The Almighty Backlog

This week, Ellie delves into The Last of Us's tragic expansion, Left Behind. The Last of Us: Left Behind Feb 2014 | Naughty Dog / Sony PS4 Read the review on https://thealmightybacklog.wordpress.com/ Music: Chill Lofi Epiano Loop 80 BPM.wav by holizna -- https://freesound.org/s/629170/ -- License: Creative Commons 0 This review was entirely human-made. No generative AI of any kind was involved at...

This week Ellie explores a shattered floating continent in the hopes of restoring it to its former glory. Islets Aug 2022 | Kyle Thompson / Armor Games PC Read the review on https://thealmightybacklog.wordpress.com/ Music: Chill Lofi Epiano Loop 80 BPM.wav by holizna -- https://freesound.org/s/629170/ -- License: Creative Commons 0 This review was entirely human-made. No generative AI of any kind...

This week, Ellie joins the young witch Mika in a charming journey about delivering parcels and the evils of capitalism. Mika and the Witch's Mountain Aug 2024 | Nukefist | Chibig PC Read the review on https://thealmightybacklog.wordpress.com/ Music: Chill Lofi Epiano Loop 80 BPM.wav by holizna -- https://freesound.org/s/629170/ -- License: Creative Commons 0 This review was entirely human-made. No...

This week, Ellie explores an alien world in search of eggs alongside the transforming "sheep-thing" Sheepo! Sheepo Aug 2020 | Kyle Thompson PC Read the review on https://thealmightybacklog.wordpress.com/ Music: Chill Lofi Epiano Loop 80 BPM.wav by holizna -- https://freesound.org/s/629170/ -- License: Creative Commons 0 This review was entirely human-made. No generative AI of any kind was involved...

This week Ellie concludes the mainline Ace Attorney games as Phoenix takes on the brutal courts of Khura'in. Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney - Spirit of Justice Jun 2016 | Capcom PS4 Read the review on https://thealmightybacklog.wordpress.com/ Music: Chill Lofi Epiano Loop 80 BPM.wav by holizna -- https://freesound.org/s/629170/ -- License: Creative Commons 0 This review was entirely human-made. No g...

This week Ellie dives into American McGee's twisted and violent Wonderland with Alice: Madness Returns. Alice: Madness Returns Jun 2011 | Spicy Horse / EA PC Read the review on https://thealmightybacklog.wordpress.com/ Music: Chill Lofi Epiano Loop 80 BPM.wav by holizna -- https://freesound.org/s/629170/ -- License: Creative Commons 0 This review was entirely human-made. No generative AI of any ki...

This week Ellie wanders a quaint summer camp and reflects on the way in which Capybara Games have explored the lives of children who use alternative forms of communication in Find Your Words. Find Your Words Apr 2026 | Capybara Games PC Read the review on https://thealmightybacklog.wordpress.com/ Music: Chill Lofi Epiano Loop 80 BPM.wav by holizna -- https://freesound.org/s/629170/ -- License: Cre...

This week, Ellie heads back to the NES and the Mario franchise with one of the most revered games of its era, Super Mario Bros. 3. Super Mario Bros. 3 Oct 1988 | Nintendo NES Read the review on https://thealmightybacklog.wordpress.com/ Music: Chill Lofi Epiano Loop 80 BPM.wav by holizna -- https://freesound.org/s/629170/ -- License: Creative Commons 0 This review was entirely human-made. No genera...

This week Ellie fulfills her fantasies of making stuff be all neat and tidy by putting it where it belongs in the logic tile-puzzler Outpacked. Outpacked Apr 2026 | Antikythera Games PC Read the review on https://thealmightybacklog.wordpress.com/ Music: Chill Lofi Epiano Loop 80 BPM.wav by holizna -- https://freesound.org/s/629170/ -- License: Creative Commons 0

This week, Ellie joins John and Sam on their adventure Eastward, across a beautiful pixel world marred by a deadly MIASMA. Eastward Sep 2021 | Pixpil | Chucklefish PC Read the review on https://thealmightybacklog.wordpress.com/ Music: Chill Lofi Epiano Loop 80 BPM.wav by holizna -- https://freesound.org/s/629170/ -- License: Creative Commons 0

This week, Ellie steps once more into the tabi of ninja hero Ryu Hayabusa, and joins his journey to defeat a brand new demonic threat. Ninja Gaiden II: The Dark Sword of Chaos Apr 1990 | Tecmo NES Read the review on https://thealmightybacklog.wordpress.com/ Music: Chill Lofi Epiano Loop 80 BPM.wav by holizna -- https://freesound.org/s/629170/ -- License: Creative Commons 0

This week, Ellie dives into the dreamland of Subcon alongside Mario et al, and shares her thoughts on one of the most famous game conversions ever and the odd pattern of NES sequel creativity. Super Mario Bros. 2 Oct 1988 | Nintendo NES Read the review on https://thealmightybacklog.wordpress.com/ Music: Chill Lofi Epiano Loop 80 BPM.wav by holizna -- https://freesound.org/s/629170/ -- License: Cre...

This week Ellie hops into the cockpit of the legendary Vic Viper and takes to the stars in the very first Gradius game! Gradius May 1985 | Konami NES Read the review on https://thealmightybacklog.wordpress.com/ Music: Chill Lofi Epiano Loop 80 BPM.wav by holizna -- https://freesound.org/s/629170/ -- License: Creative Commons 0

This week, Ellie muses on the legacy of a cheat code while blasting away at suspiciously familiar aliens... Contra Feb 1987 | Konami NES Read the review on https://thealmightybacklog.wordpress.com/ Music: Chill Lofi Epiano Loop 80 BPM.wav by holizna -- https://freesound.org/s/629170/ -- License: Creative Commons 0

This week, Ellie explores an alien planet as, uh, a kitten in a mechsuit?! Video games are rad, y'all. Gato Roboto May 2019 | Doinksoft | Devolver Digital PC Read the review on https://thealmightybacklog.wordpress.com/ Music: Chill Lofi Epiano Loop 80 BPM.wav by holizna -- https://freesound.org/s/629170/ -- License: Creative Commons 0

This week, Ellie takes some time to reflect on her own privilege after playing Venba, an arresting, powerful story about immigration, culture, and parenthood, all contained within a gentle cooking puzzle game. Venba Jul 2023, Visai Games PC Read the review on https://thealmightybacklog.wordpress.com/ Music: Chill Lofi Epiano Loop 80 BPM.wav by holizna -- https://freesound.org/s/629170/ -- License:...

This week, Ellie looks back on the radical age, joining Leo, Raph, Mikey and Donnie on their journey to defeat the villainous Shredder in an infamously tough NES game. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles May 1989, Konami / Ultra NES Read the review on https://thealmightybacklog.wordpress.com/ Music: Chill Lofi Epiano Loop 80 BPM.wav by holizna -- https://freesound.org/s/629170/ -- License: Creative Commo...

This week Ellie explores the haunting ruins of Arcadia, fighting back against the sinister virus that has infected the mechanical denizens of a desolate world. Haiku the Robot Aug 2022, Mister Morris Games PC Read the review on https://thealmightybacklog.wordpress.com/ Music: Chill Lofi Epiano Loop 80 BPM.wav by holizna -- https://freesound.org/s/629170/ -- License: Creative Commons 0

This week Ellie immerses herself in the grim, gore-soaked world of Cvstodia and joins the Penitent One on his journey to bring an end to the Grievous Miracle. Blasphemous Sep 2019, The Game Kitchen / Team17 PC Read the review on https://thealmightybacklog.wordpress.com/ Music: Chill Lofi Epiano Loop 80 BPM.wav by holizna -- https://freesound.org/s/629170/ -- License: Creative Commons 0

This week, Ellie returns to Dracula's monster-infested halls in Castlevania Chronicles, a double-duty port and remake of a Japan-only home computer Castlevania title. Castlevania Chronicles Jul 1993 / May 2001, Konami PS1 [reviewed], Sharp X68000 Read the review on https://thealmightybacklog.wordpress.com/ Music: Chill Lofi Epiano Loop 80 BPM.wav by holizna -- https://freesound.org/s/629170/ -- Li...

This week, Ellie continues her journey through the licensed LEGO games, joining the conniving captain Jack Sparrow on the rolling seas in the plastic brick adaptation of Pirates of the Caribbean. LEGO Pirates of the Caribbean 2011, Traveller's Tales / Disney PC Read the review on thealmightybacklog.wordpress.com Music: Chill Lofi Epiano Loop 80 BPM.wav by holizna -- https://freesound.org/s/629170/...

This week, Ellie joins adventurers Melody and Allison as they quest around their sleepy village and uncover a deadly reality-altering plot, but mainly we spend time musing about the power and importance of joyously queer games. SLARPG 2022, ponett PC Read the review on thealmightybacklog.wordpress.com Music: Chill Lofi Epiano Loop 80 BPM.wav by holizna -- https://freesound.org/s/629170/ -- License...

This week, Ellie rides the roiling seas of Wavetale, a modern action-platformer that follows one young girl's journey to save her island home from a monstrous dark cloud called The Gloom. Wavetale 2021, Thunderful PC, PS4, PS5, Stadia, Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S Read the review on https://thealmightybacklog.wordpress.com/ Music: Chill Lofi Epiano Loop 80 BPM.wav by holizna -- https://freeso...