188: Outer Wilds: Echoes of the Eye (with Rick Firestone)

Support my work on Patreon- https://patreon.com/realdavejackson Join the Tales from the Backlog Discord server- https://discord.gg/kAqSBb6jH2 Buy me a coffee on Ko-fi- https://ko-fi.com/realdavejackson Nobody is more skeptical of a new Soulslike on the block than me. Too often, Soulslikes build around the superficial qualities of FromSoftware's hits and neglect the secret sauce (or miss it entirely). Luckily for me and those who feel the same way, Round8 Studio and Neowiz knocked it out of the park with their Pinocchio-inspired Soulslike, Lies of P. I felt right at home playing through this, and it turned into a really fun conversation. Guest info: Rob Garcia (he/him) and Kelvin Rolon (he/him) * Check out The Gaming Duo https://www.gamingduopod.com/ * Follow on BlueSky https://bsky.app/profile/thegamingduo.bsky.social TIMESTAMPS * 0:00 Title Card * 0:28 Intros * 5:40 Personal Histories with Soulsborne and Lies of P * 11:50 Personal Histories with Pinocchio * 15:40 Opening Thoughts About Lies of P * 19:20 Story Setup and Adapting Pinocchio * 34:33 Visual Design * 41:14 Music * 49:09 Difficulty and How to Succeed * 58:56 Weapons and Tools * 1:18:17 Level Design and Exploration * 1:28:21 Boss Fights * 1:33:45 Closing Thoughts and Recommendations * 1:38:14 The Gaming Duo Podcast * 1:41:38 SPOILER WALL and Patron Thank-Yous * 1:43:38 Spoiler Section- Top 3 Boss Fights * 2:05:26 Story Discussion * 2:19:47 Backstory, Comparisons to the Book and Post-Credits Scene Music used in the episode is from the Lies of P OST. Tracks used: * Main Menu (Round8 Studio Sound Team, YK Music) * Divine Service (Electronic Boutique) * Feel (DJ Mocha, Seo Ja Young) * Dreadful March (Studio LAY-BACK) * Judgement of Mourning (Studio LAY-BACK) * Hotel Krat (Studio LAY-BACK) * Quixotic (bermei.inazawa, foolen) * Eventide Hotel (Silun Lee) Social Media: BlueSky- https://bsky.app/profile/tftblpod.bsky.social Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/talesfromthebacklog/ Cover art by Jack Allen- find him at https://linktr.ee/JackAllenCaricatures

Support my work on Patreon- https://patreon.com/realdavejackson Join the Tales from the Backlog Discord server- https://discord.gg/kAqSBb6jH2 Buy me a coffee on Ko-fi- https://ko-fi.com/realdavejackson As I said way back in The Outer Wilds episode, I respect the hell out of that game and think it's a miracle, but I didn't love it as much as others, and I kind of wish I could Eternal Sunshine that game out of my mind and try again. But as it turns out, the Echoes of the Eye expansion gave me just that chance. Did lightning strike twice? Did the game that "you can only truly play once" work again? Listen in and find out. Guest info: Rick Firestone (he/him) * Check out Pixel Project Radio https://linktr.ee/pixelprojectradio * Follow Rick on Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/pixelprojectradio.bsky.social TIMESTAMPS * 0:00 Title Card * 0:23 Introductions * 6:08 Thoughts About Outer Wilds * 9:11 Thoughts About Echoes of the Eye * 24:14 Pixel Project Radio Podcast * 26:42 SPOILER WALL and Patron Thank-Yous * 28:40 Spoiler Section- Initial Discoveries * 48:05 Spoiler Section- A New World to Explore * 1:24:00 Spoiler Section- Story Analysis and Endings Music used in the episode is credited to Andrew Prahlow. Tracks used: The River, River's End, Elegy for the Rings, Echoes of the Eye, Departure Check out Dave on Retro Hangover's King of Games '99 series: https://linktr.ee/retrohangover Check out Dave on The Tiny Game Chronicles: https://tinyurl.com/m5jhfat9 Social Media: BlueSky- https://bsky.app/profile/tftblpod.bsky.social Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/talesfromthebacklog/ Cover art by Jack Allen- find him at https://linktr.ee/JackAllenCaricatures

Support my work on Patreon- https://patreon.com/realdavejackson Join the Tales from the Backlog Discord server- https://discord.gg/kAqSBb6jH2 Buy me a coffee on Ko-fi- https://ko-fi.com/realdavejackson Sometimes a game's reputation precedes it in a way that makes you question whether you want to play it at all, and Fear & Hunger (Miro Haverinen, 2018) certainly fits that bill. Punishing difficulty, harsh teaching, extreme content warnings and more put me off from playing the game for a while, but I'm glad to have played it now, and all of that made for a great conversation. Content warnings for Fear & Hunger: https://www.doesthedogdie.com/media/17804 Guest info: Adam Bucceri (he/him) * Check out Adam's games https://boocherry.itch.io/ TIMESTAMPS * 0:00 Title Card * 0:15 Intros * 6:03 Our Histories with Fear & Hunger * 9:55 Should We Play Fear & Hunger 1 or 2? * 11:27 Opening Thoughts About Fear & Hunger * 17:24 Content Warnings * 26:15 Game Setup and Character Selection * 31:15 Difficulty and Learning How to Play * 44:55 Player-Hostile Design and Pressures * 58:34 Immersive Sim Elements, Experimentation and Emergent Narrative * 1:07:47 Combat * 1:21:36 Visuals and Sound Design * 1:27:20 Closing Thoughts and Recommendations * 1:34:20 Adam's Games and Creative Works * 1:37:18 SPOILER WALL and Patron Thank-Yous * 1:39:18 Spoiler Section- The Girl, Le'garde and Fun Discoveries * 2:26:35 Spoiler Section- Endings Music used in the episode is credited to Miro Haverinen. Tracks used: Fear & Hunger, The Four Apostles, Pulse & Anxiety, Ancient City, Tomb of the Gods, Everyday Schoolday Check out Dave's guest appearance on The Pre-Order Bonus about Rain World- https://www.patreon.com/c/preordercast Social Media: BlueSky- https://bsky.app/profile/tftblpod.bsky.social Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/talesfromthebacklog/ Cover art by Jack Allen- find him at https://linktr.ee/JackAllenCaricatures

Support my work on Patreon- https://patreon.com/realdavejackson Join the Tales from the Backlog Discord server- https://discord.gg/kAqSBb6jH2 Buy me a coffee on Ko-fi- https://ko-fi.com/realdavejackson It's been a real joy working my way through the Silent Hill series alongside doing this show, starting all the way back in episode 10(!) with Silent Hill 2. Today, I'm playing the sequel to Silent Hill 1, which is NOT Silent Hill 2...it's Silent Hill 3, and I've brought on the perfect guest to discuss what many fans to agree to be the last truly good Silent Hill game for many years. Guest info: Kaye Ross (she/her) * Check out all of the wonderful Duckfeed podcasts https://duckfeed.tv/ * Check out Kaye's horror game streams https://www.twitch.tv/duckfeedtv TIMESTAMPS * 0:00 Title Card * 0:28 Intros * 4:56 Our Histories with Silent Hill 3 * 10:35 Opening Thoughts About Silent Hill 3 * 14:51 Story Setup * 21:53 Aesthetics and Horror * 30:25 Sound Design and Music * 37:14 Heather As a Protagonist * 43:37 Puzzles and Riddles * 50:32 Tank Controls and Combat * 1:03:49 Final Thoughts and Recommendations * 1:06:36 The Many Podcasts at Duckfeed.tv * 1:11:09 Spoiler Wall and Patron Thank-You's * 1:13:11 Spoiler Section- Heather & The Cult * 1:36:39 Spoiler Section- Heather & Harry Music used in the episode is credited to Akira Yamaoka. Tracks used: You're Not Here, End of Small Sanctuary, Breeze- In Monochrome Night, Something Long Forgotten, Sickness Unto Foolish Death, Hometown Social Media: BlueSky- https://bsky.app/profile/tftblpod.bsky.social Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/talesfromthebacklog/ Cover art by Jack Allen- find him at https://linktr.ee/JackAllenCaricatures

Support my work on Patreon- https://patreon.com/realdavejackson Join the Tales from the Backlog Discord server- https://discord.gg/kAqSBb6jH2 Buy me a coffee on Ko-fi- https://ko-fi.com/realdavejackson This year, we're kicking off horror month with a first- a visual novel! It's the first one I've covered on the show, though I enjoy them from time to time, and Slay the Princess (Black Tabby Games, 2023) is certainly an interesting one. It's a choose your adventure visual novel with memorable visuals and a very interesting opening choice- you were sent here to slay the princess, so...do you? Listen in to find out how we felt about it! Guest info: Matt aka Stormageddon (they/them) * Check out "Fun" and Games and Reignite podcasts https://linktr.ee/dj_stormagedddon * Follow Matt on BlueSky https://bsky.app/profile/djstormageddon.com TIMESTAMPS * 0:00 Title Card * 0:22 Intros * 4:33 Personal Histories with Slay the Princess and Visual Novels * 8:21 Opening Thoughts About Slay the Princess * 12:56 Story Setup and Choose Your Adventure Structure * 27:53 Presentation * 37:07 Closing Thoughts and Recommendations * 41:40 "Fun" and Games, Reignite Podcasts * 46:59 SPOILER WALL and Patron Thank-Yous * 48:39 Spoiler Section- Our Many Diverse Playthroughs * 1:18:45 Spoiler Section- The Shifting Mound and Endings Music used in the episode is credited to Brandon Boone. Tracks used: The Princess, The World-Ender, Fragmentation, Reality Unwound, The Shifting Mound Social Media: BlueSky- https://bsky.app/profile/tftblpod.bsky.social Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/talesfromthebacklog/ Cover art by Jack Allen- find him at https://linktr.ee/JackAllenCaricatures

Support my work on Patreon- https://patreon.com/realdavejackson Join the Tales from the Backlog Discord server- https://discord.gg/kAqSBb6jH2 Buy me a coffee on Ko-fi- https://ko-fi.com/realdavejackson Sometimes, all it takes to grab your attention is a single screenshot, and Ultros (Hadoque, Kepler Interactive, 2024) is definitely one of those games. Every screenshot drips with color and is so rich with detail, it beckons you to come see what's going on. And once you're in, a beautiful soundtrack, lush soundscape and layered story grabs hold, but that's not all that's waiting for you. Ultros is a singular type of game, the type of game that I'm always thrilled to discuss on the podcast. Guest info: John Rogers (he/they) * Check out everything Gaming in the Wild https://gaminginthewild.carrd.co/ * Check out Lost in Cult's Ultros: Design Works, written by John! https://www.lostincult.co.uk/ultros TIMESTAMPS * 0:00 Title Card * 0:34 Intros * 6:05 Our Histories with Ultros & Metroidvanias * 9:06 Opening Thoughts About Ultros * 13:55 Story/Setting Setup * 15:01 Art and Visual Design * 26:02 Music and Sound Design * 38:00 Emergent Story * 46:51 Gameplay- Combat and Plant Care * 1:03:55 Closing Thoughts and Recommendations * 1:06:51 Gaming in the Wild and Lost in Cult's Design Works- Ultros * 1:13:49 SPOILER WALL and Patron Thank-You's * 1:15:57 Spoiler Section- Business As Usual * 1:32:11 Spoiler Section- A Change * 1:45:13 Spoiler Section- A New Course of Action Music used in the episode is credited to Ratvader. Tracks used: Ouji Saint, Dark Sleep, Gärdner’s Pilgrimage, Dream Lament, But This Time It's Something Different, Ultros Ahimsa Social Media: BlueSky- https://bsky.app/profile/tftblpod.bsky.social Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/talesfromthebacklog/ Cover art by Jack Allen- find him at https://linktr.ee/JackAllenCaricatures

Support my work on Patreon- https://patreon.com/realdavejackson Join the Tales from the Backlog Discord server- https://discord.gg/kAqSBb6jH2 Buy me a coffee on Ko-fi- https://ko-fi.com/realdavejackson There are more than enough sports games to go around out there, but the culture of sports does not begin and end on the field of play. There is an entire culture surrounding sports, and I've never played a game that tackles that culture quite like Despelote (Julián Cordero and Sebastián Valbuena, 2025) does. It also takes you back to a slice of childhood in a way that no other game can really claim- it's really something else. Tune in for the discussion! Guest info: Moises Taveras (he/him) * Check out the Despelote review that Moises wrote https://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/despelote-review-miraculous-slice-of-life-soccer-game-pulls-a-hat-trick/ * Check out other writing by Moises on Endless Mode https://www.endlessmode.com/author/moises-taveras * Follow Moises on BlueSky https://bsky.app/profile/platanoranger.bsky.social TIMESTAMPS * 0:00 Title Card * 0:16 Intros * 4:11 Personal Histories with Despelote and Sports * 15:21 Opening Thoughts About Despelote * 20:01 Story Setup and Community Around Sports * 38:14 Childhood and Visual Presentation * 46:52 Taking You to a Time and Place and Sound Design * 53:26 Gameplay * 1:07:11 Final Thoughts and Recommendations * 1:12:32 Moises' Writing and Where You Can Find It * 1:15:06 SPOILER WALL and Patron Thank-Yous * 1:16:27 Spoiler Section Music and game ambiance used in the episode is credited to Sebastián Valbuena Social Media: BlueSky- https://bsky.app/profile/tftblpod.bsky.social Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/talesfromthebacklog/ Cover art by Jack Allen- find him at https://linktr.ee/JackAllenCaricatures

Support my work on Patreon- https://patreon.com/realdavejackson Join the Tales from the Backlog Discord server- https://discord.gg/kAqSBb6jH2 Buy me a coffee on Ko-fi- https://ko-fi.com/realdavejackson Sometimes a game you'd never heard of will break out with a 90+ on the review aggregator websites and immediately turn heads, and that's exactly what happened to me with Bionic Bay (Mureena Oy, Psychoflow Studio, 2025). One screenshot was all it took to make me want to check it out, and then a patron vote sealed the deal. Bionic Bay- cool game! Guest info: Harry Loizides (he/him) * Check out everything Six One Indie does https://www.sixoneindie.com/ * Get ready for the upcoming Six One Indie Showcase https://www.sixoneindie.com/showcase * Check out Harry's writing for Geek Therapeutics https://geektherapeutics.com/ TIMESTAMPS * 0:00 Title Card * 0:32 Intros * 4:36 Our Histories With Bionic Bay * 7:33 Opening Thoughts About Bionic Bay * 10:13 Story/Game Setup * 15:57 Visual Presentation * 22:20 Music * 27:32 Platforming Abilities and Structure * 40:33 Floaty Jumps, Ragdoll Physics and Comedy * 49:17 Closing Thoughts and Recommendations * 53:45 Six One Indie and Geek Therapeutics * 1:02:18 SPOILER WALL and Patron Thank-Yous * 1:04:03 Spoiler Section- Favorite Levels, Gimmicks, and Theorycrafting Music used in the episode is credited to Francisco Javier Pérez. Tracks used: Polarity, The Grand Egg, Swap, Polarity (Reprise), Bionic Bay Social Media: BlueSky- https://bsky.app/profile/tftblpod.bsky.social Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/talesfromthebacklog/ Cover art by Jack Allen- find him at https://linktr.ee/JackAllenCaricatures

Support my work on Patreon- https://patreon.com/realdavejackson Join the Tales from the Backlog Discord server- https://discord.gg/kAqSBb6jH2 Buy me a coffee on Ko-fi- https://ko-fi.com/realdavejackson Everybody has that game they played a hundred times as a kid and therefore can't be objective about anymore, and for us, The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past is NOT one of those! Both my guest Ty and I both tried the game at various points, but never quite got on with it. The podcast has now given us a chance to revisit Nintendo's landmark title and give it the deep dive treatment- so listen in to find out how we felt this time! Guest info: Ty Schalter (he/him) * Check out FunFactor podcast http://www.funfactorpod.com!/ * Follow Ty on BlueSky https://bsky.app/profile/tyschalter.com TIMESTAMPS * 0:00 Title Card * 0:15 Intros * 6:03 Our Histories with Zelda and A Link to the Past * 10:59 Opening Thoughts About A Link to the Past * 18:11 Story Setup * 27:58 Visuals * 31:59 World/Map Design * 35:44 Music * 47:13 Combat * 58:41 Difficulty Curve, Exploration and Secrets * 1:10:00 "The Zelda Formula" * 1:18:41 Dungeons * 1:23:23 Closing Thoughts and Recommendations * 1:38:37 FunFactor Podcast and Ty's Work Online * 1:45:24 SPOILER WALL and Patron Thank-You's * 1:47:49 Spoiler Section Music used in the episode: Title, File Select, Opening Demo, Hyrule Castle, Dark World, Kakariko Village, Ending Social Media: BlueSky- https://bsky.app/profile/tftblpod.bsky.social Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/talesfromthebacklog/ Cover art by Jack Allen- find him at https://linktr.ee/JackAllenCaricatures

Support my work on Patreon- https://patreon.com/realdavejackson Join the Tales from the Backlog Discord server- https://discord.gg/V3ZHz3vYQR Buy me a coffee on Ko-fi- https://ko-fi.com/realdavejackson Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden (Don't Nod, 2023) represents a different type of game that Don't Nod has been making alongside their popular choice-based narrative games like Life is Strange and Lost Records: Bloom and Rage. With 2018's Vampyr, Don't Nod took a swing a narrative, decisions-matter action RPG, and while I liked Vampyr a lot, the decisions-matter part of it left a lot to be desired. Five years later, they took another swing at that type of game with Banishers, and really righted that specific area. Decisions matter in Banishers in a way they don't matter in most games, and it led to one of the most effective stories I've played in a while. Guest info: Erik (he/him) * Listen to Pages of Play podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pages-of-play/id1755937349 * Check out Erik's written work on So Many Games https://somanygames.co.uk/ TIMESTAMPS * 0:00 Title Card * 0:32 Intros * 5:03 Histories with Don't Nod and Banishers * 8:29 Opening Thoughts * 16:22 Story/World Setup and Characters * 28:43 Inciting Plot Event and Choice/Morality System * 37:51 Tough Choices * 48:02 Presentation and Side Quest Writing * 59:00 Combat * 1:13:37 World Design and Vibes * 1:22:50 Boss Fights * 1:27:20 Recommendations * 1:30:20 Pages of Play Podcast * 1:36:38 SPOILER WALL and Patron Thank-Yous * 1:38:06 Spoiler Section- Side Stories Tying Into the Main Story * 2:17:10 Spoiler Section- The Nightmare * 2:32:08 Spoiler Section- Endings Music used in the episode is credited to Trevor Morris. Tracks used: Main Menu, The Harrows, Intimate Moment- Harmony Social Media: BlueSky- https://bsky.app/profile/tftblpod.bsky.social Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/talesfromthebacklog/ Cover art by Jack Allen- find him at https://linktr.ee/JackAllenCaricatures