Tales from the Backlog

In the 3rd edition of the Lazy Sunday series focusing on short indie games, Dave is joined by Heather Siddiqui and Nick Greenberg to discuss the 2018 interactive visual novel by Mountains, Florence. Florence is a very short game that packs a huge emotional punch, brilliantly conveying emotions via color, music and simple gameplay mechanics. TIMESTAMPS: Intro 0:00, Florence 10:50, Spoiler Section 4...

Dave is joined by anthropomorphic centipede Jim Rodeman to discuss Team Cherry's legendary metroidvania, Hollow Knight. Standing alone at the top of Metroidvania Mountain is a surprise indie hit, one that marries the lonely atmosphere of Dark Souls with best-in-class map design and fun, expressive combat. TIMESTAMPS: Intro 0:00, Hollow Knight 12:23, Spoiler Section 1:33:35 Game Maker's Toolkit- Th...

Dave discusses his year in gaming, including the top games he played for the first time in 2021, each game he played that was actually released in 2021, and eventually naming his top 3 games from 2021 in the process. Thank you all for listening as the show has gotten off the ground, and I look forward to continuing to grow and improve in 2022. [Support Tales from the Backlog on Patreon!](patreon.c...

Dave is joined by Adelaide Lohkamp (she/her), who emerged from the endless fog to discuss Konami's pillar of the survival horror genre, Silent Hill 2. Dave is NOT a horror game fan, and also has trouble playing older games with very outdated gameplay and/or mechanics....so what is it that automatically vaulted Silent Hill 2 onto his "must-play" list? Listen in to find out, and keep that radio hand...

[Support Tales from the Backlog on Patreon!](patreon.com/realdavejackson) or buy me a coffee on Ko-fi ! Join the Tales from the Backlog Discord server! Social Media: 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)!...

Dave is joined by stylish combat enthusiast Moonborne to discuss White Rabbit's incredible entry into the 2D soulslike genre, Death's Gambit. Death's Gambit, with its Afterlife expansion, is more than worthy of a seat at the table of the best 2D soulslikes, and a fun metroidvania to boot. Throw in a story that takes some interesting turns, and some cool lore ideas, and this is one that's an easy r...

Dave is joined by professional griffin rider Adam Rivera to discuss Capcom's uncanny western RPG, Dragon's Dogma. This is a game where the combat shines, and the story goes in some really weird places with some of gaming's strangest pacing. And did you know that wolves hunt in packs? TIMESTAMPS: Intro 0:00, Dragon's Dogma 8:15, 1:29:15 Follow Adam on Twitter ! And Twitch! [Support Tales from the B...

In a very special bonus episode, Dave talks about good memories playing Smash Melee and then tier ranks 42 other GameCube games. Do the tier list yourself! [Support Tales from the Backlog on Patreon!](patreon.com/realdavejackson) or buy me a coffee on Ko-fi ! Join the Tales from the Backlog Discord server! Social Media: Instagram Twitter Facebook Cover art by Jack Allen- find him at https://www.in...

Dave is joined by Ryan Delaney to discuss Frictional Games' existential horror classic, SOMA. This is a game with an absolutely top-level story that simply has to be experienced, but does the simplistic gameplay drag down the overall experience? Listen to find out what we think. TIMESTAMPS: Intro 0:00, SOMA 9:40, Spoiler Section 41:50 [Support Tales from the Backlog on Patreon!](patreon.com/realda...

In the first in the Lazy Sunday series focusing on short indie games, Dave is joined by climbing safety enthusiast Jake Anderson to discuss Campo Santo's hit walking sim, Firewatch. Firewatch is at the same time critically acclaimed and a bit of a lightning rod for criticism. Find out what Dave and Jake think in the episode. TIMESTAMPS: Intro 0:00, Firewatch 12:15, Spoiler Section 44:47 GDC Talk o...

Dave is joined by Aaron "The Minotaur" Angle and nectar enthusiast Jim Rodeman to discuss Supergiant's latest hit, Hades. Hades brings some things to the table that will bring in players who don't normally play roguelites or fall off of them quickly. Listen to find out if it it was enough for us. TIMESTAMPS: (Intro 0:00, Hades 11:47, Spoiler Section 1:24:28) NoClip documentary series chronicling t...

Dave is joined by Helmut Kruger enthusiast Scott Danielson to discuss the 2016 reboot of the Hitman series. This is the first game in the truly wonderful World of Assassination Trilogy. Join us as we go in detail about what makes this game work, and our favorite memories of each level in the spoiler section. TIMESTAMPS: (Intro 0:00, Hitman 11:30, Spoiler Section 1:17:44) [Support Tales from the Ba...

Dave is joined by Aaron Angle and Ryan Delaney to discuss Sucker Punch Productions' 2020 hit, Ghost of Tsushima. This is a stunningly beautiful open world game that does not quite transcend genre tropes, but does a great job to hide them and build immersion. Throw in a few fun new mechanics and some great story moments, and you've got a recipe for a damn good game. TIMESTAMPS: Intro 0:00, Ghost of...

Dave is joined by Aaron Angle and Ryan Arrington to discuss Rocket League, one of the best modern sports games available. For this game to be the topic of the first episode of this show, you know it's a special one. Smooth controls, kinetic action, and all of the highs and lows that you get playing real sports- it's all here. TIMESTAMPS: Intro 0:00, Rocket League 14:26, no spoiler section) Noclip...