- patrons at the "Tube Producer" level or higher get to pick a topic to talk about. OG supporter of the show Chris Nelson is the first up, and he chose to talk about the top 3 video game items that are too good to use. The items that we keep telling ourselves to "wait until we REALLY need it", and then the game is over. We discussed our top 3s and learned a little bit about ourselves along the way. If you'd like to participate in an episode like this, you can [support Tales from the Backlog on Patreon!](patreon.com/realdavejackson) at the "Tube Producer" level or higher. If that's too steep, there are lower tiers to support, you can buy me a coffee on Ko-fi or support in any other way you can! Join the Tales from the Backlog Discord server! Social Media: 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)!

In this episode, I go back to the nostalgia well for one of my favorite games from childhood- the Pokemon Trading Card Game, for Gameboy Color. I grew up collecting the cards but not really playing the actual card game, except with this handy game. And this game was still pretty fun to revisit, but got very frustrating to see all of my strategies reduced to "Do you win the coin flips? If so, you win. If not, sucks to suck!". Joining me for this episode is Bill Barber from the Gaming and Collecting podcast, as well as The 3DO Experience podcast. Check out everything that Bill is doing by following THIS LINK TIMESTAMPS Intros/Personal Histories/Opening Thoughts 1:08 Story (lol)/Card Game 14:26 Visuals/Music/Closing Thoughts 34:53 SPOILER WALL 52:57 [Support Tales from the Backlog on Patreon!](patreon.com/realdavejackson) or buy me a coffee on Ko-fi! Join the Tales from the Backlog Discord server! Social Media: 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)!

There are some games you never forget, and my first playthrough of Nier: Automata certainly fits that category. The marriage of story, gameplay and music makes this an emotional and impressive journey. Join me, Andrew Kimball (Your Friendly Neighborhood Gamers) and Katie Shesko as we discuss this unforgettable game. TIMESTAMPS Intros/Personal Histories/Opening Thoughts: 1:20 Story Setup 24:50 Gameplay Shakeups 35:39 Music/Final Thoughts 1:03:26 SPOILER WALL 1:27:50 Check out Your Friendly Neighborhood Gamers at their website, YouTube Channel and wherever you listen to podcasts, and check out Katie's music on YouTube, [Twitch](www.twitch.tv/katieshesko) or Spotify! Katie's version of "City Ruins" was featured during the spoiler wall break in this episode! [Support Tales from the Backlog on Patreon!](patreon.com/realdavejackson) or buy me a coffee on Ko-fi! Join the Tales from the Backlog Discord server! Social Media: 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)!

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 Intros/Personal Histories/Opening Thoughts 1:30 Story/Gameplay Setup 22:17 SPOILER WALL 1:14:53 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: 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)!

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 Intros/Personal Histories/Opening Thoughts 1:35 Story Setup 24:00 Immersive Sim Gameplay 44:10 Combat 1:07:20 SPOILER WALL 1:36:22 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! Join the Tales from the Backlog Discord server! Social Media: 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)!

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 Intro/Personal Histories/Opening Thoughts 0:56 Story Setup/Characters 14:30 RPG Systems 40:21 SPOILER WALL 1:07:40 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! Join the Tales from the Backlog Discord server! Social Media: 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)!

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! Join the Tales from the Backlog Discord server! Social Media: 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)!

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 Intros/Personal Histories/Opening Thoughts 0:45 Story Setup/Characters/Acting/Voice Acting/Choices 13:05 Gameplay/Final Thoughts/Housekeeping 38:16 SPOILER WALL 54:55 Find everything that Between 2 Gamers are doing HERE! If you're a gaming podcaster and want to join the Co-op Discord Server, click here! [Support Tales from the Backlog on Patreon!](patreon.com/realdavejackson) or buy me a coffee on Ko-fi! Join the Tales from the Backlog Discord server! Social Media: 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)!

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 Intros/Personal Histories/Opening Thoughts 0:49 Story Setup/Aesthetics 9:08 Gameplay 25:44 SPOILER WALL 44:06 [Support Tales from the Backlog on Patreon!](patreon.com/realdavejackson) or buy me a coffee on Ko-fi! Join the Tales from the Backlog Discord server! Social Media: 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)!

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 Intros/Personal Histories/Opening Thoughts 1:15 Story Setup/MITOCHONDRIA/Visuals/Music 8:52 Combat/RPG Systems 35:34 Final Thoughts/Housekeeping 48:02 SPOILER WALL 54:35 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! Join the Tales from the Backlog Discord server! Social Media: 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)!

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 Intros/Personal Histories/Opening Thoughts 1:10 Story Setup/Gameplay 12:39 Melee Combat/Escort Missions 42:56 Visuals/Music/Remake 53:53 SPOILER WALL 1:13:14 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! Join the Tales from the Backlog Discord server! Social Media: 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)!

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 Intros/Personal Histories/Opening Thoughts 0:29 Story Setup/To Kill or Not to Kill? 19:51 Gameplay 31:13 Combat 38:29 Soundtrack/Recommend? 51:38 SPOILER WALL 1:08:00 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! Join the Tales from the Backlog Discord server! Social Media: 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)!