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/JackAllenCaricatures

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

Join Dave and special guest IdolismJ as they tackle Drakengard (Cavia, Square Enix, 2003). Drakengard has a reputation for being bad, unplayable, interesting and edgelordy to a certain extent, and we can confirm that some, but not all of those, are correct. Drakengard challenges the player in ways that most games don't, driving you crazy alongside the protagonist. Whether the effect is intentional or accidental, Drakengard certainly left an impression on us. Listen in to find out more, and as always, no spoilers for a while!

Guest info: IdolismJ (he/him)

• Check out Jay's YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@IdolismJ
• Support on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/cw/idolismj
• Follow on Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/idolismj.yase.world

TIMESTAMPS

• 0:00 Title Card
• 0:18 Introductions
• 4:26 Our Histories with Drakengard and Nier
• 7:28 Top-Level Thoughts about Drakengard
• 11:53 Story Setup and Caim's Well-Being
• 21:40 Following the Plot
• 27:43 Combat- "Is It Bad on Purpose?"
• 40:28 Music to Go Insane to
• 50:14 Air Combat
• 58:00 Auteur Theory, Revisited
• 1:08:54 Art, Party Members, Voice Acting
• 1:18:10 Who Should Play Drakengard?
• 1:21:58 IdolismJ on YouTube
• 1:27:16 Spoiler Wall & Patron Thank-Yous
• 1:29:04 Spoilers- Things Get Worse Until They End
• 1:39:23 Spoilers- Ending A
• 1:47:44 Spoilers- Ending B
• 1:51:55 Spoilers- Ending C
• 2:00:38 Spoilers- Ending D and Some Hairy Subject Matter
• 2:16:49 Spoilers- Ending E and Connection to Nier

Music used in the episode is credited to Takayuka Aihara unless otherwise noted. Tracks used: Weapon Select, First Chapter - Sky, Fifth Chapter - Ground, Fourth Chapter - Ground (Nobuyoshi Sano), Fifth Chapter - Sky, First Chapter - Castle Interior, Eighth Chapter - Closing (Nobuyoshi Sano), Route C Staff Roll, Mission Clear (Nobuyoshi Sano)

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 Claire as they deep dive Fire Emblem: Three Houses (Intelligent Systems, Kou Shibusawa, Nintendo, 2019). They discuss the life sim and battle elements, how they tie together to make you fear permadeath even more, the four playthroughs, and much more. As always, no spoilers for a while!

Guest info: Claire (she/her/any)

• Check out Date With Us podcast https://www.datewith.us
• Check out Claire on Twitch https://www.twitch.tv/claireafterall
• Get a sick wrestling belt https://www.trophysmack.com/

TIMESTAMPS

• 0:00 Title Card
• 0:21 Introductions
• 5:03 Our Histories with Fire Emblem
• 7:35 Top-Level Thoughts
• 14:36 Story Setup and Choosing Your House
• 23:49 Life Sim Elements and How To Spend Time
• 30:00 Teaching and Character Building
• 36:11 Relationship/Support Mechanics
• 40:25 Relationship and Dating Elements
• 55:36 Combat and Permadeath
• 1:05:18 Combat Basics
• 1:15:00 What's New in the DLC?
• 1:19:56 Soundtrack
• 1:26:10 Visual Design and Art
• 1:31:57 Who Should Play?
• 1:38:17 Date With Us and Claire's Streaming
• 1:44:36 Spoiler Wall and Patron Thank-Yous
• 1:46:26 Spoilers- Story Discussion
• 2:29:39 Spoilers- MVPs and Results

Music used in the episode:

• The Crest of Flames (Yuka Tsujiyoko)
• Fódlan Winds (Takeru Kanazaki)
• Life at Garreg Mach Monastery (Takeru Kanazaki)
• Tearing Through Heaven (Hiroki Morishita)
• Tempest of Seasons (Rei Kondoh)
• A Guide for the Future (Takeru Kanazaki)
• A New Dawn (Takeru Kanazaki, Rei Kondoh)
• The Land Beloved by the Goddess (Takeru Kanazaki)

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