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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

Support Tales from the Backlog

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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

Support Tales from the Backlog

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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

Support 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 Matt aka Stormageddon ("Fun" and Games, Reignite podcasts) as they discuss Yacht Club Games' long-awaited action adventure game, Mina the Hollower. Blending several influences from The Legend of Zelda, Castlevania, FromSoftware's catalogue and more, Mina the Hollower still managed to carve out a strong identity of its own while leaving a lasting impression. Listen in to find out more, and as always, no spoilers for a while.

Guest info: Matt aka Stormageddon (they/them)

• Listen to "Fun" and Games https://funandgamespod.com/
• Listen to Reignite https://reignitepod.libsyn.com/
• Follow on Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/djstormageddon.com

TIMESTAMPS

• 0:00 Title Card
• 0:23 Introductions
• 6:41 Personal Histories with Yacht Club Games
• 12:34 Top-Level Thoughts
• 20:08 Story Setup and Weapon Choice
• 23:20 Exploring Influences
• 28:50 Visual Design and GBC Aesthetic
• 32:47 Burrowing Gives Mina Its Identity
• 43:47 Ways to Mitigate Difficulty
• 58:14 Open-Ended Structure and Exploration
• 1:09:07 Lightning Round!
• 1:14:34 Modifiers, Feats and Achievements
• 1:25:04 Music and Sound
• 1:34:43 Who Should Play?
• 1:40:15 "Fun" and Games, Reignite Podcasts
• 1:46:24 Spoiler Wall & Patron Thank-Yous
• 1:48:13 Spoilers- Weapons, Areas, Bosses
• 2:12:43 Spoilers- Final Boss and Ending

Music used in the episode is credited to Jake Kaufman unless otherwise noted. Tracks used: Cinematic - Intro, A Sinking Feeling (Loner's Landing), The Congealed, Gator Gallop (Nox's Bayou), A Sickly Shore (Bone Beach), Central Ossex, The Brilliant Truth (Radiant Manor), End Credits

Cover art by Jack Allen- find him at https://linktr.ee/JackAllenCaricatures

Support 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 Roger Reichardt of Gamerheads Podcast as they discuss Soulgame Stuidio's 2024 top-down twin-stick shooting adventure, Minishoot' Adventures. The weird apostrophe will catch your attention, but the fantastic controls and satisfying gameplay will keep you grinning from ear to ear from start to finish. Or at least, that's how it went for us. As always, no spoilers in the episode until we warn you!

Guest info: Roger Reichardt (he/him)

• Check out Gamerheads https://www.gamerheadspodcast.com/
• Follow on Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/rogueleader76.bsky.social

TIMESTAMPS

• 0:00 Preview and Title Card
• 0:22 Introductions
• 5:30 Our Histories with Minishoot' Adventures
• 11:35 Top-Level Thoughts
• 18:28 Story Setup and Storytelling
• 26:44 A More Approachable Bullet Hell
• 34:06 Very Reasonable Challenge
• 39:27 Sound and Visual Design
• 45:57 Exploration and World Structure
• 56:16 Soundtrack
• 1:01:41 Wrap-Up Thoughts
• 1:06:32 Who Should Play?
• 1:09:31 Gamerheads Podcast
• 1:13:58 Spoiler Wall and Patron Thank-Yous
• 1:15:59 Spoilers- The Secret of the Apostrophe
• 1:19:33 Spoilers- Story Talk

Music used in the episode is credited to Séverin Larose. Tracks used: Main Title, Dungeon, Boss, Battle, Overworld, Credits

Check out an interview with Séverin Larose on "Fun" and Games podcast: https://funandgames.libsyn.com/episode-210-minishoot-adventures

Cover art by Jack Allen- find him at https://linktr.ee/JackAllenCaricatures

Support 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 AJ Fillari as they discuss Pyre (Supergiant Games, 2017). As your crew makes their way through their underworld hellprison, you take part in competitive rites with the goal of earning your freedom. The game explores the rhythms of sport and competition, win or lose, as well as political allusions, what it means to return home, and much more. Dave and AJ also discuss Supergiant's continuity as a studio and how it helps them consistently put out good games. As always, no spoilers for a while- enjoy!

Guest info: AJ Fillari (they/any)

• Listen to dotzip podcast https://dotzip.online/
• Follow on Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/ajfillari.bsky.social

TIMESTAMPS

• 0:00 Title Card
• 0:27 Introductions
• 5:54 Our Histories with Supergiant Games
• 9:52 Top-Level Thoughts
• 17:20 Story Setup
• 24:45 Push and Pull Decision Making
• 31:56 You Gotta Lose Sometimes
• 43:26 Playing in the Rites
• 56:26 Cast of Characters and Reactivity
• 1:01:44 Art and Visual Design
• 1:06:13 Music
• 1:15:56 Who Should Play?
• 1:20:21 dotzip and AJ's work
• 1:25:06 Spoiler Wall and Patron Thank-Yous
• 1:26:49 Spoilers- Politics, Exile and Freedom
• 1:38:09 Spoilers- How Did Our Rites Go?
• 1:51:44 Spoilers- Who Should Go Free?
• 2:07:32 Spoilers- Endgame Results
• 2:14:02 Spoilers- Finale Music and Wrap-Up

Music used in the episode is credited to Darren Korb. Tracks used: In the Flame (with Ashley Barrett), Surviving Exile, Glorious Tradition, Thrash Pack, Strange Voyage, Never to Return (with Ashley Barrett), Bound Together (with Ashley Barrett)

Cover art by Jack Allen- find him at https://linktr.ee/JackAllenCaricatures

Support 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 IdolismJ as they tackle Drakengard (Cavia, Square Enix, 2003). Drakengard has a reputation for being bad, unplayable, interesting and edgelordy to a certain extent, and we can confirm that some, but not all of those, are correct. Drakengard challenges the player in ways that most games don't, driving you crazy alongside the protagonist. Whether the effect is intentional or accidental, Drakengard certainly left an impression on us. Listen in to find out more, and as always, no spoilers for a while!

Guest info: IdolismJ (he/him)

• Check out Jay's YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@IdolismJ
• Support on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/cw/idolismj
• Follow on Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/idolismj.yase.world

TIMESTAMPS

• 0:00 Title Card
• 0:18 Introductions
• 4:26 Our Histories with Drakengard and Nier
• 7:28 Top-Level Thoughts about Drakengard
• 11:53 Story Setup and Caim's Well-Being
• 21:40 Following the Plot
• 27:43 Combat- "Is It Bad on Purpose?"
• 40:28 Music to Go Insane to
• 50:14 Air Combat
• 58:00 Auteur Theory, Revisited
• 1:08:54 Art, Party Members, Voice Acting
• 1:18:10 Who Should Play Drakengard?
• 1:21:58 IdolismJ on YouTube
• 1:27:16 Spoiler Wall & Patron Thank-Yous
• 1:29:04 Spoilers- Things Get Worse Until They End
• 1:39:23 Spoilers- Ending A
• 1:47:44 Spoilers- Ending B
• 1:51:55 Spoilers- Ending C
• 2:00:38 Spoilers- Ending D and Some Hairy Subject Matter
• 2:16:49 Spoilers- Ending E and Connection to Nier

Music used in the episode is credited to Takayuka Aihara unless otherwise noted. Tracks used: Weapon Select, First Chapter - Sky, Fifth Chapter - Ground, Fourth Chapter - Ground (Nobuyoshi Sano), Fifth Chapter - Sky, First Chapter - Castle Interior, Eighth Chapter - Closing (Nobuyoshi Sano), Route C Staff Roll, Mission Clear (Nobuyoshi Sano)

Cover art by Jack Allen- find him at https://linktr.ee/JackAllenCaricatures

Support Tales from the Backlog

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Discord, Socials and more- https://linktr.ee/talesfromthebacklog

Join Dave and special guest Claire as they deep dive Fire Emblem: Three Houses (Intelligent Systems, Kou Shibusawa, Nintendo, 2019). They discuss the life sim and battle elements, how they tie together to make you fear permadeath even more, the four playthroughs, and much more. As always, no spoilers for a while!

Guest info: Claire (she/her/any)

• Check out Date With Us podcast https://www.datewith.us
• Check out Claire on Twitch https://www.twitch.tv/claireafterall
• Get a sick wrestling belt https://www.trophysmack.com/

TIMESTAMPS

• 0:00 Title Card
• 0:21 Introductions
• 5:03 Our Histories with Fire Emblem
• 7:35 Top-Level Thoughts
• 14:36 Story Setup and Choosing Your House
• 23:49 Life Sim Elements and How To Spend Time
• 30:00 Teaching and Character Building
• 36:11 Relationship/Support Mechanics
• 40:25 Relationship and Dating Elements
• 55:36 Combat and Permadeath
• 1:05:18 Combat Basics
• 1:15:00 What's New in the DLC?
• 1:19:56 Soundtrack
• 1:26:10 Visual Design and Art
• 1:31:57 Who Should Play?
• 1:38:17 Date With Us and Claire's Streaming
• 1:44:36 Spoiler Wall and Patron Thank-Yous
• 1:46:26 Spoilers- Story Discussion
• 2:29:39 Spoilers- MVPs and Results

Music used in the episode:

• The Crest of Flames (Yuka Tsujiyoko)
• Fódlan Winds (Takeru Kanazaki)
• Life at Garreg Mach Monastery (Takeru Kanazaki)
• Tearing Through Heaven (Hiroki Morishita)
• Tempest of Seasons (Rei Kondoh)
• A Guide for the Future (Takeru Kanazaki)
• A New Dawn (Takeru Kanazaki, Rei Kondoh)
• The Land Beloved by the Goddess (Takeru Kanazaki)

Cover art by Jack Allen- find him at https://linktr.ee/JackAllenCaricatures

Support 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 Flora Merigold (Epilogue Gaming, Left Behind Game Club) as they discuss Many Nights a Whisper (Deconstructeam, Selkie Harbour, 2025). Many Nights a Whisper puts you in a high-pressure situation and asks you to make tough choices that will have an impact on whether you make the climactic shot or not. We discuss the marriage of narrative and mechanics, our approaches to granting or denying wishes, the shot, and much more. As always, there are no spoilers for a while.

Guest info: Flora Merigold (she/her)

• Check out Epilogue Gaming https://epiloguegaming.com/author/flora-merigold/
• Check out Left Behind Game Club https://leftbehindgame.club/
• Follow Flora on Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/floramerigold.bsky.social

TIMESTAMPS

• 0:00 Title
• 0:16 Introductions
• 3:53 Personal Histories with Many Nights a Whisper
• 5:44 Top-Level Thoughts
• 13:09 Story Setup and Wishes
• 20:29 Wishes, Tension and Thematic Explorations
• 38:53 Practice Makes Perfect
• 44:45 Music and Visuals
• 46:35 Who Should Play?
• 49:15 Flora's Creative and Artistic Work
• 53:41 Spoiler Wall & Patron Thank-Yous
• 55:56 Spoilers- Pink Cats and Healthy Tobacco
• 1:06:39 Spoilers- Removing Animal Souls and Making Gender Irrelevant
• 1:20:46 Spoilers- No More Work and Wanting a Nemesis
• 1:41:33 Spoilers- Mounting Pressure, No More Sleep, No More Religion
• 1:56:04 Spoilers- The Last Wish
• 2:09:53 Spoilers- The Shot and Final Musings

Music used in the episode is credited to fingerspit. Tracks used: Many Nights a Whisper, Ten Years Ago You Were Chosen, Doing My Best Is All I Can Give Them, New Strength, My Heart's Faint Call, The Ceremony, Into the Moonless Night

Cover art by Jack Allen- find him at https://linktr.ee/JackAllenCaricatures

Support 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 Jesse Guarascia (noclip, noclip_2 and more) as they strengthen their block-pushing muscles for a deep dive into Isles of Sea and Sky (Cicada Games, 2024). They discuss its rich world full of secrets, why Sokoban-style puzzles feel like a great foundation for weird narratives or layers of secrets, whether the open-ended design works well, and much more. As always, no spoilers for a while.

Guest info: Jesse Guarascia (he/him)

• Check out noclip https://www.youtube.com/@NoclipDocs
• And check out noclip2 https://www.youtube.com/@Noclip2
• And Blowback! https://blowback.show/
• Follow on Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/jesseguarascia.com

TIMESTAMPS

• 0:00 Title
• 0:22 Introductions
• 6:16 Our Histories with Isles of Sea and Sky
• 11:26 Top-Level Thoughts
• 18:38 Game Setup and Open Structure
• 29:19 Puzzle Design
• 40:40 Sokoban as a Base Layer for Building Secrets
• 53:15 Visual Design
• 1:00:00 Music and Sound
• 1:03:32 Who Should Play?
• 1:08:28 Jesse's Work at NoClip and More
• 1:16:53 Spoiler Wall and Patron Thank-Yous
• 1:19:17 Spoiler Section

Music used in the episode is credited to Craig Collver. Tracks used: Isles of Sea and Sky, Ancient Island, Stoney Cliffs, Tidal Reef, From Sea to Sky

Cover art by Jack Allen- find him at https://linktr.ee/JackAllenCaricatures

Support 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 Tales from the Backlog