Tales from the Backlog

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

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/JackAllenCaricaturesSupport Tales from the Backlog

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

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/JackAllenCaricaturesSupport Tales from the Backlog

222: Mina the Hollower (with Matt aka Stormageddon - "Fun" and Games)

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/JackAllenCaricaturesSupport Tales from the Backlog

221: Minishoot' Adventures (with Roger Reichardt - Gamerheads Podcast)

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/JackAllenCaricaturesSupport Tales from the Backlog

220: Pyre (with AJ Fillari)

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/JackAllenCaricaturesSupport Tales from the Backlog