Backward Compatible

It’s the end of an era as Jim, Doc, Chris, and Nick bid farewell to the podcast. In parting, we share our personal tips and advice for games analysis and criticism so that you can stay compatible in our stead. Plus, we explain where you can find the show moving forward and share reflections on our time as hosts.

With the release of No Man’s Sky NEXT, Doc, Chris, and Nick revisit previous discussions by brainstorming their ideal space exploration game. Plus, Root, Cytus II, Worldbuilding Notes, and more.

Chris reads his letter responding a friend’s request for feedback on how they were running a Shadowrun campaign. The letter shares some of Chris’s philosophy of tabletop RPGs at the time, several points of praise, and suggestions for improvement given the players involved and the environment in which the game was run.

WARNING: This episode explores content that some listeners may find disturbing. Please review the content warnings associated with the game before choosing to listen. Chris, Eric, and Nick have an in-depth conversation about Doki Doki Literature Club by Team Salvato. Topics addressed include the hosts’ personal experiences with the game, its literary merits, and how it takes advantage of its medium for dramatic effect. Here’s a link to the TV Tropes article referenced in the episode: https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/VisualNovel/DokiDokiLiteratureClub. If you want to comment on this codex entry, ask a question, share some info, or voice an opinion, send an email to [email protected], and we may feature you on a future episode of the Backward Compatible Podcast. Subscribe to the Backward-Compatible.com Podcast on iTunes: bit.ly/backward-compatible. You may also enjoy "Role With It," the show where the Backward Compatible crew and their guests tell improvised stories through roleplaying games. Check it out on SoundCloud (@role-with-it) or subscribe on iTunes (bit.ly/role-with-it).

Jim, Doc, Chris, and Nick respond to a listener letter about the corporate nature of E3. Plus, we celebrate the podcast’s fourth birthday with lots of opening segments, including our traditional E3 edition of Buy, Try, or Trash. If you want to comment on this episode, ask a question, share some info, voice an opinion, or request a topic, send an email to [email protected], and we may feature you on a future episode of the podcast. Subscribe to the Backward-Compatible.com Podcast on iTunes: bit.ly/backward-compatible. You may also enjoy "Role With It," the show where the Backward Compatible crew and their guests tell improvised stories through roleplaying games. Check it out on SoundCloud (@role-with-it) or subscribe on iTunes (bit.ly/role-with-it).

Jim, Doc, Eric, and Nick discuss the ways developer narratives can detract from open-world games and vice versa. Plus, Far Cry 5, Doc’s dos and don’ts of board game expansions, and more. If you want to comment on this episode, ask a question, share some info, voice an opinion, or request a topic, send an email to [email protected], and we may feature you on a future episode of the podcast. Subscribe to the Backward-Compatible.com Podcast on iTunes: bit.ly/backward-compatible. You may also enjoy "Role With It," the show where the Backward Compatible crew and their guests tell improvised stories through roleplaying games. Check it out on SoundCloud (@role-with-it) or subscribe on iTunes (bit.ly/role-with-it).

Jim, Doc, Chris and Eric discuss why people don’t finish games and what that means for game design and discourse. Plus, Detroit: Become Human, the future of the Yakuza franchise, and more. If you want to comment on this episode, ask a question, share some info, voice an opinion, or request a topic, send an email to [email protected], and we may feature you on a future episode of the podcast. Subscribe to the Backward-Compatible.com Podcast on iTunes: bit.ly/backward-compatible. You may also enjoy "Role With It," the show where the Backward Compatible crew and their guests tell improvised stories through roleplaying games. Check it out on SoundCloud (@role-with-it) or subscribe on iTunes (bit.ly/role-with-it).

Jim, Doc, and Eric discuss achievements and their implications on the modern completionist mentality. Plus, Hearthstone’s solo adventure Monster Hunt, the NES ROM hack Hyrule’s Doom, Clank!: A Deck-Building Adventure, and more. If you want to comment on this episode, ask a question, share some info, voice an opinion, or request a topic, send an email to [email protected], and we may feature you on a future episode of the podcast. Subscribe to the Backward-Compatible.com Podcast on iTunes: bit.ly/backward-compatible. You may also enjoy "Role With It," the show where the Backward Compatible crew and their guests tell improvised stories through roleplaying games. Check it out on SoundCloud (@role-with-it) or subscribe on iTunes (bit.ly/role-with-it).

Jim, Doc, and Eric break away from our usual rants about cutscenes to talk about what makes for good cutscenes and what they can bring to a game. Plus, Yakuza 6: The Song of Life, Fortnite Battle Royale, Blood Rage, and more. If you want to comment on this episode, ask a question, share some info, voice an opinion, or request a topic, send an email to [email protected], and we may feature you on a future episode of the podcast. Subscribe to the Backward-Compatible.com Podcast on iTunes: bit.ly/backward-compatible. You may also enjoy "Role With It," the show where the Backward Compatible crew and their guests tell improvised stories through roleplaying games. Check it out on SoundCloud (@role-with-it) or subscribe on iTunes (bit.ly/role-with-it).

Doc, Chris, and Eric help Jim pick out the tabletop roleplaying system that might work best for his group of players. Plus, impressions of South Park: The Fractured But Whole - From Dusk to Casa Bonita, the Fallout board game, Seedship and more. If you want to comment on this episode, ask a question, share some info, voice an opinion, or request a topic, send an email to [email protected], and we may feature you on a future episode of the podcast. Subscribe to the Backward-Compatible.com Podcast on iTunes: bit.ly/backward-compatible. You may also enjoy "Role With It," the show where the Backward Compatible crew and their guests tell improvised stories through roleplaying games. Check it out on SoundCloud (@role-with-it) or subscribe on iTunes (bit.ly/role-with-it).