Tales from the Backlog

Support my work on Patreon I can hear it now- "Another Ace Combat game? Didn't Dave just do one?" and the answer to those questions is "You bet your ass I'm doing another one, I'm IN IT NOW"....ahem, Ace Combat rules, and Ace Combat 7 (Bandai Namco, 2019) is the most Ace Combat that Ace Combat has ever been. Join us as we give it the deep dive! Guest info: Derek Van Dyke Follow on BlueSky https://bsky.app/profile/derekvandyke.bsky.social Check out Derek's past work on SDGC https://officialsdgc.com/ Check out Castle Bravo for all of your Godzilla needs https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/castle-bravo-a-godzillaverse-retrospective/id1591745386 TIMESTAMPS 0:00 Title Card 0:31 Introductions/Personal Histories/Opening Thoughts 14:37 Story Setup 34:04 Music/Visual Presentation 45:25 Gameplay 1:01:04 Closing Thoughts/Recommendations/Guest Plugs 1:11:23 SPOILER WALL/Patron Thank-You's 1:13:53 Spoiler Section Music used in the episode is primarily credited to Keiki Kobayashi. Tracks used: Daredevil, Sol Squadron, Yinshi Valley, Archange, Skies Unknown, Hush Support Tales from the Backlog on Patreon! or buy me a coffee on Ko-fi! Join the Tales from the Backlog Discord server! Social Media: BlueSky Instagram Cover art by Jack Allen- find him at https://www.instagram.com/jackallencaricatures/ and his other pagesSupport Tales from the Backlog

Support my work on Patreon- https://www.patreon.com/realdavejackson PAX East 2025 show floor was dominated by indie games, and here are all 17 of the indie games that I had a chance to play! Thank you to the folks at PAX for allowing me to cover the convention! TIMESTAMPS 0:00 Intro 0:47 Tanuki: Pon's Summer https://store.steampowered.com/app/3218570/TANUKI_Pons_Summer/ 2:39 Airframe Ultra https://store.steampowered.com/app/2522120/Airframe_Ultra/ 4:18 Ultimate Sheep Raccoon https://store.steampowered.com/app/2923350/Ultimate_Sheep_Raccoon/ 6:04 Mycopunk https://store.steampowered.com/app/3247750/Mycopunk/ 7:39 BOTSU https://store.steampowered.com/app/885160/BOTSU/ 9:20 GIGASWORD https://store.steampowered.com/app/1885930/GIGASWORD/ 11:07 Altered Alma https://store.steampowered.com/app/2190700/Altered_Alma/ 12:41 Constance https://store.steampowered.com/app/2313700/Constance/ 13:54 The Berlin Apartment https://store.steampowered.com/app/2280430/The_Berlin_Apartment/ 15:47 Compensation Not Guaranteed https://store.steampowered.com/app/2795590/Compensation_Not_Guaranteed/ 18:10 Undusted: Letters from the Past https://store.steampowered.com/app/2891020/Undusted_Letters_from_the_Past/ 19:49 Fresh Tracks https://store.steampowered.com/app/3202950/Fresh_Tracks/ 22:17 Nocturne https://store.steampowered.com/app/1374860/Nocturne/ 24:13 Fretless: The Wrath of Riffson https://store.steampowered.com/app/2429050/FretlessThe_Wrath_of_Riffson/ 25:45 The Lacerator https://store.steampowered.com/app/2339330/The_Lacerator/ 27:30 Demonschool https://store.steampowered.com/app/1900250/Demonschool/ 29:39 Love Eternal https://store.steampowered.com/app/3010610/LOVE_ETERNAL/ 31:13 Video Game Trivia, Six One Indie Showcase and Thank You** Check out Jacob Mccourt https://www.youtube.com/@JacobMcCourt for the Video Game Trivia show I was in, and follow Six One Indie https://www.youtube.com/@SixOneIndie for more indie game announcements on May 22nd! Intro/outro music composed by Bert Cole- https://www.bitbybitsound.com Join the Tales from the Backlog Discord server! Social Media: BlueSky Instagram Cover art by Jack Allen- find him at https://www.instagram.com/jackallencaricatures/ and his other pagesSupport Tales from the Backlog

Support my work on Patreon https://patreon.com/realdavejackson Is it really the most innovative shooter I've played in years? SUPERHOT Team struck gold with this idea, did just enough with it, and got out before things got stale. Now that's what I call SUPER. HOT. Guest info: Emily Merritt aka aspecificegg Check out No Small Games https://nosmallgames.com/ Follow No Small Games on BlueSky https://bsky.app/profile/nosmallgames.bsky.social Catch Emily on Twitch https://www.twitch.tv/aspecificegg Follow Emily on BlueSky https://bsky.app/profile/aspecificegg.bsky.social TIMESTAMPS 0:00 Title Card 0:14 Intros/Personal Histories/Opening Thoughts 11:07 Story Setup/Presentation 26:35 Gameplay 52:58 Closing Thoughts/Recommendations/Guest Plugs 1:01:30 SPOILER WALL/Patron Thank-Yous 1:02:55 Spoiler Section Music used in the episode: SUPER. HOT. by SUPERHOT Team Join the Tales from the Backlog Discord server! Social Media: BlueSky Instagram Twitter Facebook 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)! Support Tales from the Backlog

Support my work on Patreon Review code provided by Capcom. Thank you! Monster Hunter has been around for a long time, but has only recently fully broken into the mainstream. And with mainstream success comes grumbling from longtime fans. Is the game actually too streamlined? Does quality of life take away from quality of game? And what about the new focus on the story? All that and more in this lengthy discussion. Guest info: Brad Gallaway Check out written game reviews on GameCritics https://gamecritics.com/ Listen to So...Videogames! https://gamecritics.com/category/podcasts/so-videogames/ Follow Brad on BlueSky https://bsky.app/profile/bradgallaway.bsky.social TIMESTAMPS 0:00 Title Card 0:28 Intros/Personal Histories/Opening Thoughts 15:11 New Player Experience/Fight Prep 35:04 Monster Fights/Upgrades and Gear 1:04:32 Story/Presentation 1:24:12 Closing Thoughts/Recommendations/Guest Plugs 1:33:10 SPOILER WALL/Patron Thank-Yous 1:35:23 Spoiler Section Music used in the episode is credited to Miwako Chinone. Tracks used: Main Title Theme Proof of a Hero (Wilds Version) Nu Udra Battle Theme Mizutsune Battle Theme Rey Dau Battle Theme Suja Village Daytime Zoh Shia Battle Theme Phase 1- Arrant Calamity Quest Clear Theme Check out Dave on Pixel Project Radio giving first impressions on Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 https://open.spotify.com/episode/2EYHKnevmhrHHa5kTMCOLb Check out Dave on Your Friendly Neighborhood Gamers talking about Monster Hunter Wilds (May 5th) https://www.fngamers.com/ Join the Tales from the Backlog Discord server! Buy me a coffee on Ko-fi! Social Media: BlueSky Instagram Cover art by Jack Allen- find him at https://linktr.ee/JackAllenCaricatures Listen to A Top 3 Podcast on Apple, Spotify and [other podcast platforms](atop3podcast.fireside.fm)! Support Tales from the Backlog

Like many of Square's RPGs of the late 90's and early 2000's, Vagrant Story is an ambitious, flawed, divisive and fantastic RPG, full of big ideas that didn't get a chance to full develop into what was planned. What we got was only one part of a larger saga (see also: Xenogears from just a few years prior), a game that stands on its own, proudly displaying all of the rough edges and brilliant ideas for all to see. It made for a great discussion on the podcast! Guest info: Aidan Moher Check out Aidan's new podcast FunFactor https://funfactorpod.com/ Find Aidan's writing on Astrolabe https://astrolabe.aidanmoher.com/ Find Aidan's book Fight, Magic, Items https://fightmagicitems.rocks/ Look forward to Aidan's next book about Suikoden 1 and 2 https://astrolabe.aidanmoher.com/suikoden-1-2-history-boss-fight-books-2026/ Follow on BlueSky https://bsky.app/profile/aidanis.fun TIMESTAMPS 0:00 Title Card 0:38 Intros/Personal Histories/Opening Thoughts 14:58 Story Setup/Themes/Localization 42:35 Presentation 1:03:32 Combat/Equipment 1:36:21 Closing Thoughts/Recommendations/Plugs 1:45:45 SPOILER WALL/Patron Thank-Yous 1:47:38 Spoiler Section Music used in the episode is credited to Hitoshi Sakimoto. Tracks used: Opening Movie, Greyland Event Climax, Snowfly Forest, Dullahan, Minotauros, Remembrance, Dawn of Lea Monde, Fanfare Support Tales from the Backlog on Patreon! or buy me a coffee on Ko-fi! Join the Tales from the Backlog Discord server! Social Media: BlueSky Instagram 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)! Support Tales from the Backlog

No, this isn't the Arkane Studios Prey, this is the one that Arkane was forced to name their game after for no good reason. In fact, that's what got me interested in Human Head Studios' Prey (2006) in the first place, even before I learned what the game is about. So what did we think of this shooter caught between two eras, with seemingly 10 different puzzle mechanics? How did we find a rare AAA attempt at indigenous representation? Listen in and find out! Guest info: Asa GreenRiver BlueSky https://bsky.app/profile/agreenriver.bsky.social TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@agreenriver07 YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@borderlineentertainment Twitch https://www.twitch.tv/BorderlineEntertainment TIMESTAMPS 0:00 Title Card 0:25 Intros/Personal Histories/Opening Thoughts 12:07 Story Setup/Indigenous Representation/Presentation 37:43 FPS Gameplay/Puzzles 1:04:10 Closing Thoughts/Recommendations/Housekeeping 1:15:58 SPOILER WALL/Patron Thank-Yous 1:17:58 Spoiler Section Music used in the episode is credit to Jeremy and Julian Soule. Tracks used: Prey Overture, Aniwyah Calling, Desperate Measures, Upside Down, The Land of the Ancients Check out Dave on Retro Hangover discussing Psychonauts! https://retrohangover.captivate.fm/episode/psychonauts-milk-mans-delicious-milk-ft-dave-jackson Support Tales from the Backlog on Patreon! or buy me a coffee on Ko-fi! Join the Tales from the Backlog Discord server! Social Media: BlueSky Instagram 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)! Support Tales from the Backlog

Review code provided by Ivy Road- thank you! I think we all viewed Davey Wreden's new project announcement, a "cozy game about making tea", with a bit of side-eye. Is it really just going to be about making tea? You sure there isn't going to be a subversion in there? Are you still reading this? Well, Wanderstop is here, and it may not have the type of subversion that we expected, but it is most definitely not just a cozy game about making tea. This is a longer episode, because there is just that much to discuss. Grab a mug and enjoy! Guest Info: Matt Storm aka Stormageddon and CGDannyB Listen to Matt's podcasts: "Fun" and Games- https://www.certainpov.com/fun-and-games and Reignite- https://www.certainpov.com/reignite Find Matt on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/djstormageddon.com Find Danny's streams, Playlog Podcast, YouTube channel and more- https://solo.to/cgdannyb TIMESTAMPS 0:00 Title Card 0:36 Intros/Personal Histories/Opening Thoughts 16:13 Story Setup/Themes Overview 38:36 Gameplay and Story, Presentation 1:16:24 Recommendations/Guest Plugs 1:32:00 Spoiler Wall/Patron Thank-Yous 1:33:44 Spoiler Section Music used in the episode is credited to C418. You can purchase the soundtrack here- https://c418.bandcamp.com/album/wanderstop-fm. Tracks used: Introduction, The Fighter, Unknowable, Broom, Wanderstop pt. 1, Boredom, Trust, Farewell Support Tales from the Backlog on Patreon! or buy me a coffee on Ko-fi! Join the Tales from the Backlog Discord server! Social Media: BlueSky Instagram Twitter Facebook 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)! Support Tales from the Backlog

Ryan Juengling, a kung fu enthusiast and host of the List Off podcast, joins to dive deep into the video game Sifu. They explore the game's intense combat mechanics and striking visuals, likening it to a gripping kung fu film. The conversation touches on the emotional weight of choices in gameplay, the unique aging mechanic, and the depth of its narrative on revenge. With personal anecdotes about overcoming its challenges, they celebrate the joy of mastering gameplay and revisiting classic titles, offering a fascinating discussion that resonates with gamers.

Only one studio out there can inspire the following sentence- the first time I saw the menu UI in Metaphor: ReFantazio, I knew that Atlus and Studio Zero were cooking. They've mastered the art of making menu-based RPGs flashy and stylish, as well as mastering the "Persona" calendar-based structure in general. On several fronts, this is the best game this studio has made, but left us wanting in a few areas as well. Listen in to this deep dive discussion and let us know what you think! Guest info: Scott White Check out his writing: https://linktr.ee/scottwhite Check out RPG University podcast: https://linktr.ee/RPGU_IP Follow on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/professorrpg.bsky.social TIMESTAMPS 0:00 Title Card 0:35 Intro/Personal Histories/Opening Thoughts 10:43 Story Setup 35:05 Presentation 46:25 Combat/Archetype System 59:47 Life Sim Gameplay 1:15:43 SPOILER WALL, Patron Thank-Yous 1:17:37 Spoiler Section Music used in the episode is credited to ATLUS Sound Team. Tracks used: Call of Magic (Shoji Meguro) A Brief Respite (Shoji Meguro) Castle of Dread (Maiko Katagiri, Shoji Meguro) Warriors in Valour (Keisuke Honryo, Shoji Meguro) Journey's Legs (Shoji Meguro) Ode to Heroes (Shoji Meguro) Hero's Awakening (Shoji Meguro) Formidable Foe (Shoji Meguro) King's Verdict (Shoji Meguro) Check out Dave's guest appearance on Pixelated Playgrounds about Persona 4 Golden: https://www.pixelatedplaygrounds.com/bookclub Support Tales from the Backlog on Patreon! or buy me a coffee on Ko-fi! Join the Tales from the Backlog Discord server! Social Media: BlueSky Instagram 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)! Support Tales from the Backlog

In my ongoing first-time playthrough of the Metal Gear Solid series, we've arrived at the canonical end of Solid Snake's story, while seeing series creator Hideo Kojima at his most self-indulgent (yet) and most creative. Metal Gear Solid is a series of multitudes, and 2008's Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots is no different. Listen in to find out what we thought! Guest info: Geoff Moonen Check out "Fun" and Games podcast https://funandgames.libsyn.com/ Follow Geoff on BlueSky https://bsky.app/profile/geoffmakesnoise.bsky.social Need a voice actor? https://www.geoffmoonen.com/ TIMESTAMPS 0:00 Title Card 0:28 Intros/Personal Histories/Opening Thoughts 18:42 Story Setup 35:02 Story Themes/Presentation 54:08 Gameplay 1:18:28 Final Thoughts/Plugs 1:30:24 SPOILER WALL 1:32:18 Spoiler section Music in the episode is credited to Harry Gregson-Williams. Tracks used: Old Snake Metal Gear Saga Midnight Shadow Haven Troopers Breakthrough Drebin 893 Guns of the Patriots Father & Son Everything Begins Check out Dave's guest appearance on Pixels and Polygons! https://open.spotify.com/show/1scBiQBcm6u03qSjFkDvzD?si=k1OReY87SRSamyl6bPgiCw Support Tales from the Backlog on Patreon! or buy me a coffee on Ko-fi! Join the Tales from the Backlog Discord server! Social Media: BlueSky Instagram 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)! Support Tales from the Backlog