Tales from the Backlog

Dave is joined by both of the hosts of the List Off! podcast to discuss Acid Nerve's 2021 indie darling, Death's Door. Death's Door was a surprise hit in 2021, bursting on the scene with a great art direction and soundtrack, and paying homage to 2D Zelda games of the past. But was it all as cool as a crow wielding a bright red lightsaber? Listen in to find out! TIMESTAMPS: Intro 0:00, Death's Door 12:39, Spoiler Section 1:18:18 Click here for everything List Off! [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 Furtive Pygmy Jack Allen returns, as we put every boss in Dark Souls into a tier list. Do the tier list yourself and share it with Dave on the podcast socials! Let's compare! [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)!

Dave is joined by Jack Allen to talk about the perfect Valentine's Day game- Dark Souls. Don't give up, skeleton! Dark Souls is a game that changed the way many people, your host included, look at video games, and specifically the way people look at difficulty in video games. Find out why we think this is truly worthy of that Game of the Decade title. TIMESTAMPS: Intro 0:00, Dark Souls 10:50, Spoiler Section 2:21:47 Find Jack and his artwork at https://www.instagram.com/jackallencaricatures/ and his other pages [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)!

In the fourth edition of the Lazy Sunday Series focusing on short indie games, Dave is joined by Ryan Delaney to discuss Adam Robinson-Yu's charming hiking game, A Short Hike. In a gaming landscape full of punishing action games, blockbuster AAA titles and promises of hundred of hours of content, sometimes all your soul needs is a short hike with some cute animal characters. TIMESTAMPS: Intro 0:00, A Short Hike 12:30, Spoiler Section 45:00 The making of A Short Hike GDC talk [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)!

Dave is joined by Scott Danielson for part 2 of their own personal Hitman World of Long Podcasts Trilogy. Did you enjoy Hitman (2016)? You'll probably enjoy this game. Did you enjoy our episode about Hitman 1? Don't answer that, but you'll enjoy this episode as we dive deep into what makes this game, and this series, so good. TIMESTAMPS: Intro 0:00, Hitman 2 14:50, Spoiler Section 1:45:43 Hitman Speedrun Explained- Tomatoanus [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)!

Dave is joined by the Duke of Education himself, Alfredo Takori of the Dukes of Gaming podcast to discuss Sabotage Studio's 2018 retreaux action platformer, The Messenger. This is a game that excels in its presentation and basic Ninja Gaiden-esque gameplay, but has a few big tricks up its sleeve. Does it pull them off? Listen in to find out. TIMESTAMPS: (0:00 intro, 15:09 The Messenger discussion, 1:35:47 spoiler wall) Check out the Dukes of Gaming Podcast [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)!

Dave is joined by Rick Firestone of Pixel Project Radio to discuss ZA/UM's 2019 classic, Disco Elysium. Disco Elysium was a popular pick for 2019 Game of the Year, and Rick and Dave not only agree with that status, but would both put this game in their personal all-time pantheon of must-play games. Listen in to find out why! TIMESTAMPS: Intro 0:00, Disco Elysium 12:40, Spoiler Section 2:10:00 Noah Caldwell-Gervais on Disco Elysium Listen to Pixel Project Radio on Apple and Spotify Follow Pixel Project Radio on Instagram and Twitter [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)!

In the 3rd edition of the Lazy Sunday series focusing on short indie games, Dave is joined by Heather Siddiqui and Nick Greenberg to discuss the 2018 interactive visual novel by Mountains, Florence. Florence is a very short game that packs a huge emotional punch, brilliantly conveying emotions via color, music and simple gameplay mechanics. TIMESTAMPS: Intro 0:00, Florence 10:50, Spoiler Section 41:50 [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)!

Dave is joined by anthropomorphic centipede Jim Rodeman to discuss Team Cherry's legendary metroidvania, Hollow Knight. Standing alone at the top of Metroidvania Mountain is a surprise indie hit, one that marries the lonely atmosphere of Dark Souls with best-in-class map design and fun, expressive combat. TIMESTAMPS: Intro 0:00, Hollow Knight 12:23, Spoiler Section 1:33:35 Game Maker's Toolkit- The World Design of Hollow Knight [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)!

Dave discusses his year in gaming, including the top games he played for the first time in 2021, each game he played that was actually released in 2021, and eventually naming his top 3 games from 2021 in the process. Thank you all for listening as the show has gotten off the ground, and I look forward to continuing to grow and improve in 2022. [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)!

Dave is joined by Adelaide Lohkamp (she/her), who emerged from the endless fog to discuss Konami's pillar of the survival horror genre, Silent Hill 2. Dave is NOT a horror game fan, and also has trouble playing older games with very outdated gameplay and/or mechanics....so what is it that automatically vaulted Silent Hill 2 onto his "must-play" list? Listen in to find out, and keep that radio handy. *Note I refer to Adelaide by another name in the episode, but as preferences have changed since the recording date, please use the name Adelaide when referring to her. Thanks! TIMESTAMPS: Intro 0:00, Silent Hill 2 11:51, Spoiler Section 1:01:10 Great story analysis on YouTube by TheGamingBritShow Check out Jamie's YouTube channel! [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)!

[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)! In the second entry in the Lazy Sunday series focusing on short indie games, Dave is joined again by newly typecasted Walking Sim enthusiast Jake Anderson to talk about Fullbright's groundbreaking hit, Gone Home. Gone Home is one of the OG Walking Sims, and may even be responsible for that genre name. But since the genre has evolved since Gone Home's release, what is it like playing it for the first time after playing some of the more recent hits in the genre? Listen in to find out what Dave and Jake think. And don't forget to turn all the lights on! TIMESTAMPS: Intro 0:00, Gone Home 12:43, Spoiler Section 45:18 [Support Tales from the Backlog on Patreon!](patreon.com/realdavejackson) 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 stylish combat enthusiast Moonborne to discuss White Rabbit's incredible entry into the 2D soulslike genre, Death's Gambit. Death's Gambit, with its Afterlife expansion, is more than worthy of a seat at the table of the best 2D soulslikes, and a fun metroidvania to boot. Throw in a story that takes some interesting turns, and some cool lore ideas, and this is one that's an easy recommendation for fans of soulslikes and/or metroidvanias. TIMESTAMPS: Intro 0:00, Death's Gambit 8:27, Spoiler Secton 1:46:50 Moonborne on Twitter [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)!

Dave is joined by professional griffin rider Adam Rivera to discuss Capcom's uncanny western RPG, Dragon's Dogma. This is a game where the combat shines, and the story goes in some really weird places with some of gaming's strangest pacing. And did you know that wolves hunt in packs? TIMESTAMPS: Intro 0:00, Dragon's Dogma 8:15, 1:29:15 Follow Adam on Twitter! And Twitch! [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)!

In a very special bonus episode, Dave talks about good memories playing Smash Melee and then tier ranks 42 other GameCube games. Do the tier list yourself! [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)!

Dave is joined by Ryan Delaney to discuss Frictional Games' existential horror classic, SOMA. This is a game with an absolutely top-level story that simply has to be experienced, but does the simplistic gameplay drag down the overall experience? Listen to find out what we think. TIMESTAMPS: Intro 0:00, SOMA 9:40, Spoiler Section 41:50 [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)!

In the first in the Lazy Sunday series focusing on short indie games, Dave is joined by climbing safety enthusiast Jake Anderson to discuss Campo Santo's hit walking sim, Firewatch. Firewatch is at the same time critically acclaimed and a bit of a lightning rod for criticism. Find out what Dave and Jake think in the episode. TIMESTAMPS: Intro 0:00, Firewatch 12:15, Spoiler Section 44:47 GDC Talk on making the world of Firewatch [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)!

Dave is joined by Aaron "The Minotaur" Angle and nectar enthusiast Jim Rodeman to discuss Supergiant's latest hit, Hades. Hades brings some things to the table that will bring in players who don't normally play roguelites or fall off of them quickly. Listen to find out if it it was enough for us. TIMESTAMPS: (Intro 0:00, Hades 11:47, Spoiler Section 1:24:28) NoClip documentary series chronicling the making and release of Hades [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)!

Dave is joined by Helmut Kruger enthusiast Scott Danielson to discuss the 2016 reboot of the Hitman series. This is the first game in the truly wonderful World of Assassination Trilogy. Join us as we go in detail about what makes this game work, and our favorite memories of each level in the spoiler section. TIMESTAMPS: (Intro 0:00, Hitman 11:30, Spoiler Section 1:17:44) [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)!

Dave is joined by Aaron Angle and Ryan Delaney to discuss Sucker Punch Productions' 2020 hit, Ghost of Tsushima. This is a stunningly beautiful open world game that does not quite transcend genre tropes, but does a great job to hide them and build immersion. Throw in a few fun new mechanics and some great story moments, and you've got a recipe for a damn good game. TIMESTAMPS: Intro 0:00, Ghost of Tsushima 15:05, Spoiler Section 1:27:20 [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)!

Dave is joined by Aaron Angle and Ryan Arrington to discuss Rocket League, one of the best modern sports games available. For this game to be the topic of the first episode of this show, you know it's a special one. Smooth controls, kinetic action, and all of the highs and lows that you get playing real sports- it's all here. TIMESTAMPS: Intro 0:00, Rocket League 14:26, no spoiler section) Noclip documentary about the making of Rocket League [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)!