Tales from the Backlog - Episodes Tagged with “Supergiant Games”

220: Pyre (with AJ Fillari)

Dave Jackson — Wed, 24 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400

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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

116: Transistor (with Alex - Low Five Gaming)

Dave Jackson — Wed, 08 May 2024 00:30:00 -0400

Transistor, by Supergiant Games, is an interesting game to go back to after playing Hades. You can see a lot of ideas that started here in Transistor and made their way all the way to Hades, with Transistor still being a really engaging and strategic game in its own right. I loved revisiting this game, and am glad it won the poll on Patreon to appear on the show!

Joining me to discuss Transistor is Alex from Low Five Gaming! Low Five Gaming is a monthly backlog book club podcast that Alex runs with his brother Luke. It's a great time, and you should check it out by heading to their website!

TIMESTAMPS
Intros/Personal Histories/Opening Thoughts 1:40
Story Setup 14:30
Visuals/Music 28:03
Combat 39:00
Closing Thoughts/Recommendations/Housekeeping 1:00:26
SPOILER WALL 1:08:15

Music used in the episode is written, recorded and produced by Darren Korb, with vocals by Ashley Barrett. You can support them by purchasing the album on BandCamp. Tracks used: Old Friends, Traces, Water Wall, Heightmap, Coasting, The Spine, Apex Beat, Paper Boats

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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)!

4: Hades (with Aaron Angle and Jim Rodeman)

Dave Jackson — Mon, 15 Nov 2021 03:00:00 -0500

Dave is joined by Aaron "The Minotaur" Angle and nectar enthusiast Jim Rodeman to discuss Supergiant's latest hit, Hades. Hades brings some things to the table that will bring in players who don't normally play roguelites or fall off of them quickly. Listen to find out if it it was enough for us.

TIMESTAMPS: (Intro 0:00, Hades 11:47, Spoiler Section 1:24:28)

NoClip documentary series chronicling the making and release of Hades

[Support Tales from the Backlog on Patreon!](patreon.com/realdavejackson) or buy me a coffee on Ko-fi!
Join the Tales from the Backlog Discord server!
Social Media:
Instagram
Twitter
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)!