Tales from the Backlog

By Dave 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

5

5050 ratings

Download on the App Store

Download on the App Store

Get it on Google Play

FAQs about Tales from the Backlog:

How many episodes does Tales from the Backlog have?

The podcast currently has 268 episodes available.

Tales from the Backlog episodes:

July 29, 2026224: Titanium Court (with Emily Merritt - No Small Games)
Support my work on Patreon- https://patreon.com/realdavejackson
Discord, Socials and more- https://linktr.ee/talesfromthebacklog
Join Dave and special guest Emily Merritt (No Small Games) as they do their best to unpack AP Thompson's Titanium Court. Even AP Thompson's simplified description of "a match-3 tower defense game for people who like to read" still hides a mountain of detail, so this was a fun discussion about those component parts and especially how they tie together into a genuinely interesting narrative and commentary on the way we play games and "consume" media in general. As always, no spoilers for a while- enjoy!
Guest info: Emily Merritt (she/her)
Check out No Small Games https://nosmallgames.com/
Follow on Twitch https://www.twitch.tv/aspecificegg
Follow on Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/aspecificegg.bsky.social
TIMESTAMPS
0:00 Title
0:20 Introductions
4:52 Our Histories with Titanium Court
8:18 Top-Level Thoughts
14:59 Story Setup and Worldbuilding
22:46 Theatre Inspiration and Humor
33:02 Visual Design
41:04 Music
48:45 Gameplay- Jobs and Goals
59:23 Gameplay- High/Low Tide
1:12:22 "Addictive" Games
1:17:24 Who Should Play?
1:23:04 No Small Games
1:28:19 Spoiler Wall and Patron Thank-Yous
1:30:17 Spoilers- Curses Lifted
1:45:11 Spoilers- Story Discussion
1:57:00 Spoilers- Story, Continued
Music used in the episode is credited to AP Thompson. You can purchase the soundtrack on Steam. Tracks used: Chimera Solo, Timeskip Titlecard and the Ten Years Later, The One AP Doesn't Like, Metamind Defense Grid Blues, Biome Select, Fourth Quarter, For a Dollar
Cover art by Jack Allen- find him at https://linktr.ee/JackAllenCaricatures
Support Tales from the Backlog
...more
2h 32min
July 22, 2026223: Pokémon Conquest (with Jared Moss - Play Along Podcast)
Support my work on Patreon- https://patreon.com/realdavejackson
Discord, Socials and more- https://linktr.ee/talesfromthebacklog
Join Dave and special guest Jared Moss (Play Along Podcast) as they take over the land in Pokémon Conquest. This crossover between Pokémon and Nobunaga's Ambition puts the familiar monsters in tactical grid-based combat, with satisfying (if slow) progression. It's a fun twist on the familiar, even if it makes zero effort to tell an accompanying story with any juice. Please enjoy the discussion, and as always- no spoilers for a while!
Guest info: Jared Moss (he/him)
Listen to Play Along Podcast https://linktr.ee/PlayAlongPodcast
Follow on Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/playalong.bsky.social
TIMESTAMPS
0:00 Title Card
0:27 Introductions
5:20 Our Histories with Pokémon/Conquest
9:17 Top-Level Thoughts
16:10 Story Setup and Thoughts
23:31 Teambuilding and Conquering the Land
37:43 Turn-Based Tactics
55:48 The Gateway to Grand Strategy?
1:06:13 Soundtrack
1:08:03 Wrap-Up Thoughts
1:12:39 Pacing for Handheld Play
1:16:36 Who Should Play?
1:21:13 Play Along Podcast
1:26:03 Spoiler Wall and Patron Thank-Yous
1:28:04 Spoilers- Favorite Pokémon and Teams
1:42:58 Spoilers- Story and Final Fights
Music used in the episode is credited to Shin-ichiro Nakamura, Ayako Toyoda and Takashi Yoshida. Tracks used: Main Theme, Episode Opening, Normal Battle, Dungeon Theme 1, Map Theme 1, Staff Roll
Cover art by Jack Allen- find him at https://linktr.ee/JackAllenCaricatures
Support Tales from the Backlog
...more
2h 6min
July 15, 2026Video Game Music Appreciation 101 (with Rick Firestone & Charlie Young)
Support my work on Patreon- https://patreon.com/realdavejackson
Discord, Socials and more- https://linktr.ee/talesfromthebacklog
Join Dave and special guests Rick Firestone (Pixel Project Radio) and Charlie Young for an introductory lesson about how to listen to and discuss video game music in more effective ways. The episode starts with some terminology and examples, then moves to a "close listening" exercise where you can apply what was taught earlier. Hope you enjoy!
Guest info:
Charlie Young (he/him)
Rick Firestone (he/him)
Check out Pixel Project Radio https://linktr.ee/pixelprojectradio
TIMESTAMPS
0:00 Title Card and Introductions
2:00 Topic Introduction
7:36 Developing a Palate- Melody, Harmony, Rhythm
19:37 Developing a Palate- Timbre, Instrument Choice, Dynamics
33:42 Developing a Palate- Texture and Form
46:07 Developing a Palate- Character, Affect
1:00:39 Patron Thank-Yous
1:02:39 Close Listening- Champion Cynthia (Pokemon Diamond/Pearl/Platinum)
1:14:43 Close Listening- Decisive Battle: Yu Yevon (Final Fantasy X)
1:29:04 Close Listening- Gone Angels (Library of Ruina)
1:48:02 Close Listening- Alicia (Clair Obscur: Expedition 33)
2:09:02 Outro and Pixel Project Radio
Music used in the episode:
Earthbound OST- The Runaway Five on the Move! (Akio Ohmori, Ritsuo Kamimura, Keiichi Suzuki, Hirokazu Tanaka)
Blue Prince OST- Stories of All Manor (Trigg & Gusset)
Super Mario Bros OST- Ground Theme (Koji Kondo)
Final Fantasy IX OST- Vivi's Theme (Nobuo Uematsu)
Final Fantasy IX OST- Steiner's Theme (Nobuo Uematsu)
Dark Souls OST- Gwyn, Lord of Cinder (Motoi Sakuraba)
Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector OST- Signalchaser (Amos Roddy)
Pokemon Diamond/Pearl/Platinum OST- Champion Cynthia (Go Ichinose)
Final Fantasy X OST- Final Battle (Masashi Hamauzu)
Final Fantasy X OST- Zanarkand (Nobuo Uematsu)
Library of Ruina OST- Gone Angels (Studio EIM)
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 OST- Alicia (Lorien Testard, Alice Duport-Percier)
Video-
5th Elite Four Battle Cynthia- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8vzpDrO9dH0
Pokemon Trauma Cynthia Battle Flashbacks- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YOEKlXY-SYc
Final Fantasy X Trailer- https://youtu.be/riNzVUJumM8
Cover art by Jack Allen- find him at https://linktr.ee/JackAllenCaricatures
Support Tales from the Backlog
...more
2h 17min
July 08, 2026222: Mina the Hollower (with Matt aka Stormageddon - "Fun" and Games)
Support my work on Patreon- https://patreon.com/realdavejackson
Discord, Socials and more- https://linktr.ee/talesfromthebacklog
Join Dave and special guest Matt aka Stormageddon ("Fun" and Games, Reignite podcasts) as they discuss Yacht Club Games' long-awaited action adventure game, Mina the Hollower. Blending several influences from The Legend of Zelda, Castlevania, FromSoftware's catalogue and more, Mina the Hollower still managed to carve out a strong identity of its own while leaving a lasting impression. Listen in to find out more, and as always, no spoilers for a while.
Guest info: Matt aka Stormageddon (they/them)
Listen to "Fun" and Games https://funandgamespod.com/
Listen to Reignite https://reignitepod.libsyn.com/
Follow on Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/djstormageddon.com
TIMESTAMPS
0:00 Title Card
0:23 Introductions
6:41 Personal Histories with Yacht Club Games
12:34 Top-Level Thoughts
20:08 Story Setup and Weapon Choice
23:20 Exploring Influences
28:50 Visual Design and GBC Aesthetic
32:47 Burrowing Gives Mina Its Identity
43:47 Ways to Mitigate Difficulty
58:14 Open-Ended Structure and Exploration
1:09:07 Lightning Round!
1:14:34 Modifiers, Feats and Achievements
1:25:04 Music and Sound
1:34:43 Who Should Play?
1:40:15 "Fun" and Games, Reignite Podcasts
1:46:24 Spoiler Wall & Patron Thank-Yous
1:48:13 Spoilers- Weapons, Areas, Bosses
2:12:43 Spoilers- Final Boss and Ending
Music used in the episode is credited to Jake Kaufman unless otherwise noted. Tracks used: Cinematic - Intro, A Sinking Feeling (Loner's Landing), The Congealed, Gator Gallop (Nox's Bayou), A Sickly Shore (Bone Beach), Central Ossex, The Brilliant Truth (Radiant Manor), End Credits
Cover art by Jack Allen- find him at https://linktr.ee/JackAllenCaricatures
Support Tales from the Backlog
...more
2h 37min
July 01, 2026221: Minishoot' Adventures (with Roger Reichardt - Gamerheads Podcast)
Support my work on Patreon- https://patreon.com/realdavejackson
Discord, Socials and more- https://linktr.ee/talesfromthebacklog
Join Dave and special guest Roger Reichardt of Gamerheads Podcast as they discuss Soulgame Stuidio's 2024 top-down twin-stick shooting adventure, Minishoot' Adventures. The weird apostrophe will catch your attention, but the fantastic controls and satisfying gameplay will keep you grinning from ear to ear from start to finish. Or at least, that's how it went for us. As always, no spoilers in the episode until we warn you!
Guest info: Roger Reichardt (he/him)
Check out Gamerheads https://www.gamerheadspodcast.com/
Follow on Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/rogueleader76.bsky.social
TIMESTAMPS
0:00 Preview and Title Card
0:22 Introductions
5:30 Our Histories with Minishoot' Adventures
11:35 Top-Level Thoughts
18:28 Story Setup and Storytelling
26:44 A More Approachable Bullet Hell
34:06 Very Reasonable Challenge
39:27 Sound and Visual Design
45:57 Exploration and World Structure
56:16 Soundtrack
1:01:41 Wrap-Up Thoughts
1:06:32 Who Should Play?
1:09:31 Gamerheads Podcast
1:13:58 Spoiler Wall and Patron Thank-Yous
1:15:59 Spoilers- The Secret of the Apostrophe
1:19:33 Spoilers- Story Talk
Music used in the episode is credited to Séverin Larose. Tracks used: Main Title, Dungeon, Boss, Battle, Overworld, Credits
Check out an interview with Séverin Larose on "Fun" and Games podcast: https://funandgames.libsyn.com/episode-210-minishoot-adventures
Cover art by Jack Allen- find him at https://linktr.ee/JackAllenCaricatures
Support Tales from the Backlog
...more
1h 41min
June 24, 2026220: Pyre (with AJ Fillari)
Support my work on Patreon- https://patreon.com/realdavejackson
Discord, Socials and more- https://linktr.ee/talesfromthebacklog
Join Dave and special guest AJ Fillari as they discuss Pyre (Supergiant Games, 2017). As your crew makes their way through their underworld hellprison, you take part in competitive rites with the goal of earning your freedom. The game explores the rhythms of sport and competition, win or lose, as well as political allusions, what it means to return home, and much more. Dave and AJ also discuss Supergiant's continuity as a studio and how it helps them consistently put out good games. As always, no spoilers for a while- enjoy!
Guest info: AJ Fillari (they/any)
Listen to dotzip podcast https://dotzip.online/
Follow on Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/ajfillari.bsky.social
TIMESTAMPS
0:00 Title Card
0:27 Introductions
5:54 Our Histories with Supergiant Games
9:52 Top-Level Thoughts
17:20 Story Setup
24:45 Push and Pull Decision Making
31:56 You Gotta Lose Sometimes
43:26 Playing in the Rites
56:26 Cast of Characters and Reactivity
1:01:44 Art and Visual Design
1:06:13 Music
1:15:56 Who Should Play?
1:20:21 dotzip and AJ's work
1:25:06 Spoiler Wall and Patron Thank-Yous
1:26:49 Spoilers- Politics, Exile and Freedom
1:38:09 Spoilers- How Did Our Rites Go?
1:51:44 Spoilers- Who Should Go Free?
2:07:32 Spoilers- Endgame Results
2:14:02 Spoilers- Finale Music and Wrap-Up
Music used in the episode is credited to Darren Korb. Tracks used: In the Flame (with Ashley Barrett), Surviving Exile, Glorious Tradition, Thrash Pack, Strange Voyage, Never to Return (with Ashley Barrett), Bound Together (with Ashley Barrett)
Cover art by Jack Allen- find him at https://linktr.ee/JackAllenCaricatures
Support Tales from the Backlog
...more
2h 33min
June 17, 2026219: Drakengard (with IdolismJ)
Support my work on Patreon- https://patreon.com/realdavejackson
Discord, Socials and more- https://linktr.ee/talesfromthebacklog
Join Dave and special guest IdolismJ as they tackle Drakengard (Cavia, Square Enix, 2003). Drakengard has a reputation for being bad, unplayable, interesting and edgelordy to a certain extent, and we can confirm that some, but not all of those, are correct. Drakengard challenges the player in ways that most games don't, driving you crazy alongside the protagonist. Whether the effect is intentional or accidental, Drakengard certainly left an impression on us. Listen in to find out more, and as always, no spoilers for a while!
Guest info: IdolismJ (he/him)
Check out Jay's YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@IdolismJ
Support on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/cw/idolismj
Follow on Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/idolismj.yase.world
TIMESTAMPS
0:00 Title Card
0:18 Introductions
4:26 Our Histories with Drakengard and Nier
7:28 Top-Level Thoughts about Drakengard
11:53 Story Setup and Caim's Well-Being
21:40 Following the Plot
27:43 Combat- "Is It Bad on Purpose?"
40:28 Music to Go Insane to
50:14 Air Combat
58:00 Auteur Theory, Revisited
1:08:54 Art, Party Members, Voice Acting
1:18:10 Who Should Play Drakengard?
1:21:58 IdolismJ on YouTube
1:27:16 Spoiler Wall & Patron Thank-Yous
1:29:04 Spoilers- Things Get Worse Until They End
1:39:23 Spoilers- Ending A
1:47:44 Spoilers- Ending B
1:51:55 Spoilers- Ending C
2:00:38 Spoilers- Ending D and Some Hairy Subject Matter
2:16:49 Spoilers- Ending E and Connection to Nier
Music used in the episode is credited to Takayuka Aihara unless otherwise noted. Tracks used: Weapon Select, First Chapter - Sky, Fifth Chapter - Ground, Fourth Chapter - Ground (Nobuyoshi Sano), Fifth Chapter - Sky, First Chapter - Castle Interior, Eighth Chapter - Closing (Nobuyoshi Sano), Route C Staff Roll, Mission Clear (Nobuyoshi Sano)
Cover art by Jack Allen- find him at https://linktr.ee/JackAllenCaricatures
Support Tales from the Backlog
...more
2h 37min
June 10, 2026218: Fire Emblem: Three Houses (with Claire - Date With Us)
Support my work on Patreon- https://patreon.com/realdavejackson
Discord, Socials and more- https://linktr.ee/talesfromthebacklog
Join Dave and special guest Claire as they deep dive Fire Emblem: Three Houses (Intelligent Systems, Kou Shibusawa, Nintendo, 2019). They discuss the life sim and battle elements, how they tie together to make you fear permadeath even more, the four playthroughs, and much more. As always, no spoilers for a while!
Guest info: Claire (she/her/any)
Check out Date With Us podcast https://www.datewith.us
Check out Claire on Twitch https://www.twitch.tv/claireafterall
Get a sick wrestling belt https://www.trophysmack.com/
TIMESTAMPS
0:00 Title Card
0:21 Introductions
5:03 Our Histories with Fire Emblem
7:35 Top-Level Thoughts
14:36 Story Setup and Choosing Your House
23:49 Life Sim Elements and How To Spend Time
30:00 Teaching and Character Building
36:11 Relationship/Support Mechanics
40:25 Relationship and Dating Elements
55:36 Combat and Permadeath
1:05:18 Combat Basics
1:15:00 What's New in the DLC?
1:19:56 Soundtrack
1:26:10 Visual Design and Art
1:31:57 Who Should Play?
1:38:17 Date With Us and Claire's Streaming
1:44:36 Spoiler Wall and Patron Thank-Yous
1:46:26 Spoilers- Story Discussion
2:29:39 Spoilers- MVPs and Results
Music used in the episode:
The Crest of Flames (Yuka Tsujiyoko)
Fódlan Winds (Takeru Kanazaki)
Life at Garreg Mach Monastery (Takeru Kanazaki)
Tearing Through Heaven (Hiroki Morishita)
Tempest of Seasons (Rei Kondoh)
A Guide for the Future (Takeru Kanazaki)
A New Dawn (Takeru Kanazaki, Rei Kondoh)
The Land Beloved by the Goddess (Takeru Kanazaki)
Cover art by Jack Allen- find him at https://linktr.ee/JackAllenCaricatures
Support Tales from the Backlog
...more
2h 55min
June 03, 2026217: Many Nights a Whisper (with Flora Merigold)
Support my work on Patreon- https://patreon.com/realdavejackson
Discord, Socials and more- https://linktr.ee/talesfromthebacklog
Join Dave and special guest Flora Merigold (Epilogue Gaming, Left Behind Game Club) as they discuss Many Nights a Whisper (Deconstructeam, Selkie Harbour, 2025). Many Nights a Whisper puts you in a high-pressure situation and asks you to make tough choices that will have an impact on whether you make the climactic shot or not. We discuss the marriage of narrative and mechanics, our approaches to granting or denying wishes, the shot, and much more. As always, there are no spoilers for a while.
Guest info: Flora Merigold (she/her)
Check out Epilogue Gaming https://epiloguegaming.com/author/flora-merigold/
Check out Left Behind Game Club https://leftbehindgame.club/
Follow Flora on Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/floramerigold.bsky.social
TIMESTAMPS
0:00 Title
0:16 Introductions
3:53 Personal Histories with Many Nights a Whisper
5:44 Top-Level Thoughts
13:09 Story Setup and Wishes
20:29 Wishes, Tension and Thematic Explorations
38:53 Practice Makes Perfect
44:45 Music and Visuals
46:35 Who Should Play?
49:15 Flora's Creative and Artistic Work
53:41 Spoiler Wall & Patron Thank-Yous
55:56 Spoilers- Pink Cats and Healthy Tobacco
1:06:39 Spoilers- Removing Animal Souls and Making Gender Irrelevant
1:20:46 Spoilers- No More Work and Wanting a Nemesis
1:41:33 Spoilers- Mounting Pressure, No More Sleep, No More Religion
1:56:04 Spoilers- The Last Wish
2:09:53 Spoilers- The Shot and Final Musings
Music used in the episode is credited to fingerspit. Tracks used: Many Nights a Whisper, Ten Years Ago You Were Chosen, Doing My Best Is All I Can Give Them, New Strength, My Heart's Faint Call, The Ceremony, Into the Moonless Night
Cover art by Jack Allen- find him at https://linktr.ee/JackAllenCaricatures
Support Tales from the Backlog
...more
2h 37min
May 27, 2026216: Isles of Sea and Sky (with Jesse Guarascia)
Support my work on Patreon- https://patreon.com/realdavejackson
Discord, Socials and more- https://linktr.ee/talesfromthebacklog
Join Dave and special guest Jesse Guarascia (noclip, noclip_2 and more) as they strengthen their block-pushing muscles for a deep dive into Isles of Sea and Sky (Cicada Games, 2024). They discuss its rich world full of secrets, why Sokoban-style puzzles feel like a great foundation for weird narratives or layers of secrets, whether the open-ended design works well, and much more. As always, no spoilers for a while.
Guest info: Jesse Guarascia (he/him)
Check out noclip https://www.youtube.com/@NoclipDocs
And check out noclip2 https://www.youtube.com/@Noclip2
And Blowback! https://blowback.show/
Follow on Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/jesseguarascia.com
TIMESTAMPS
0:00 Title
0:22 Introductions
6:16 Our Histories with Isles of Sea and Sky
11:26 Top-Level Thoughts
18:38 Game Setup and Open Structure
29:19 Puzzle Design
40:40 Sokoban as a Base Layer for Building Secrets
53:15 Visual Design
1:00:00 Music and Sound
1:03:32 Who Should Play?
1:08:28 Jesse's Work at NoClip and More
1:16:53 Spoiler Wall and Patron Thank-Yous
1:19:17 Spoiler Section
Music used in the episode is credited to Craig Collver. Tracks used: Isles of Sea and Sky, Ancient Island, Stoney Cliffs, Tidal Reef, From Sea to Sky
Cover art by Jack Allen- find him at https://linktr.ee/JackAllenCaricatures
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 268 episodes available.

More shows like Tales from the Backlog

The Besties by Russ Frushtick, Chris Plante, Griffin McElroy, Justin McElroy

The Besties

4,835 Listeners

Watch Out for Fireballs! by Duckfeed.tv

Watch Out for Fireballs!

1,185 Listeners

The Cane and Rinse videogame podcast by Cane and Rinse

The Cane and Rinse videogame podcast

379 Listeners

Axe of the Blood God: An RPG Podcast by Axe of the Blood God

Axe of the Blood God: An RPG Podcast

636 Listeners

Retro Hangover by Retro Hangover

Retro Hangover

26 Listeners

"Fun" and Games Podcast by Matt Storm and Gen Moonen

"Fun" and Games Podcast

46 Listeners

Not Another D&D Podcast by Headgum

Not Another D&D Podcast

10,291 Listeners

Remember The Game? Retro Gaming Podcast by Adam Blank

Remember The Game? Retro Gaming Podcast

374 Listeners

Into the Aether - A Low Key Video Game Podcast by Stephen Hilger + Brendon Bigley

Into the Aether - A Low Key Video Game Podcast

368 Listeners

The MinnMax Show by MinnMax

The MinnMax Show

2,111 Listeners

Triple Click by Maximum Fun

Triple Click

1,163 Listeners

Pixel Project Radio: A Video Game Podcast by Pixel Project Radio

Pixel Project Radio: A Video Game Podcast

29 Listeners

No Small Games by Kate Hunter & Emily Merritt

No Small Games

26 Listeners

Post Games by Chris Plante

Post Games

334 Listeners