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It's not every day you revisit a favorite game from your teenage years, but today is that day as special guest Rebekah Valentine (Kotaku) joins me to discuss Golden Sun, one of the most beloved Game Boy Advance games. Camelot and Nintendo ended up splitting the game into two, and in this episode we focus on the first game, though we do discuss The Lost Age quite a bit as well. As always, no spoilers for a while- enjoy!

Guest info: Rebekah Valentine (she/her)

• Check out her work at Kotaku https://kotaku.com/author/rvalentine
• Check out Reb's look back at Golden Sun https://kotaku.com/25-years-ago-golden-sun-video-game-adventure-2000721340
• Check out Reb writing as if it were 2002 again https://kotaku.com/golden-sun-the-lost-age-sequel-warp-week-2000723015
• Follow on Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/duckvalentine.bsky.social

TIMESTAMPS

• 0:00 Title Card
• 0:18 Introductions
• 5:30 Our Histories with Golden Sun
• 12:47 Top Level Thoughts
• 17:42 Acknowledging The Lost Age
• 25:31 Story Setup
• 33:50 Golden Sins and Silent Protagonists
• 44:29 Story Thoughts
• 52:25 Combat and Djinn System
• 1:09:18 Equipment, Resource Conservation, Puzzles
• 1:28:25 Soundtrack
• 1:38:22 Wrap-Up Thoughts and Who Should Play?
• 1:45:15 Reb's Work at Kotaku
• 1:50:06 Spoiler Wall and Patron Thank-Yous
• 1:52:27 Spoilers- Golden Sun's Story and The Lost Age Setup
• 2:12:42 Spoilers- Dave Might Play The Lost Age?

Music used in the episode is credited to Motoi Sakuraba. Tracks used: Main Theme, World Map, Enemy Battle, Lighthouse Theme, Sol Sanctum, Main Menu, Battle With Saturos, Vale and Vault

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 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

Support Tales from the Backlog

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Join Dave and special guest Andre (Fine Time, Neo Geo Go!, The Silent Discographer) as they discuss Square Enix's latest entry in the main Dragon Quest series, Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age. For a certain style of RPG (that Dragon Quest arguably pioneered), it doesn't get better than this. Dragon Quest XI doesn't reinvent any part of its genre, but executes at top level throughout, though we still have some questions about directions that the story goes. This is a masterpiece, and we hope you enjoy the conversation. As always, no spoilers for a while- enjoy!

Guest info: Andre (he/him)

• Check out Fine Time https://fineti.me/
• Check out Neo Geo Go! https://neogeogo.show/
• Check out The Silent Discographer https://the-silent-discographer.simplecast.com/
• Follow on Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/pizzadinosaur.fineti.me

TIMESTAMPS

• 0:00 Title Card
• 0:31 Introductions
• 6:06 Our Histories with Dragon Quest
• 10:19 Top-Level Thoughts
• 18:16 Story Setup and Thoughts
• 32:59 Feels Like Coming Home- Art & Music
• 51:03 Tickington
• 54:46 Combat and The Fun-Sized Forge
• 1:10:14 Thoughts on the Silent Protagonist
• 1:18:36 Lightning Round Thoughts
• 1:23:32 Who Should Play?
• 1:28:35 Andre's Podcasts
• 1:34:12 Spoiler Wall and Patron Thank-Yous
• 1:37:07 Spoilers- Some Early-Ish Story Talk
• 1:50:18 Spoilers- Act 2 Story
• 2:00:33 Spoilers- Act 3 Story

Music used in the episode is credited to Koichi Sugiyama. Tracks used: Overture, The Hero Goes Forth with Determination, Olé! Sylvando!, Unflinchable Courage, Bustling Town, Rab the Wizard, Light Though the Leaves of Love, Echoes of an Elusive Age

• Check out Dave on Nostalgium Arcanum talking about our favorite video game soundtracks: https://nostalgiumarcanum.fireside.fm/
• Check out Dave on The Rookie Run talking about Ocarina of Time https://www.youtube.com/@TheRookieRunVideoGamePodcast

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 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

Support Tales from the Backlog

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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

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 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

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

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