Best Tales From The Backlog Podcasts (2025)

1
162: Prey (2006) (with Asa GreenRiver) 2:01:39

5d ago2:01:39

2:01:39

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 differ…

1
Our Favorite Solo Developer Games w/ Dave Jackson from Tales from the Backlog 1:09:10

18d ago1:09:10

1:09:10

Send us a text This episode we tackle those passion projects, those games that are only made possible due to one person's vision and grit... the solo developed games. These types of games have a rich history and we are lucky enough to be joined by someone who understands that history, Dave Jackson of Tales from the Backlog! Let us know your favorit…

1
Our Very Late Episode on the Switch 2 Direct 49:51

4d ago49:51

49:51

Send us a text Better late than... well, you know how the saying goes. Here it is! Our obligatory episode about the Switch 2 Direct. Were we fans of it? Was it only "okay"? Were there more hits than misses? Find the answers to all of life's greatest questions here, and in less than an hour! List Off Links…

1
161: Wanderstop (with Matt aka Stormageddon & CGDannyB) 2:45:34

12d ago2:45:34

2:45:34

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…

1
160: Sifu (with Ryan Juengling - List Off) 1:44:19

19d ago1:44:19

1:44:19

From the first trailer, I knew that Sifu (Sloclap, 2022) looked like a game I wanted to play. There was just one small thing- it released two weeks before Elden Ring, and I was clearing the decks in a big way. No mental bandwidth to get stuck in a demanding action game. And so I waited. And waited. And forgot about it. And waited some more. And now…

1
Ep. 14 - Super Smash Bros. Melee 1:33:59

26d ago1:33:59

1:33:59

We are back LIVE in the studio, and by studio I mean my dining room! I am joined by three of my childhood best friends to discuss Super Smash Bros. melee for the Nintendo Gamecube in the podcast's first (and last) tournament series! Check out the match ⁠HERE!⁠ Find everyone's socials here:Niles - @woodhaven.leuven Marc - @marc_remache @insurrealnyc…

1
159: Metaphor: ReFantazio (with Scott White) 2:13:51

26d ago2:13:51

2:13:51

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 gam…

1
Our Favorite Title Screen Music w/ Matt from the "Fun" & Games Podcast 1:09:39

1M ago1:09:39

1:09:39

Send us a text We are no strangers to sitting idly as the theme that encapsulates some of our most memorable experiences plays out, and our guest is no stranger to that either! Matt aka Stormageddon joins us this episode as we discuss our favorite title screen music of all time! Matt's Links List Off Links…

1
158: Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots (with Geoff Moonen - "Fun" and Games) 2:49:47

1M ago2:49:47

2:49:47

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 fin…

1
157: Unpacking (with Kate Hunter - No Small Games) 1:59:57

1M ago1:59:57

1:59:57

Ever since the podcast started in 2021, I always knew I'd do an episode about Unpacking (Witch Beam, 2021) someday. John Fogerty sang that someday never comes, but here we are, and Unpacking is on the show! Unpacking is a great example of using the interactivity of video games to tell a story in a unique, gameplay-forward way. Through the ONE SIMPL…

1
Our Favorite Weird Games w/ Keith from The Main Quest 1:13:47

2M ago1:13:47

1:13:47

Send us a text Video games certainly are weird. Many deal with the fantastic and many more deal with insane characters or story beats that leave us all shaking our heads... well, this episode, Keith from The Main Quest shakes his head along with us as we discuss our favorite weird video games. Have any gaming oddities you'd like to share with us? J…

1
156: Mouthwashing (with Ash Parrish) 1:51:06

2M ago1:51:06

1:51:06

Mouthwashing (Wrong Organ, 2024) is a rare horror game that gets scarier after you finish the game. Its nonlinear structure, reality-blurring presentation and subtle (at times) storytelling leave you to put the pieces together yourself. Once you do that, you'll find a strikingly real story where the most unbelievable thing is the fact that it takes…

1
155: Shenmue (with Luis Aguasvivas) 1:52:58

2M ago1:52:58

1:52:58

I remember reading about Shenmue (AM2 of CRI, Sega, 2000) in the magazines back in the day and really marveling at how cool it all sounded- a revenge/investigation story, a town with characters that live their own lives outside of interacting with you, life in small-town Japan...but I didn't have a Dreamcast, so I never got to play it and eventuall…

1
Our Favorite PS4 Games w/ Jon from The Video Game Lounge 1:08:49

2M ago1:08:49

1:08:49

Send us a text This episode we are joined by Jon of the Video Game Lounge as we revisit our very first episode and finally close the book on our favorite PlayStation 4 games! Any glaring omissions? What are your favorites? Let us know by joining our Discord, link below. Video Game Lounge List Off Links…

1
154: Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector (with John Rogers - Gaming in the Wild) 2:23:27

2M ago2:23:27

2:23:27

When Citizen Sleeper 2: Starward Vector (Jump over the Age / Gareth Damian Martin, 2025) was announced, it was a surprise, but it also jumped straight to the top of my most anticipated games list. And while it fulfills the promise of a sequel by doubling down on the strengths of the first game, it also introduces some harsh mechanics that took a lo…

1
153: Ace Combat 5: The Unsung War (with MarcoMeatball) 1:56:33

2M ago1:56:33

1:56:33

Sometimes I think I know about video games, and then a series that I'd been ignoring for years absolutely blows me away. Ace Combat 5: The Unsung War (Namco, 2004) is one of those games. Exhilerating air combat, the best spectacle that the PS2 could offer, and a grand and amazing soundtrack all set the hooks, then a surprisingly good story pulls yo…

1
Our Favorite Retro Racing Games w/ Alex from Low Five Gaming 58:42

2M ago58:42

58:42

Send us a text Ladieeees aaand gentlemen... START YOUR ENGINES!!! Because this episode we are joined by Alex of Low Five Gaming to list off our favorite retro racers! We are defining retro as PS2/Gamecube/Dreamcast/Xbox era and prior. Join the Discord and share your thoughts! Lowfivegaming.com List Off Links…

1
152: The Plucky Squire (with Roger Reichardt - The Gamerheads Podcast) 1:20:36

3M ago1:20:36

1:20:36

Entering 2024, there were very few indie games as hotly anticipated as The Plucky Squire (All Possible Futures, Devolver Digital)...but then release date came, it got good-not-great reviews, and seemed to inspire more disappointment than anything else. So what happened? And how is the game, actually? Buckle up, because we've got you covered. Guest …

1
151: Tacoma (with CtrlAltNoob) 1:58:17

3M ago1:58:17

1:58:17

Fullbright made a name for themselves with 2013's Gone Home, leading many to anticipate their next project. 2017's Tacoma, however, seems to have come and gone without much fanfare. It is a fairly simple game that may not reach the emotional peaks of Gone Home, but Tacoma is a very good game in its own right. And then, due to director Steve Gaynor'…

1
Our Favorite Handheld Consoles w/ Rick from Pixel Project Radio 1:12:00

3M ago1:12:00

1:12:00

Send us a text Brian & Ryan are joined by Rick of Pixel Project Radio to discuss our favorite handheld consoles! All handhelds are eligible, including third party offerings, and these are OUR favorites... we are not aiming for objectivity here, so feel free to join the Discord and share your favorites or just your opinion of our lists. Listen and f…

1
150: Mad Max (with Jacob Price & Cameron Warren - The Pre-Order Bonus) 2:14:10

3M ago2:14:10

2:14:10

Learn about and support the SAG-AFTRA union and video game actors on strike. Whenever the topic of "7/10 games" or "underrated games" or "bargain bin gems" comes up, Mad Max (Avalanche Studios) is almost guaranteed to be mentioned in the conversation. This game isn't tied into the movie storylines, but it does a great job of getting you into the gr…

1
149: Nine Sols (with Josh) 2:41:12

3M ago2:41:12

2:41:12

As a fan of Red Candle Games' previous projects, Devotion (episode 139) and Detention (bonus episode on Patreon), Nine Sols instantly leapt onto my watchlist as soon as it was announced. However, as it released, I was a bit nervous to dive into it due to its Sekiro-inspired combat. I like Sekiro a lot, but did I want another one right then? Luckily…

1
Our 2025 Gaming Predictions 49:58

3M ago49:58

49:58

Send us a text Happy New Year! In our first episode this year, we discuss what listeners will have to look forward to from List Off in 2025. We then go over our wildest gaming predictions for the year. It's safe to say we are both hopeful for more handhelds in 2025! List Off Links

1
148: Pathologic 2 (with Jack) 3:01:57

3M ago3:01:57

3:01:57

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 w…

1
Backlog Resolutions 2025 1:51:04

4M ago1:51:04

1:51:04

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 o…

1
2024 In Review/Games of the Year 1:12:26

4M ago1:12:26

1:12:26

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:…

1
2024 Predictions Recap 33:06

4M ago33:06

33:06

Send us a text We close out 2024 by talking some Marvel Rivals, Amazon Prime's Secret Level, and the Indie Game Awards. Then we recap our 2024 predictions to find out who got more right... to the victor go the spoils! List Off Links

1
147: Batman: Arkham Origins (with Mick Arcade) 1:32:53

4M ago1:32:53

1:32:53

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. S…

1
The Second Annual Goodman Awards pt. 2 37:58

4M ago37:58

37:58

Send us a text Ladies and Gentlemen, we continue the second annual Goodman awards! This prestigious event covers our favorite video games of 2024, culminating with our picks for numbers 4 through 1. Who will take home the coveted 2024 Goodman? List Off Links

1
146: System Shock 2 (with Doug Lief - Nostalgium Arcanum) 1:57:32

4M ago1:57:32

1:57:32

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…

1
The Second Annual Goodman Awards pt. 1 36:39

5M ago36:39

36:39

Send us a text Ladies and Gentlemen, welcome to the second annual Goodman awards! This prestigious event covers our favorite video games of 2024, starting with our picks for numbers 8 through 5. Enjoy!

1
145: Void Stranger (with Steve - Indie Quest, Polykill Podcast) 2:12:28

5M ago2:12:28

2:12:28

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 yo…

1
Good Little Consumers 33:20

5M ago33:20

33:20

Send us a text First we talk about playing Marvel Snap, Marvel Vs Capcom Fighting Collection, Prey, and Boltgun. Then we discuss some big news dropping... like PlayStation introducing cloud streaming, Sony looking to buy From Software's parent company Kadokawa, Electronic Gaming Monthly creating a compendium, and the big Game Award nominees. We are…

1
144: Control (with Nick & Will - Friday Night Gamecast) 2:51:51

5M ago2:51:51

2:51:51

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 …

1
Re-Release: Top 10 Box Arts 1:47:30

5M ago1:47:30

1:47:30

Send us a text Join us once again for a trip down memory lane... this time with a classic episode about beefy dudes, it's our top 10 video game box arts episode. List Off Links

1
143: Shadow Tower: Abyss (with Adelaide Lohkamp) 2:10:58

5M ago2:10:58

2:10:58

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 …

1
Re-Release: Top 5 Things we Want Video Games to do in the Future 1:54:56

5M ago1:54:56

1:54:56

Send us a text Man we miss that old intro! we also miss having awesome guests like Mikey Tabletop on the show! Since we won't be recording a new episode for a few weeks, we're taking the opportunity to shine a fresh light on a few of our episodes from the past. In this episode we discuss what we want to see from video games in the future. Enjoy! Li…

1
142: Night in the Woods (with Rick Firestone - Pixel Project Radio) 2:25:28

5M ago2:25:28

2:25:28

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 e…

1
Brian's Jungle Beat 32:18

6M ago32:18

32:18

Send us a text Lots of news this week that is right up Brian's alley! Nintendo tries their hand at music streaming, Overwatch takes it back to 2016, Steam announces a white OLED Steam Deck, and Nintendo details their newest Donkey Kong Country theme park. List Off Links

1
141: Final Fantasy VII Rebirth (with Aaron Angle & Ryan Arrington) 2:53:25

6M ago2:53:25

2:53:25

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 descript…

1
...On Backlogs (with Matt aka Stormageddon & Marcus Stewart) 2:10:35

6M ago2:10:35

2:10:35

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: M…

1
Games I Played at GDEX 2024 27:19

6M ago27:19

27:19

Here are the games I played at GDEX 2024 gaming convention in Columbus, Ohio! Games mentioned in the episode: Skate Fish Tales of Thisrea Zakumba: Astraia Dark Sky Derelict Mole Maiden Quiet On Set RA RA BOOM Intro/Outro music composed by Bert Cole- check them out at bitbybitsound.com Support Tales from the Backlog on Patreon! or buy me a coffee on…

1
This Industry is Spooky! 33:23

6M ago33:23

33:23

Send us a text We talk about playing Marvel Snap, Echoes of Wisdom, Silent Hill 2, and Black Ops 6. Then we delve into the spooky side of the gaming industry by discussing studio closures, game preservation getting burned at the stake, talented studios being disbanded, and many more scares from a volatile industry! List Off Links…

1
140: Decarnation (with Jala Prendes - Jala-chan's Place, The Level & Dave Cox - Monster Dear Monster) 2:44:59

6M ago2:44:59

2:44:59

Have you ever thought to yourself, "how scary could this pixel art horror game be? It's just pixels!". If so, you and I are the same. And granted, Decarnation (Atelier QDB, 2023) isn't an in-your-face type of horror. It's more of a psychological, empathetic horror and dread for what your character is going through. And it's very, very effective! Th…

1
Do you Care About Banjo Kazooie? 33:59

6M ago33:59

33:59

Send us a text This episode we talk about playing Marvel Snap, Echoes of Wisdom, and Silent Hill 2. Then, we ask the real, hard-hitting questions... Who cares about Banjo Kazooie? Is Sony's money grubbing strategy paying off? How deep is Brian's love for Subnautica? Listeners want to know! List Off Links…

1
139: Devotion (with Jill Grodt - The Indie Informer) 1:56:43

6M ago1:56:43

1:56:43

Stop me if you've heard this story before. A game that I once thought would be too scary for me to play, so I spoiled the entire story for myself only to realize that it sounded too good to not experience for myself. Add Devotion (Red Candle Games, 2019) to that list. Despite the controversy surrounding the game and subsequent delisting from all ma…

1
Wake Up with a Game Freakout! 36:15

6M ago36:15

36:15

Send us a text Wake up baby, because Alarmo is here! This episode we talk about Space Marine 2, Marvel Snap, Echoes of Wisdom, and the Alien movie franchise. Then we geek out about Alarmo, freak out about the Game Freak leaks, and let off some steam with the beginning of Steam Next Fest! List Off Links…

1
138: Silent Hill (with Stephanie Klimov - Boss Rush Network) 1:50:19

6M ago1:50:19

1:50:19

As a fan of Silent Hill 2 (episode 10 of Tales from the Backlog, by the way), I figured at some point I would need to go back and play the original. Silent Hill (Team Silent, Konami, 1999) was really interesting to go back and play, for a couple of reasons, most notably that I thought I knew what the game and town's whole deal was, but that was app…

1
137: Deadly Premonition (with Patrick & James - Retro Spectives) 2:48:26

7M ago2:48:26

2:48:26

There has been a lot of talk about the cult classic "7/10 game" lately, and no game better exemplifies this than Deadly Premonition (Access Games, 2010). It's one of those games where the average might land on 7/10 because there will be a lot of 10's and a lot of 3's in the review score distribution. Memorable characters, poor graphics, lifelike to…

1
Digital Games Own You 31:56

7M ago31:56

31:56

Send us a text This episode we talk about playing Balatro, Marvel Snap, Warhammer 40k Space Marine 2, & Astro Bot. We then cover the big announcements from last week's State of Play, discuss Hideo Kojima going Hollywood, & end with the depressing fact that you DO NOT own your digital games... they own you! List Off Links…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Tales From The Backlog Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen