Support my work on Patreon- https://patreon.com/realdavejackson
Join the Tales from the Backlog Discord server- https://discord.gg/kAqSBb6jH2
Buy me a coffee on Ko-fi- https://ko-fi.com/realdavejackson
Ever have one of those games that sits in your library, untouched for years, until something finally gives you the push to play it...and you end up kicking yourself for waiting so long? That's Heaven's Vault, and without our community Backlog Resolutions challenge, I would have missed out on one of the coolest games I think I've ever played. Listen in to find out why!
Guest info: Rebekah Valentine (she/her)
* Read Reb's work on IGN https://www.ign.com/person/duckvalentine
* Follow on BlueSky https://bsky.app/profile/duckvalentine.bsky.social
* Check out Nintendo Voice Chat https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/nintendo-voice-chat/id276268457
TIMESTAMPS
* 0:00 Title Card
* 0:22 Intros
* 5:05 Our Histories with Heaven's Vault and Language Learning
* 9:43 Opening Thoughts
* 14:30 Story Setup and Reactive Storytelling
* 29:37 Aliyah and Six
* 35:52 Language Learning
* 50:22 Visuals and Music
* 55:40 Closing Thoughts and Recommendations
* 58:13 Reb's Work at IGN
* 1:01:34 Spoiler Wall and Patron Thank-Yous
* 1:03:35 Spoiler Section- What Happened in Our Playthroughs?
* 1:35:53 Spoiler Section- Language Discoveries
* 1:44:40 Spoiler Section- The Wildest Turn of Events
* 2:03:54 Spoiler Section- Ending Discussion
Music used in the episode is credited to Laurence Chapman. Tracks used: An Ancient Language, The Desperate Ways, Before the Fall, The Nebula, Fantasia on One Good Moon, Heaven's Vault, An Ancient Language (Cello & Piano)
Social Media:
BlueSky- https://bsky.app/profile/tftblpod.bsky.social
Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/talesfromthebacklog/
Cover art by Jack Allen- find him at https://linktr.ee/JackAllenCaricatures
--------
2:35:21
--------
2:35:21
191: Pokémon Scarlet and Violet (with Kate & Emily - No Small Games)
Support my work on Patreon- https://patreon.com/realdavejackson
Join the Tales from the Backlog Discord server- https://discord.gg/kAqSBb6jH2
Buy me a coffee on Ko-fi- https://ko-fi.com/realdavejackson
Modern Pokémon games are divisive, but rarely due to technical performance. Pokémon Scarlet and Violet (Game Freak, 2022) released in an embarrassing state, and are hoping for a comeback with their recent Switch 2 editions. So now that the bugs are squashed and the framerate is stable, what kind of game was lurking under all of those issues? Listen in to find out.
Guest info: Kate Hunter (she/any) and Emily Merritt (she/her)
* Check out the No Small Games podcast and website https://nosmallgames.com/
* Follow Kate on BlueSky https://bsky.app/profile/katerblossom.bsky.social
* Follow Emily on BlueSky https://bsky.app/profile/aspecificegg.bsky.social
TIMESTAMPS
* 0:00 Title Card
* 0:16 Intros
* 5:53 Our Personal Histories with Pokémon
* 12:52 Opening Thoughts About Pokémon Scarlet & Violet
* 21:44 World and Story Setup
* 36:07 Nonlinear Design
* 42:50 Is the Story Actually Good, or Are We Grading On a Curve?
* 54:25 Visuals/Presentation
* 1:01:37 Open World Design
* 1:17:28 New Quick Battle System
* 1:22:28 Combat, Team Building and Challenge?
* 1:41:08 Closing Thoughts and Recommendations
* 1:47:16 No Small Games
* 1:54:07 Spoiler Wall and Patron Thank-Yous
* 1:56:55 Spoiler Section- Our Teams, Area Zero, Ending
* 2:28:06 Spoiler Section- DLCs
Music used in the episode:
* Title Screen (Junichi Masuda, Go Ichinose)
* Home (Junichi Masuda)
* Poco Path (Junichi Masuda)
* Battle! (Trainer Battle) (Junichi Masuda)
* Area Zero (GAME FREAK)
* Pokémon Center (Junichi Masuda)
* Welcome to the Paldea Region! (Minako Adachi, Toby Fox)
Check out Dave on Geeks & Grounds in November and December- https://www.geeksandgrounds.com/
Check out Dave on the Character Issues podcast- https://www.buzzsprout.com/1306474
Check out Dave on Nostalgium Arcanum- https://nostalgiumarcanum.fireside.fm/
Social Media:
BlueSky- https://bsky.app/profile/tftblpod.bsky.social
Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/talesfromthebacklog/
Cover art by Jack Allen- find him at https://linktr.ee/JackAllenCaricatures
--------
2:44:15
--------
2:44:15
190: Pseudoregalia (with Bo__Po - Underplayed)
Support my work on Patreon- https://patreon.com/realdavejackson
Join the Tales from the Backlog Discord server- https://discord.gg/kAqSBb6jH2
Buy me a coffee on Ko-fi- https://ko-fi.com/realdavejackson
Pseudoregalia (Rittzler, 2023) represents a few things that are either making a resurgence or breaking out within indie games lately- retro PS1/N64 style graphics, megastructures, and 3D platformers. Combining incredibly tight and expressive platforming with nonlinear Metroidvania design and a vibey soundtrack, Pseudoregalia is a very good snack of a game, though not without some critical discussion points.
Guest info: Beau aka Bo__Po (he/him)
* Check out Underplayed podcast https://open.spotify.com/show/3qRQdjTtDRE1GZbFHhSYgu
* Follow Beau on Twitch https://www.twitch.tv/bo__po
* Follow on BlueSky https://bsky.app/profile/bo-po.bsky.social
TIMESTAMPS
* 0:00 Title Card
* 0:14 Introductions
* 5:02 Personal Histories with Pseudoregalia
* 11:21 Opening Thoughts
* 18:52 Story Setup
* 24:42 Movement and Creativity
* 38:10 Open-Ended Design
* 47:50 The Map and Getting Lost
* 58:01 Combat
* 1:04:41 Visual Aesthetic and Music
* 1:12:57 Closing Thoughts and Recommendations
* 1:20:00 UnderPlayed podcast and Beau on Twitch
* 1:26:11 Spoiler Wall & Patron Thank-Yous
* 1:27:51 Spoiler Section
Music used in the episode:
* Remnants of the Dream (potatoTeto)
* Revival (potatoTeto)
* Their Subdued History (potatoTeto)
* Outside the Castle Walls (potatoTeto)
* Delirious Acting (potatoTeto)
* Paramnesiac (still crisp)
Social Media:
BlueSky- https://bsky.app/profile/tftblpod.bsky.social
Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/talesfromthebacklog/
Cover art by Jack Allen- find him at https://linktr.ee/JackAllenCaricatures
--------
1:52:42
--------
1:52:42
189: Lies of P (with Rob & Kelvin - The Gaming Duo)
Support my work on Patreon- https://patreon.com/realdavejackson
Join the Tales from the Backlog Discord server- https://discord.gg/kAqSBb6jH2
Buy me a coffee on Ko-fi- https://ko-fi.com/realdavejackson
Nobody is more skeptical of a new Soulslike on the block than me. Too often, Soulslikes build around the superficial qualities of FromSoftware's hits and neglect the secret sauce (or miss it entirely). Luckily for me and those who feel the same way, Round8 Studio and Neowiz knocked it out of the park with their Pinocchio-inspired Soulslike, Lies of P. I felt right at home playing through this, and it turned into a really fun conversation.
Guest info: Rob Garcia (he/him) and Kelvin Rolon (he/him)
* Check out The Gaming Duo https://www.gamingduopod.com/
* Follow on BlueSky https://bsky.app/profile/thegamingduo.bsky.social
TIMESTAMPS
* 0:00 Title Card
* 0:28 Intros
* 5:40 Personal Histories with Soulsborne and Lies of P
* 11:50 Personal Histories with Pinocchio
* 15:40 Opening Thoughts About Lies of P
* 19:20 Story Setup and Adapting Pinocchio
* 34:33 Visual Design
* 41:14 Music
* 49:09 Difficulty and How to Succeed
* 58:56 Weapons and Tools
* 1:18:17 Level Design and Exploration
* 1:28:21 Boss Fights
* 1:33:45 Closing Thoughts and Recommendations
* 1:38:14 The Gaming Duo Podcast
* 1:41:38 SPOILER WALL and Patron Thank-Yous
* 1:43:38 Spoiler Section- Top 3 Boss Fights
* 2:05:26 Story Discussion
* 2:19:47 Backstory, Comparisons to the Book and Post-Credits Scene
Music used in the episode is from the Lies of P OST. Tracks used:
* Main Menu (Round8 Studio Sound Team, YK Music)
* Divine Service (Electronic Boutique)
* Feel (DJ Mocha, Seo Ja Young)
* Dreadful March (Studio LAY-BACK)
* Judgement of Mourning (Studio LAY-BACK)
* Hotel Krat (Studio LAY-BACK)
* Quixotic (bermei.inazawa, foolen)
* Eventide Hotel (Silun Lee)
Social Media:
BlueSky- https://bsky.app/profile/tftblpod.bsky.social
Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/talesfromthebacklog/
Cover art by Jack Allen- find him at https://linktr.ee/JackAllenCaricatures
--------
2:47:01
--------
2:47:01
188: Outer Wilds: Echoes of the Eye (with Rick Firestone)
Support my work on Patreon- https://patreon.com/realdavejackson
Join the Tales from the Backlog Discord server- https://discord.gg/kAqSBb6jH2
Buy me a coffee on Ko-fi- https://ko-fi.com/realdavejackson
As I said way back in The Outer Wilds episode, I respect the hell out of that game and think it's a miracle, but I didn't love it as much as others, and I kind of wish I could Eternal Sunshine that game out of my mind and try again. But as it turns out, the Echoes of the Eye expansion gave me just that chance. Did lightning strike twice? Did the game that "you can only truly play once" work again? Listen in and find out.
Guest info: Rick Firestone (he/him)
* Check out Pixel Project Radio https://linktr.ee/pixelprojectradio
* Follow Rick on Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/pixelprojectradio.bsky.social
TIMESTAMPS
* 0:00 Title Card
* 0:23 Introductions
* 6:08 Thoughts About Outer Wilds
* 9:11 Thoughts About Echoes of the Eye
* 24:14 Pixel Project Radio Podcast
* 26:42 SPOILER WALL and Patron Thank-Yous
* 28:40 Spoiler Section- Initial Discoveries
* 48:05 Spoiler Section- A New World to Explore
* 1:24:00 Spoiler Section- Story Analysis and Endings
Music used in the episode is credited to Andrew Prahlow. Tracks used: The River, River's End, Elegy for the Rings, Echoes of the Eye, Departure
Check out Dave on Retro Hangover's King of Games '99 series: https://linktr.ee/retrohangover
Check out Dave on The Tiny Game Chronicles: https://tinyurl.com/m5jhfat9
Social Media:
BlueSky- https://bsky.app/profile/tftblpod.bsky.social
Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/talesfromthebacklog/
Cover art by Jack Allen- find him at https://linktr.ee/JackAllenCaricatures
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 spoilers until a clearly marked spoiler wall in the middle.