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

Join Dave and special guest Matt aka Stormageddon ("Fun" and Games, Reignite podcasts) as they discuss Yacht Club Games' long-awaited action adventure game, Mina the Hollower. Blending several influences from The Legend of Zelda, Castlevania, FromSoftware's catalogue and more, Mina the Hollower still managed to carve out a strong identity of its own while leaving a lasting impression. Listen in to find out more, and as always, no spoilers for a while.

Guest info: Matt aka Stormageddon (they/them)

• Listen to "Fun" and Games https://funandgamespod.com/
• Listen to Reignite https://reignitepod.libsyn.com/
• Follow on Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/djstormageddon.com

TIMESTAMPS

• 0:00 Title Card
• 0:23 Introductions
• 6:41 Personal Histories with Yacht Club Games
• 12:34 Top-Level Thoughts
• 20:08 Story Setup and Weapon Choice
• 23:20 Exploring Influences
• 28:50 Visual Design and GBC Aesthetic
• 32:47 Burrowing Gives Mina Its Identity
• 43:47 Ways to Mitigate Difficulty
• 58:14 Open-Ended Structure and Exploration
• 1:09:07 Lightning Round!
• 1:14:34 Modifiers, Feats and Achievements
• 1:25:04 Music and Sound
• 1:34:43 Who Should Play?
• 1:40:15 "Fun" and Games, Reignite Podcasts
• 1:46:24 Spoiler Wall & Patron Thank-Yous
• 1:48:13 Spoilers- Weapons, Areas, Bosses
• 2:12:43 Spoilers- Final Boss and Ending

Music used in the episode is credited to Jake Kaufman unless otherwise noted. Tracks used: Cinematic - Intro, A Sinking Feeling (Loner's Landing), The Congealed, Gator Gallop (Nox's Bayou), A Sickly Shore (Bone Beach), Central Ossex, The Brilliant Truth (Radiant Manor), End Credits

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 Roger Reichardt of Gamerheads Podcast as they discuss Soulgame Stuidio's 2024 top-down twin-stick shooting adventure, Minishoot' Adventures. The weird apostrophe will catch your attention, but the fantastic controls and satisfying gameplay will keep you grinning from ear to ear from start to finish. Or at least, that's how it went for us. As always, no spoilers in the episode until we warn you!

Guest info: Roger Reichardt (he/him)

• Check out Gamerheads https://www.gamerheadspodcast.com/
• Follow on Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/rogueleader76.bsky.social

TIMESTAMPS

• 0:00 Preview and Title Card
• 0:22 Introductions
• 5:30 Our Histories with Minishoot' Adventures
• 11:35 Top-Level Thoughts
• 18:28 Story Setup and Storytelling
• 26:44 A More Approachable Bullet Hell
• 34:06 Very Reasonable Challenge
• 39:27 Sound and Visual Design
• 45:57 Exploration and World Structure
• 56:16 Soundtrack
• 1:01:41 Wrap-Up Thoughts
• 1:06:32 Who Should Play?
• 1:09:31 Gamerheads Podcast
• 1:13:58 Spoiler Wall and Patron Thank-Yous
• 1:15:59 Spoilers- The Secret of the Apostrophe
• 1:19:33 Spoilers- Story Talk

Music used in the episode is credited to Séverin Larose. Tracks used: Main Title, Dungeon, Boss, Battle, Overworld, Credits

Check out an interview with Séverin Larose on "Fun" and Games podcast: https://funandgames.libsyn.com/episode-210-minishoot-adventures

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 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