Tales from the Backlog

By Dave JacksonLeisure Video Games Games

Tales from the Backlog episodes

June 24220: 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
2 hr 33 min
June 17219: 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
2 hr 37 min
June 10218: 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
2 hr 55 min
June 03217: 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
2 hr 37 min
May 27216: 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
1 hr 45 min
May 20215: Kingdom Hearts (with Leah Haydu)
Support my work on Patreon- https://patreon.com/realdavejackson
Discord, Socials and more- https://linktr.ee/talesfromthebacklog
Join Dave and special guest Leah Haydu (Cane and Rinse, Character Issues) as they discuss Kingdom Hearts (Square Enix, 2001). Leah is a longtime fan and Dave just played for the first time, and that led to a great conversation about the infamous story, the Disney and Final Fantasy tie-ins, the action-RPG combat, and the simplicity at the "heart" of it all. Listen in for more, and as always, no spoilers for a while.
Guest info: Leah Haydu (she/her)
Check out Character Issues https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-character-issues-podcast/id1530881747
Check out Cane and Rinse https://caneandrinse.com/
TIMESTAMPS
0:00 Title Card
0:29 Introductions
4:02 Our Histories with Kingdom Hearts
9:50 Top-Level Thoughts
19:24 Story Setup and Disney Stuff
33:10 Final Fantasy Stuff
35:16 Understanding Kingdom Hearts
43:25 The "Heart" of the Story
51:11 More Music Talk
58:16 Gummi Ship
1:02:32 Combat
1:23:45 Some Gameplay Criticisms
1:30:26 Who Should Play?
1:34:00 Character Issues & Cane and Rinse Podcasts
1:40:24 Spoiler Wall & Patron Thank-Yous
1:42:08 Spoilers- Disney Worlds
1:54:58 Spoilers- Let's Talk Plot
2:04:13 Spoilers- Sora, Riku and Ansem
2:16:55 Spoilers- Final Bosses and Ending
Music used in the episode is credited to Yoko Shimomura: Dearly Beloved, Destiny Islands, Hollow Bastion, Welcome to Wonderland, Traverse Town, The End of the World, Dearly Beloved -Reprise-
Check out Unlockables Podcast for an extensive dive into the story of Kingdom Hearts: https://unlockables.fireside.fm/tags/guiding%20keys
Cover art by Jack Allen- find him at https://linktr.ee/JackAllenCaricatures
Support Tales from the Backlog
2 hr 32 min
May 13214: Cairn (with Rachel Watts)
Support my work on Patreon- https://patreon.com/realdavejackson
Discord, Socials and more- https://linktr.ee/talesfromthebacklog
Join Dave and special guest Rachel Watts (Thinky Games, Indieventure podcast) as they discuss Cairn (The Game Bakers, 2026). Cairn is a meticulous, thoughtful climbing game that takes you into the mind of an elite athlete as she attempts a climb that has never been done before. While it has some (unintentionally) frustrating moments, Cairn is an extremely strong and affecting game- listen in to find out more, and as always, no spoilers for a while!
Guest info: Rachel Watts (she/her)
Check out Thinky Games https://thinkygames.com
Check out Indieventure https://indieventurepodcast.co.uk
TIMESTAMPS
0:00 Title Card
0:23 Introductions
5:09 Our Histories with The Game Bakers & Cairn
8:58 Top Level Thoughts
17:32 Story Setup and Characterizing Aava
31:40 Climbing Mechanics
37:36 High Difficulty Meets a Few Shaky Systems
54:53 Visual Design, Sound Design and Music
1:03:12 Survival on Mt. Kami
1:17:58 Who Should Play Cairn?
1:24:32 Thinky Games and Indieventure Podcast
1:28:54 Spoiler Wall & Patron Thank-Yous
1:30:30 Spoilers- Fun Moments & Tough Challenges
1:54:19 Spoilers- Let's Talk About Aava
2:22:42 Spoilers- Ending Discussion
Music used in the episode is credited to Martin Stig Andersen, Gilda and The Toxic Avenger. Tracks used: The Mountain is Calling, Rise, Fatigue Is In Your Head, Only the Mountain, In My Gut, Stars, Part of a Whole
Cover art by Jack Allen- find him at https://linktr.ee/JackAllenCaricatures
Support Tales from the Backlog
2 hr 42 min
May 06213: Hitman 3 & Freelancer Mode (with Scott Danielson)
Support my work on Patreon- https://patreon.com/realdavejackson
Discord, Socials and more- https://linktr.ee/talesfromthebacklog
Join Dave and returning guest Scott Danielson as they dive into the third and final entry in the Hitman: World of Assassination Trilogy (IO Interactive), as well as its roguelike mode, Freelancer. This whole package is an absolute treat, and this also brings the Tales from the Backlog Hitman Episode Trilogy to a close. Listen in for allllll (most) of our thoughts!
Guest info: Scott Danielson (he/him)
TIMESTAMPS
0:00 Title Card
0:25 Introductions
8:25 Our Histories with Hitman
12:39 Top-Level Thoughts
17:13 Story Setup
24:43 Levels and Locations
34:16 What's New and Mission Stories
43:26 The Sandbox and Freelancer Mode
1:02:32 Other Bonus Missions
1:09:07 Who Should Play Hitman?
1:17:03 Spoiler Wall and Patron Thank-Yous
1:18:57 Spoilers- Dubai
1:37:53 Spoilers- Dartmoor
1:50:43 Spoilers- Berlin
2:10:03 Spoilers- Chongqing
2:27:31 Spoilers- Mendoza
2:41:54 Spoilers- Carpathian Mountains
2:53:56 Spoilers- Ending and Ambrose Island
Music used in the episode is credited to Niels Bye Nielson. Tracks used: Death Awaits, Best-Laid Plans, Sceptres of Dubai, End of an Era, Planning, Death in the Family, Chongqing Requiem, Mission Accomplished
Cover art by Jack Allen- find him at https://linktr.ee/JackAllenCaricatures
Support Tales from the Backlog
3 hr 11 min
April 29212: The Séance of Blake Manor (with Brian Edwards - Cane and Rinse, Character Issues)
Support my work on Patreon- https://patreon.com/realdavejackson
Discord, Socials and more- https://linktr.ee/talesfromthebacklog
Join Dave and special guest Brian Edwards as they dive into one of 2025's most acclaimed games, The Séance of Blake Manor (Spooky Doorway, Raw Fury, 2025). It's a captivating mystery set in an Irish countryside manor-turned-hotel, full of both literal and figurative ghosts, culminating in a grand séance. It's full of memorable characters, fantastic voice performances, Irish folklore and mythology, and always manages to keep you guessing. Check out the podcast for more.
Guest info: Brian Edwards (he/him)
Check out the Character Issues podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-character-issues-podcast/id1530881747?l=zh-Hant-TW
Check out Cane and Rinse https://caneandrinse.com/
TIMESTAMPS
0:00 Title Card
0:16 Introductions
4:24 Personal Histories
7:59 Top-Level Thoughts
14:15 Story Setup and Cast of Characters
24:18 Spooky Atmosphere
29:00 Character Schedules and the Passage of Time
41:41 Lack of Deductive Reasoning
48:43 Some Mechanical Frustrations
56:09 Some Puzzly Puzzles
58:44 Irish Folklore & Mythology
1:05:31 Who Should Play?
1:09:40 Character Issues & Cane and Rinse
1:19:04 Spoiler Wall and Patron Thank-Yous
1:20:57 Spoilers- Favorite Moments and Storylines
1:49:27 Spoilers- What's Going On Here?
Music used in the episode is credited to Clement Panchout. Tracks used: The Séance of Blake Manor, Vincent Varley, Blake Manor I, Courtyard, The Ritual, Serenade for Evelyn Deane (End Credits)
Check out Dave's guest DJ set on Chillscape: A Chill VGM Podcast: https://superpodnetwork.com/podcast/chillscape-a-chill-vgm-podcast
Cover art by Jack Allen- find him at https://linktr.ee/JackAllenCaricatures
Support Tales from the Backlog
2 hr 14 min
April 22211: Baby Steps (with Josh Galecki - Pixelated Playgrounds)
Support my work on Patreon- https://patreon.com/realdavejackson
Discord, Socials and more- https://linktr.ee/talesfromthebacklog
Join Dave and special guest Josh Galecki (Pixelated Playgrounds, Moonroof Studios) to take a long walk into the woods of Baby Steps. Developed by Bennett Foddy, Gabe Cuzillo and Maxi Boch and published by Devolver Digital, Baby Steps is an extremely unique game, one where its story of its failson protagonist meshes with its frustrating-yet-rewarding gameplay for a very rewarding and genuinely funny experience. Check out the podcast for more.
Guest info: Josh Galecki (he/him)
Check out Pixelated Playgrounds https://www.pixelatedplaygrounds.com/
Check out Josh's games on Steam https://store.steampowered.com/search/?developer=Moonroof%20Studios
Check out more of Josh's games on itch https://joshuagalecki.itch.io/
TIMESTAMPS
0:00 Title Card
0:11 Introductions
5:42 Our Histories with Baby Steps
9:42 Top-Level Thoughts
15:11 Characterization of Nate
20:18 Walking Mechanics
26:56 Difficulty and World Design
40:19 Hating On Nate and Comedy
54:27 Visuals, Music and Sound
59:13 Who Should Play Baby Steps?
1:04:16 Pixelated Playgrounds and Moonroof Studios
1:08:40 Spoiler Wall & Patron Thank-Yous
1:10:17 Spoilers- Jim, The Manbreaker, Other Challenges
1:32:19 Spoilers- Let's Talk About Nate
1:42:28 Spoilers- Nate's Journey and Endings
1:55:43 Accomplishments vs Achievements
2:04:23 Guys...Where Are We?
Sound clips in episode were captured in game.
The Secret Lives of Games interview with Bennett Foddy & Gabe Cuzillo- https://eggplant.show/152-walking-over-it-with-gabe-cuzzillo-and-bennett-foddy-baby-steps
Cover art by Jack Allen- find him at https://linktr.ee/JackAllenCaricatures
Support Tales from the Backlog
2 hr 21 min

About Tales from the Backlog

From the publisher's feed

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…