Dave Jackson | Tales from the Backlog

@realdavejackson

He/him. Games critic and Tales from the Backlog podcast host- one game per episode, in depth, no spoilers until we warn you. Podcast/YouTube Support

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Dave Jackson | Tales from the Backlog@realdavejackson· 14d

New on Tales from the Backlog today, @aspecificegg.bsky.social of @nosmallgames.bsky.social joins me to discuss Titanium Court! There's a ton to discuss, but as always, no spoilers for a while- enjoy! Listen: talesfromthebacklog.fireside.fm/224 Watch: youtu.be/cMTGmRtWlSg

Tales from the Backlog episode 224- Titanium Court

Dave Jackson | Tales from the Backlog@realdavejackson· 15d

Really, really enjoying SKALD: Against the Black Priory so far. It's a throwback to the era of CRPGs where the UI took up most of the screen and your cursor was a little gauntlet. Fun writing, lots of eldritch horrors, rewarding exploration, tactical combat, bopping music. Love it.

Screenshot from SKALD: Against the Black Priory. The top left/middle show a pixel art drawing of an old man with a white beard, leather hat and purple shirt. To the right are three character portraits for the party members.

Text below says "Something foul is growing on IDRA: A taint on the land! There are lights! Lights as you've never seen, like those sailors from the high north talk of. But the colors..."

"It's like they bleed into your very dreams! If you can manage to sleep, that is."

1. Continue

Dave Jackson | Tales from the Backlog@realdavejackson· 19d

About five years ago I would actively avoid horror games- "anything scarier than Bioshock" was my old line in the sand. Today, I just finished Resident Evil 7! If you want to get into horror games but feel nervous, there are ways to get there despite the scares. If I can, you can.

Screenshot of the Baker house from outside a metal fence in Resident Evil 7.

Screenshot of a dinner scene with the Baker family in Resident Evil 7. A young man faces you on the left side, an older man is across the table from you, and an older woman is in the shadows on the right side. The table is full of entrails and candles. Someone says "eat it, it's good"

Screenshot from Resident Evil 7. An old woman sits in a wheelchair in a bedroom lit by a single lamp. There are paintings and pictures on the walls, a broken mirror on a desk, and more furniture around.

Dave Jackson | Tales from the Backlog@realdavejackson· 21d

New podcast! @playalong.bsky.social and I set out to conquer the land and meet our creator in Pokémon Conquest! Yes, you read that correctly. We had a fun discussion, and as always, no spoilers for a while- enjoy! LISTEN: talesfromthebacklog.fireside.fm/223 WATCH: youtu.be/lhpw7YKahcE

Tales from the Backlog episode 223: Pokemon Conquest

Dave Jackson | Tales from the Backlog@realdavejackson· 26d

Had a fight or flight response when this popped up

Screenshot from Rhythm Heaven Groove. All minigames have medals. Remix 5 is highlighted and text says "Check it out! You can now attempt a Perfect result on Remix 5! If you succeed, you'll unlock Insect Anxiety. Good luck!"

Dave Jackson | Tales from the Backlog@realdavejackson· 28d

How can we listen to and talk about video game music better? To help, I asked @pixelprojectradio.bsky.social and Charlie Young for a lesson! Hope you enjoy, and hope you learn something- I know I did. LISTEN: talesfromthebacklog.fireside.fm/vgmappreciat... WATCH: youtu.be/89bkDcM60xo

Tales from the Backlog discussion- Music appreciation. Image shows Ellie from The Last of Us playing a guitar in a forest.

Dave Jackson | Tales from the Backlog@realdavejackson· Jul 13

That's right, it's time to play that Final Fantasy game. I played it at release and didn't like it. Let's see how this replay goes!

Final Fantasy XIII screenshot. A train barrels into a high-tech sci fi city, with tons of buildings, suspended walkways and bridges and green neon lights.

Final Fantasy XIII screenshot. Lightning and Sazh face off against a giant robot with spinning saw blades for arms

Final Fantasy XIII screenshot. The Pulse fal'Cie is suspended in a crucifix-esque pose, bathed in green light.

Dave Jackson | Tales from the Backlog@realdavejackson· Jul 11

Wow, that went by in a flash. Crazy to see I only started it a week ago. Loved it! What a cool game.

Panzer Dragoon Saga Play Results:
Clear model- Dragon Light Wing
Total flight distance 772.5 km
Field map coverage rate 67.5%
Target destruction rate 89.8%
Enemy data collection rate 90.2%
Spiritual Closeness Points 15

You've lived the adventure of a lifetime.

Panzer Dragoon Saga credits, listed in Japanese

Dave Jackson | Tales from the Backlog@realdavejackson· Jul 8

Today on Tales from the Backlog, @djstormageddon.com and I BONE UP and deep dive Mina the Hollower! A really fun chat about a really interesting, confidently designed game. As always, no spoilers for a while- enjoy! LISTEN: talesfromthebacklog.fireside.fm/222 WATCH: youtu.be/BG5fVKVvYLU

Tales from the Backlog episode 222: Mina the Hollower

Dave Jackson | Tales from the Backlog@realdavejackson· Jul 5

Eating this whole bag, listening to Sunshine Coastline from the Ys 8 soundtrack, and exploding in a ball of pure light

Dave Jackson | Tales from the Backlog@realdavejackson· Jul 5

Alan Wake was the poll winner! Thanks to all who voted, and please look forward to an episode in October!

Alan Wake key art. The character Alan is shining a flashlight at the camera

Dave Jackson | Tales from the Backlog@realdavejackson· Jul 4

I started Panzer Dragoon Saga tonight and it's COOL

Panzer Dragoon Saga screenshot. A dragon approaches a person sitting on the ground

Panzer Dragoon Saga screenshot. A dragon flies through a canyon. Ropes with colored flags stretch from wall to wall.

Panzer Dragoon Saga screenshot. The battle view shows the dragon flying behind two flying enemies and about to attack.

Dave Jackson | Tales from the Backlog@realdavejackson· Jul 2

Hello, is this the We're Back department? I'd like to file a claim.

Rhythm Heaven Groove box for Nintendo Switch.

Dave Jackson | Tales from the Backlog@realdavejackson· Jul 2

7 months later, the clock hit zeroes and The Longing has ended. Fascinating game that made me think about a lot- might end up writing about it! I'm still reading Moby Dick btw, but switched to my hard copy for the rest of it.

Screenshot from The Longing. The timer is at all zeroes and text on screen says "THE LONGING HAS ENDED"

Dave Jackson | Tales from the Backlog@realdavejackson· Jul 2

I'm already planning October's horror games for the podcast, and it's time for the monthly Patreon vote! Which of these should I play and cover on the show? I've never played any of these before! www.patreon.com/realdavejack...

July 2026 Patreon Vote for Tales from the Backlog- cover art for the following games is shown in a grid: F.E.A.R., Alan Wake, Still Wakes the Deep, Eternal Darkness: Sanity's Requiem, Luigi's Mansion

Dave Jackson | Tales from the Backlog@realdavejackson· Jul 1

New episode- join @rogueleader76.bsky.social and I for a fun discussion about Minishoot' Adventures! The game was an absolute joy for both of us, and we dug into how they did that. As always, no spoilers for a while- enjoy! LISTEN: talesfromthebacklog.fireside.fm/221 WATCH: youtu.be/L0ds8FaGyXA

Tales from the Backlog 221- Minishoot' Adventures

Dave Jackson | Tales from the Backlog@realdavejackson· Jul 1

Look at the dracky, he's just a little guy

A dracky from Dragon Quest. It is a bat with a long tail, a large mouth with two fangs that looks like a smile.

Dave Jackson | Tales from the Backlog@realdavejackson· Jun 30

Thinking about what I'd hope for in the Ocarina of Time remake- I want more temples to require (not always literal but sometimes literal) multi-level thinking like the Water Temple, which is secretly the best one in the game. The Spirit Temple comes close, but it's just scratching the surface.

A CRT with The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time on screen. Link stands at the entrance of the Water Temple. Four plush toys sit on top of the tv.

Dave Jackson | Tales from the Backlog@realdavejackson· Jun 27

Here's what's coming to Tales from the Backlog in July! A whole lot of great discussion, featuring: @rogueleader76.bsky.social @djstormageddon.com @pixelprojectradio.bsky.social @playalong.bsky.social @aspecificegg.bsky.social Hope you're excited!

Tales from the Backlog July 2026 schedule:

July 1- Minishoot' Adventures with Roger Reichardt of Gamerheads Podcast
July 8- Mina the Hollower, with Matt aka Stormageddon of "Fun" and Games podcast
July 15- Video Game Music Appreciation 101 with Rick Firestone of Pixel Project Radio and Charlie Young
July 22- Pokemon Conquest with Jared Moss of Play Along Podcast
July 29- Titanium Court with Emily Merritt of No Small Games

Tales from the WAY-Backlog on Patreon: Castlevania

Dave Jackson | Tales from the Backlog@realdavejackson· Jun 25

Update on this- this is not halfway through the game AND they played and wrote a walkthrough for the sequel!!

Screenshot from a Golden Sun Let's Play.

All for water.
(Image of character running on Overworld)
Fuck Golden Sun.

Dave Jackson | Tales from the Backlog@realdavejackson· Jun 24

New podcast- @ajfillari.bsky.social and I don the celestial robes for a great discussion about Pyre! It's Supergiant's most unique game, and we both found it to be super interesting. As always, no spoilers for a while- enjoy! LISTEN: talesfromthebacklog.fireside.fm/220 WATCH: youtu.be/bOBdtkhNC_4

Tales from the Backlog episode 220- Pyre

Dave Jackson | Tales from the Backlog@realdavejackson· Jun 23

For example- my house in Pokopia, before I remembered that I never want to build a house in a video game and stopped playing

Screenshot from Pokemon Pokopia. The inside of a hut with a bare dirt floor except for a gravestone in the middle.

Dave Jackson | Tales from the Backlog@realdavejackson· Jun 22

I love when I find an old walkthrough or let's play where the writer obviously hates the game, and I found a great one for Golden Sun.

The only noteworthy thing is our introduction to vines. Sprouts become vines when you use Growth, a psynergy that is only available to a particular class formed by combining Venus and Mars djinn. Guess how clear Camelot makes this mechanic.

(picture of the main character standing in front of a cave entrance)

Due to a questionable understanding of geography, the obligatory arctic tundra area is a mere stone's throw away from the gigantic temperate forest. I do not believe anyone at Camelot has actually looked at a map.

Dave Jackson | Tales from the Backlog@realdavejackson· Jun 17

New on Tales from the Backlog today- @idolismj.yase.world joined me to discuss Drakengard! It's a messy game that coalesces into something magical, and we had a great discussion. As always, no spoilers for a while- enjoy! LISTEN: talesfromthebacklog.fireside.fm/219 WATCH: youtu.be/t4axqgK03u8

Dave Jackson | Tales from the Backlog@realdavejackson· Jun 11

Thank you Chappell Roan

The great fairy in The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time says "when battle has made you weary, please come back to see me"

Dave Jackson | Tales from the Backlog@realdavejackson· Jun 11

Ocarina of Time is the point when every Zelda NPC became The Weirdest Guy You've Ever Seen

Dave Jackson | Tales from the Backlog@realdavejackson· Jun 10

Great timing with yesterday's Fortune's Weave announcement- it's Fire Emblem: Three Houses day on the podcast! @claireafterall.bsky.social joined me for a great chat, and as always, no spoilers for a while- enjoy! LISTEN: talesfromthebacklog.fireside.fm/218 WATCH: youtu.be/4k0kiQ2576Y

Tales from the Backlog episode 218- Fire Emblem: Three Houses

Dave Jackson | Tales from the Backlog@realdavejackson· Jun 9

Some jokes truly are timeless.

File select screen in Ocarina of Time. The name in File 1 is "BUTT"

Dave Jackson | Tales from the Backlog@realdavejackson· Jun 9

With the remake announcement and my recent Questing on my N64, I figured it's also time to properly revisit a childhood favorite.

A CRT playing The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time

Dave Jackson | Tales from the Backlog@realdavejackson· Jun 8

In May 2025, I started playing Dragon Quest 11 with the plan of playing an hour or two per week. This morning, I finished the true ending after 96 hours played, and what a journey it was! I liken it to the best comfort food- made with love, high-quality ingredients and years of experience.