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

Join Dave and special guest Josh Galecki (Pixelated Playgrounds, Moonroof Studios) to take a long walk into the woods of Baby Steps. Developed by Bennett Foddy, Gabe Cuzillo and Maxi Boch and published by Devolver Digital, Baby Steps is an extremely unique game, one where its story of its failson protagonist meshes with its frustrating-yet-rewarding gameplay for a very rewarding and genuinely funny experience. Check out the podcast for more.

Guest info: Josh Galecki (he/him)

• Check out Pixelated Playgrounds https://www.pixelatedplaygrounds.com/
• Check out Josh's games on Steam https://store.steampowered.com/search/?developer=Moonroof%20Studios
• Check out more of Josh's games on itch https://joshuagalecki.itch.io/

TIMESTAMPS

• 0:00 Title Card
• 0:11 Introductions
• 5:42 Our Histories with Baby Steps
• 9:42 Top-Level Thoughts
• 15:11 Characterization of Nate
• 20:18 Walking Mechanics
• 26:56 Difficulty and World Design
• 40:19 Hating On Nate and Comedy
• 54:27 Visuals, Music and Sound
• 59:13 Who Should Play Baby Steps?
• 1:04:16 Pixelated Playgrounds and Moonroof Studios
• 1:08:40 Spoiler Wall & Patron Thank-Yous
• 1:10:17 Spoilers- Jim, The Manbreaker, Other Challenges
• 1:32:19 Spoilers- Let's Talk About Nate
• 1:42:28 Spoilers- Nate's Journey and Endings
• 1:55:43 Accomplishments vs Achievements
• 2:04:23 Guys...Where Are We?

Sound clips in episode were captured in game.

The Secret Lives of Games interview with Bennett Foddy & Gabe Cuzillo- https://eggplant.show/152-walking-over-it-with-gabe-cuzzillo-and-bennett-foddy-baby-steps

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

Guest info: Doug Lief (he/him) and Gen Moonen (they/them)

• Listen to Nostalgium Arcanum https://nostalgiumarcanum.fireside.fm/
• Listen to Playing By Ear https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/playing-by-ear/id1815995146
• Listen to Still Muppeting https://www.patreon.com/c/stillloadingpod/posts
• Listen to "Fun" and Games https://funandgames.libsyn.com/

TIMESTAMPS

• 0:00 Title Card
• 0:10 Introductions and Top-Level Thoughts
• 7:20 Unpredictability- Problem or Opportunity?
• 19:48 Failure Can Be Funny
• 38:35 Jokes In Any Form
• 50:07 Unique Challenges Facing Game Comedy
• 1:32:15 More Ways Games are Uniquely Funny
• 1:44:46 Wrap-Up Thoughts
• 1:48:56 Gen & Doug's Podcasts

Music used in the episode:

• Secret Hoppin' (Vacation Mix)- ClascyJitto (Pizza Tower OST)
• Whispering Rock Psychic Summer Camp- Peter McConnell (Psychonauts OST)

Dave's guest appearance on Play Along Podcast- https://linktr.ee/PlayAlongPodcast

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 TroytlePower as they discuss Vampire: The Masquerade: Bloodlines, developed by Troika Games and published by Activision in 2004. Any recommendation to play Bloodlines comes with all sorts of disclaimers attached, which makes it nearly irresistable for someone with a brain like mine. And while all of those bad things I had heard about the game turned out to be extremely true, it's still a fascinating game that led to a fun discussion. Check out the podcast for more!

Guest info: TroytlePower (he/him)

• Check out all of Troy's work! https://troytlepower.com/

TIMESTAMPS

• 0:00 Title Card
• 0:17 Introductions
• 4:30 Our Histories with Bloodlines
• 8:39 Top-Level Thoughts
• 13:57 Story Setup and Clan Selection
• 21:03 The Masquerade and Vampire Society
• 28:06 Presentation and Game World
• 36:53 Music and Vibes
• 44:34 Vampire Lore TM
• 51:00 Character Building
• 1:02:04 Combat
• 1:17:00 If They Only Had More Time...
• 1:25:52 Who Should Play Bloodlines?
• 1:31:00 Troy's Podcasts and Writing
• 1:35:56 Spoiler Wall and Patron Thank-Yous
• 1:37:51 Spoilers- Early-Midgame Quests and Stories
• 2:23:00 Spoilers- The Sewers and Onward

Music used in the episode is credited to Rik Schaffer. Tracks used: Main Menu, Downtown, Disturbed and Twisted Combat, Generic Combat, Santa Monica, Crypt Combat

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 guest Travis Colenutt on their language-learning journey up the tower in Chants of Sennaar (Rundisc, Focus Entertainment, 2023). What do our languages say about our culture, and how can learning another language change the way we see the world? All of this and more in the discussion!

Guest info: Travis Colenutt (he/him)

• Check out Left Behind Game Club https://leftbehindgame.club/
• Follow on Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/traviscolenutt.bsky.social

TIMESTAMPS

• 0:00 Title Card
• 0:21 Introductions
• 4:53 Why Did We Play Chants of Sennaar?
• 9:50 Top-Level Thoughts About Chants of Sennaar
• 16:06 Story and Language Learning Setup
• 28:00 Using Language to Make Progress
• 33:40 Learning About Culture Via Languages
• 39:04 Making Connections Via Languages
• 48:02 Stealth In My Puzzle Game?
• 53:58 Visuals, Music and Sound
• 1:08:31 Do We Recommend?
• 1:11:17 Left Behind Game Club
• 1:15:10 Spoiler Wall & Patron Thank-Yous
• 1:17:34 Spoilers- The Devotees & Warriors
• 1:40:05 Spoilers- The Bards & Alchemists
• 1:55:32 Spoilers- The Anchorites & Ending

Music used in the episode is credited to Thomas Brunet. Tracks used: The Call, Out of the Cavern and into the Light, Catch Me!, Envers, Bonds Reforged

Catch Dave on Nostalgium Arcanum talking about Rocky 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 guest Bryan Skursha as they deep dive Death Howl (The Outer Zone, 11 Bit Studios, 2025) on their journey through the underworld to find out what the hell a soulslike deckbuilder even is. Brutal turn-based combat, a story about grieving and a mother's love, and all the fucked up guys a gamer could ask for. Listen in to find out more!

Guest info: Bryan Skursha (he/him)

• Check out Pixelated Playgrounds https://www.pixelatedplaygrounds.com/
• Follow on BlueSky https://bsky.app/profile/bsushi.bsky.social

TIMESTAMPS

• 0:00 Title Card
• 0:18 Introductions
• 5:39 Our Histories with Death Howl
• 10:50 Top-Level Thoughts
• 15:42 Story Setup
• 23:58 Dreamy, Hazy Visuals and Sound
• 40:01 Combat Basics and Deckbuilding Strategy
• 54:58 Is It Soulslike?
• 1:05:00 Open-Ended Structure and Side Quests
• 1:10:22 Combat Depth
• 1:16:40 Who Should Play Death Howl?
• 1:19:00 Pixelated Playgrounds
• 1:22:55 Spoiler Wall & Patron Thank-Yous
• 1:24:58 Spoilers- Favorite Areas, Bosses, Decks
• 1:41:00 Spoilers- Final Area and Final Bosses
• 1:55:46 Spoilers- Story Discussion

Music used in the episode is credited to Chris Bjørumslet & Malte Burup. Tracks used: Death Howl, Olvi, Shadows of Rot, Cantharsis, Meadows of Delusion, Moon Eel, Ever Since Your Heart Stopped Beating

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 Josh Leslie as they discuss Skate Story, developed by Sam Eng and published by Devolver Digital in 2025. How does the skating compare to touchstone games like Tony Hawk's Pro Skater or skate.? How does its poetic storytelling land? How do the aesthetics enhance other aspects of the game? All this and more- enjoy!

Guest info: Josh Leslie (he/him)

• Check out IndieQuest podcast https://indiequest.buzzsprout.com/
• Check out The Monthly Mishap podcast https://monthlymishap.buzzsprout.com/

TIMESTAMPS

• 0:00 Title Card
• 0:21 Introductions
• 5:00 Our Histories with Skate Story
• 9:05 Top-Level Thoughts
• 16:00 Story Setup and Poetic Storytelling
• 23:42 Open Zones and City Life
• 27:58 Visuals and Music
• 41:00 Skating and Downhill Sections
• 50:48 Boss Encounters and Challenges
• 59:43 Plan and Perform
• 1:03:30 Recommendations
• 1:07:13 Josh's Work- IndieQuest and The Monthly Mishap
• 1:11:34 Spoiler Wall & Patron Thank-Yous
• 1:13:21 Spoilers- Eating the Moons
• 1:31:08 Spoilers- Emotional Arc & Interpretations
• 1:50:20 Spoilers- Final Boss and Ending
• 1:56:32 Spoilers- We Still Exist

Music used in the episode: Collapsing, Like Clouds Into Smoke (Blood Cultures), Where the City Can't See (Blood Cultures), Redvoid (John Fio), Lyceum (John Fio), Alcian Blue (Blood Cultures), Hole in the Sun (Blood Cultures), Godhook (John Fio)

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

Bioshock is a title that carries weight, nearly 20 years after its 2007 release by 2K Boston and 2K Australia, and it feels like one that every gaming podcast eventually talks about. And hey, it's our turn this time- Bioshock has long been a favorite of mine that I've revisited through the years. But when put under the Tales from the Backlog microscope, does it hold up under pressure or does it spring a leak? Listen in to find out.

Guest info: Joseph Hooper (he/him)

• Check out Crossplay Conversations https://www.youtube.com/@crossplayconvos
• Check out Can't Pause on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@cantpause
• Check out Player Player https://playerplayerpod.com/

TIMESTAMPS

• 0:00 Title Card
• 0:26 Introductions
• 5:25 Our Histories with Bioshock
• 9:20 Top-Level Thoughts
• 14:25 Story Setup
• 21:30 Learning Backstory Via Audio Logs
• 26:40 Rapture and Ideology
• 35:18 Big Daddies, Little Sisters and Moral Choices
• 44:24 Combat Mechanics
• 54:00 Some Immersive Sim DNA
• 1:03:29 Combat Balance & Difficulty
• 1:13:26 Visual Design and Music/Sound
• 1:22:27 Who Do We Recommend Bioshock To?
• 1:24:38 Joseph's Podcasts and YouTube Channel
• 1:28:26 Spoiler Wall and Patron Thank-Yous
• 1:30:13 Spoilers- Would You Kindly? and Fontaine
• 1:44:48 Spoilers- Rapture's Downfall
• 2:01:37 Spoilers- Other Major Players
• 2:14:00 Spoilers- Big Daddy and Endings

Music used in the episode is credited to Garry Schyman unless otherwise noted. Tracks used: Under the Sea (Bobby Darin), Welcome to Rapture, Mr. Bubbles - Little Sister, Dancers on a String (Reprise), Through the Docks, Cohen's Masterpiece, Leaving Rapture

Gameplay footage used with permission from World of Longplays on YouTube, gameplay by Spazbo4. www.longplays.org

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