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

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 SIMPLE TRICK of unpacking boxes and organizing your stuff when you move, a life story is told, and it's fantastic. Listen in for the deep-dive conversation! Guest Info: Kate Hunter aka Katerblossom Listen to her podcast No Small Games https://nosmallgames.com/ Follow her on BlueSky https://bsky.app/profile/katerblossom.bsky.social Check her streams out on Twitch https://www.twitch.tv/katerblossom TIMESTAMPS Title Card 0:00 Intros/Personal Histories/Opening Thoughts 0:26 Story Setup 11:47 Gameplay/Music/Presentation 26:12 Final Thoughts/Recommendations/Housekeeping Spoiler Wall/Patron Shoutouts 48:38 Spoiler Section 50:34 Music used in the episode is credited to Jeff van Dyck. You can purchase the soundtrack on Bandcamp. Tracks used: Unpacking Theme Child's Play Own Two Feet Friends for Life Infatuation Lost and Found Home Sweet Home 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

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 place in outer space. We had a great discussion on the show about what this game says about certain types of leaders, what "taking responsibility" means, analogues to the games industry and much more! Guest info: Ash Parrish, journalist and critic for The Verge. Find her work here https://www.theverge.com/authors/ash-parrish Follow her on Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/adashtra.bsky.social Check out the Insert Credit Show https://www.youtube.com/@insertcreditshow Content warnings for Mouthwashing: https://www.doesthedogdie.com/media/1312968 TIMESTAMPS Title Card 0:00 Intros/Personal Histories/Opening Thoughts 0:16 Story Setup/Themes Overview/Presentation 9:30 Closing Thoughts/Recommendations/Housekeeping 30:54 SPOILER WALL 37:50 Music used in the episode is credited to Martin Halldin. You can purchase the soundtrack on Steam. Tracks used: Main Theme Medium Rare The Windows are Plastic Dragonbreath Theme Heroes 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

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 eventually forgot about it as everyone else seemed to move on too. But over the past 5 years, I've also become a huge fan of the Yakuza/Like a Dragon series, and I eventually decided it was finally time to play Shenmue. Listen in to the discussion to hear what we think! Guest info: Luis Aguasvivas. Find his writing and games criticism at https://aguaspoints.com/ and more at https://linktr.ee/laguav TIMESTAMPS Intros/Personal Histories/Opening Thoughts 0:22 Story Setup/Setting 14:37 Gameplay/Closing Thoughts 39:51 SPOILER WALL/Thank Yous 1:16:24 Music used in the episode Shenmue - Sedge Tree (Takenobu Mitsuyoshi) Hip De Hop (Yuzo Koshiro) Working Man (Osamu Murata) Hazuki Residence (Takenobu Mitsuyoshi) Tears of Separation (Ryuji Iuchi) Check out Dave's appearance on 1 Hour, 1 Decision talking about the first hour of Avowed! https://linktr.ee/tc1h1d 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: 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