Tales from the Backlog - Episodes Tagged with “Metroidvania”

199: Hollow Knight: Silksong (with Jenny Windom - Geeks & Grounds)

Dave Jackson — Wed, 21 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0500

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Very few games have ever had the hype cycle that Hollow Knight: Silksong (Team Cherry, 2025) had, so the question remained once the game was finally released- did it live up to the hype? Clown masks and Nintendo Direct comment section explosions quickly gave way to Discourse surrounding Silksong's difficulty and sometimes anti-QoL approach. So was the juice worth the squeeze? Listen in to find out.

Guest info: Jenny Windom (she/her)

Check out Geeks & Grounds podcast https://www.geeksandgrounds.com/
Check out Jenny's YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/kimchica

TIMESTAMPS

0:00 Title Card
0:13 Introductions
9:06 Our Histories with Hollow Knight and Silksong
12:45 Opening Thoughts about Silksong
18:26 Difficulty and Accessibility
23:19 Story Setup and Visuals
27:31 The Pilgrimage, Characters and Voice Acting
36:25 The Pilgrimage and Anti-QoL Design
48:29 Challenge Ramp-Up and Difficulty Curve
57:53 Silksong- A Good Teacher & Overcoming Challenge
1:05:47 Metroidvania Design, Visuals and Music
1:14:18 Boss Fights, Combat Challenges and Runbacks
1:33:42 Crests, Tools, Customization
1:40:40 Closing Thoughts/Recommendations
1:45:54 Geeks & Grounds and Jenny's Other Work
1:51:22 Spoiler Wall and Patron Thank-Yous
1:53:13 Spoiler Section- Favorite Boss Fights
2:18:22 Spoiler Section- The Citadel and Faith
2:27:46 Spoiler Section- Hornet's Growth, Sherma and Community
2:45:23 Spoiler Section- Motherhood and Endings

Music used in the episode is credited to Christopher Larkin. Tracks used: Silksong, Bone Bottom, Trobbio, Cogwork Dancers, Bilewater, Far Fields, Lost Lace, Fleatopia

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

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190: Pseudoregalia (with Bo__Po - Underplayed)

Dave Jackson — Wed, 05 Nov 2025 00:00:00 -0500

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Pseudoregalia (Rittzler, 2023) represents a few things that are either making a resurgence or breaking out within indie games lately- retro PS1/N64 style graphics, megastructures, and 3D platformers. Combining incredibly tight and expressive platforming with nonlinear Metroidvania design and a vibey soundtrack, Pseudoregalia is a very good snack of a game, though not without some critical discussion points.

Guest info: Beau aka Bo__Po (he/him)

Check out Underplayed podcast https://open.spotify.com/show/3qRQdjTtDRE1GZbFHhSYgu
Follow Beau on Twitch https://www.twitch.tv/bo__po
Follow on BlueSky https://bsky.app/profile/bo-po.bsky.social

TIMESTAMPS

0:00 Title Card
0:14 Introductions
5:02 Personal Histories with Pseudoregalia
11:21 Opening Thoughts
18:52 Story Setup
24:42 Movement and Creativity
38:10 Open-Ended Design
47:50 The Map and Getting Lost
58:01 Combat
1:04:41 Visual Aesthetic and Music
1:12:57 Closing Thoughts and Recommendations
1:20:00 UnderPlayed podcast and Beau on Twitch
1:26:11 Spoiler Wall & Patron Thank-Yous
1:27:51 Spoiler Section

Music used in the episode:

Remnants of the Dream (potatoTeto)
Revival (potatoTeto)
Their Subdued History (potatoTeto)
Outside the Castle Walls (potatoTeto)
Delirious Acting (potatoTeto)
Paramnesiac (still crisp)

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

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184: Ultros (with John Rogers - Gaming in the Wild)

Dave Jackson — Wed, 24 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0400

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

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149: Nine Sols (with Josh)

Dave Jackson — Wed, 22 Jan 2025 00:00:00 -0500

As a fan of Red Candle Games' previous projects, Devotion (episode 139) and Detention (bonus episode on Patreon), Nine Sols instantly leapt onto my watchlist as soon as it was announced. However, as it released, I was a bit nervous to dive into it due to its Sekiro-inspired combat. I like Sekiro a lot, but did I want another one right then? Luckily, a few friends (including Josh, today's guest) convinced me to give it a whirl...and I was not disappointed. The combat is smooth and satisfying, the art and music are fantastic, and it tells what might be the best story in the genre. This is an awesome game, and I hope you enjoy the discussion!

Guest info: Josh aka DogNozzle. You can follow him on BlueSky!

TIMESTAMPS

Intros/Personal Histories/Opening Thoughts 0:22
Story Setup 12:05
Presentation 28:41
Combat 43:14
Metroidvania Design 1:12:19
SPOILER WALL 1:31:47

Music used in the episode:

Awakening (FFXX)
A Glimpse of the Future (FFXX)
Festival (FFXX)
Crossing Blades (FFXX)
Take a Tour in New Kunlun (Troy Lin)
A Place for Restless Souls (FFXX)
The Path for Us All ~ Yi's Theme (FFXX, Im Baek Hun)
Main Theme II (FFXX, Im Baek Hun)

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Social Media:
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Cover art by Jack Allen- find him at https://www.instagram.com/jackallencaricatures/ and his other pages

Listen to A Top 3 Podcast on Apple, Spotify and [other podcast platforms](atop3podcast.fireside.fm)!

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131: Animal Well (with Jenny Windom - Geeks & Grounds)

Dave Jackson — Wed, 28 Aug 2024 00:00:00 -0400

Animal Well, by Billy Basso/Shared Memory came out of nowhere. For me, and I think a lot of others, the initial announcement was more of a shock that videogamedunkey had started the BigMode publishing company than excitement about the game being published. Once people got their hands on Animal Well, however, all skepticism or publicity about dunkey publishing games went out the window- Animal Well is an absolute treat and captivated so many of us in the weeks following its launch. It's the kind of game that begs people to get together and share what they discovered, and luckily for me, I have a podcast where I can do just that!

Joining me for the discussion is Jenny Windom, host of Geeks & Grounds podcast, organizer and host of Wholesome Games and much more around the industry. Geeks & Grounds is a games club podcast that is fun and insightful to play along with, which you should check out at their website, and keep up with Wholesome games by going to their website!

TIMESTAMPS
Intros/Personal Histories/Opening Thoughts 1:43
Story Setup/Mysteries/Presentation 16:11
Gameplay/Exploration/Experimentation 35:13
SPOILER WALL 1:05:26

Music used in the episode is credited to Shared Memory. Tracks used: Dawn Chorus, Animal Well, Flames, Burrows, Manticore, Rabbit Hole, Time Capsule

Listen to A Top 3 Podcast on Apple, Spotify and [other podcast platforms](atop3podcast.fireside.fm)!

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33: Unsighted (with Nave - Gaming Together Podcast)

Dave Jackson — Wed, 15 Jun 2022 00:00:00 -0400

Dave is joined by Nave from the Gaming Together Podcast to discuss Studio Pixel Punk's inventive action game, Unsighted. Unsighted merges a little bit of Zelda, a little bit of metroidvania, a little bit of Souls and a unique time mechanic- listen in to find out what we thought!

*I experienced some recording issues that caused a sound quality drop in this episode- technology is a real pain sometimes! Thanks for understanding!

TIMESTAMPS:
Intro, Personal Histories and Opening Thoughts 0:52
Story Setup, Time Mechanic and Map/Metroidvania 11:45
Combat, Bosses, Crafting and Side Quests 49:12
Aesthetics and Final Thoughts 1:21:29
Spoiler Wall 1:33:03

Find Gaming Together Podcast on Twitter, Apple and Spotify!

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Social Media:
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Facebook
Cover art by Jack Allen- find him at https://www.instagram.com/jackallencaricatures/ and his other pages

Listen to A Top 3 Podcast on Apple, Spotify and [other podcast platforms](atop3podcast.fireside.fm)!

Support Tales from the Backlog

24: Metroid Dread (with Eric Gess - The Unlockables & Sidequesting Podcast)

Dave Jackson — Wed, 30 Mar 2022 00:00:00 -0400

Dave is joined by the wonderful Eric Gess to discuss Nintendo & MercurySteam's long-awaited entry in the beloved Metroid franchise, Metroid Dread. After a long wait, Metroid Dread released with smooth and snappy controls, upgraded combat, and a new gameplay challenge with the EMMI zones. Listen in to hear what we thought of everything!

TIMESTAMPS OF NOTE: Spoiler Wall 1:48:30

For all things Eric and Unlockables, click here!

Listen to A Top 3 Podcast on Apple, Spotify and [other podcast platforms](atop3podcast.fireside.fm)!

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20: Blasphemous (with Chris Nelson)

Dave Jackson — Wed, 02 Mar 2022 00:00:00 -0500

Dave is joined by the ultimate penitent one, Chris Nelson, to discuss The Game Kitchen's 2019 metroidvania, Blasphemous. Blasphemous is much more on the "vania" side of the metroidvania genre, and it brings some truly stellar imagery and pixel art, as well as some simple but fun combat to the table. Find out how we feel in detail in the episode!

TIMESTAMPS: Intro 0:00, Blasphemous 8:14, Spoiler Section 1:31:30

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14: The Messenger (with Alfredo - The Dukes of Gaming)

Dave Jackson — Mon, 24 Jan 2022 00:00:00 -0500

Dave is joined by the Duke of Education himself, Alfredo Takori of the Dukes of Gaming podcast to discuss Sabotage Studio's 2018 retreaux action platformer, The Messenger. This is a game that excels in its presentation and basic Ninja Gaiden-esque gameplay, but has a few big tricks up its sleeve. Does it pull them off? Listen in to find out.

TIMESTAMPS: (0:00 intro, 15:09 The Messenger discussion, 1:35:47 spoiler wall)

Check out the Dukes of Gaming Podcast

Listen to A Top 3 Podcast on Apple, Spotify and [other podcast platforms](atop3podcast.fireside.fm)!

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11: Hollow Knight (with Jim Rodeman)

Dave Jackson — Mon, 03 Jan 2022 00:00:00 -0500

Dave is joined by anthropomorphic centipede Jim Rodeman to discuss Team Cherry's legendary metroidvania, Hollow Knight. Standing alone at the top of Metroidvania Mountain is a surprise indie hit, one that marries the lonely atmosphere of Dark Souls with best-in-class map design and fun, expressive combat.

TIMESTAMPS: Intro 0:00, Hollow Knight 12:23, Spoiler Section 1:33:35

Game Maker's Toolkit- The World Design of Hollow Knight

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8: Death's Gambit: Afterlife (with Moonborne)

Dave Jackson — Mon, 13 Dec 2021 00:00:00 -0500

Dave is joined by stylish combat enthusiast Moonborne to discuss White Rabbit's incredible entry into the 2D soulslike genre, Death's Gambit. Death's Gambit, with its Afterlife expansion, is more than worthy of a seat at the table of the best 2D soulslikes, and a fun metroidvania to boot. Throw in a story that takes some interesting turns, and some cool lore ideas, and this is one that's an easy recommendation for fans of soulslikes and/or metroidvanias.

TIMESTAMPS: Intro 0:00, Death's Gambit 8:27, Spoiler Secton 1:46:50

Moonborne on Twitter

Listen to A Top 3 Podcast on Apple, Spotify and [other podcast platforms](atop3podcast.fireside.fm)!

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