Support my work on Patreon- https://patreon.com/realdavejackson
Discord, Socials and more- https://linktr.ee/talesfromthebacklog

Join Dave and special guest Gen Moonen ("Fun" and Games) as they discuss Konami's 2006 entry in the Castlevania franchise, Portrait of Ruin. By this point, the series had largely moved past dual-screen and touchscreen gimmicks, settling on putting the menus and map on the bottom screen with the action on top. Add in a dual-protagonist setup and you've got a recipe for a good metroidvania experience. It's not reinventing the wheel, but it's likely got what you're looking for, and there's value in that. Check out the discussion for more, and as always, no spoilers for a while- enjoy!

Guest info: Gen Moonen (they/she)

• Check out "Fun" and Games https://funandgamespod.com/
• Follow on Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/gnoisegenerator.bsky.social

TIMESTAMPS

• 0:00 Title Card
• 0:22 Introductions
• 6:56 Our Histories with Castlevania
• 12:40 Top-Level Thoughts
• 19:51 Story Setup and Dual Protagonists
• 24:52 Castlevania Stories and Humor
• 31:19 Character Swapping Gameplay
• 44:52 Metroid vs Vania
• 50:13 Boss Fights, Painted Worlds and The Castle
• 1:03:52 Metroidvania Upgrades
• 1:08:41 Visual Design
• 1:16:40 Who Should Play?
• 1:25:50 "Fun" and Games Podcast
• 1:30:31 Spoiler Wall and Patron Thank-Yous
• 1:32:44 Spoilers- Painted Worlds and The Vampire Killer
• 1:53:38 Spoilers- More Story & Boss Fights

Music used in the episode is credited to Michiru Yamane unless otherwise noted. Tracks used: Gallery of Labyrinth, Invitation of a Crazed Moon (Yuzo Koshiro), Chaotic Playground, Victorian Fear, Name Entry, Crucifix Held Close, The Night Flows

Check out Dave on Nostalgium Arcanum talking about Final Fantasy X: https://nostalgiumarcanum.fireside.fm/

Cover art by Jack Allen- find him at https://linktr.ee/JackAllenCaricatures

Support my work on Patreon- https://patreon.com/realdavejackson
Discord, Socials and more- https://linktr.ee/talesfromthebacklog

Join Dave and special guest Andre (Fine Time, Neo Geo Go!, The Silent Discographer) as they discuss Square Enix's latest entry in the main Dragon Quest series, Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age. For a certain style of RPG (that Dragon Quest arguably pioneered), it doesn't get better than this. Dragon Quest XI doesn't reinvent any part of its genre, but executes at top level throughout, though we still have some questions about directions that the story goes. This is a masterpiece, and we hope you enjoy the conversation. As always, no spoilers for a while- enjoy!

Guest info: Andre (he/him)

• Check out Fine Time https://fineti.me/
• Check out Neo Geo Go! https://neogeogo.show/
• Check out The Silent Discographer https://the-silent-discographer.simplecast.com/
• Follow on Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/pizzadinosaur.fineti.me

TIMESTAMPS

• 0:00 Title Card
• 0:31 Introductions
• 6:06 Our Histories with Dragon Quest
• 10:19 Top-Level Thoughts
• 18:16 Story Setup and Thoughts
• 32:59 Feels Like Coming Home- Art & Music
• 51:03 Tickington
• 54:46 Combat and The Fun-Sized Forge
• 1:10:14 Thoughts on the Silent Protagonist
• 1:18:36 Lightning Round Thoughts
• 1:23:32 Who Should Play?
• 1:28:35 Andre's Podcasts
• 1:34:12 Spoiler Wall and Patron Thank-Yous
• 1:37:07 Spoilers- Some Early-Ish Story Talk
• 1:50:18 Spoilers- Act 2 Story
• 2:00:33 Spoilers- Act 3 Story

Music used in the episode is credited to Koichi Sugiyama. Tracks used: Overture, The Hero Goes Forth with Determination, Olé! Sylvando!, Unflinchable Courage, Bustling Town, Rab the Wizard, Light Though the Leaves of Love, Echoes of an Elusive Age

• Check out Dave on Nostalgium Arcanum talking about our favorite video game soundtracks: https://nostalgiumarcanum.fireside.fm/
• Check out Dave on The Rookie Run talking about Ocarina of Time https://www.youtube.com/@TheRookieRunVideoGamePodcast

Cover art by Jack Allen- find him at https://linktr.ee/JackAllenCaricatures

Support my work on Patreon- https://patreon.com/realdavejackson
Discord, Socials and more- https://linktr.ee/talesfromthebacklog

Join Dave and special guest Luis Aguasvivas as they discuss Arco (Franek, Max Cahill, Bibiki and Fayer, 2024). Arco blends tactical turn-based combat with a revenge story spanning multiple protagonists. It's an ambitious game that coalesces in some magical ways, but falls short in some others, making it ripe for discussion. As always, no spoilers in the episode for a while- enjoy!

Guest info: Luis Aguasvivas (he/they)

• Check out Luis's writing https://aguaspoints.com/
• Follow on Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/aguaspoints.bsky.social

TIMESTAMPS

• 0:00 Title Card
• 0:20 Introductions
• 3:56 Our Histories with Arco
• 6:52 Top-Level Thoughts
• 13:13 Story Setup
• 17:52 Multiple Protagonist Structure
• 22:58 Dramatic Irony and Post-Colonial Narratives
• 28:48 Visual Design
• 35:33 Soundtrack
• 40:13 Combat
• 49:38 Fantasy Elements and Morality System
• 1:03:55 Who Should Play?
• 1:07:55 Luis' Writing
• 1:11:58 Spoiler Wall and Patron Thank-Yous
• 1:14:20 Spoilers- Different Story Paths
• 1:26:01 Spoilers- Act Five
• 1:39:41 Spoilers- Tizo's Story
• 1:51:22 Spoilers- Violence as Interaction in Games
• 2:01:54 Spoilers- Fighting the Ocean in Historical Fiction

Music used in the episode is credited to Bibiki. Tracks used: Arena y Alquitrán, Forgotten Memories, Blood Spit, Whispers of Magic, Where Iyos Live, Sempiternal

Cover art by Jack Allen- find him at https://linktr.ee/JackAllenCaricatures