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

Join Dave and special guest Rachel Watts (Thinky Games, Indieventure podcast) as they discuss Cairn (The Game Bakers, 2026). Cairn is a meticulous, thoughtful climbing game that takes you into the mind of an elite athlete as she attempts a climb that has never been done before. While it has some (unintentionally) frustrating moments, Cairn is an extremely strong and affecting game- listen in to find out more, and as always, no spoilers for a while!

Guest info: Rachel Watts (she/her)

• Check out Thinky Games
• Check out Indieventure

TIMESTAMPS

• 0:00 Title Card
• 0:23 Introductions
• 5:09 Our Histories with The Game Bakers & Cairn
• 8:58 Top Level Thoughts
• 17:32 Story Setup and Characterizing Aava
• 31:40 Climbing Mechanics
• 37:36 High Difficulty Meets a Few Shaky Systems
• 54:53 Visual Design, Sound Design and Music
• 1:03:12 Survival on Mt. Kami
• 1:17:58 Who Should Play Cairn?
• 1:24:32 Thinky Games and Indieventure Podcast
• 1:28:54 Spoiler Wall & Patron Thank-Yous
• 1:30:30 Spoilers- Fun Moments & Tough Challenges
• 1:54:19 Spoilers- Let's Talk About Aava
• 2:22:42 Spoilers- Ending Discussion

Music used in the episode is credited to Martin Stig Andersen, Gilda and The Toxic Avenger. Tracks used: The Mountain is Calling, Rise, Fatigue Is In Your Head, Only the Mountain, In My Gut, Stars, Part of a Whole

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 returning guest Scott Danielson as they dive into the third and final entry in the Hitman: World of Assassination Trilogy (IO Interactive), as well as its roguelike mode, Freelancer. This whole package is an absolute treat, and this also brings the Tales from the Backlog Hitman Episode Trilogy to a close. Listen in for allllll (most) of our thoughts!

Guest info: Scott Danielson (he/him)

TIMESTAMPS

• 0:00 Title Card
• 0:25 Introductions
• 8:25 Our Histories with Hitman
• 12:39 Top-Level Thoughts
• 17:13 Story Setup
• 24:43 Levels and Locations
• 34:16 What's New and Mission Stories
• 43:26 The Sandbox and Freelancer Mode
• 1:02:32 Other Bonus Missions
• 1:09:07 Who Should Play Hitman?
• 1:17:03 Spoiler Wall and Patron Thank-Yous
• 1:18:57 Spoilers- Dubai
• 1:37:53 Spoilers- Dartmoor
• 1:50:43 Spoilers- Berlin
• 2:10:03 Spoilers- Chongqing
• 2:27:31 Spoilers- Mendoza
• 2:41:54 Spoilers- Carpathian Mountains
• 2:53:56 Spoilers- Ending and Ambrose Island

Music used in the episode is credited to Niels Bye Nielson. Tracks used: Death Awaits, Best-Laid Plans, Sceptres of Dubai, End of an Era, Planning, Death in the Family, Chongqing Requiem, Mission Accomplished

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 Brian Edwards as they dive into one of 2025's most acclaimed games, The Séance of Blake Manor (Spooky Doorway, Raw Fury, 2025). It's a captivating mystery set in an Irish countryside manor-turned-hotel, full of both literal and figurative ghosts, culminating in a grand séance. It's full of memorable characters, fantastic voice performances, Irish folklore and mythology, and always manages to keep you guessing. Check out the podcast for more.

Guest info: Brian Edwards (he/him)

• Check out the Character Issues podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-character-issues-podcast/id1530881747?l=zh-Hant-TW
• Check out Cane and Rinse https://caneandrinse.com/

TIMESTAMPS

• 0:00 Title Card
• 0:16 Introductions
• 4:24 Personal Histories
• 7:59 Top-Level Thoughts
• 14:15 Story Setup and Cast of Characters
• 24:18 Spooky Atmosphere
• 29:00 Character Schedules and the Passage of Time
• 41:41 Lack of Deductive Reasoning
• 48:43 Some Mechanical Frustrations
• 56:09 Some Puzzly Puzzles
• 58:44 Irish Folklore & Mythology
• 1:05:31 Who Should Play?
• 1:09:40 Character Issues & Cane and Rinse
• 1:19:04 Spoiler Wall and Patron Thank-Yous
• 1:20:57 Spoilers- Favorite Moments and Storylines
• 1:49:27 Spoilers- What's Going On Here?

Music used in the episode is credited to Clement Panchout. Tracks used: The Séance of Blake Manor, Vincent Varley, Blake Manor I, Courtyard, The Ritual, Serenade for Evelyn Deane (End Credits)

Check out Dave's guest DJ set on Chillscape: A Chill VGM Podcast: https://superpodnetwork.com/podcast/chillscape-a-chill-vgm-podcast

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