Tales from the Backlog

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 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 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 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 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