Tales from the Backlog

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.

Tales from the Backlog is a leisure podcast hosted by Dave Jackson, with 270 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Dave Jackson hosts Tales from the Backlog, a leisure show with 270 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

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  Tales from the Backlog

  227: Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin (with Gen Moonen - "Fun" and Games)

  Aug 18, 20262h 23m

  Support my work on Patreon- https://patreon.com/realdavejackson Discord, Socials and more- https://linktr.ee/talesfromthebacklog Join Dave and special guest Gen Moonen ("Fun" and Games) as they discuss Konami's 2006 entry in the Castlevania franchise, Portrait of Ruin. By this point, the series had largely moved past dual-screen and touchscreen gimmicks, settling on putting the menus and map on the bottom screen with the action on top. Add in a dual-protagonist setup and you've got a recipe for a good metroidvania experience. It's not reinventing the wheel, but it's likely got what you're looking for, and there's value in that. Check out the discussion for more, and as always, no spoilers for a while- enjoy! Guest info: Gen Moonen (they/she) Check out "Fun" and Games https://funandgamespod.com/ Follow on Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/gnoisegenerator.bsky.social TIMESTAMPS 0:00 Title Card 0:22 Introductions 6:56 Our Histories with Castlevania 12:40 Top-Level Thoughts 19:51 Story Setup and Dual Protagonists 24:52 Castlevania Stories and Humor 31:19 Character Swapping Gameplay 44:52 Metroid vs Vania 50:13 Boss Fights, Painted Worlds and The Castle 1:03:52 Metroidvania Upgrades 1:08:41 Visual Design 1:16:40 Who Should Play? 1:25:50 "Fun" and Games Podcast 1:30:31 Spoiler Wall and Patron Thank-Yous 1:32:44 Spoilers- Painted Worlds and The Vampire Killer 1:53:38 Spoilers- More Story & Boss Fights Music used in the episode is credited to Michiru Yamane unless otherwise noted. Tracks used: Gallery of Labyrinth, Invitation of a Crazed Moon (Yuzo Koshiro), Chaotic Playground, Victorian Fear, Name Entry, Crucifix Held Close, The Night Flows Check out Dave on Nostalgium Arcanum talking about Final Fantasy X: https://nostalgiumarcanum.fireside.fm/ Cover art by Jack Allen- find him at https://linktr.ee/JackAllenCaricatures

  ListenShow Notes
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  Tales from the Backlog

  225: Arco (with Luis Aguasvivas)

  Aug 4, 20262h 15m

  Support my work on Patreon- https://patreon.com/realdavejackson Discord, Socials and more- https://linktr.ee/talesfromthebacklog Join Dave and special guest Luis Aguasvivas as they discuss Arco (Franek, Max Cahill, Bibiki and Fayer, 2024). Arco blends tactical turn-based combat with a revenge story spanning multiple protagonists. It's an ambitious game that coalesces in some magical ways, but falls short in some others, making it ripe for discussion. As always, no spoilers in the episode for a while- enjoy! Guest info: Luis Aguasvivas (he/they) Check out Luis's writing https://aguaspoints.com/ Follow on Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/aguaspoints.bsky.social TIMESTAMPS 0:00 Title Card 0:20 Introductions 3:56 Our Histories with Arco 6:52 Top-Level Thoughts 13:13 Story Setup 17:52 Multiple Protagonist Structure 22:58 Dramatic Irony and Post-Colonial Narratives 28:48 Visual Design 35:33 Soundtrack 40:13 Combat 49:38 Fantasy Elements and Morality System 1:03:55 Who Should Play? 1:07:55 Luis' Writing 1:11:58 Spoiler Wall and Patron Thank-Yous 1:14:20 Spoilers- Different Story Paths 1:26:01 Spoilers- Act Five 1:39:41 Spoilers- Tizo's Story 1:51:22 Spoilers- Violence as Interaction in Games 2:01:54 Spoilers- Fighting the Ocean in Historical Fiction Music used in the episode is credited to Bibiki. Tracks used: Arena y Alquitrán, Forgotten Memories, Blood Spit, Whispers of Magic, Where Iyos Live, Sempiternal Cover art by Jack Allen- find him at https://linktr.ee/JackAllenCaricatures

  ListenShow Notes
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  Tales from the Backlog

  224: Titanium Court (with Emily Merritt - No Small Games)

  Jul 28, 20262h 31m

  Support my work on Patreon- https://patreon.com/realdavejackson Discord, Socials and more- https://linktr.ee/talesfromthebacklog Join Dave and special guest Emily Merritt (No Small Games) as they do their best to unpack AP Thompson's Titanium Court. Even AP Thompson's simplified description of "a match-3 tower defense game for people who like to read" still hides a mountain of detail, so this was a fun discussion about those component parts and especially how they tie together into a genuinely interesting narrative and commentary on the way we play games and "consume" media in general. As always, no spoilers for a while- enjoy! Guest info: Emily Merritt (she/her) Check out No Small Games https://nosmallgames.com/ Follow on Twitch https://www.twitch.tv/aspecificegg Follow on Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/aspecificegg.bsky.social TIMESTAMPS 0:00 Title 0:20 Introductions 4:52 Our Histories with Titanium Court 8:18 Top-Level Thoughts 14:59 Story Setup and Worldbuilding 22:46 Theatre Inspiration and Humor 33:02 Visual Design 41:04 Music 48:45 Gameplay- Jobs and Goals 59:23 Gameplay- High/Low Tide 1:12:22 "Addictive" Games 1:17:24 Who Should Play? 1:23:04 No Small Games 1:28:19 Spoiler Wall and Patron Thank-Yous 1:30:17 Spoilers- Curses Lifted 1:45:11 Spoilers- Story Discussion 1:57:00 Spoilers- Story, Continued Music used in the episode is credited to AP Thompson. You can purchase the soundtrack on Steam. Tracks used: Chimera Solo, Timeskip Titlecard and the Ten Years Later, The One AP Doesn't Like, Metamind Defense Grid Blues, Biome Select, Fourth Quarter, For a Dollar Cover art by Jack Allen- find him at https://linktr.ee/JackAllenCaricatures

  ListenShow Notes
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  Tales from the Backlog

  223: Pokémon Conquest (with Jared Moss - Play Along Podcast)

  Jul 21, 20262h 5m

  Support my work on Patreon- https://patreon.com/realdavejackson Discord, Socials and more- https://linktr.ee/talesfromthebacklog Join Dave and special guest Jared Moss (Play Along Podcast) as they take over the land in Pokémon Conquest. This crossover between Pokémon and Nobunaga's Ambition puts the familiar monsters in tactical grid-based combat, with satisfying (if slow) progression. It's a fun twist on the familiar, even if it makes zero effort to tell an accompanying story with any juice. Please enjoy the discussion, and as always- no spoilers for a while! Guest info: Jared Moss (he/him) Listen to Play Along Podcast https://linktr.ee/PlayAlongPodcast Follow on Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/playalong.bsky.social TIMESTAMPS 0:00 Title Card 0:27 Introductions 5:20 Our Histories with Pokémon/Conquest 9:17 Top-Level Thoughts 16:10 Story Setup and Thoughts 23:31 Teambuilding and Conquering the Land 37:43 Turn-Based Tactics 55:48 The Gateway to Grand Strategy? 1:06:13 Soundtrack 1:08:03 Wrap-Up Thoughts 1:12:39 Pacing for Handheld Play 1:16:36 Who Should Play? 1:21:13 Play Along Podcast 1:26:03 Spoiler Wall and Patron Thank-Yous 1:28:04 Spoilers- Favorite Pokémon and Teams 1:42:58 Spoilers- Story and Final Fights Music used in the episode is credited to Shin-ichiro Nakamura, Ayako Toyoda and Takashi Yoshida. Tracks used: Main Theme, Episode Opening, Normal Battle, Dungeon Theme 1, Map Theme 1, Staff Roll Cover art by Jack Allen- find him at https://linktr.ee/JackAllenCaricatures

  ListenShow Notes
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  Tales from the Backlog

  Video Game Music Appreciation 101 (with Rick Firestone & Charlie Young)

  Jul 14, 20262h 17m

  Support my work on Patreon- https://patreon.com/realdavejackson Discord, Socials and more- https://linktr.ee/talesfromthebacklog Join Dave and special guests Rick Firestone (Pixel Project Radio) and Charlie Young for an introductory lesson about how to listen to and discuss video game music in more effective ways. The episode starts with some terminology and examples, then moves to a "close listening" exercise where you can apply what was taught earlier. Hope you enjoy! Guest info: Charlie Young (he/him) Rick Firestone (he/him) Check out Pixel Project Radio https://linktr.ee/pixelprojectradio TIMESTAMPS 0:00 Title Card and Introductions 2:00 Topic Introduction 7:36 Developing a Palate- Melody, Harmony, Rhythm 19:37 Developing a Palate- Timbre, Instrument Choice, Dynamics 33:42 Developing a Palate- Texture and Form 46:07 Developing a Palate- Character, Affect 1:00:39 Patron Thank-Yous 1:02:39 Close Listening- Champion Cynthia (Pokemon Diamond/Pearl/Platinum) 1:14:43 Close Listening- Decisive Battle: Yu Yevon (Final Fantasy X) 1:29:04 Close Listening- Gone Angels (Library of Ruina) 1:48:02 Close Listening- Alicia (Clair Obscur: Expedition 33) 2:09:02 Outro and Pixel Project Radio Music used in the episode: Earthbound OST- The Runaway Five on the Move! (Akio Ohmori, Ritsuo Kamimura, Keiichi Suzuki, Hirokazu Tanaka) Blue Prince OST- Stories of All Manor (Trigg & Gusset) Super Mario Bros OST- Ground Theme (Koji Kondo) Final Fantasy IX OST- Vivi's Theme (Nobuo Uematsu) Final Fantasy IX OST- Steiner's Theme (Nobuo Uematsu) Dark Souls OST- Gwyn, Lord of Cinder (Motoi Sakuraba) Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector OST- Signalchaser (Amos Roddy) Pokemon Diamond/Pearl/Platinum OST- Champion Cynthia (Go Ichinose) Final Fantasy X OST- Final Battle (Masashi Hamauzu) Final Fantasy X OST- Zanarkand (Nobuo Uematsu) Library of Ruina OST- Gone Angels (Studio EIM) Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 OST- Alicia (Lorien Testard, Alice Duport-Percier) Video- 5th Elite Four Battle Cynthia- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8vzpDrO9dH0 Pokemon Trauma Cynthia Battle Flashbacks- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YOEKlXY-SYc Final Fantasy X Trailer- https://youtu.be/riNzVUJumM8 Cover art by Jack Allen- find him at https://linktr.ee/JackAllenCaricatures

  ListenShow Notes

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