I once heard the original Pathologic (Ice-Pick Lodge) described as "the best game you shouldn't play", which is an oddly appealing pitch to me. I need to see what it is that puts it in that category, ya know? Luckily for me, Pathologic 2 exists and seems to be the preferred way for many to get the Pathologic experience, and I was not disappointed with what I got. Dense worldbuilding, intriguing and mysterious characters, harsh but meaningful survival systems and more await anyone who decides to take our recommendation and play Pathologic 2.

Guest info: Jack, or as you may know him online, Piboi.

TIMESTAMPS

• Allegations against Nikolay Dybowski 0:00
• Intros/Personal Histories/Opening Thoughts 2:14
• Story Setup 15:18
• Presentation 38:26
• Gameplay 55:01
• Gameplay, continued 1:19:11
• SPOILER WALL 1:36:41

Music used in the episode:

• Shaman from the Downtown (Theodor Bastard)
• Darkness (Theodor Bastard)
• Disappearing (Theodor Bastard)
• Archaic Way (Vasily Kashnikov)
• Eternal Sacrifice (Vasily Kashnikov, Nick Balinov)
• Miracle Workshop (Vasily Kashnikov)
• Window to the Past (Vasily Kashnikov)
• Steppe (Vasily Kashnikov)

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Cover art by Jack Allen- find him at https://www.instagram.com/jackallencaricatures/ and his other pages

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In 2024, we began a new community event in the Tales from the Backlog Discord server- the Backlog Resolutions Challenge. A big group of us picked a list of games that had been collecting dust in our libraries and resolved to play them! This episode is all about how that challenge went- what worked, what didn't work, why most of us didn't complete our lists, and any adjustments we are making going into the 2025 challenge. If you'd like to join us, hop in the Discord server, make your list and start playing!

Guest info:

• Matt aka Stormageddon, host of "Fun" and Games and Reignite podcasts. Find everything they do at https://djstormageddon.com/
• Jared Moss, host of Play Along Podcast
• Soccr

TIMESTAMPS

• Intros/General Thoughts 0:13
• Challenges 33:47
• Break/Patron Thank Yous 53:43
• Lessons Learned/Plans for the 2025 Challenge 55:03

Music used in the episode:

• "Tinykin" (Tinykin)- Alexis Laugier
• "BRIDGES" (Death Stranding)- Ludvig Forssell
• "Catchy" (Picross 3D)- Yasumasa Yamada, Jun Ishikawa, Hirokazu Ando
• "No.EX 01" (Xenoblade Chronicles X)- Hiroyuki Sawano

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Cover art by Jack Allen- find him at https://www.instagram.com/jackallencaricatures/ and his other pages

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Dave recaps his favorite games that released in 2024 and discusses the year in podcasting, gaming and more. Catch Dave's favorite games from other years that he played for the first time in 2024 on Patreon, available to all paid patrons!

TIMESTAMPS:

• Intros/Reminiscing 0:18
• Honorable Mentions 5:40
• #10 13:44
• #9 18:01
• #8 21:15
• #7 26:38
• #6 32:01
• #5 36:34
• #4 41:17
• #3 46:40
• #2 52:26
• #1 and thank yous 59:23

Music used in the episode:

• 1000xRESIST - The Orchard (At Peace) (Drew Redman)
• 1000xRESIST - The Youngest Looks (Drew Redman)
• 1000xRESIST - Watcher (Drew Redman)
• Animal Well - Animal Well (Billy Basso)
• Animal Well - Dawn Chorus (Billy Basso)
• Animal Well - Flames (Billy Basso)
• Balatro - Main Title (LouisF)
• Balatro - Boss Blind Theme (LouisF)
• Dragon's Dogma 2 - Escort Mission (Tadayoshi Makino, Rei Kondoh, Inon Zur and Masayoshi Ishi)
• Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree - Diving Beast Dancing Lion (Tsukasa Saitoh, Shoi Miyazawa, Tai Tomisawa, Soma Tanizaka, Yuka Kitamura)
• Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree - Gravesite Plain (Tsukasa Saitoh, Shoi Miyazawa, Tai Tomisawa, Soma Tanizaka, Yuka Kitamura)
• Final Fantasy VII Rebirth - Main Theme Battle Edit (Nobuo Uematsu, Shotaro Shima)
• Final Fantasy VII Remake/Rebirth - Nibelheim/Train Graveyard (Nobuo Uematsu)
• Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth - Dondoko Island (SEGA Sound Team/Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio)
• Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth - Yokohama Sunset (SEGA Sound Team/Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio)
• Metaphor ReFantazio - Akademia (Shoji Meguro, Atsushi Kitajoh and Toshiki Konishi)
• Metaphor ReFantazio - Main Theme (Shoji Meguro, Atsushi Kitajoh and Toshiki Konishi, Keisuke Honryo)
• Metaphor ReFantazio - Port Brilehaven (Shoji Meguro, Atsushi Kitajoh and Toshiki Konishi)
• Mouthwashing - Main Title (Martin Halldin)
• Nine Sols - Awakening (FFXX)
• Nine Sols - Walk Me Through History (FFXX)
• The Plucky Squire - A Very Happy Ending (Mike Georgiades)
• The Plucky Squire - Celebration & Moonbeard's After Party (Mike Georgiades)
• The Plucky Squire - Plucky Squire Theme (Mike Georgiades)
• UFO 50 - Devilition (Placement) (Erik Suhrke)
• UFO 50 - Mortol (Gameplay) (Erik Suhrke)
• UFO 50 - Play Forever (Erik Suhrke)
• UFO 50 - UFO 50 (Erik Suhrke)

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Check out more information on the ongoing SAG-AFTRA video game actor strike and support the actors in any way that you can.

Batman video games got a resurgence with 2009's Arkham Asylum, continued to be critically acclaimed with 2011's Arkham City, and then started to become divisive with 2013's Arkham Origins and especially 2015's Arkham Knight. Since Arkham Origins takes place during Christmas, we've chosen to dive into that one. Arkham Origins seems to be the odd one out, the black sheep, when discussing this series, and we don't understand why- if the reason for disliking this game is that it doesn't star Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill...you're going to have to find another reason. This game rules! Listen in to find out why we feel so strongly about that.

Guest info: Mick Davis aka Mick Arcade. Check out Mick on Twitter and D&D adventures on Twitch

TIMESTAMPS

• Intros/Personal Histories/Opening Thoughts 1:31
• Story Setup/Characterization of Batman 14:39
• Presentation 31:54
• Combat/Stealth Gameplay 38:01
• Open World Gameplay 50:25
• Closing Thoughts/Recommendations 58:26
• SPOILER WALL 1:06:23

Music used in the episode is credited to Christopher Drake. Tracks used: Carol of the Bells (Joker's Theme), Arkham Origins Main Titles, Shadow of the Bat, Assassins, Winter Comes to Gotham, Why Would You Save...Me?, Arkham Origins Suite, Arkham Origins End Titles

Check out Dave's guest appearances on Pixel Project Radio (talking about Souls games) and Super Pod Saga (talking about Metal Gear Solid 1-3)!

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Cover art by Jack Allen- find him at https://www.instagram.com/jackallencaricatures/ and his other pages

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System Shock 2 **(Looking Glass Studios/Irrational Games**, 1999) contains one of the most iconic images in gaming (the scifi horror Medusa-esque SHODAN) and one of the most iconic spiritual sequels in gaming (the Bioshock series), but I still feel like experience with System Shock 2 itself is relegated to those who were there playing on PC in 1999. What was it about this game that made it so foundational for the Bioshock series and so many other modern games? Well, it's a good thing I have this podcast to dig into it!

Guest Info: Doug Lief, host of Nostalgium Arcanum podcast

TIMESTAMPS
Intros/Personal Histories/Opening Thoughts 0:19
Story Setup/Story Thoughts 13:43
Presentation 30:10
Gameplay 41:00
SPOILER WALL 1:11:09

Music used in the episode is credited to Eric Brosius. Tracks used: Medical, Engineering, Hydroponics #1, Science, Hydroponics #2, Operations #2, End Cutscene, Credits

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Cover art by Jack Allen- find him at https://www.instagram.com/jackallencaricatures/ and his other pages

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It all started with an elevator pitch, courtesy of someone on the Axe of the Blood God podcast- "A sokoban puzzle game with a JRPG story". Sign me up! Void Stranger (System Erasure, 2023) does boast those things, but to my surprise, Void Stranger is so full of secrets as well. But if you want to get at those secrets, Void Stranger will challenge you in more ways than one. Join us as we dive into this one-of-a-kind experience.

Guest Info: Steve from Indie Quest and Polykill Podcast. Check out his podcasts and Twitch channel!

TIMESTAMPS

• Intros/Personal Histories/Opening Thoughts 0:14
• Puzzles/Challenges 12:21
• Story Setup 33:09
• Presentation 38:36
• Closing Thoughts/Recommendations/Housekeeping 50:45
• SPOILER WALL 59:06

Music used in the episode is credited to Eero Lahtinen. You can purchase the album on Bandcamp. Tracks used:
Concern, Void Symphony, Gray is just Gray, Right?, Affection Air, Buzzing Boogie, Lax Lullabye, HARD SPACE, Roll Credits!

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Cover art by Jack Allen- find him at https://www.instagram.com/jackallencaricatures/ and his other pages

Listen to A Top 3 Podcast on Apple, Spotify and [other podcast platforms](atop3podcast.fireside.fm)!

Remedy Entertainment have built a sort of extended universe by this point, but 2019's Control is both the piece that introduced a lot of people to their world and the key that unlocked the possibility for an extended universe in the first place. Control's Men in Black-meets-SCP Foundation setting is ripe for creative sci-fi storytelling and Remedy took full advantage of that. Despite some hiccups in the story and gameplay that may wear out its welcome, Control is an undeniably cool game.

Guest info: Nick & Will from Friday Night Gamecast.

TIMESTAMPS

• Intros/Personal Histories/Opening Thoughts 0:22
• Story Setup 16:21
• Presentation 52:02
• Gameplay 1:02:50
• SPOILER WALL 1:39:50

Music used in the episode:

• Take Control (Old Gods of Asgard)
• Counterfeit (Petri Alanko & Martin Stig Andersen)
• Sankarin Tango (Petri Alanko & Martin Stig Andersen)
• Voces Ignotas (Petri Alanko & Martin Stig Andersen)
• Poram Ad Inferno (Petri Alanko & Martin Stig Andersen)
• Nihil Es Simplex (Petri Alanko & Martin Stig Andersen)

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What was FromSoftware up to before Demon's Souls? Most people know about the King's Field series, and the Armored Core sickos have been around too, but they were even more prolific in the RPG and dungeon crawler space than just King's Field. Shadow Tower: Abyss (2003), the sequel to the Playstation game Shadow Tower, was never officially localized in English, but thanks to FromSoftware's explosion in popularity, the cottage industry of Souls creators, and most importantly a fan translated ROM, we can now go back and see some of the DNA that eventually made it into Demon's Souls and beyond.

Guest info: Adelaide Lohkamp- find her on YouTube.

TIMESTAMPS

• Intros/Personal Histories/Opening Thoughts 0:26
• Story Setup/Presentation/Gameplay 17:42
• SPOILER WALL 1:32:13

Music and sound used in the episode is credited to Yukinori Takada, Tsukasa Saitoh, Kota Hoshino, Yūki Ichiki, Yūji Kanda. Tracks used:

• Main Menu Theme
• Opening Cutscene
• End Credits

YouTube walkthrough and lore explainer by ElucidatedByFire.

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Night in the Woods (Infinite Fall, 2017) challenges us in a lot of ways. The gameplay mechanics are a means to get you from one side of town to another and nothing more. The protagonist can be unlikable. The story is much more local than your standard "save the world" fare. And it's all the better for the direction it takes. Instead of a sweeping epic, we get a very emotional, personal, close-to-home look at a small slice of American life. And as a result, we get a very rich and interesting story, which is the main focus of this podcast.

Guest info: Rick Firestone of Pixel Project Radio podcast.

Correction- In the episode I state that Charles Huettner and Sven Ruthner have music credits- they have animation credits, and I mixed up my notes. Oops!

TIMESTAMPS

• Intros/Personal Histories/Opening Thoughts 0:17
• Story Setup 10:39
• Presentation/Music 32:34
• Closing Thoughts/Recommendations/Housekeeping 45:35
• SPOILER WALL 54:31

You can purchase the soundtrack here. Tracks used:

• Title (Alec Holowka)
• Back to the Holler (Alec Holowka)
• Die Anywhere Else (Alec Holowka, Scott Benson)
• Possum Springs (Alec Holowka)
• Home Again (Alec Holowka)
• Angus Story (Alec Holowka)
• Mae's House (Alec Holowka)
• End Credits (Alec Holowka)

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Final Fantasy VII Remake started this epic remake project off with a bang, and it left us with a few questions, namely "what will they do with Aerith?" and "how will they handle the more open world nature of the game post-Midgar?". Both of those answers came in somewhat messy and/or convoluted forms, which I won't spoil here in the podcast description, but it's a good thing we have nearly 3 hours of podcast here to discuss it all!

Guest info: Aaron Angle of [A Top 3 Podcast](atop3podcast.fireside.fm) & Ryan Arrington.

TIMESTAMPS
Intros/Personal Histories/Opening Thoughts 0:24
Story Setup 13:39
Story, continued 32:51
Presentation 49:24
Combat/Open World 1:03:07
Minigames 1:25:03
Closing Thoughts/Recommendations 1:32:02
SPOILER WALL/Patreon Thank-Yous 1:38:31

Music used in the episode:
Main Theme of FFVII - Battle Edit (Nobuo Uematsu)
Nibelheim Train Graveyard Theme (Nobuo Uematsu)
Eager SOLDIER (Nobuo Uematsu, Shotaro Shima)
The Gold Saucer - Night Out with Tifa (Nobuo Uematsu)
Midgardsormr (Nobuo Uematsu, Yoshitaka Suzuki)
Queen's Blood (Mitsuto Suzuki, Junnosuke Usui)
Fiddle de Chocobo (Nobuo Uematsu)
Cosmo Canyon - Sanctum of Planetology (Nobuo Uematsu)
Aerith's Theme - The White Materia (Nobuo Uematsu)
J-E-N-O-V-A - Tenacity (Nobuo Uematsu)
Aerith's Theme - Return to the Planet (Nobuo Uematsu)

You can purchase the soundtrack via Square Enix.

Check out Dave talking about Final Fantasy and modern RPGs on Fine Time and Crossplay Conversations podcasts this week!

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Listen to A Top 3 Podcast on Apple, Spotify and [other podcast platforms](atop3podcast.fireside.fm)!

To celebrate 3 years of Tales from the Backlog, I figured it was time to talk about the namesake of the show- The Backlog. Do we get FOMO as dozens of great games release every year? Do we feel pressure to complete the games we buy? What's the best approach to keep our habits healthy? All this and much more in this discussion episode!

Guest info:

• Matt aka Stormageddon of "Fun" and Games and Reignite podcasts.
• Marcus Stewart of The Indie Informer. Find Marcus on Twitter and Twitch.

Music used in the episode:

• Pandora's Place (Yakuza 0)- SEGA Sound Team
• Frozen Soul (Ace Combat 3: Electrosphere)- Tetsukazu Nakanishi
• Yoga (Wii Fit)- Toru Minegishi, Manaka Tominaga

Check out Dave's guest appearance on Retro Hangover discussing System Shock 2!

Support Tales from the Backlog on Patreon! or buy me a coffee on Ko-fi!
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Cover art by Jack Allen- find him at https://www.instagram.com/jackallencaricatures/ and his other pages

Listen to A Top 3 Podcast on Apple, Spotify and [other podcast platforms](atop3podcast.fireside.fm)!