Tales from the Backlog

By David Jackson

A video games podcast where Dave Jackson and guests break down and discuss the games they play. Each episode looks at one game in depth, focusing on mechanics, story, music and other aspects, with no ... more

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FAQs about Tales from the Backlog:

How many episodes does Tales from the Backlog have?

The podcast currently has 207 episodes available.

Tales from the Backlog episodes:

June 04, 2025168: Persona 4 Golden (with Flora Merigold)
Support my work on Patreon- https://patreon.com/realdavejackson
Persona games are a tough sell for a guy who does a weekly podcast like this, so thank you to my wonderful patrons for voting Persona 4 Golden onto the show. While it has all of the pacing issues that you would expect an 80 hour game to have, I thought this is, in some ways, the best of the Persona 4/5/Metaphor trio that I've played in the last five years. Tune in to the episode to find out why.
Guest Info: Flora Merigold
Find her writing at Epilogue Gaming https://epiloguegaming.com/flora-merigold/
Hear her on Left Behind Game Club https://leftbehindgame.club/
Follow her on BlueSky https://bsky.app/profile/floramerigold.bsky.social
TIMESTAMPS
0:00 Title Card
0:22 Intros
4:40 Personal Histories with Persona and Persona 4
8:07 Opening Thoughts about Persona 4 Golden
16:05 Murder Mystery Story Setup
21:55 Characters and Problematic Representation(?)
37:13 Story Themes and PSA for New Players
49:03 Visuals
57:12 Music
1:05:42 Dungeon Crawling and Combat
1:28:03 Life-Sim Gameplay
1:44:52 Closing Thoughts/Recommendations/Plugs
1:55:14 SPOILER WALL/Patron Thank-Yous
1:56:49 Spoilers- Kanji, Naoto and Representation
2:37:34 Spoilers- Teddie and Rise and More
Music used in the episode is credited to Shoji Meguro. Tracks used: Glimpse of a Memory, Signs of Love, Like a Dream Come True, Heartbreak, Heartbeat, Reach Out to the Truth (First Battle), Sauna, Studio Backlot, Junes Theme, Your Affection, Results
Buy me a coffee on Ko-fi!
Join the Tales from the Backlog Discord server!
Social Media:
BlueSky
Instagram
Cover art by Jack Allen- find him at https://www.instagram.com/jackallencaricatures/ and his other pages
Support Tales from the Backlog
...more
3h 18min
May 28, 2025167: Lorelei and the Laser Eyes (with Jesse Guarascia)
What if Resident Evil 1 was just puzzles? What if it was also about eccentric artists and how they view their art and the creative process vs how their work is perceived? Lorelei and the Laser Eyes (Simogo, 2024) is that game! Tune in to find out how we felt about it!
Guest Info: Jesse Guarascia
Find Jesse's work on Noclip's YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@NoclipDocs
Support Noclip on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/cw/noclip
Check out Blowback https://blowback.show/
Follow on BlueSky https://bsky.app/profile/jesseguarascia.com
TIMESTAMPS
0:00 Title Card
0:35 Intros/Personal Histories/Opening Thoughts
15:10 Story Setup/Story Themes
34:40 Puzzles
51:23 Presentation
1:09:11 Closing Thoughts/Recommendations/Guest Plugs
1:18:49 SPOILER WALL/Patron Thank-Yous
1:21:12 Spoiler Section
Music used in the episode is credited to Linea Olsson, Daniel Olsén and Jonathan Eng. You can purchase the soundtrack here. Tracks used:
Titles (Linea Olsson, Daniel Olsén)
Art (Linea Olsson, Daniel Olsén)
Mind Game (Linea Olsson, Daniel Olsén)
Quiz Club (Daniel Olsén)
The Black Arts Coffee Club (Linea Olsson, Daniel Olsén, Jonathan Eng)
Interrogation (Daniel Olsén, Jonathan Eng)
The Last Dream (Linea Olsson, Daniel Olsén)
How It Ends (Linea Olsson, Daniel Olsén)
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:
BlueSky
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
...more
2h 20min
May 21, 2025166: Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown (with Derek Van Dyke)
Support my work on Patreon
I can hear it now- "Another Ace Combat game? Didn't Dave just do one?" and the answer to those questions is "You bet your ass I'm doing another one, I'm IN IT NOW"....ahem, Ace Combat rules, and Ace Combat 7 (Bandai Namco, 2019) is the most Ace Combat that Ace Combat has ever been. Join us as we give it the deep dive!
Guest info: Derek Van Dyke
Follow on BlueSky https://bsky.app/profile/derekvandyke.bsky.social
Check out Derek's past work on SDGC https://officialsdgc.com/
Check out Castle Bravo for all of your Godzilla needs https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/castle-bravo-a-godzillaverse-retrospective/id1591745386
TIMESTAMPS
0:00 Title Card
0:31 Introductions/Personal Histories/Opening Thoughts
14:37 Story Setup
34:04 Music/Visual Presentation
45:25 Gameplay
1:01:04 Closing Thoughts/Recommendations/Guest Plugs
1:11:23 SPOILER WALL/Patron Thank-You's
1:13:53 Spoiler Section
Music used in the episode is primarily credited to Keiki Kobayashi. Tracks used: Daredevil, Sol Squadron, Yinshi Valley, Archange, Skies Unknown, Hush
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:
BlueSky
Instagram
Cover art by Jack Allen- find him at https://www.instagram.com/jackallencaricatures/ and his other pages
Support Tales from the Backlog
...more
1h 51min
May 19, 2025PAX East 2025 Wrap-Up
Support my work on Patreon- https://www.patreon.com/realdavejackson
PAX East 2025 show floor was dominated by indie games, and here are all 17 of the indie games that I had a chance to play! Thank you to the folks at PAX for allowing me to cover the convention!
TIMESTAMPS
0:00 Intro
0:47 Tanuki: Pon's Summer https://store.steampowered.com/app/3218570/TANUKI_Pons_Summer/
2:39 Airframe Ultra https://store.steampowered.com/app/2522120/Airframe_Ultra/
4:18 Ultimate Sheep Raccoon https://store.steampowered.com/app/2923350/Ultimate_Sheep_Raccoon/
6:04 Mycopunk https://store.steampowered.com/app/3247750/Mycopunk/
7:39 BOTSU https://store.steampowered.com/app/885160/BOTSU/
9:20 GIGASWORD https://store.steampowered.com/app/1885930/GIGASWORD/
11:07 Altered Alma https://store.steampowered.com/app/2190700/Altered_Alma/
12:41 Constance https://store.steampowered.com/app/2313700/Constance/
13:54 The Berlin Apartment https://store.steampowered.com/app/2280430/The_Berlin_Apartment/
15:47 Compensation Not Guaranteed https://store.steampowered.com/app/2795590/Compensation_Not_Guaranteed/
18:10 Undusted: Letters from the Past https://store.steampowered.com/app/2891020/Undusted_Letters_from_the_Past/
19:49 Fresh Tracks https://store.steampowered.com/app/3202950/Fresh_Tracks/
22:17 Nocturne https://store.steampowered.com/app/1374860/Nocturne/
24:13 Fretless: The Wrath of Riffson https://store.steampowered.com/app/2429050/FretlessThe_Wrath_of_Riffson/
25:45 The Lacerator https://store.steampowered.com/app/2339330/The_Lacerator/
27:30 Demonschool https://store.steampowered.com/app/1900250/Demonschool/
29:39 Love Eternal https://store.steampowered.com/app/3010610/LOVE_ETERNAL/
31:13 Video Game Trivia, Six One Indie Showcase and Thank You**
Check out Jacob Mccourt https://www.youtube.com/@JacobMcCourt for the Video Game Trivia show I was in, and follow Six One Indie https://www.youtube.com/@SixOneIndie for more indie game announcements on May 22nd!
Intro/outro music composed by Bert Cole- https://www.bitbybitsound.com
Join the Tales from the Backlog Discord server!
Social Media:
BlueSky
Instagram
Cover art by Jack Allen- find him at https://www.instagram.com/jackallencaricatures/ and his other pages
Support Tales from the Backlog
...more
34min
May 14, 2025165: SUPERHOT (with Emily Merritt - No Small Games)
Support my work on Patreon https://patreon.com/realdavejackson
Is it really the most innovative shooter I've played in years? SUPERHOT Team struck gold with this idea, did just enough with it, and got out before things got stale. Now that's what I call SUPER. HOT.
Guest info: Emily Merritt aka aspecificegg
Check out No Small Games https://nosmallgames.com/
Follow No Small Games on BlueSky https://bsky.app/profile/nosmallgames.bsky.social
Catch Emily on Twitch https://www.twitch.tv/aspecificegg
Follow Emily on BlueSky https://bsky.app/profile/aspecificegg.bsky.social
TIMESTAMPS
0:00 Title Card
0:14 Intros/Personal Histories/Opening Thoughts
11:07 Story Setup/Presentation
26:35 Gameplay
52:58 Closing Thoughts/Recommendations/Guest Plugs
1:01:30 SPOILER WALL/Patron Thank-Yous
1:02:55 Spoiler Section
Music used in the episode: SUPER. HOT. by SUPERHOT Team
Join the Tales from the Backlog Discord server!
Social Media:
BlueSky
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
...more
1h 36min
May 07, 2025164: Monster Hunter Wilds (with Brad Gallaway)
Support my work on Patreon
Review code provided by Capcom. Thank you!
Monster Hunter has been around for a long time, but has only recently fully broken into the mainstream. And with mainstream success comes grumbling from longtime fans. Is the game actually too streamlined? Does quality of life take away from quality of game? And what about the new focus on the story? All that and more in this lengthy discussion.
Guest info: Brad Gallaway
Check out written game reviews on GameCritics https://gamecritics.com/
Listen to So...Videogames! https://gamecritics.com/category/podcasts/so-videogames/
Follow Brad on BlueSky https://bsky.app/profile/bradgallaway.bsky.social
TIMESTAMPS
0:00 Title Card
0:28 Intros/Personal Histories/Opening Thoughts
15:11 New Player Experience/Fight Prep
35:04 Monster Fights/Upgrades and Gear
1:04:32 Story/Presentation
1:24:12 Closing Thoughts/Recommendations/Guest Plugs
1:33:10 SPOILER WALL/Patron Thank-Yous
1:35:23 Spoiler Section
Music used in the episode is credited to Miwako Chinone. Tracks used:
Main Title Theme
Proof of a Hero (Wilds Version)
Nu Udra Battle Theme
Mizutsune Battle Theme
Rey Dau Battle Theme
Suja Village Daytime
Zoh Shia Battle Theme Phase 1- Arrant Calamity
Quest Clear Theme
Check out Dave on Pixel Project Radio giving first impressions on Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 https://open.spotify.com/episode/2EYHKnevmhrHHa5kTMCOLb
Check out Dave on Your Friendly Neighborhood Gamers talking about Monster Hunter Wilds (May 5th) https://www.fngamers.com/
Join the Tales from the Backlog Discord server!
Buy me a coffee on Ko-fi!
Social Media:
BlueSky
Instagram
Cover art by Jack Allen- find him at https://linktr.ee/JackAllenCaricatures
Listen to A Top 3 Podcast on Apple, Spotify and [other podcast platforms](atop3podcast.fireside.fm)!
Support Tales from the Backlog
...more
2h 18min
April 30, 2025163: Vagrant Story (with Aidan Moher)
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! or buy me a coffee on Ko-fi!
Join the Tales from the Backlog Discord server!
Social Media:
BlueSky
Instagram
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
...more
2h 35min
April 23, 2025162: Prey (2006) (with Asa GreenRiver)
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! or buy me a coffee on Ko-fi!
Join the Tales from the Backlog Discord server!
Social Media:
BlueSky
Instagram
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
...more
2h 2min
April 16, 2025161: Wanderstop (with Matt aka Stormageddon & CGDannyB)
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! or buy me a coffee on Ko-fi!
Join the Tales from the Backlog Discord server!
Social Media:
BlueSky
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
...more
2h 46min
April 09, 2025160: Sifu (with Ryan Juengling - List Off)
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! or buy me a coffee on Ko-fi!
Join the Tales from the Backlog Discord server!
Social Media:
BlueSky
Instagram
Cover art by Jack Allen- find him at https://www.instagram.com/jackallencaricatures/ and his other pages
Support Tales from the Backlog
...more
1h 45min

FAQs about Tales from the Backlog:

How many episodes does Tales from the Backlog have?

The podcast currently has 207 episodes available.

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