The #Backlog Breakdown

headlines and hot takes: march 2026

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 11:00:00 -0000

Nate tackles some of the biggest news in gaming over the past month, including the ending of an Xbox campaign, Sony's price hikes, some of the biggest new games released in March, and the Epic games layoffs.

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The Backlog Breakdown is a proud member of the Play Well Network, a network of podcasts that seek to approach recreation in a more thoughtful manner. Until there is a rabbit trail to follow. Check out all of the other amazing Play Well podcasts at playwellnetwork.com. Get PWNed, scrubs.

207: Community Top 10

Wed, 25 Mar 2026 11:00:00 -0000

What asked YOU what your favorite games are, and now we've made an official list of the best! See if your picks made the list this week on the Backlog Breakdown!

Some links mentioned in this episode include:

Official髭男dism - SoulSoup [live at Radio]: https://youtu.be/OGqaBTjS5yU

Official髭男dism - Make Me Wonder: https://youtu.be/LU7xD_yx43c

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bite sized tl;dl: yoshis island

Wed, 18 Mar 2026 11:00:00 -0000

This week, Josh hops on the mic to talk about why he loves Yoshi's Island for the SNES so much. Why is it so influential, and what makes it unique? What are its weaknesses, and how should we, as Christians, approach a game like this?

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206: Sea of Stars

Wed, 11 Mar 2026 11:00:00 -0000

Sea of Stars is a highly-acclaimed indie JRPG that takes cues from some of the greatest in the genre from the 90s and early aughts. But can it stand on its own in 2026? A game ripe with potential, the guys talk about their experience with the game and discuss what could have been better in this indie darling.

Ben Lapitus - Petsmart: https://youtu.be/wBmmtReZPtc

Keith Foskey's Panel on Dispensationalism: https://youtu.be/0k4b8O3tq7w

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bite sized: pressing reset

Wed, 04 Mar 2026 12:00:00 -0000

Sometimes lifestyle creep gets the best of us. Over time, we accumulate a backlog of games, but also a standard of living that needs to be questioned. This week, Nate talks about how he is pressing reset on some of the things that he and his family have grown accustomed to, and gives an encouragement for the rest of us to do the same!

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205: Emulation is Theft Redux

Wed, 25 Feb 2026 12:00:00 -0000

200 episodes ago, Josh and Nate invited on Paul to discuss emulation. Have their thought on emulating video games changed at all over the years? What are some considerations we should wrestle with in relation to emulation, be it good or bad? Are we dirty rotten thieves for copying games? Join the guys, and Paul discuss all this and more this week on the Backlog Breakdown.

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bite sized: ideals

Wed, 18 Feb 2026 12:00:00 -0000

In this bite sized episode, Josh lays out a way of analyzing and evaluating games and media by focusing on what is shown to be ideal through the way that the medium communicates.

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204: Engaging Wisely And Well

Wed, 11 Feb 2026 12:00:00 -0000

One of the goals of our podcast is to equip the church to engage with the medium of video games wisely and well. But what about engaging with gaming culture at large? Are there pitfalls when we engage digitally? How should we think about these things as Christians? We don't profess to have all the answers, but this episode is a call to be wise and a caution against sinning with our digital speech.

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bite sized: 2026's patron pickses

Wed, 04 Feb 2026 12:00:00 -0000

What will we be tackling this year? Well, our supporters have shared what they want us to play and some topics to discuss throughout the year, and then they've voted on their favorites. Join Nate as he finalizes the list and unveils a roadmap for some future episodes!

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203: Roblox

Wed, 28 Jan 2026 12:00:00 -0000

Despite the guys' lack of interest in the platform, Roblox is a multi-billion dollar video game that upwards of 3/4 of all preteen children in the United States play regularly. How should we think about the game as a service, and is it safe to allow in our households?

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bite sized: disembodied

Wed, 21 Jan 2026 12:00:00 -0000

Why have radical ideas that divorce who we are as people from the physical realities of our bodies become so popular in recent years within the gaming space?

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202: The Highlights of 2025

Wed, 14 Jan 2026 12:00:00 -0000

At the start of another year it's always fun to look back and reflect on the highlights of what we've experienced over the past 365 days. This week, the guys talk about what they played in 2025 and give some flowers to some of their favorites, along with the usual unhinged awards for games that were released last year.

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bite sized: 2026 beatdown rules

Fri, 09 Jan 2026 00:43:41 -0000

Each year, we challenge ourselves to stand against the onslaught of new releases and instead focus on beating down games from our backlogs. And, in order to do so in a systematic fashion, we've created a game that introduces point values to acquiring, playing, and beating our video games, lovingly entitled "the beat down". Learn about how we play the backlog beat down, and how you can get involved on this bite sized episode of the breakdown!

Our rule set Google doc for the beatdown is available here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/13YhqKoXpI5gm6GuJzIIYP9QvzyfwyS40CFcwyyBkj0Q/edit?usp=sharing

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201: The One Where We Blow Everything Up

Wed, 31 Dec 2025 12:00:00 -0000

What exactly are we blowing up? Well, wouldn't you like to know.

On the bright side, this week the guys come to the table with their Top 10 favorite games of all time. Share your favorites with us and they may pop up again in a future episode!

Check out @redeemingproductivity 's [Plan Your 2026 Workshop here: https://youtu.be/JgOYC-09QC0 ](

bite sized: breaking down behind the breakdown

Wed, 24 Dec 2025 12:00:00 -0000

Wesley Rea generously donated his time and effort to produce our 200 episode celebration, painstakingly going through each episode of the Backlog Breakdown and stitching together its greatest moments to create a memorial that highlights what we've been able to accomplish thus far. But what went on behind the scenes of this behind the scenes episode? This week, Wes shares his process and his hopes for the episode and the future of the podcast.

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A 200 Episode Celebration

Wed, 17 Dec 2025 13:00:00 -0000

There is just too much celebrating that needs to be done, so we've decided to split this episode into 2 halves; this being the 2nd half.

Today marks 200 official episodes of the Backlog Breakdown! You may have only been listening for the past few episodes, or perhaps you've been with us since the beginning. Either way, we're marking this milestone achievement in the life of the show with a special look back at what we've accomplished and a few thoughts on what is to come.

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200.5: Observing the Forms

Wed, 17 Dec 2025 12:00:00 -0000

There is just too much celebrating that needs to be done for our 200th episode of the podcast, so we've decided to split the episode into 2 halves! This first half covers our typical opening forms, including experiences that we'd like to share and the games that we've been playing.

Josh mentioned a baptism discussion that he attended, so here's a link to the video: Baptism: An Informal Discussion: https://vimeo.com/1138131948

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bite sized: seasons

Wed, 10 Dec 2025 12:55:40 -0000

There is a time for everything. And this week, Josh talks about the how the season of life you are in affects the way that you engage with entertainment and play video games. Do you find yourself playing different kinds of games in different seasons of life? Let us know!

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199: Full Collapse

Wed, 03 Dec 2025 12:00:00 -0000

With a downturn in consumer spending due to the rising cost of essentials, and numerous rounds of layoffs within the video game industry, are we headed towards a collapse? Clayton Morris thinks so, but we have some alternative thoughts on the future of video games that may be a different way of reading the tea leaves. Changes are certainly afoot, but is it all bad?

Check out Clayton Morris's original video here: https://youtu.be/N9kwq0kxJUA

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Also, if you'd like to support us, you can visit our Patreon : https://www.patreon.com/thebacklogbreakdown

bite sized: what if...playstation had it together?

Wed, 26 Nov 2025 12:00:00 -0000

Nate has some ideas on where Sony has mismanaged Playstation in the past few years, and what could have been had they not gone off course. How would you fix the rut they seem to be in right now?

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198: Pokemon Legends Arceus w/ Wes

Wed, 19 Nov 2025 12:00:00 -0000

This week, we're talking about another Patron Pick, in 2022's Pokemon Legends: Arceus. Wesley Rea joins the guys to try and convince Nate why this is one of the best games in the series and to break down the depths of Pokemon lore that is hinted at after the credits roll.

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And if you'd like to support us, you can visit our Patreon : https://www.patreon.com/thebacklogbreakdown

bite sized: pokemon legends z-a impressions

Wed, 12 Nov 2025 12:31:00 -0000

Josh has been playing Pokemon Legends Z-A for Nintendo Switch 2 for the past few weeks and he wants to talk to you about it. How does it compare to the rest of the series? Are ya feeling some buyer's remorse for the Switch 2? Tune in and find out!

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197: Left Behind...by the ever-increasing cost of gaming w/ Alex

Wed, 05 Nov 2025 16:45:14 -0000

Why does it seem like we woke up one day and all the reasonably priced video games consoles had disappeared? How are we to find solace in the midst of all the trials and tribulations of $80 games for $500 consoles? Now that the big 3 console manufacturers seemed to have come together for a one-world decree that prices can't go down, will you need to take their mark in order to play the latest and the greatest that games have to offer? Join us this week as our friend Alex shares his thoughts on why he may be priced out of the current generation of video game consoles, and what he plans to do about it.

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resting (again) with joe thorn

Wed, 29 Oct 2025 11:10:00 -0000

A few years ago, we had pastor and author Joe Thorn on the podcast to talk about rest and recreation with the backdrop of the spooky season. We thought it was high time to revisit our discussion and so we've dug up the corpse of the episode and put it back on full display for you to revel in. Enjoy!

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196: Dredge (w/ Josh)

Wed, 22 Oct 2025 11:42:00 -0000

This spooky season, our spooky game is dredge. the debut cozy fishing sim from Black Salt games. The mechanics are cozy, but the vibes are creepy, with overtones of cosmic horror. What lies in the deep? Is it worth picking up and playing? Join the guys on this week's episode and find out!

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And if you'd like to support us, you can visit our Patreon : https://www.patreon.com/thebacklogbreakdown

bite sized: be not afraid

Wed, 15 Oct 2025 16:44:00 -0000

It's spooky season, but is it really a good idea to look at and engage with horror and dread head-on? How can it help us, and how can we do so in a way that is helpful and wise? Join us as Nate gives some thoughts on fear in this week's bite sized episode!

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195: Earth Defense Force 5 w/ Trash Turkey

Wed, 08 Oct 2025 10:54:00 -0000

Are you ready to defend the earth from giant invading monster ants, spiders, frogs, and...celestial beings? Well, buckle up because the Trash Turkey is on this week's episode to wax poetic with the guys on the Earth Defense Force series of games, and dive a bit deeper on the fifth entry in the series.

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bite sized: faithfulness

Wed, 01 Oct 2025 11:15:00 -0000

This week, Josh foregoes the usual talk about specific video games in favor of talking about how we game. If we agreed that video games can be a good gift from God, then how are we to use them? And what if we're using them too much? How can we even tell?

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194: Astral Chain

Wed, 24 Sep 2025 11:10:00 -0000

This week, the guys are talking about the Platinum Games developed Nintendo Switch exclusive, Astral Chain. Is it the pinnacle of Platinum's work, or is the fact that the game is bound to the Nintendo Switch holding it back from what it could be? A special thanks to DPTBassment for picking this game for the guys to play!

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bite sized: slay the spire mea culpa

Wed, 17 Sep 2025 19:34:34 -0000

Last week, we talked about the deck-building Roguelike, Slay the Spire. But there were some things about the game that we failed to address that actually relate to our mission as a podcast. So, in this bite sized episode, both of the guys hopped on to talk about the darkness of the aesthetics of the game and to give a word of caution if those types of storytelling elements are a stumbling block for you.

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193: Slay the Spire

Wed, 10 Sep 2025 11:36:00 -0000

What is a Spire and how do you Slay it? Well, that question will not be answered on this episode, but "Why is Slay the Spire on our Top 100 Games list?" Yes, that question will be addressed.

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bite sized: dragon quest builders

Wed, 03 Sep 2025 13:13:55 -0000

Nate likes Dragon Quest. But Nate does not like Minecraft. Does Nate like a Minecraft-styled Dragon Quest game? Or is it a Dragon Quest-style Minecraft game?

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192: Book Club - Metal Gear Solid 3

Wed, 27 Aug 2025 12:00:01 -0000

You voted. We listened. We played Metal Gear Solid 3. Now it's time to talk about it as a Backlog Book Club game. Even if we didn't all actually play the game. Interested in joining in next time? Jump in the Discord and join in the conversation!

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bite sized: best of the worst

Wed, 20 Aug 2025 11:34:24 -0000

We like to talk a lot about the best that the medium of video games has to offer. But what about the games that we enjoy that are, objectively, nowhere even close?

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191: Myst (w/ the TechnoFunkBoy)

Wed, 13 Aug 2025 15:21:28 -0000

This week, we have another Patron on to discuss the game they picked for us to play. This time around, the game is the computer classic Myst, and the Patron is The TechnoFunkBoy.

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bite sized: art

Wed, 06 Aug 2025 12:38:01 -0000

This week, Nate gives a defense of video games as art: the good, the bad, and the ugly.

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190: 2 Months of Switch 2 w/ Parker & Mark

Wed, 30 Jul 2025 11:00:00 -0000

It's been (almost) 2 months since the Nintendo Switch 2 was released, so we invited on a couple of friends to talk about our experiences with it over the past couple of months and whether or not its worth your time and money.

We'd love to hear from you! Join us on our social media by checking out our Linktree: https://linktr.ee/thebacklogbreakdown

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bite sized: phoning it in

Wed, 23 Jul 2025 11:09:00 -0000

Josh talks about how he's using (and not using) his phone these days so he can play some more video games.

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189: Xenoblade Chronicles 3 w/ Wes

Wed, 16 Jul 2025 11:00:00 -0000

Wesley Rea, The Henshin Dad Himself joins Josh to talk about one of his favorite games of all time: Xenoblade Chronicles 3. For those who may be new to the game, we'll tackle how it is different from the other games in the series, and what makes it worth the time investment. And for the Xenoblade veterans, we'll be diving deep into the themes and nuances of the the different elements of the game to show how lovingly crafted it is and what it has to say to us in the real world.

We'd love to hear from you! Join us on our social media by checking out our Linktree: https://linktr.ee/thebacklogbreakdown

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bite sized: the quest for $25

Wed, 09 Jul 2025 11:00:00 -0000

Every 6 months, we pick one of our question askers to win $25. Is it you this time? Are you the winner? Listen in as we reminisce and pick a winner!

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188: Long Gone Days (w/ Josh)

Wed, 02 Jul 2025 11:41:47 -0000

This week, we're tackling another Patron pick: Long Gone Days, the indie sci-fi RPG about an evil conspiracy to take over Poland. Our patron, gracious Josh, joins us to talk about why he picked the game and his thoughts on the experience.

We'd love to hear from you! Join us on our social media by checking out our Linktree: https://linktr.ee/thebacklogbreakdown

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bite sized: take a breather

Wed, 25 Jun 2025 11:09:00 -0000

In this episode, Nate reflects on the often negative tone surrounding advancements in video games—especially when changes don’t meet players' expectations. Rather than reacting with frustration or cynicism, Nate challenges us to respond with the Christian virtue of kindness. How can we be salt and light in the gaming world, bringing grace, understanding, and encouragement into spaces that are often dominated by criticism? Tune in for a refreshing take on how we can elevate the conversation and reflect Christ—even in our favorite hobby.

We'd love to hear from you! Join us on our social media by checking out our Linktree: https://linktr.ee/thebacklogbreakdown

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187: Top 100 Mid-Year Refresh

Wed, 18 Jun 2025 11:00:00 -0000

We're halfway through 2025 and we've played some video games! Do any of them deserve to be on our Top 100 list? Is there anything current on the list that needs to be dropped or shuffled? Why would we do that to our perfect list? All this and more on this week's episode of The Backlog Breakdown!

You can view our current Top 100 list here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1shRB_fLOspxuBz78Ol8Dfx0RtEe0BMtnE0f3uUzIijQ/edit?usp=sharing

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bite sized: gameboy hot takes

Wed, 11 Jun 2025 17:10:46 -0000

This week, Josh recounts his love (and possibly hatred) for the original GameBoy.

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186: How Many A's Does It Take To Make A Hit?

Wed, 04 Jun 2025 11:35:00 -0000

The video game industry is in a tough place right now. On the one hand, there are a number of big budget releases that have failed to meet sales expectations due to their bloated budgets. And on the other hand, we're also seeing some smaller teams create well received games and rake in a decent profit for their work. What can we learn from the changing landscape?

The State of the Arc podcast referenced in this episode can be found here: https://youtu.be/06xTeL7AIoE

We'd love to hear from you! Join us on our social media by checking out our Linktree: https://linktr.ee/thebacklogbreakdown

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bite sized: mega man lore (ft. wesley rea)

Wed, 28 May 2025 03:50:13 -0000

On our Mega Man X episode, we noted that we don't really understand the story of how Mega Man X is related to Mega Man and what connections there may or may not be. In comes Wesley to correct our poor assumptions and set us straight. This week, he's tackling the lore behind Mega Man X and how it relates to the original series on the NES.

Check out Wesley's podcast, Retronim, here: https://open.spotify.com/show/3OMKTnOHBc08ayqkpu0JBY

We'd love to hear from you! Join us on our social media by checking out our Linktree: https://linktr.ee/thebacklogbreakdown

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185: Dishonored (w/ Isaac)

Wed, 21 May 2025 01:57:33 -0000

This week, we're talking about another Patron pick: the 2012 immersive sim Dishonored. Isaac joins us to discuss what we think is special about the game and whether or not it holds up 13 years later.

We'd love to hear from you! Join us on our social media by checking out our Linktree: https://linktr.ee/thebacklogbreakdown

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bite sized: critiquing a critique

Wed, 14 May 2025 11:31:24 -0000

On this bite sized episode, Nate addresses his concerns with Quick Play's 5-point rating scale.

Check out the Quick Play episode where Mark breaks down his thoughts here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cL8hsiJxJFA

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184: The Banner Saga (w/ John McKelvey)

Wed, 07 May 2025 11:10:00 -0000

Our good friend and Patron, John, joins in to discuss his Patron Pick: The Banner Saga. Is it worth your time, or should it be left behind and forgotten? Are there any deeper themes the game touches on? Check out this week's episode and find out!

We'd love to hear from you! Join us on our social media by checking out our Linktree: https://linktr.ee/thebacklogbreakdown

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bite sized: switch two sentiments

Thu, 01 May 2025 07:58:00 -0000

The Nintendo Switch 2 Direct was only a couple of weeks ago. Let's talk about it between 2 bros!

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183: The Stanley Parable

Wed, 30 Apr 2025 19:35:38 -0000

The Stanley Parable is an comedic walking sim indie game that's over 10 years old. It's also number 92 on our Top 100 games of all time. Does it still deserve its place there in 2025? Tune in and find out our thoughts on The Stanley Parable!

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bite sized: a mediocre league update

Wed, 16 Apr 2025 11:16:00 -0000

Arkone Lightwave joins Nate to talk about the league of mediocre brotato chaps, our fantasy critic league, and all the movers and shakers from the first quarter 2025.

We'd love to hear from you! Join us on our social media by checking out our Linktree: https://linktr.ee/thebacklogbreakdown

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182: Mega Man X

Wed, 09 Apr 2025 12:00:00 -0000

Mega Man X is an SNES classic. But why? Is it really one of the greatest games ever made? Does it still hold up in 2025?

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bite sized: nate is locked and loaded

Wed, 02 Apr 2025 10:54:10 -0000

Watch out 2025, cause Nate is coming for you with his video games picks to play through this year!

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181: The Backlog Report

Wed, 26 Mar 2025 11:00:00 -0000

The guys reconvene to give an extended talk on the state of their backlogs, what they've played in 2025, and how gaming has changed for them this year.

Support our friend, the Technofunkboy, by donating to his Kickstarter today: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/tfb/the-final-fantasy-mixes-10th-anniversary-remasters

We'd love to hear from you! Join us on our social media by checking out our Linktree: https://linktr.ee/thebacklogbreakdown

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bite sized - evolution on emulation

Wed, 19 Mar 2025 17:10:00 -0000

This week, Josh uses a question posed in the discord as a jumping off point to discuss the current state of emulation and his thoughts on how it can be used to beat down your backlog.

We'd love to hear from you! Join us on our social media by checking out our Linktree: https://linktr.ee/thebacklogbreakdown

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180: Haunted Cosmos

Wed, 12 Mar 2025 11:00:00 -0000

This week, the books talk about one of the most mysterious video games of all: a book! Why? Well, I guess you'll have to check it out to find out!

We'd love to hear from you! Join us on our social media by checking out our Linktree: https://linktr.ee/thebacklogbreakdown

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bite sized: shin megami tensei devil survivor 2 record breaker

Wed, 05 Mar 2025 12:21:00 -0000

This week, Josh reviews the Nintendo 3DS game: Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor 2: Record Breaker. What may be one of the longest and most cumbersome titles for a video game actually pans out to be a fun and interesting game, but it is as good as the rest of the series? Tune in and find out!

179: The Talos Principle (w/ SPyKe)

Wed, 26 Feb 2025 12:00:00 -0000

This week, the boys are joined by SPyKe, A.K.A. the Alter-Nate, a patron who chose for them to play and discuss The Talos Principle. Can A.I. ever experience consciousness? What does it mean for a machine to possess free will? Can a video game really delve deep into philosophical concepts while you run around completing light puzzles? Join us as we discuss the game and how we thought through some of what it has to say from a biblical worldview.

brain trust "bite sized": the state of the industry

Wed, 19 Feb 2025 12:28:00 -0000

The brain trust returns! Nate, Parker, and Micah reconvene to discuss the current state of the industry. A lot has happened in the recent past, including new strategies for Sony, Nintendo, and Microsoft. What does that mean for the future of the video game industry?

We'd love to hear from you! Join us on our social media by checking out our Linktree: https://linktr.ee/thebacklogbreakdown

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178: Oracle of Meles (w/ Jordan Leithart)

Wed, 12 Feb 2025 15:16:36 -0000

The last we talked with Jordan, he was setting out to create his first video game through his solo development house, LuxCor Studios. Well, now that game is finished and available for anyone interested! Hear how the development affected the end product and his thoughts on creating his first game. And be sure to pick up Oracle of Meles on Steam here: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2779160/Oracle_of_Meles/

We'd love to hear from you! Join us on our social media by checking out our Linktree: https://linktr.ee/thebacklogbreakdown

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bite sized: josh's 2025 game plan

Wed, 05 Feb 2025 12:00:00 -0000

This year, Josh is looking at being more intention in the games that he plays from his backlog. How did he determine what games to tackle? Tune in and find out!

We're all over social media (including Youtube!) and we'd like to hear from you! Click Here to visit our LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/thebacklogbreakdown

177: Vanillaware

Wed, 29 Jan 2025 12:00:00 -0000

Unicorn Overlord was one of the highest reviewed games of last year, but did you know that the team who created that game have been around since the early 2000s? Join us this week as we take a look at the Japanese developer VanillaWare, and the handful of games that they've released here in North America.

We'd love to hear from you! Join us on our social media by checking out our Linktree: https://linktr.ee/thebacklogbreakdown

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bite sized: outer wilds: echoes of the eye (ft. quick play mark)

Wed, 22 Jan 2025 12:00:00 -0000

Mark from Quick Play, who was on last year to talk about Outer Wilds with the guys, has a bite sized episode on the game's DLC: The Echoes of the Eye.

Check out the Quick Play podcast here: https://bio.site/quickplay

We're all over social media (including Youtube!) and we'd like to hear from you! Click Here to visit our LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/thebacklogbreakdown

176: Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin

Wed, 15 Jan 2025 12:00:00 -0000

Last year, Nate and Josh both played through Edelweiss's Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin. And this year, they'd like to talk about it! Is it as delicious as a steaming plate of seasoned sticky rice or as ruinous as a leftover sushi? Tune in and find out!

We'd love to hear from you! Join us on our social media by checking out our Linktree: https://linktr.ee/thebacklogbreakdown

And if you'd like to support us, you can visit our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thebacklogbreakdown

bite sized: The 2025 Backlog Beatdown Rule Set

Wed, 08 Jan 2025 12:00:00 -0000

Nate sits down to explain the 2025 Backlog Beatdown. While it's largely the same meta-game that we've held in previous years, this time there are a few new options for games that you don't own and for focusing on a select group of games you'd like to play through this year.

We're all over social media (including Youtube!) and we'd like to hear from you! Click Here to visit our LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/thebacklogbreakdown

175: A Look Ahead

Wed, 01 Jan 2025 12:00:00 -0000

We've made some New Year's resolutions here at the Backlog Breakdown, and we'd like to share them with you!

We'd love to hear from you! Join us on our social media by checking out our Linktree: https://linktr.ee/thebacklogbreakdown

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king sized: merry christmas

Wed, 25 Dec 2024 12:00:00 -0000

Merry Christmas! Our gifts to you include: answering a plethora of burning questions, a Christmas giveaway, and a Christmas roast from our friend, Wes.

We're all over social media and we'd like to hear from you! Click Here to visit our LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/thebacklogbreakdown

174: That's All, Folks!

Wed, 18 Dec 2024 12:00:00 -0000

For our last episode of 2024, we have some awards to give out to various games; including being added to our prestigious Top 100 list!

Check out the list here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1shRB_fLOspxuBz78Ol8Dfx0RtEe0BMtnE0f3uUzIijQ/edit?usp=sharing

We'd love to hear from you! Join us on our social media by checking out our Linktree: https://linktr.ee/thebacklogbreakdown

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bite sized: the mediocrest chap

Wed, 11 Dec 2024 17:30:00 -0000

This week, Nate takes some time to run down the standings of our Fantasy Critic league and crown the winner of 2024!

We're all over social media and we'd like to hear from you! Click Here to visit our LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/thebacklogbreakdown

173: Backlog Breakdown No Densetsu: Zeruda III (w/ Paul & Wes)

Wed, 04 Dec 2024 12:34:00 -0000

It's another Patron Pick! This time around, Paul requested that we play The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past. He jumped on, along with Wes, to talk about this seminal game in the LoZ series.

Be sure and check out The TechnoFunkBoy's music on Bandcamp: https://thetechnofunkboy.bandcamp.com/

We'd love to hear from you! Join us on our social media by checking out our Linktree: https://linktr.ee/thebacklogbreakdown

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king sized: giving thanks

Wed, 27 Nov 2024 07:10:00 -0000

Nate and Josh got together to talk about what they're thankful for...and it ended up taking a bit longer than expected. Go figure.

We're all over social media and we'd like to hear from you! Click Here to visit our LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/thebacklogbreakdown

172: Thank You

Wed, 20 Nov 2024 07:22:00 -0000

With Thanksgiving coming up, we decided to talk about the concept of thankfulness and the benefits of cultivating gratitude in the midst of an industry that markets the latest as the greatest.

We'd love to hear from you! Join us on our social media by checking out our Linktree: https://linktr.ee/thebacklogbreakdown

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bite sized - cozy gaming

Wed, 13 Nov 2024 08:57:00 -0000

Sometimes, you just want to cozy up with some comfort food. And video games are no exception. This week, Josh attempts to nail down the slippery moniker of "coziness" in gaming, and how it might pop up in other unlikely titles.

We're all over social media and we'd like to hear from you! Click Here to visit our LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/thebacklogbreakdown

171: Outer Wilds (w/ Mark)

Wed, 06 Nov 2024 17:52:35 -0000

It's time for another Patron Pick, where our patrons get to pick a game for us to play and talk about. This time around, we have on Mark Erickson from the Quick Play podcast to talk about Outer Wilds.

Be sure and give Mark's podcast, Quick Play, a listen by clicking here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/quick-play/id1623478883

We'd love to hear from you! Join us on our social media by checking out our Linktree: https://linktr.ee/thebacklogbreakdown

And if you'd like to support us, you can visit our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thebacklogbreakdown

170: The Evil Within (Spooptober 2024)

Wed, 30 Oct 2024 17:19:03 -0000

Every year, we play a spooky game in October. This year, we tackled Tango Gameworks' The Evil Within. And now, we have some thoughts: some good, some bad, and some ugly. Are there any deeper truths to be mined while playing the game? Listen in and find out!

Check out Josh's recommendation of Canterbury's music video for Gloria by clicking here: https://youtu.be/8h6vXvxrf-Q?si=1ibfWpG8bKnwGnvF

And Nate's recommendation of For The Gospel's discussion on A Theology of Fun by clicking here: https://youtu.be/4nPD0kbr7Pg

We'd love to hear from you! Join us on our social media by checking out our Linktree: https://linktr.ee/thebacklogbreakdown

And if you'd like to support us, you can visit our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thebacklogbreakdown

bite sized: slumping it

Thu, 24 Oct 2024 00:38:25 -0000

On this week's bite sized episode, Nate talks about...what he wants to talk about.

We're all over social media and we'd like to hear from you! Click Here to visit our LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/thebacklogbreakdown

bite sized: imperfect

Wed, 16 Oct 2024 07:37:00 -0000

This week, Josh addresses how we are to take Paul's charge to think on what is "pure and lovely" while also playing video games and engaging with media that vividly depicts the sinfulness of mankind.

We're all over social media and we'd like to hear from you! Click Here to visit our LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/thebacklogbreakdown

169: Genre Studies: Horror

Wed, 09 Oct 2024 07:14:00 -0000

It's October, which means that spooky things abound. And when it comes to video games, horror is a popular genre that stretches back to the earliest days of home consoles. But what exactly is horror, and how can it be used well in video games? Should Christians stay away from it, or can there be a redemptive purpose in horror?

We'd love to hear from you! Join us on our social media by checking out our Linktree: https://linktr.ee/thebacklogbreakdown

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bite sized? Snap Chatter - The After Years

Wed, 02 Oct 2024 14:32:43 -0000

Nate gets the gang back together as Logan Sharp joins the podcast to discuss the current state of Marvel Snap, and how the game has changed since he's been away.

When you're done with the episode, check out Logan's Youtube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@TheTheoLogan898

We're all over social media and we'd like to hear from you! Click Here to visit our LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/thebacklogbreakdown

168.2: Book Club - Death Stranding w/ Micah & Josh (Full Spoilers)

Wed, 25 Sep 2024 15:26:00 -0000

--This episode is the second half of the recording, covering thoughts that contain spoilers for Death Stranding.--

After his unceremonious ousting from Konami, Hideo Kojima came back to make a video game that is like no other: Death Stranding. This quarter, we played the game as a community and now Micah and Josh are here to talk about it. Do you like the game? Hate it? Never heard of it? This episode's panel of hosts have varying opinions, and may just be able to articulate the way that you feel about an unfettered Kojima.

We'd love to hear from you! Join us on our social media by checking out our Linktree: https://linktr.ee/thebacklogbreakdown

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168.1: Book Club - Death Stranding w/ Micah & Josh (Spoiler-Free)

Wed, 25 Sep 2024 06:46:00 -0000

--This episode is the first half of the recording, covering thoughts that are spoiler-free.--

We'd love to hear from you! Join us on our social media by checking out our Linktree: https://linktr.ee/thebacklogbreakdown

And if you'd like to support us, you can visit our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thebacklogbreakdown

bite sized: BREAKING! Concord (w/ Micah & Parker)

Wed, 18 Sep 2024 14:31:54 -0000

We've got some BREAKING news for you about Sony's Concord: it's no more. Good friends of the show, Micah and Parker, join in to talk about why Concord became what it was and where do Sony go from here?

We're all over social media and we'd like to hear from you! Click Here to visit our LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/thebacklogbreakdown

167: Persona 3 Reload w/ Wes

Wed, 11 Sep 2024 06:57:00 -0000

Persona 3 was originally released in Japan in 2006, but since then, it's received a number of ports and updates. The latest of which is Persona 3 Reload, which released in February of 2024. As a Patron, Wes chose the game for us to play through, and joins us on this episode to talk all about the highs and lows of the game.

Check out Wes's podcast, Retronim, here: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/retronim

We'd love to hear from you! Join us on our social media by checking out our Linktree: https://linktr.ee/thebacklogbreakdown

And if you'd like to support us, you can visit our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thebacklogbreakdown

bite sized: Arcade Nostalgia w/ Wes

Wed, 04 Sep 2024 14:40:56 -0000

Do you remember back when it was required to get out of your house and carry a few spare quarters in order to experience video games at their graphical best? Do you remember what it was like to walk up to a big, flashy cabinet, not knowing how many buttons there may, or what any of them did? Do you remember the thrill of watching a panoply of lights and sounds on that cabinet screen, giving you a taste of what was in store and enticing you to spend your cold, hard cash? Well, Wes does, and he'd like to talk about it.

When you're done with the episode, check out Wes's podcast, Retronim here: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/retronim

We're all over social media and we'd like to hear from you! Click Here to visit our LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/thebacklogbreakdown

166: Elden Ring w/ Nick Porch

Wed, 28 Aug 2024 07:47:00 -0000

Once a year, each of our Patron get to suggest a game or topic for us to play. Nick Porch, host of the Nothing New Under The Porch podcast, requested that we play Elden Ring, and joins us on the show to discuss our experiences with it and to crown one of the hosts as "Elden Lord".

We'd love to hear from you! Join us on our social media by checking out our Linktree: https://linktr.ee/thebacklogbreakdown

And if you'd like to support us, you can visit our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thebacklogbreakdown

bite sized: the morality of interactivity

Wed, 21 Aug 2024 00:11:46 -0000

This week Josh kicks around the idea of whether or not its sinful to M rated video games. Or something like that.

We're all over social media and we'd like to hear from you! Click Here to visit our LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/thebacklogbreakdown

S1E165 - 165: It's About Time

Wed, 14 Aug 2024 05:12:00 -0000

What does our time tell us about what we value? How much time should we spend playing video games? Is a late-night gaming binge really that bad? It's about time that we tackle some of these subjects, so strap in and listen up!

We'd love to hear from you! Join us on our social media by checking out our Linktree: https://linktr.ee/thebacklogbreakdown

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bite sized: BREAKING! Bungie Layoffs (w/ Jeff Wofford)

Wed, 07 Aug 2024 06:46:00 -0000

In this episode, Nate invites on Jeff Wofford to discuss the recent goings-on at Bungie; their layoffs and the future for the developer.

We're all over social media and we'd like to hear from you! Click Here to visit our LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/thebacklogbreakdown

164: Bloated Budgets and Excessive Expectations

Tue, 06 Aug 2024 15:30:00 -0000

Corporate culture has steadily been making its way into video game creation, production, and distribution. What are some of the effects of corporate bloat on my gaming landscape, and is there a way forward?

We'd love to hear from you! Join us on our social media by checking out our Linktree: https://linktr.ee/thebacklogbreakdown

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bite sized: Allegory

Wed, 24 Jul 2024 07:07:00 -0000

On this week's bite sized episode, Josh asks the question "Can allegory be used in video games"?

We're all over social media and we'd like to hear from you! Click Here to visit our LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/thebacklogbreakdown

163: Destiny 2 (w/ Deuce and Arkone)

Wed, 17 Jul 2024 16:57:29 -0000

Are you Destined to be a sweaty casual? One of our Patrons, Arkone, requested an episode on Destiny 2, so Nate invites him on (along with his brother, Deuce), to talk all things Bungie and the Final Shape of the game!

Check out Arkone's blog here: Lightwave's Musings | Arkone Lightwave | Substack

We'd love to hear from you! Join us on our social media by checking out our Linktree: https://linktr.ee/thebacklogbreakdown

And if you'd like to support us, you can visit our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thebacklogbreakdown

bite sized: Why We Are The Way We Are

Wed, 10 Jul 2024 15:41:20 -0000

Welcome to the Backlog Breakdown!

We've been doing this podcast for around 5 years now, so there's some history and baggage that comes along with it. If you're not interested in all of that, we'd like to give you a primer on why we do what we're doing with the podcast, and hope you'll join us.

We're all over social media and we'd like to hear from you! Click Here to visit our LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/thebacklogbreakdown

162: Halfway to 2025

Wed, 03 Jul 2024 06:31:00 -0000

With 2024 halfway over, the boys convene to reflect on and discuss what they've played in 2024 and whether their gaming time may have been good enough to contend with the rest of the Official Top 100 Games list.

Check out Josh's recommendation of this video on Chrono Trigger's music here: https://youtu.be/TeCtO_9E0LE

And you can check out the current Top 100 List here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1kdPTU9rtbB-NnGYa4Qvr-jrRTpgYrnrll_AYs0KOGuQ/edit?usp=sharing

We'd love to hear from you! Join us on our social media by checking out our Linktree: https://linktr.ee/thebacklogbreakdown

And if you'd like to support us, you can visit our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thebacklogbreakdown

bite sized: Battlepass Blues and MTX Melancholia

Wed, 26 Jun 2024 21:56:07 -0000

This week, Nate jumps on to talk about Battlepasses and Microtransactions: the good, the bad, and the predatory.

Check out Upper Echelon's video on How Video Games Play You (language warning) here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJG2dli2LTg

Jump in our Discord and let him know how much you enjoyed the episode! Click Here to visit our LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/thebacklogbreakdown

161.2: You're Not Supposed to Like It (w/ Mark, Jake, & Landry) Part 2

Wed, 19 Jun 2024 07:36:00 -0000

Most of the time, we play video games to be entertained. But can the medium do more than that? What happens when a video game intentionally make you, as the player, feel uncomfortable? This week, Mark from Quick Play and Jake & Landry from The Bitcast join us to discuss how intentional dissonance can be a powerful way of telling stories and creating interactive experiences. [This is part 2, where we discuss our main topic. See part 1 for our introductions and backlog reports.]

Check out the Quick Play podcast here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/quick-play/id1623478883

And check out the Bitcast here: https://open.spotify.com/show/5tfVOuoeExNZDbYvRflDHC

We'd love to hear from you! Join us on our social media by checking out our Linktree: https://linktr.ee/thebacklogbreakdown

And if you'd like to support us, you can visit our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thebacklogbreakdown

161.1: You're Not Supposed to Like It (w/ Mark, Jake, & Landry) Part 1

Wed, 19 Jun 2024 06:10:00 -0000

Most of the time, we play video games to be entertained. But can the medium do more than that? What happens when a video game intentionally make you, as the player, feel uncomfortable? This week, Mark from Quick Play and Jake & Landry from The Bitcast join us to discuss how intentional dissonance can be a powerful way of telling stories and creating interactive experiences. [This is part 1, the first half of the podcast, before tackling our main topic]

Check out the Quick Play podcast here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/quick-play/id1623478883

And check out the Bitcast here: https://open.spotify.com/show/5tfVOuoeExNZDbYvRflDHC

We'd love to hear from you! Join us on our social media by checking out our Linktree: https://linktr.ee/thebacklogbreakdown

And if you'd like to support us, you can visit our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thebacklogbreakdown

bite sized: For the Fun of It

Wed, 12 Jun 2024 17:06:00 -0000

This week, Josh gives some of his thoughts on the benefits of video games and a some warnings not to overindulge.

Check out Upper Echelon's video on How Video Games Play You (language warning) here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJG2dli2LTg

Jump in our Discord and let him know how much you enjoyed the episode! Click Here to visit our LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/thebacklogbreakdown

160: Old is Gold or New and Shiny?

Wed, 05 Jun 2024 08:31:00 -0000

This week, Nate and Josh reconvene to discuss whether it's better to be driven by nostalgia or if recency bias is more compelling. Should your favorite games continue to be your favorite games, or should it evolve over time? Does the ability to make new kinds of experiences in gaming invalidate the old? Should it cause us to look at them in a different light?

We'd love to hear from you! Join us on our social media by checking out our Linktree: https://linktr.ee/thebacklogbreakdown

And if you'd like to support us, you can visit our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thebacklogbreakdown

bite sized: A Beefy Bit of Xbox Beef (w/ Mark from Quick Play)

Wed, 29 May 2024 06:40:00 -0000

Oh Xbox, what is you doin, baby? This week, Mark from Quick Play joins Nate to talk about the current state of Xbox and whether or not there is a way forward, given their trajectory. Mark has been a happy Xbox owner, but will that continue to the next generation, or might there be better options?

And when you're done, be sure and Check out the Quick Play podcast by clicking here.

You can also continue the conversation over on social media by Clicking Here to visit our LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/thebacklogbreakdown Or emailing us at thebacklogbreakdown@gmail.com.

159: Don't Waste Your Time (w/ Parker)

Wed, 22 May 2024 16:37:06 -0000

With Josh away in Texas this week, Nate ropes in his good friend Parker to talk about whether or not video games are just a waste of time. Being a listener of video game podcasts, you may assume the answer to be a strong "no", but Nate and Parker reference some Scripture that may have you thinking about the way you play.

We'd love to hear from you! Join us on our social media by checking out our Linktree: https://linktr.ee/thebacklogbreakdown

And if you'd like to support us, you can visit our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thebacklogbreakdown

bite sized: A Brohang Bit

Thu, 16 May 2024 13:19:08 -0000

Nate & Josh talk Bluey, Bakuman, Calvin & Hobbes, and how all roads lead to Xenoblade Chronicles 3.

This bite sized is an excerpt from our Brohang recordings, which are exclusive to our Patreon members. If you're interested in hearing the full recording, you can check out our Patreon at patreon.com/thebacklogbreakdown.

Jump in our Discord and let him know how much you enjoyed the episode! Click Here to visit our LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/thebacklogbreakdown

158: MOAR POWAH

Wed, 08 May 2024 06:51:00 -0000

With each new console generation comes a considerable upgrade in computing and processing power and a promise to change the gaming landscape. But how much has gaming changed over the last generation of hardware and what has raw power to do with it? And looking ahead, what might the future hold? Nate and Josh share their thoughts on this and more on this week's episode of the Backlog Breakdown!

We'd love to hear from you! Join us on our social media by checking out our Linktree: https://linktr.ee/thebacklogbreakdown

And if you'd like to support us, you can visit our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thebacklogbreakdown

bite sized: How Well Does Greatness Sell?

Wed, 01 May 2024 08:39:00 -0000

This week, Josh comes with a question: does critical acclaim translate to game sales? To find some answers, he's taking a look at the top selling games on Nintendo Switch.

Jump in our Discord and let him know how much you enjoyed the episode! Click Here to visit our LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/thebacklogbreakdown

157: 2024 Backlog Draft (w/ Nate, Josh, Nick, & Dorian)

Wed, 24 Apr 2024 04:48:00 -0000

What do you do when you can't decide on which game to tackle next? You grab some friends and ask them to help decide! This week, we're talking the Backlog draft--what it is, what games we played, and what we think about said games.

We'd love to hear from you! Join us on our social media by checking out our Linktree: https://linktr.ee/thebacklogbreakdown

And if you'd like to support us, you can visit our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thebacklogbreakdown

bite sized: Beleaguered Mediocrity

Wed, 17 Apr 2024 15:24:09 -0000

This week, Nate has on Alex C and Amazing Josh to discuss current Fantasy Critic League standings and some thoughts on rosters.

You can check out our current standings here: https://www.fantasycritic.games/league/b470ce3b-0032-4449-8432-b4b8b21c2d9a/2024

Jump in our Discord and let him know how much you enjoyed the episode! Click Here to visit our LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/thebacklogbreakdown

156: Microaggression by Microtransaction

Wed, 10 Apr 2024 09:13:00 -0000

MIcrotransactions have become commonplace in gaming, even to the point of having games built around a model of monetization. The recent release of Dragon's Dogma 2 has caused a stir because of its use of microtansactions. But are they all bad? How should we think about their implementation? And how can we be wise stewards of our time and finances through it all?

We'd love to hear from you! Join us on our social media by checking out our Linktree: https://linktr.ee/thebacklogbreakdown

And if you'd like to support us, you can visit our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thebacklogbreakdown

bite sized: PS Portal Perks (w/ Wesley Rea, the Henshin Dad Himself)

Wed, 03 Apr 2024 07:26:00 -0000

This week, you're getting a beefy bite sized episode, courtesy of Nate and Wesley Rea, the Henshin Dad Himself!

When you're done with the episode, check out Wes's podcast, Retronim here: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/retronim

Jump in our Discord and let him know how much you enjoyed the episode! Click Here to visit our LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/thebacklogbreakdown

155: Git Gud, Scrub

Wed, 27 Mar 2024 05:36:00 -0000

This week, the guys are talking difficulty in games: how it's changed over time and how it affects the way we interact and enjoy some of our favorites.

Some recommendations this week include:

Midtown - Tenebrae : https://youtu.be/q8oxpHO7yaY?si=qn-41dmrUaB44CeC & Sold a story: https://features.apmreports.org/sold-a-story/

We'd love to hear from you! Join us on our social media by checking out our Linktree: https://linktr.ee/thebacklogbreakdown

And if you'd like to support us, you can visit our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thebacklogbreakdown

bite sized: Artificial Unintelligence

Wed, 20 Mar 2024 02:58:39 -0000

Josh has a few thoughts on co-op, AI, and building robust communities. What do these things have in common? Well, you'll just have to listen, won't you?

Jump in our Discord and let him know how much you enjoyed the episode! Click Here to visit our LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/thebacklogbreakdown

154: Fight With Your Friends (w/ Micah, Parker, and Luke)

Wed, 13 Mar 2024 11:37:35 -0000

This week, Nate invites his teammates on to talk about the chaos of co-op!

Some recommendations this week include:

Expedition Bible: https://www.youtube.com/@ExpeditionBible & Radical - Hard to Reach: Japan: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPWYBBat7NTkhJrM-_OwGbvN1YzvSqBEb

We'd love to hear from you! Join us on our social media by checking out our Linktree: https://linktr.ee/thebacklogbreakdown

And if you'd like to support us, you can visit our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thebacklogbreakdown

bite sized: NNUTP News

Wed, 06 Mar 2024 13:09:10 -0000

This week, we're airing an exclusive episode of Nothing New Under the Porch News. Even though it's coming from Australia, this news segment has ripple effects all over the world.

Jump in our Discord and let him know how much you enjoyed the episode! Click Here to visit our LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/thebacklogbreakdown

153: Enjoying the Beatdown (or How Not to Beat Down Your Backlog)

Wed, 28 Feb 2024 19:49:12 -0000

With a huge backlog of games, it's easy to get overwhelmed, feeling like you're never going to finish all of the games that you've piled up. Well, part of that feeling may be justified (and a nice dose of reality), but can that feeling lead us to a healthier place, where we can view our recreation time as reinvigorating, or does it inevitably lead to the drudgery of playing games simply to check them off the box?

This episode was inspired by Daryl Talk Games's series on beating down his backlog, which you can view Here (https://youtu.be/nkgAlnDIPMU) or Here for the followup (https://youtu.be/BuszSUI_qBY).

We'd love to hear from you! Join us on our social media by checking out our Linktree: https://linktr.ee/thebacklogbreakdown

And if you'd like to support us, you can visit our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thebacklogbreakdown

bite sized: The Kids Aren't Alright (w/ Caedmon)

Wed, 21 Feb 2024 16:03:15 -0000

On this bite sized episode, Nate interviews his nephew, Caedmon, to get a Gen Z perspective on gaming in 2024.

You can also continue the conversation over on social media by Clicking Here to visit our LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/thebacklogbreakdown Or emailing us at thebacklogbreakdown@gmail.com.

152: Musings on Reviews...ings

Wed, 14 Feb 2024 10:35:00 -0000

Who reviews the reviewers? What is the point of a review? Number scores can be helpful at a glance to know the general consensus on a game, but is it helpful in the long run to try and boil down every video game into a few pithy quotes and a number ranking? What about games that are continuously updated? We may not have very many answers, but we at least posing some of these questions and kicking around our thoughts here at The Backlog Breakdown.

We'd love to hear from you! Join us on our social media by checking out our Linktree: https://linktr.ee/thebacklogbreakdown

And if you'd like to support us, you can visit our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thebacklogbreakdown

bite sized: Chroma Squad

Wed, 07 Feb 2024 07:50:00 -0000

This week, Josh gives his review of the first game he's beaten down this year: Chroma Squad.

You can also continue the conversation over on social media by Clicking Here to visit our LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/thebacklogbreakdown Or emailing us at thebacklogbreakdown@gmail.com.

151: Digital Liturgies

Wed, 31 Jan 2024 02:33:40 -0000

Nate and Josh discuss the book "Digital Liturgies" by Samuel D. James. How do the internet, social media, and video games effect the way that we think? It's pretty easy to point to some of the obvious side effects of gaming, like frustration or an adrenaline rush, but what does prolonged play teach us over time?

Check out the Hopeless? Project here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLl29WwOumXJi9ayF8oVUCGy0PFZvxXNa5

We'd love to hear from you! Join us on our social media by checking out our Linktree: https://linktr.ee/thebacklogbreakdown

And if you'd like to support us, you can visit our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thebacklogbreakdown

Bite sized: 2024 Beatdown

Mon, 22 Jan 2024 20:34:44 -0000

On this bite sized episode, Nate and Josh discuss the rules and how to join in on the 2024 Backlog Beatdown meta.

You can view the official rules for the 2024 Beatdown here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1H1t8s78-efcaC2NsHmMrOE-eikeEz2LeyH_fNpBe8lY/edit?usp=sharing

You can also continue the conversation over on social media by Clicking Here to visit our LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/thebacklogbreakdown Or emailing us at thebacklogbreakdown@gmail.com.

150: Big 3 Report Card (w/ Parker)

Wed, 17 Jan 2024 16:30:39 -0000

This week, the guys have on Parker to talk about the state of the Big 3 video game companies: Microsoft, Nintendo, and Sony. And Parker has a mustache.

We'd love to hear from you! Join us on our social media by checking out our Linktree: https://linktr.ee/thebacklogbreakdown

And if you'd like to support us, you can visit our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thebacklogbreakdown

Bite sized: Excluding Exclusivity

Wed, 10 Jan 2024 14:01:25 -0000

This week, Nate shares a quick update on what's coming in February before digging into the idea of exclusivity on current platforms and whether or not it's actually profitable.

You can also continue the conversation over on social media by Clicking Here to visit our LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/thebacklogbreakdown Or emailing us at thebacklogbreakdown@gmail.com.

149: The 2023 Backlog Awards

Wed, 03 Jan 2024 07:48:00 -0000

The guys take a look back at what games they played through, accumulated, and appreciated over the last year, and hand out awards to the most deserving games of 2023.

We'd love to hear from you! Join us on our social media by checking out our Linktree: https://linktr.ee/thebacklogbreakdown

And if you'd like to support us, you can visit our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thebacklogbreakdown

The 2023 Backlog Breakdown Christmas Special

Wed, 27 Dec 2023 07:39:00 -0000

Enjoy these stories from our Patrons and have yourself a Merry little Christmas!

You can also continue the conversation over on social media by Clicking Here to visit our LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/thebacklogbreakdown Or emailing us at thebacklogbreakdown@gmail.com.

148: Top 100 - 2024 Edition

Thu, 21 Dec 2023 03:38:39 -0000

This week, the guys look at the official Backlog Breakdown Top 100 Games of All Time and make some edits for the 2024 edition.

You can view the Top 100 list by Clicking Here.

And you can also join us over on social media! We're on Facebook, Twitter (or X, whatever), Instagram, and Discord. You can also email us at thebacklogbreakdown@gmail.com. And if you'd like to support us, you can visit our Patreon. If you want to get more personal, you can find Nate on PSN at Nate_McKeever or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG and Josh on PSN at Broccolope or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG.

Bite sized: My December

Wed, 13 Dec 2023 08:31:00 -0000

This week, Josh gives an update on what's been going on over the last few weeks. He's not dead, just...cold.

147: Ghost of Tsushima (w/ Micah & Parker)

Wed, 06 Dec 2023 19:54:38 -0000

With Josh absent this week, Nate is joined by his good friend Parker and Micah from The Reformed Gamers to discuss the PS4 swan song: Ghost of Tsushima. Is it worth knocking it off your backlog, or should you leave it ghosted? Find out this week on the Backlog Breakdown!

Bite sized: News with Nate

Wed, 29 Nov 2023 08:09:57 -0000

For this bite sized episode, Nate runs solo and discusses a number of news item surrounding the video game sphere, from publisher announcements to game remasters and beyond!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thu, 23 Nov 2023 11:38:01 -0000

Happy Thanksgiving, friends! We're thankful for you. Remember to play well.

146: Jordan Leithart of LuxCor Studios

Wed, 22 Nov 2023 19:26:22 -0000

This week, Nate and Josh welcome Jordan Leithart, of LuxCor Studios, on the podcast to talk about his experiences in the video game industry and what he hopes to see grow from his game studio. Follow what he's doing over at LuxCorstudios.com! And follow Jordan on Twitter X by clicking here.

Bite sized: Valkyrie Elysium

Wed, 15 Nov 2023 14:31:53 -0000

Nate is a huge fan of the original Valkyrie Profile. How does last year's Valkyrie Elysium hold up as a sequel? While it was lukewarmly received by critics, is it worth a playthrough?

Bite sized: Storytelling in Video Games

Wed, 08 Nov 2023 13:41:49 -0000

This week, Josh shares some bite sized thoughts on storytelling in video games and the artistic merit of some games. Should we evaluate games based on their stories? What about games that have no story? These questions are posed, but can they be answered?

S1E145 - 145: Faith - The Unholy Trinity (Spooptober 2023)

Tue, 31 Oct 2023 07:28:00 -0000

Happy Spooptober!

This year to celebrate, the boys are playing the most horrifying game they've ever experienced! In Faith: you play as John Ward, an ex-Roman Catholic priest and exorcist. When an exorcism ends in ways that are not ideal, John is forced to grapple with the consequences of his actions, which leads him into a wretched hive of scum and villainy. Not to outer space, but where much, much darker.

Check out Wendigoon's thorough explanation and walkthrough of the game Here, and his interview with the creator of the game, Airdorf, Here.

S1E144 - 144: 3D Final Fantasy Book Club

Wed, 25 Oct 2023 06:03:00 -0000

This week, a bunch of friends from Discord came on to talk about their experiences tackling some of the 3D Final Fantasy games. We talk Final Fantasy 7, 8, 12, and 16--and of course a little but on IV and VI, because they're great.

Bite sized: Inscryption

Wed, 18 Oct 2023 12:00:44 -0000

This week, Nate talks about the horror deck building game Inscryption. While the game itself can be finished in about a dozen hours, the ways that you interact with the game change throughout its play through. Is it worth a shot this spooky season? Listen and find out!

S1E143 - 143: The Best of the Rest of 2023

Wed, 11 Oct 2023 09:23:00 -0000

The boys are taking it easy this episode and discussing what the rest of 2023 has in store for each of them. What is there to look forward to, and what are the obstacles they're facing in beating down their backlogs?

Bite sized: Enjoyment & Time Wastage in Platinum Hunting ft. Porcho

Wed, 04 Oct 2023 17:44:55 -0000

For this week's bite sized, Nick Porch from Nothing New Under the Porch talks about his experience platinum hunting, with all of its rewards and pitfalls. Platinum hunting can be an enjoyable and challenging experience, but it can also devolve into completing mindless chores or endless frustration. Where are the lines drawn for you?

Click here to check out Nick's podcast, Nothing New Under the Porch. And here to check his blog, Nothing New Under the Porch.

S1E142 - 142: Work and Play and Stuff w/ Mark Erickson

Wed, 27 Sep 2023 08:05:14 -0000

We often talk about playing well, and using recreation as a way to renew our energy so that is so often drained from work. But today we're examining the relationship between work and play through a different lens: What if work and play are made of the same stuff? A huge Thank You to Mark Erickson from 11.5 Minutes to Talk About Video Games for approaching us with the topic and hopping on the mic to kick it around together.

Bite sized: The Illusion of Control

Wed, 20 Sep 2023 14:10:05 -0000

The title of the episode has nothing to do with Remedy's 2019 game, Control. Instead, it has to do with the way that we live our lives and how we orient ourselves toward achieving goals in a humble way.

S1E141 - 141.2: 2D Final Fantasy Book Club

Wed, 13 Sep 2023 10:02:43 -0000

Our latest Book Club game this time around is more than a game--it's an entire series! Because the main series has at least 21 entries, this week we're only covering the 2D games. A huge shout-out to our friends Spyke, Wes, and Jacob for joining in on this Book Club recording!

Because our recording went so long, this episode is split into 2 parts. This is the second part, covering our main topic: the first 6 games in the Final Fantasy series.

S1E141 - 141.1: 2D Final Fantasy Book Club

Wed, 13 Sep 2023 02:02:03 -0000

Because our recording went so long, this episode is split into 2 parts. This is the first part, covering our opening segments until the commercial break.

Bite sized: Sharing is Caring

Wed, 06 Sep 2023 11:31:07 -0000

This week, Nate gives some thoughts on the PlayStation Plus price hike and the Sony game share process.

S1E140 - 140: Backlog Burnout

Wed, 30 Aug 2023 03:52:27 -0000

Video games are our primary forms of recreation. But what happens when it no longer becomes a medium conducive to rest, and instead becomes a thing done in default, with little to no restorative effect? Well that, my friends, is called "burnout". And burnout is the topic of this week's conversation.

Bite sized: Four of Five

Thu, 24 Aug 2023 15:58:59 -0000

This week, Josh talks about his game collection and a potentially healthier way to look at what to play next.

S1E139 - 139: The Brochacho Backlog Draft

Wed, 16 Aug 2023 06:53:00 -0000

Earlier this year, we had a brochacho backlog draft. Today, 6 of the guys who participated in this draft got together to discuss what they played and what they learned from it.

Go follow Paul over on Twitch

Check out Wes's podcast, Retronim

Go say Hi to TrashTurkey on Twitter (or X, whatever)

Introduce yourself to Porcho on Facebook

And join Dorian in our Discord

Bite sized: Think of the Children

Wed, 09 Aug 2023 15:24:14 -0000

This week, Nate talks about the games he wants to introduce to his son and considers what games on the Top 100 list would appeal to kids.

Our Facebook group is The Backlog Book Club, Here is our Twitter, here's our newly formed Instagram account, and for something more immediate, come hang out with us on our Discord channel! You can also email us at thebacklogbreakdown@gmail.com. And if you'd like to support us, you can visit our Patreon. If you want to get more personal, you can find Nate on PSN at Nate_McKeever or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG and Josh on PSN at Broccolope or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG.

S1E138 - 138: Does This SideQuest Make My Budget Look Big? w/ Mark Erickson

Wed, 02 Aug 2023 06:53:00 -0000

This week, the boys are joined by Mark Erickson of 11.5 Minutes to Talk About Video Games to talk about video games! More specifically, video game budgets and and the pros and cons of AAA games and indies.

Check out 11.5 Minutes to Talk About Video Games by clicking here!

Join us over on social media! We're on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Discord. You can also email us at thebacklogbreakdown@gmail.com. And if you'd like to support us, you can visit our Patreon. If you want to get more personal, you can find Nate on PSN at Nate_McKeever or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG and Josh on PSN at Broccolope or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG.

Bite sized: A Reflection on Friendship

Wed, 26 Jul 2023 11:33:58 -0000

This week, Josh gives some thoughts on the value of friendship, priorities in the midst of change, and how video games can be enjoyed together with others.

S1E137 - 137: Gamer DadBod Energy

Wed, 19 Jul 2023 12:55:16 -0000

Your hosts are dads. They're also gamers. How do they do both? Sometimes poorly, and sometimes not. But that's what they're talking about today! Being dads and playing games well.

Bite sized: Backlogs Are For Wimps

Wed, 12 Jul 2023 22:03:51 -0000

This week, Nate and Josh have to address something a bit more serious than usual. It has come to their attention that there is another podcast out there masquerading as a cheap imitation of the Breakdown, and they're not amused.

Well, maybe slightly amused.

S1E136 - 136: Top 100 Refresh

Wed, 05 Jul 2023 13:57:26 -0000

Twice a year, we like to evaluate the state of our Top 100 list. Both because of our own changing tastes and the gaming landscape shifting as a whole. How does it hold up? Do games need to come down? What needs to be added? Come hang with us as we talk the merits (and demerits) of the games currently known as the Top 100 of all time.

You can view a copy of the current list here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1EaT6Ta_ZzJxTZgA7xzzS-zJEYLn-dtmWdF3RpaRFIXs/edit?usp=sharing

Bite sized: A Mediocre Update (A Brotato Chaps League Overview)

Wed, 28 Jun 2023 07:37:00 -0000

This week, Nate and Josh run down the Fantasy League roster and give their thoughts on current standings and the next few games scheduled to come out this year.

S1E135 - 135: An Interview In 64 Bits

Wed, 21 Jun 2023 06:54:00 -0000

After completing Majora's Mask, Josh wanted to give the N64 a fair shake. So this week on the podcast, he brings on a guest to discuss his experience with the pioneering console.

Bite sized: A Snapshot with Logan Sharp

Wed, 14 Jun 2023 13:31:04 -0000

This week, Nate invites his co-host of the SnapChatter podcast on to talk about...well, Marvel Snap, of course!

You can check out older episodes of Snap Chatter over on Youtube or Spotify.

S1E134 - 134: No Respect

Wed, 07 Jun 2023 03:24:46 -0000

There are good takes and there are bad takes. There are new and novel takes, and there are old and tired takes. This week, Nate and Josh tackle an internet take on whether men ought to play video games. Any guesses as to what kind of take it is?

Bite sized: Taiko No Tatsujin - Rhythm Festival

Thu, 01 Jun 2023 14:30:03 -0000

This week, Josh talks about his love for the Taiko no Tatsujin series and what makes Rhythm Festival special, before jumping into a Top 5 of his favorite tracks from the game!

S1E133 - 133: Book Club - Majora's Mask (w/ Dorian & Jacob)

Wed, 24 May 2023 14:12:47 -0000

The first quarter of 2023 Book Club game is the N64 (classic?): The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask. Dorian and Jacob join Josh to talk about the uniqueness of this game and what makes it stand out in one of the best gaming series of all time.

Bite sized: Follow-Up On Phil

Wed, 17 May 2023 21:57:00 -0000

This week Nate gives a few more thoughts on Phil Spencer's bad day and the current state of Microsoft--this time a bit more positive?

S1E132 - 132: Grab Bag

Wed, 10 May 2023 06:22:00 -0000

This week, we're each bringing our bag of tricks and grabbing whatever we want out of it. So sit down and listen to us talk about AI and Xbox for a couple of hours!

Bite sized: Tiers of the Kingdom

Thu, 04 May 2023 21:49:24 -0000

On this week's bite sized episode, Josh ranks all of The Legend of Zelda games that he's played on a tier list. We'd love to hear how wrong you think he is, so make your own list and send it our way!

S1E131 - 131: Farewell, eShop

Wed, 26 Apr 2023 06:20:00 -0000

With Nintendo shutting down the 3DS and WiiU eShops, the guys spend some time thinking over the times they've had with the service and rehashing some thoughts on physical VS digital games.

Check out Nate's new podcast Snap Chatter over on Youtube or Spotify.

Bite sized: Nate's Takes

Wed, 19 Apr 2023 19:40:06 -0000

This week, Nate takes a look at a few news articles and gives his thoughts on the current gaming landscape.

S1E130 - 130: Negative Play

Wed, 12 Apr 2023 07:27:00 -0000

This week we're tackling a concept that we've termed "negative play". What exactly is that? Well, it's when you play in ways that don't fundamental build up, but tear down. Particularly, when we play against other people in ways that attempt to tear them down. Is all fair in love, war, and video games? And if so, does it have any affect on us as people?

Check out Nate's new podcast Snap Chatter over on Youtube or Spotify.

Bite sized: The Future of Castlevania

Wed, 05 Apr 2023 18:00:00 -0000

On this week's bite sized episode, Josh interacts with some of our write-in answers to last week's question: "If you were the creative director for the Castlevania series, where would you take the games next?"

Bite sized: Metroidvania Post Script

Wed, 29 Mar 2023 05:35:28 -0000

As Metroidvania March comes to a close, Nate and Josh discuss some of their final thoughts on Super Metroid and Castlevania: Symphony of the Night.

S1E129 - 129: Castlevania: Symphony of the Night

Thu, 23 Mar 2023 19:50:04 -0000

As the second half of Metroidvania Madness in March, the boys play the classic Ps1 title Castlevania: Symphony of the Night. Does it hold up? Is it better than Super Metroid? Why isn't the genre called "Castleroids"? Find out (or not) on this episode of the breakdown!

Check out Nate's new podcast Snap Chatter over on Youtube or Spotify.

S1E128 - 128 - Super Metroid

Wed, 15 Mar 2023 05:08:12 -0000

What more needs to be said about the SNES classic, Super Metroid? Well, a lot, of course, and the backlog boys are here to say it. At least, some of it.

Check out Nate's new podcast Snap Chatter over on Youtube or Spotify.

A Bite Sized Brohang Excerpt - Mars Hill, Repentance, and Grace

Wed, 08 Mar 2023 18:04:43 -0000

This week's bite sized episode is pulled from our Patron exclusive podcast, the Brohang. In it, Josh and Nate discuss some thoughts on Mars Hill church; both the good and the bad that has come from it. Ultimately, everything good points back to Christ.

S1E127 - 127: Fun Money Ratio

Wed, 01 Mar 2023 07:20:00 -0000

How much is fun worth, monetarily? Does how much we spend on entertainment say something about us? What's the proper ratio of money spent to number of video games enjoyed? Well, we may not answer all of these questions on this episode, but we're at least considering some possibilities and evaluating our own involvement.

Check out Nate's new podcast Snap Chatter over on Youtube or Spotify.

Bite sized - Fantasy Critic: The League of Mediocre Brodudes

Thu, 23 Feb 2023 01:12:28 -0000

We've got a Fantasy Critic league going on this year, so let's take a look at the standing and make some observations!

Part of the Opening theme is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

S1E126 - 126: Backlog Drafting

Wed, 15 Feb 2023 00:26:51 -0000

This week we're explaining our Backlog Draft. What exactly is that? Why do it? You mean I actually need to have friends? All your questions are answered on this week's episode of The Backlog Breakdown! Now with 87% more covfefe.

Check out Nate's new podcast Snap Chatter over on Youtube or Spotify.

Bite sized: 2023 & Me

Wed, 08 Feb 2023 07:04:00 -0000

Josh picked out some games to play in 2023. Come hear him talk about those games and why he picked them.

Part of the Opening theme is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

S1E125 - 125: Essentialism

Wed, 01 Feb 2023 06:52:27 -0000

This week Nate and Josh look the book Essentialism by Greg McKeown. What are the most essential parts of the book, and what does it have to do with video games and stewardship? Well, keep listening and find out.

Bite sized: The TechnoFunkBoy's Bullet Heaven Fever

Wed, 25 Jan 2023 07:25:16 -0000

Paul's back and he's got a fever. The only prescription is more bullet heaven games. But not the game Bullet Heaven.

Check out The TechnoFunkBoy over on Twitch or Say Hi on Twitter.

Part of the Opening theme is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

S1E124 - 124: Top 100 - 2023 Edition

Wed, 18 Jan 2023 07:52:00 -0000

Nate and Josh sit down to catch up on life post-holiday festivities, and then evaluate the current state of the objectively correct Top 100 games of all time list. There are some cuts, there are some additions, and there is some heartbreak. But it all results in a better list. You can view a copy of the new and improved Top 100 games list for 2023 by clicking here.

Bonus: Rest, Recreation, & Entertainment w/ Joe Thorn

Wed, 11 Jan 2023 06:03:00 -0000

The church seems to talk a lot about video games as a hindrance or distraction from your life's mission, but what if they are good gifts to be enjoyed? This week, we had the pleasure of having Pastor Joe Thorn on to talk about the place of recreation in the Christian Life. Joe is the Lead Pastor of Redeemer Fellowship in St. Charles, Il. and cohost of the podcast Doctrine and Devotion. Go say Hi over on Twitter or Instagram.

Bite sized: The 2023 Backlog Beatdown Ruleset

Wed, 04 Jan 2023 07:45:12 -0000

Nate and Josh spend about 45 minutes going over the rules for the Beatdown meta game in 2023.

Part of the Opening theme is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

S1E123 - 123: 2022 Bookend

Wed, 28 Dec 2022 08:21:00 -0000

2022 is coming to a close and 2023 is fast approaching. What were some of our favorite games we played over the past year of beating down our backlogs? What were the worst experiences? How do we plan on tackling our backlog in 2023? All this and more on the final episode of the Backlog Breakdown of 2022!

S1E122 - 122.1: Baldur's Gate 2 w/ The TechnoFunkBoy (part 1)

Wed, 21 Dec 2022 15:20:00 -0000

Paul, the artist currently known as TheTechnoFunkboy, joined Josh and Nate to talk about Baldur's Gate 2. Well, actually he forced them to play the game due to contractual patron obligation, and now he's here to have our court-mandated discussion with him about his game. Check out The TechnoFunkBoy over on Twitch or Say Hi on Twitter.

Part 1 is the portion of the episode with Nate, all before the spoilers roll in.

S1E122 - 122.2: Baldur's Gate 2 w/ The TechnoFunkBoy (part 2)

Wed, 21 Dec 2022 13:00:00 -0000

Part 2 is a discussion of the game between Josh and Paul, including full story spoilers and assorted tom-foolery.

Bite Sized: Oh Snap!...cast

Wed, 14 Dec 2022 21:09:43 -0000

Nate has a Marvel Snap chat.

Part of the Opening theme is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

S1E121 - 121: But Y Tho?

Wed, 07 Dec 2022 05:36:00 -0000

Why do we beat down our backlogs? Why do we break down the benefits? On this episode, we tackle the big question lingering in the back of everyone's minds: Why?

We mentioned this youtube video during the episode, with a mild content warning: https://youtu.be/nkgAlnDIPMU.

S1E120 - 120: Talking About Talking About Video Games w/ Mark Erickson

Wed, 30 Nov 2022 03:20:07 -0000

This week we're joined by Mark Erickson from the podcast 11 & a Half Minutes to talk about video games to talk about talking about video games! Check out his podcast by clicking here and go say Hi over on Twitter.

S1E116 - 116: Book Club - Portal

Wed, 23 Nov 2022 02:29:33 -0000

Our 3rd quarter Book Club game of 2022 was Valve's classic little game: Portal. We had our friends Jake, Dorian, Alex, and Wes join us to talk about our experiences with the game and whether or not it still holds up in 2022.

Bite Sized: Junji Ito, Tomie, and Proverbs 5

Wed, 16 Nov 2022 01:22:33 -0000

It's November, why are we still talking about about spooky stuff? Well, Josh is just that special little psycho and continues to read horror well into November, and decided he'd talk a little about his favorite horror manga author: Junji Ito. Check out Uzumaki, Gyo, and Tomie!

Part of the Opening theme is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

S1E115 - 115.2: Mother 3 Spoilercast (w/ Wes The Henshin Dad Himself)

Wed, 09 Nov 2022 08:23:00 -0000

Our Brochacho, Wes, nominated Mother 3 as our game to play this year, so now we're bringing him on the podcast to talk about the game. Is it as good as the internet seems to think? What is the game really trying to say? There's something special about this game, so join us as we pick apart our thoughts on what we think it is.

We talk a lot, so this is the second half of the episode and it is FULL of spoilers!

S1E115 - 115.1: Mother 3 (w/ Wes The Henshin Dad Himself)

Wed, 09 Nov 2022 05:13:39 -0000

We talk a lot, so this is only the first half of the episode--right up until we get to the spoilers!

S1E118 - 118: Alan Wake w/ Eric "The Judge" Bryant

Wed, 02 Nov 2022 03:41:26 -0000

An almost 3-hour podcast on a 10-hour game? Join us as we jump down the rabbit hole of Alan Wake and Remedy games with Eric "The Judge" Bryant for our second game of Spooptober!

To help out the McKeevers financially and they're moving toward adoption, check out their GoFundMe page here.

S1E117 - 117: HellBlade - Senua's Sacrifice

Wed, 26 Oct 2022 05:40:00 -0000

During the spookiest time of the year, we try and play some of the spookiest games that are out there. But is a game called "Hellblade" really trying to freak you out with all of its brutal and grotesque imagery, or is it trying to say something more?

To help out the McKeevers financially and they're moving toward adoption, check out their GoFundMe page here.

Bite Sized: Pokemon Adventures (by Mr. Wes the Henshin Dad Himself)

Wed, 19 Oct 2022 05:03:00 -0000

In this bite sized episode, Mr. Wes the Henshin Dad himself talks about the Pokemon Adventures manga and how it might just be better than the games themselves.

If you like what you hear, be sure and check out Wes's podcast, Retronim.

Part of the Opening theme is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

S1E113 - 113: A Conversation with Caleb Miller

Wed, 12 Oct 2022 12:42:42 -0000

This week we had on Caleb Miller, an army chaplain and the writer of an article published by Modern Reformation entitled "Thinking Theologically About Video Games". We really enjoyed the reasonableness of the article and decided to pick his brain on how to evaluate our use of video games as leisure and whether it encourages our chief end of glorifying God and enjoying Him. Check out Caleb's article on Modern Reformation by clicking here.

To help out the McKeevers financially and they're moving toward adoption, check out their GoFundMe page here.

The Opening and Closing theme we used for this podcast is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

S1E114 - 114: Seasonal Gaming Disorder (w/ Josh Lofthus)

Wed, 05 Oct 2022 05:59:59 -0000

This week Josh Lofthus (of The Reformatory and Kluck) joins the guys as they discuss their favorite time of year for different kinds of video games. The conversation is well-seasoned with all kinds of jokes and side-stories, so enjoy the cooling weather and let's beat down our backlogs together!

Check out Josh on his other podcasts: Click here to listen to The Reformatory. And Click here to check out Kluck.

To help out the McKeevers financially and they're moving toward adoption, check out their GoFundMe page here.

The Opening and Closing theme we used for this podcast is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

S1E112 - 112: A Chat with Patrick Miller

Wed, 28 Sep 2022 05:05:00 -0000

On this episode, Nate and Josh are talking with Patrick Miller, a pastor, podcaster, and writer who advocates for serious engagement in video games and entertainment. Through a chance meeting on Twitter (Click Here to check it out), we noticed he had some great thoughts on the medium and we were able to dig into it a bit deeper here on the podcast!

Go say Hi to Patrick over on Twitter, and Click Here to check out his new book.

To help out the McKeevers financially and they're moving toward adoption, check out their GoFundMe page here.

The Opening and Closing theme we used for this podcast is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

Bite sized: Wes's Dragon Quest Blitz

Wed, 21 Sep 2022 05:43:00 -0000

On this bite sized episode, Mr. Wes the Henshin Dad himself runs through his experience with the entire mainline Dragon Quest series! If you like what you hear, be sure and check out Wes's podcast, Retronim.

Part of the Opening theme is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

S1E111 - 111.2: Dragon Quest XI S (w/ Dorian + Wes)

Wed, 14 Sep 2022 17:00:00 -0000

Sometimes patrons get to pick the games we play. Sometimes we like those games. Sometimes we like those games a lot. Dragon Quest XI just so happens to be one such game. Due to its length, this episode was cut in half. This half includes all of our discussion on DQXI after the first act.

Check out Wes's new podcast, Retronim here. It's really good stuff.

To help out the McKeevers financially and they're moving toward adoption, check out their GoFundMe page here.

The Opening and Closing theme we used for this podcast is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

S1E111 - 111.1: Dragon Quest XI S (w/ Dorian + Wes)

Wed, 14 Sep 2022 15:41:42 -0000

Check out Wes's new podcast, Retronim here. It's really good stuff.

To help out the McKeevers financially and they're moving toward adoption, check out their GoFundMe page here.

The Opening and Closing theme we used for this podcast is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

Bite Sized: Persona 5 and the Folly of Serving Idols

Wed, 07 Sep 2022 11:19:55 -0000

In a true "bite-sized" episode (for once), Josh shares some thoughts this week on what his pastor was preaching on Sunday and how we see similar concepts in the Persona series and throughout our world today.

Part of the Opening theme is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

110: Not Just A Toy (w/ Eric "The Judge" Bryant)

Wed, 31 Aug 2022 05:10:00 -0000

This week we're joined by friend and patron, Eric "The Judge" Bryant. Eric joined us back when we were first putting together Backlog Golf and now he's here to discuss how we view video games as a part of our life and the merits and pitfalls of playing with toys.

To help out the McKeevers financially and they're moving toward adoption, check out their GoFundMe page here.

The Opening and Closing theme we used for this podcast is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

Bite Sized: Color Dreams & Wisdom Trees

Wed, 24 Aug 2022 05:50:00 -0000

On this week's bite sized episode, Josh attempts to make amends for spreading rumors about Christian video game companies by giving a bit of a history behind the infamous Wisdom Tree label.

Part of the Opening theme is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

S1E109 - 109: NEStalgia

Wed, 17 Aug 2022 05:04:00 -0000

On this episode of The Backlog Breakdown, Nate and Josh are tackling a new series of console retrospectives with a twist. Sure, we can run down a list of facts about a console and discuss its impact on the gaming landscape, but what was it really like to experience all that there was to offer, and what are some of their personal favorites? Join us as we wax nostalgic on the original Nintendo Entertainment System!

To help out the McKeevers financially and they're moving toward adoption, check out their GoFundMe page here.

The Opening and Closing theme we used for this podcast is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

Bite sized: Pluses and Minuses of the New PS+ w/ Micah + Luke

Wed, 10 Aug 2022 05:43:00 -0000

This week, Nate talks with Micah Hendrick and Luke Parker about their thoughts on what Sony is doing with their revamped PS Plus service. Is it still worth the cash? How does it measure up to the competition? All this and more on this week's not-so-bite-sized episode of the Backlog Breakdown!

Come join us over on Discord! Our Facebook group is The Backlog Book Club and Here is our Twitter. You can also email us at thebacklogbreakdown@gmail.com. And if you'd like to support us, you can visit our Patreon.

Part of the Opening theme is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

S1E108 - 108.2: Book Club - Ori & The Blind Forest (w/ 5 Guests)

Wed, 03 Aug 2022 06:17:00 -0000

This week we've opened the phones for anyone else to join us and talk about our second Book Club game of 2022, Ori and the Blind Forest. Shout out to Mark from the 11 1/2 Minutes to Talk About Video Games podcast, Dorian and his wife Angelica, Mr. The TechnoFunkBoy, and Mr. Wes The HenshinDad himself for hopping on and discussing what we liked about the game and and its themes.

Due to the length of this episode, it was cut into 2 parts. Part 2 is picks up right after the first part, discussing the music of the game and the rest of our thoughts, as well as the closing bits like our personal challenges and "What Is Your Question?".

The Opening and Closing theme we used for this podcast is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

S1E108 - 108.1: Book Club - Ori & The Blind Forest (w/ 5 Guests)

Wed, 03 Aug 2022 06:02:00 -0000

Due to the length of this episode, it was cut into 2 parts. Part 1 is about the halfway mark of the episode, covering the stats of the game, our personal thoughts, and the visual aesthetic.

The Opening and Closing theme we used for this podcast is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

Bite Sized: A Co-op Catchup (w/ Parker & Duece)

Wed, 27 Jul 2022 05:43:00 -0000

Nate jumps on with his regular Co-op buds to talk about their thoughts on the games they've been going through and how they choose what's next on this not-so-bite-sized episode!

Part of the Opening theme is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

S1E107 - 107: Welcome to Hades

Wed, 20 Jul 2022 07:18:00 -0000

This week we're talking about the indie darling, Hades. Did SuperGiant games make something that would send us back to the beginning but begging for more, or does the game belong in the pit of despair? I'm sure if you've heard us talk about it before you already know the answer, but we're still talking about the game today anyway.

To help out the McKeevers financially and they're moving toward adoption, check out their GoFundMe page here.

Our Facebook group is The Backlog Book Club and Here is our Twitter, and come chat with us on our Discord channel! You can also email us at thebacklogbreakdown@gmail.com. And if you'd like to support us, you can visit our Patreon. If you want to get more personal, you can find Nate on PSN at Nate_McKeever or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG and Josh on PSN at Broccolope or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG.

The Opening and Closing theme we used for this podcast is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

PWN Cast: MCU Phase 3

Wed, 13 Jul 2022 05:39:00 -0000

Paul, Wes, and Josh sit down to discuss the Marvel Cinematic Universe and it's trajectory by taking a look at each of the films and giving their opinions on the good, the bad, and the ugly on another PWN cast! This is the third portion of the episode, covering all of the movies in Phase 3 of the MCU. It ends abruptly due to technical issues, but most of our thoughts are still communicated.

Be sure and follow The TechnoFunkBoy over on his website and Wes's podcast, The Henshin Dad, for more PWN goodness.

Have any thoughts on the MCU? Come join us over on Discord! Our Facebook group is The Backlog Book Club and Here is our Twitter. You can also email us at thebacklogbreakdown@gmail.com. And if you'd like to support us, you can visit our Patreon.

Part of the Opening theme is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

106: It's Been More Than 2 Weeks Since I Talked To You

Wed, 06 Jul 2022 05:20:00 -0000

Since it's been a while, Nate and Josh give a bit of an extended time dedicated to their backlog reports before diving into a recap of the games they've played in 2022 and what needs to be added to the Official Top 100 Games of All Time list.

To help out the McKeevers financially and they're moving toward adoption, check out their GoFundMe page here.

The Opening and Closing theme we used for this podcast is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

PWN Cast: MCU Phase 2

Wed, 29 Jun 2022 06:07:00 -0000

Paul, Wes, and Josh sit down to discuss the Marvel Cinematic Universe and it's trajectory by taking a look at each of the films and giving their opinions on the good, the bad, and the ugly on another PWN cast! This is the second portion of the episode, covering all of the movies in Phase 2 of the MCU.

Be sure and follow The TechnoFunkBoy over on his website and Wes's podcast, The Henshin Dad, for more PWN goodness.

Part of the Opening theme is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

105: Oops! All Guests! (The TechnoFunk Boy & The Henshin Dad)

Wed, 22 Jun 2022 06:07:00 -0000

It's a PWN Cast...without Nate or Josh. But Paul and Wes are here to talk about what they've been playing, Star Trek, The Orville, D&D, Marvel, and pretty much anything else that comes to mind.

Be sure and follow The TechnoFunkBoy over on his website and Wes's podcast, The Henshin Dad, for more PWN goodness.

Part of the Opening theme is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

PWN Cast: MCU Phase 1

Wed, 15 Jun 2022 05:32:00 -0000

Paul, Wes, and Josh sit down to discuss the Marvel Cinematic Universe and it's trajectory by taking a look at each of the films and giving their opinions on the good, the bad, and the ugly on another PWN cast! This is the first portion of the episode, covering all of the movies in Phase 1 of the MCU.

Be sure and follow The TechnoFunkBoy over on his website and Wes's podcast, The Henshin Dad, for more PWN goodness.

Part of the Opening theme is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

S1E104 - 104.2: The Official Top 100 Game Trivia of All Time

Wed, 08 Jun 2022 09:23:00 -0000

This week we're putting our feet up and playing a game. A trivia game based around our Top 100 games list! Thing is, that means there are 100 questions, which makes for quite a beefy boy. Don't say we didn't warn you. As most of these beefy episodes, it's cut in half for the sake of out podcast hosting.

To help out the McKeevers financially and they're moving toward adoption, check out their GoFundMe page here.

The Opening and Closing theme we used for this podcast is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

S1E104 - 104.1: The Official Top 100 Game Trivia of All Time

Wed, 08 Jun 2022 06:08:00 -0000

To help out the McKeevers financially and they're moving toward adoption, check out their GoFundMe page here.

The Opening and Closing theme we used for this podcast is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

S1E104 - Bite sized (?): Gotta Rank 'Em All! (w/ the Henshin Dad)

Wed, 01 Jun 2022 06:31:06 -0000

This week Wesley Rea (the Henshin Dad himself) sent in a bite sized (sort of) episode ranking the Pokemon series. Come hear about his pokimans!

Part of the Opening theme is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

S1E103 - 103: Downtown Beatdown Story (w/ the Trash Turkey)

Wed, 25 May 2022 06:04:42 -0000

This week we're talking River City Ransom with the Trash Turkey! He's one of our Patrons and nominated this game for us to play this year, so play it we did! Do we still consider this game a classic or has time beaten it down? Find out this week on the Breakdown! And be sure and say Hi to the Trash Turkey over on Twitter.

To help out the McKeevers financially and they're moving toward adoption, check out their GoFundMe page here.

The Opening and Closing theme we used for this podcast is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

102: Callin' Colin (w/ Colin Moriarty)

Wed, 18 May 2022 05:49:00 -0000

This week we're joined by Colin Moriarty, host of the Sacred Symbols podcast, owner of Last Stand Media, and co-owner of Lillymo Games. We chat about the responsibility of gamers and holding to your convictions, the idea of games as art, and what we love most about the medium.

To help out the McKeevers financially and they're moving toward adoption, check out their GoFundMe page here.

The Opening and Closing theme we used for this podcast is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

Bite sized: Salty Tiers

Wed, 11 May 2022 06:07:00 -0000

This week Josh looks at the classic Final Fantasy games (defined as "the first 10" arbitrarily) and places them on a tier list from S to D. Enjoy another bite sized this week as we eagerly wait for our interview with someone who will be callin' in next week on episode 102!

Part of the Opening theme is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

Bite sized: Nate's Hot Takes - Squeenix Edition

Wed, 04 May 2022 05:31:00 -0000

With Square Enix's recent announcement of selling some of their Western studios, it's time to take another look at the company as a whole and frankly, how far they have fallen. Is there any hope for the future? This week Nate gives his narrative on the company as a whole and drops some hot takes!

Part of the Opening theme is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

101.2: Book Club: Final Fantasy IX (w/ Dorian & The TechnoFunkBoy)

Wed, 27 Apr 2022 20:33:20 -0000

This week we've opened the phones for anyone else to join us and talk about our first 2022 Book Club game, Final Fantasy IX. Shout out to The TechnoFunkBoy and Dorian for hopping on and losing sleep while we discussed what makes the game great and some of our not-so-favorite things.

Due to the length of this episode, it was cut into 2 parts. Part 2 is everything after beginning our spoiler discussion of the story and characters.

The Opening and Closing theme we used for this podcast is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

101.1: Book Club: Final Fantasy IX (w/ Dorian & The TechnoFunkBoy)

Wed, 27 Apr 2022 19:54:33 -0000

Due to the length of this episode, it was cut into 2 parts. Part 1 is everything up until our spoiler discussion of the story and characters.

The Opening and Closing theme we used for this podcast is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

Bite sized: #gutbusters 2022

Wed, 20 Apr 2022 05:13:00 -0000

Not only do we try and beat down our backlogs, but we also try and bust our guts from time to time. And yea, while we enjoy laughing a lot, this time we're talking about our waistlines. Well, Josh's waistline. Do you really want to talk about Josh's waistline? Well too bad, cause that's what he decided to talk about this week.

Part of the Opening theme is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

S1E100 - 100: A Centennial Celebration with Megan and Samantha

Wed, 13 Apr 2022 04:45:00 -0000

We did it. We made 100 episodes. But what do our wives think about it? 4 years in, can we even stay on topic?

The Opening and Closing theme we used for this podcast is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

Breaking Bite sized - PSN Spartacus

Wed, 06 Apr 2022 08:26:00 -0000

Friends of the show Micah and Parker join Nate this week to give their thoughts on the latest announcements from Sony on Project Spartacus.

Part of the Opening theme is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

S1E99 - 99: Can't Stop the Co-Op w/ Parker & Deuce

Wed, 30 Mar 2022 05:47:50 -0000

Sometimes we play games as a solo experience and talk about them with friends, but other times we invite our friends to journey with us through them. This week's discussion is how it can be impactful when we don't go at it alone and how that changes the nature of the game and how we interact with it.

The Opening and Closing theme we used for this podcast is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

Bite sized: Square-Enix

Thu, 24 Mar 2022 16:02:28 -0000

Similar to our last bite-sized episode, this week Nate, Josh, and Parker give their thoughts on the current state of the developer Square-Enix. This bite sized was pulled from a longer conversation the guys had as a part of their brohang, a Patreon exclusive podcast. To access the full version, join the Patreon over at patreon.com/thebacklogbreakdown.

Part of the Opening theme is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

S1E98 - 98: Who Reviews the Reviewers?

Wed, 16 Mar 2022 12:22:15 -0000

This week Nate and Josh discuss the current state of gaming reviews and the problems inherent to modern online publications and websites. Why can reviewers say that an aggregated score of 88 is a disappointment? Does the popularity and near universal praise received by Elden Ring point to something wrong?

The Opening and Closing theme we used for this podcast is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

Bite sized: Platinum Games

Wed, 09 Mar 2022 20:25:50 -0000

On this week's bite sized episode, Nate and Josh give their thought on the current state of the developer Platinum Games. This bite sized was pulled from a longer conversation the guys had as a part of their brohang, a Patreon exclusive podcast. To access the full version, join the Patreon over at patreon.com/thebacklogbreakdown.

Part of the Opening theme is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

S1E97 - 97: Butts in Pews (w/ Josh Lofthus)

Wed, 02 Mar 2022 07:39:00 -0000

This week Josh Lofthus of the Reformatory Podcast joins the boys to talk about the importance of the local church and whether "digital church" is a blessing or a curse. Check out Josh on his website and The Reformatory Podcast.

Over the past couple of weeks Josh was also on The Reformed Gamers podcast talking about Shin Megami Tensei V and The House on Fire podcast talking about parenting kids with different personalities.

The Opening and Closing theme we used for this podcast is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

Bite sized - Voice of Cards: The Isle Dragon Roars

Fri, 25 Feb 2022 12:25:39 -0000

This week Nate gives his review of Yoko Taro's Voice of Card: The Isle Dragon Roars.

Part of the Opening theme is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

S1E96 - 96: Mailbaggery

Wed, 16 Feb 2022 04:42:00 -0000

With Nate on the mend from his bout with COVID, we decided to take it easy this week and tackle some questions we'd gotten from listeners. You asked, we answered!

The Opening and Closing theme we used for this podcast is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

Bite sized: All the Megami Tenseis

Wed, 09 Feb 2022 06:06:00 -0000

2 months ago Josh said he was going to do an overview of the entire Megami Tensei series of games. Turns out he bit off a little bit more than he chew, but now here we are with a 45-minutes bite sized episode. Enjoy!

Part of the Opening theme is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

95: BackloGGing with Charles Watson

Wed, 02 Feb 2022 07:28:00 -0000

This week Charles Watson, the creator of the GG app joins us to discuss how he got the idea for the app as we trace our ties all the way back to the reformed pub facebook group. Along the way we tackle how our backlogs were created and the future of the GG app and website. Be sure and check out the platform over at GGapp.io!

The Opening and Closing theme we used for this podcast is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

Bite sized? Breaking Down Some Breaking News (w/ Micah & Parker)

Wed, 26 Jan 2022 19:43:24 -0000

Nate invited friends of the show Micah Gear Solid and the International Man of Business, Parker, on to have a deep dive discussion on Microsoft's recent buyout of Activision Blizzard King. It's not really a bite sized this time around, maybe think of it as more of a bonus?

Part of the Opening theme is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

94: Top 100 - 2022 Edition

Wed, 19 Jan 2022 06:05:00 -0000

On this episode Josh and Nate reevaluate a few spots on the Backlog Breakdown's official Top 100 games of all time. There are only a handful of games that we played last year that we think should be added, but adding in games also means pulling some out. Join us to find out where it all lands! Click here to view out current Top 100 list, updated for 2022.

The Opening and Closing theme we used for this podcast is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

Bite sized: Sonic 3 VS Mania by Jacob Van Olst

Wed, 12 Jan 2022 18:15:38 -0000

On this bite sized episode, friend of the show Jacob Van Olst breaks down the differences between Sonic 3 & Knuckles and Sonic Mania Plus to determine which is the better game. From levels to extras, he takes a thorough look at what the games have to offer before declaring a winner.

If you'd like to contribute to a future episode of the podcast, let us know and we'll iron out the details.

Part of the Opening theme is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

93: Hey 2022, We're Looking at You.

Wed, 05 Jan 2022 06:26:00 -0000

For our first episode of the new year we're discussing the new rules for our 2022 Backlog Beatdown and then some of what we're looking forward to over the next year, both gaming and otherwise.

The Opening and Closing theme we used for this podcast is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

Bite sized? - Breaking Down the Beat Down

Wed, 29 Dec 2021 05:59:00 -0000

With the last episode of the year, Nate & Josh took some time to look ahead to the 2022 Beatdown and discuss some changes that will be made compared to 2021's game. Want to join us in beating down your backlog in 2022? Join in the beatdown and track along with us in our Discord Channel.

Our Facebook group is The Backlog Book Club and Here is our Twitter. You can also email us at thebacklogbreakdown@gmail.com. And if you'd like to support us, you can visit our Patreon.

Part of the Opening theme is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

92: The Good, Bad, And Weird of 2021 (w/ Micah Hendrick)

Wed, 22 Dec 2021 01:34:45 -0000

This week our good friend Micah (Gear Solid) joins us to talk about all the gaming things of 2021. As the year comes to a close we're taking a look at the good, the bad, and the just plain weird moves that the Big 3 gaming companies made this past year as well as some of our favorite games that we played. A huge thanks to Micah for hanging out with us all night for this one! Hit him up on Twitter for more of his thoughts of video games and photo-mode snapshots!

The Opening and Closing theme we used for this podcast is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

Bite sized: Dread Megami Diamond (ft. The Henshin Dad)

Wed, 15 Dec 2021 13:40:51 -0000

Wesley Rea breaks down his thoughts on 3 new games that he recently beat and how they stand up to the rest of the games he played throughout the past year.

To hear more from Wes, check out The Henshin Dad podcast on Anchor.fm.

Part of the Opening theme is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

91: Baldur's Gate w/ The TechnoFunkBoy

Wed, 08 Dec 2021 02:49:33 -0000

The TechnoFunkBoy joins Nate and Josh to discuss the classic CRPG Baldur's Gate, in its new and updated form via the Enhanced Edition. Does it hold up, or is it simply a relic of its era? Join us as we make our way thru the D&D classic together! Be sure and follow TechnoFunkBoy over on Twitch, and check out his latest podcast, Montblanc's Hunters, here!

The Opening and Closing theme we used for this podcast is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

A Beefy Bunch of Bite-Sized Backlog Bywords (ft. The Henshin Dad)

Thu, 02 Dec 2021 03:23:14 -0000

Our friend Wesley Rea joins Nate to talk about some of the most condensed versions of backlog wisdom we find ourselves coming back to time and time again. Ironically, it ended up being one of our longest bite sized episodes ever.

To hear more from Wes on tokusatsu and other musings, check out The HenshinDad podcast.

Part of the Opening theme is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

90: A Deep Dive on Diving Deep (w/ Jonathan Hodrick)

Wed, 24 Nov 2021 00:11:56 -0000

This week we invited our friend Jonathan Hodrick on to talk about the way that he gets the most out of his game time using different challenges and limitations to push himself to play in different ways. John's added a ton of great contributions on Facebook and Discord, and the backlog bros were really excited to finally have him on for a chat. Check the article he wrote for The Reformed Gamers' blog on using your gaming time wisely here.

The Opening and Closing theme we used for this podcast is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

Bite Sized: What Is A Shin Megami Tensei?

Wed, 17 Nov 2021 02:56:46 -0000

With the recent release of Shin Megami Tensei V on Nintendo Switch you may be asking yourself some questions like "Where are the other 4 games?" or "Why does it have a Japanese title" or "What is the shin bone connected to?". Well never fear, because Josh is here to ramble about the series and its origins for about 20 minutes.

Part of the Opening theme is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

89: The Circus of Value

Wed, 10 Nov 2021 03:20:52 -0000

A few things of note happened in the past couple of weeks that we wanted to address. The first is that Metroid Dread was released as a full-priced $60 game, and the second is that the Nintendo Online Expansion Pass was made available for $50/year. There's been different forms of backlash to both of these things and today we're here to ask: why? Do we agree with the current pricing structures? Should we join the outrage mob? Or should we all just focus on our backlogs?

The Opening and Closing theme we used for this podcast is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

Brohang: A Podcast About A Podcast About A Podcast

Wed, 03 Nov 2021 03:01:41 -0000

We wanted to discuss some thoughts on The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill after listening to this episode of Cultish and the way it reframes some of the events of the church. There's a lot to learn about the situation but we tried to limit ourselves to an hour and a half of a podcast about a podcast about a podcast.

Part of the Opening theme is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

88: Doki Doki Nightmare Fuel

Wed, 27 Oct 2021 02:23:56 -0000

This year's spooky game is Doki Doki Literature Club. How is a visual novel about Japanese school girls a spooky game? Well, tune in and find out. But uhhh, make sure you're at least 13 and are prepared to see some disturbing images. Due to the nature of the game, there is only a very little bit of the game we can discuss before delving into massive spoilers, so if you're up for it head over HERE to download the game and play through it yourself before listening.

The Opening and Closing theme we used for this podcast is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

Bite sized: Easy Mode

Wed, 20 Oct 2021 01:12:26 -0000

This week Josh explains his thoughts on why Easy Mode is the worst...or at least why he used to think so and what may have changed his mind.

Part of the Opening theme is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

87: A Booklog Breakdown w/ James Roberts

Wed, 13 Oct 2021 12:52:59 -0000

This week Josh and Nate are joined by James Roberts to talk about stewardship and their thoughts on the book "The Comfort Crisis" by Michael Easter. Are we too comfortable? Do our gaming habits play into it? We'll be talking about this and more on today's episode.If you're interested in following his booklog adventures, click here and go say Hi to James over on Facebook.

The Opening and Closing theme we used for this podcast is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

Bite sized: Book Club Ruminations

Wed, 06 Oct 2021 04:11:19 -0000

Since our last episode was so much fun, Nate has some thoughts on the Book Club format going forward.

Part of the Opening theme is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

86: Book Club: Control

Wed, 29 Sep 2021 00:17:00 -0000

On our first ever Backlog Book Club episode, we're tackling Remedy's Control, available on pretty much any modern platform. We've invited our friends to play with us and give their thoughts and this time around we have Micah, Dorian, and (amazing!) Josh joining us!

Say Hi to Micah over on Twitter, Dorian on the GG app, and Amazing Josh over at his blog.

The Opening and Closing theme we used for this podcast is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

Bite sized: Knights of the (really) old Republic (ft. TheTechnoFunkBoy)

Wed, 22 Sep 2021 02:55:43 -0000

This week The TechnoFunkBoy gives some thoughts on Star Wars, storytelling, and what makes Knights of the Old Republic great. Should KOTOR stay old, or is there any potential in a remake?

Be sure and follow TechnoFunkBoy over on Twitch, and check out his latest podcast, Montblanc's Hunters, here!

Part of the Opening theme is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

85: HZD VS BotW

Wed, 15 Sep 2021 03:10:23 -0000

It's time to hash out our differences on the best game of 2017--4 years later! Horizon Zero Dawn versus Breath of the Wild. Yes, we're talking about hookshots, matriarchal tribes, and awkward facial animations. Which game will come out on top?

The Opening and Closing theme we used for this podcast is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

Bite sized: Minimalist Collections

Wed, 08 Sep 2021 01:37:09 -0000

Are there any benefits to paring down your possessions? Does your video game collection spark joy? Are they really accomplishing the purpose for which you decided to buy them in the first place? Sure, it may be ironic coming from a collector, but what things can we learn from minimalism and how can we apply it to the way we play games?

Part of the Opening theme is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

84: Backvlogs with Logan Sharp (of The Reformed Gamers)

Wed, 01 Sep 2021 05:12:00 -0000

This week Nate interviews Logan Sharp of The Reformed Gamers on his descent into his backlog. Logan recently started a youtube series in which he's decided to go through his entire backlog of games over the next year! Why the sudden motivation? What will he do with his games after he's beaten them? Does he wear skinny jeans? All these questions and more will be answered this week on The Backlog Breakdown!

Check out Logan over at The Reformed Gamers' website, Youtube page, and his Twitch channel.

The Opening and Closing theme we used for this podcast is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

Bite sized: What makes a Sonic game? (ft. Jacob Van Olst)

Wed, 25 Aug 2021 05:35:00 -0000

On this bite sized episode of the podcast we have friend of the show Jacob Van Olst giving a breakdown of what he believes to be the throughline in all of the mainline Sonic games. "How would he know?" you may be thinking. Well, Mr. Van Olst has been on a recent Sonic kick that's taken him through the ENTIRE series over the course of the past year, so he knows a thing or two about video games featuring chili-dog eating blue hedgehogs.

Part of the Opening theme is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

83: The State of the Top 100 of the Podcast

Wed, 18 Aug 2021 03:45:29 -0000

Since we're halfway into 2021 (or at least we were at some point) we're taking a bit of time to re-look at our Top 100 list and evaluate the podcast as a whole and what we can do going forward to improve and grow.

The Opening and Closing theme we used for this podcast is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

Bite sized: Moonlighter

Wed, 11 Aug 2021 14:09:22 -0000

This week we're giving our thoughts, impressions, and a bit of a review of 2018's indie darling, Moonlighter. This came from one of our Brohangs, our Patreon-exclusive aftershows, so it's a bit more laid back and casual than our usual all-business selves.

Part of the Opening theme is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

82: Gaming and Stonks (ft. Michael Baumeister)

Wed, 04 Aug 2021 05:11:55 -0000

Michael Baumeister joins us to talk about all things finances, as it relates to video games. Gamestonks, budgeting, and the place of entertainment are all hit on during our time together, so come hang out!

Feel free to reach out to Michael over on our Discord channel or on Twitter.

Our Facebook group is The Backlog Book Club and Here is our Twitter. You can also email us at thebacklogbreakdown@gmail.com. And if you'd like to support us, you can visit our Patreon. If you want to get more personal, you can find Nate on PSN at Nate_McKeever or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG and Josh on PSN at Broccolope or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG.

The Opening and Closing theme we used for this podcast is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

Bite-sized: Fanboys are sadbois

Wed, 28 Jul 2021 05:25:14 -0000

This week Nate gives his thoughts on fanboys--is it really celebrating what you like when you feel like you have to put down others for what they enjoy? And is there a place for that in the body of Christ? I think you might already know the answer, but Nate goes a bit more in depth on what it says about us when we cling so tightly to a particular camp.

Our Facebook group is The Backlog Book Club and Here is our Twitter. You can also email us at thebacklogbreakdown@gmail.com. And if you'd like to support us, you can visit our Patreon.

Part of the Opening theme is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

81: Addiction

Wed, 21 Jul 2021 12:02:08 -0000

Occasionally we like to look at some heavier topics and how they relate to video games. So addiction; what's really going on in your head and heart when you get addicted?

The Opening and Closing theme we used for this podcast is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

Bite-sized: Rurouni Kenshin

Wed, 14 Jul 2021 05:39:00 -0000

Josh likes manga, and his favorite happens to be Rurouni Kenshin. If you're interested, why not listen to him nerd out on why he likes it so much for half an hour?

Our Facebook group is The Backlog Book Club and Here is our Twitter. You can also email us at thebacklogbreakdown@gmail.com. And if you'd like to support us, you can visit our Patreon.

Part of the Opening theme is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

80: Nier Automata - Spoilercast

Wed, 07 Jul 2021 05:30:00 -0000

Nier Automata is a bizarre, convoluted nightmare of a game; but also a flawed masterpiece. How can those things coexist? Well, crack open a cold one and sit down for a couple of hours while our fearless hosts detail some of the most profound peaks and valleys of this unique oddity of a video game.

The Opening and Closing theme we used for this podcast is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

Bite Sized: Gimme That Next Gen

Wed, 30 Jun 2021 05:19:53 -0000

This week Nate looks at the power of the latest generation of consoles and what it could mean for gaming in the days ahead. Are they currently being hampered by the previous generation? Well, clearly they are but this gen has only just begun and Nate's body is ready for what comes next.

Our Facebook group is The Backlog Book Club and Here is our Twitter. You can also email us at thebacklogbreakdown@gmail.com. And if you'd like to support us, you can visit our Patreon.

Part of the Opening theme is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

79: Nier: Automata Impressions + Baggage

Wed, 23 Jun 2021 05:05:00 -0000

This week we're giving some generally spoiler-free thoughts on Nier: Automata, it's background, and our history with the series and it's creator. So sorry about Josh's audio, he only recorded through his laptop's mic rather than the microphone that has right in front of his face. "It sucks and I hate it." - Josh

The Opening and Closing theme we used for this podcast is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

Bite sized: Female Robots??

Thu, 17 Jun 2021 21:49:28 -0000

This week Josh verbally processes about "female robots" and what it says about our culture by using the words "ironic" and "profound" WAY too much.

Our Facebook group is The Backlog Book Club and Here is our Twitter. You can also email us at thebacklogbreakdown@gmail.com. And if you'd like to support us, you can visit our Patreon.

Part of the Opening theme is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

78: Endless Bro Night (w/ The HenshinDad)

Tue, 08 Jun 2021 21:59:49 -0000

Wes joins us this week to talk about a trio of games he forced us to play...kind of. On paper, a set of dancing visual novels don't exactly sound like our cup of tea, but is there more to these games than meets the eye?

To hear more from Wes on tokusatsu and other musings (like Ultraman all month long in June!), check out The HenshinDad podcast.

The Opening and Closing theme we used for this podcast is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

Bite sized: Magic the Gathering: Arena

Wed, 02 Jun 2021 05:05:00 -0000

We haven't really dug into digital card games here on the Backlog Breakdown, but all that changes this week with Nate's experience and thoughts about the classic, Magic the Gathering: Arena.

Our Facebook group is The Backlog Book Club and Here is our Twitter. You can also email us at thebacklogbreakdown@gmail.com. And if you'd like to support us, you can visit our Patreon.

Part of the Opening theme is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

77: Emulation Revisited (w/ the TechnoFunkBoy)

Wed, 26 May 2021 20:12:08 -0000

Emulation, ROMs, legality, conscience, and morals. Do we have answers? Well, sort of.

Check out Paul's latest podcast, Montblanc's Hunters, here!

The Opening and Closing theme we used for this podcast is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

Bite sized: Denial and Integration

Wed, 19 May 2021 05:41:00 -0000

And you thought we were done talking about gow 2018, didn't you? Well, this week Josh is coming at you with some thoughts about the game that he didn't share previously, and what the Bible has to say about about how our intellect affects every part of our being. I know it doesn't make sense here, but hopefully it'll make a bit more sense after 20 minutes of talking about it?

Our Facebook group is The Backlog Book Club and Here is our Twitter. You can also email us at thebacklogbreakdown@gmail.com. And if you'd like to support us, you can visit our Patreon.

Part of the Opening theme is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

76: Mash-ups (ft. Trash Turkey)

Wed, 12 May 2021 05:05:00 -0000

This week we're mashing up a few podcasts on backlogs and talking about mash-up games that mix genres! A big thank you to the Trash Turkey for joining us and putting up with our stupid jokes. Say Hi to him over on Twitter.

The Opening and Closing theme we used for this podcast is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

Bite-sized: The Naked Truth (nudity in gaming by Jacob Van Olst)

Wed, 05 May 2021 05:00:00 -0000

A new contributor to the podcast but long time friend of the show Jacob Van Olst breaks down the controversial topic of whether nudity in art and video games in sinful.

Our Facebook group is The Backlog Book Club and Here is our Twitter. You can also email us at thebacklogbreakdown@gmail.com. And if you'd like to support us, you can visit our Patreon.

Part of the Opening theme is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

75: GoW Finale

Wed, 28 Apr 2021 05:23:00 -0000

We're 3 episodes in on god of war 2018, so you'd think there wouldn't be much more to say about it, right? Well, you're wrong because part 3 of our discussion ends up being our beefiest part yet.

The Opening and Closing theme we used for this podcast is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

Bite-sized: The State of Sony (w/ Micah Hendrick)

Wed, 21 Apr 2021 05:05:49 -0000

Nate and Micah got together this week to talk about the current state of the games industry in general and Sony in particular.

Our Facebook group is The Backlog Book Club and Here is our Twitter. You can also email us at thebacklogbreakdown@gmail.com. And if you'd like to support us, you can visit our Patreon.

If you want to get more personal, you can find Nate on PSN at Nate_McKeever or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG and Josh on PSN at Broccolope or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG.

The Opening and Closing theme we used for this podcast is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

74: god of war's first half

Wed, 14 Apr 2021 05:05:09 -0000

Well, we tried to tackle the whole game but didn't make it. Blame the whiskey? Regardless, this week we're discussing the story and some of the themes in the first half of god of war (2018).

The Opening and Closing theme we used for this podcast is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

Bite sized: Sustainable Stewardship (ft. The HenshinDad)

Wed, 07 Apr 2021 05:11:00 -0000

This week our good friend Wesley Rea encourages us to think through stewardship in every area of our lives, including the ways in which we provide for ourselves and our families; complete with some practical steps to get started! To hear more from Wes on tokusatsu and other musings, check out The HenshinDad podcast.

Our Facebook group is The Backlog Book Club and Here is our Twitter. You can also email us at thebacklogbreakdown@gmail.com. And if you'd like to support us, you can visit our Patreon.

If you want to get more personal, you can find Nate on PSN at Nate_McKeever or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG and Josh on PSN at Broccolope or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG.

The Opening and Closing theme we used for this podcast is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

73: god of War (A breakdown of our baggage)

Wed, 31 Mar 2021 05:05:00 -0000

We're playing around with a slight format change and have decided to tackle God of War (2018) with a series of episodes. This one dives into our history with the series and how this one changes its direction, along with overall thoughts and only the very lightest of spoilers.

The Opening and Closing theme we used for this podcast is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

Bite sized: A Legacy

Wed, 24 Mar 2021 05:04:53 -0000

This week Nate pays tribute to one of the men in his life who has helped shape him into who he is today.

We'd love for you to join in our ongoing conversations! Our Facebook group is The Backlog Book Club and Here is our Twitter. You can also email us at thebacklogbreakdown@gmail.com. And if you'd like to support us, you can visit our Patreon.

If you want to get more personal, you can find Nate on PSN at Nate_McKeever or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG and Josh on PSN at Broccolope or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG.

72: Game & Watch (Gaming on TV)

Wed, 17 Mar 2021 05:05:00 -0000

In the past 30 years, the video game landscape has drastically changed. Not only the games themselves, but even media about games has expanded to include very deep dives on very niche topics, with an audience who continually comes back for more. Whether it's Youtube content or Twitch streaming, how do we interact with these media about our favorite kinds of media?

The Opening and Closing theme we used for this podcast is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix. And we played a bit of "Chant My Name" by Masaaki Endoh (the theme song to Ultraman Z) in the middle of the episode.

Bite-sized: Diving Deep on Youtube

Wed, 10 Mar 2021 06:19:00 -0000

Josh watches a lot of Youtube. A good chunk of that is related to video games. Here he talks about some of his favorite channels that delve into more of a documentary style, or at least provide really good arguments as to why you should or shouldn't play certain games.

Here are some links to the channels: Slope's Game Room The Angry Video Game Nerd The Gaming Historian Resonant Arc My Life in Gaming The Completionist Did You Know Gaming? No Clip Stop Skeletons From Fighting Classic Gaming Quarterly GTV Japan The Geek Critique The TechnoFunkBoy The Reformed Gamers

71: Dragon Quest V

Wed, 03 Mar 2021 06:01:00 -0000

Japan loves Dragon Quest. Japan especially loves Dragon Quest V. Do we love Dragon Quest V? How about the Dragon Quest: Your Story movie that's based on the game? All this and more, this week on the Backlog Breakdown!

The Opening and Closing theme we used for this podcast is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

PWNcast Special - Ready Player 2: A Steady DeCline

Thu, 25 Feb 2021 01:34:08 -0000

On this special episode, all of the guys from the Play Well Network get together to talk about an infamous work of fiction: Ernest Cline's Ready Player 2.

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure and check out all of the podcasts on the Play Well Network at https://playwellnetwork.com/

70: Analysis Paralysis

Wed, 17 Feb 2021 04:10:05 -0000

You may be screaming into the void: "I've got such a huge backlog, I don't know what to play next! Help me!" Well don't worry, fair listener, for Josh and Nate have heard you and are here to give you some tips and tricks on how to make a decision when all you have are great options to choose from.

The Opening and Closing theme we used for this podcast is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

Bite sized: GameStonks

Wed, 10 Feb 2021 06:05:00 -0000

Nothing too profound this week, just a couple of dudes laughing over the state of the world and everyone's favorite retailer, GameStop. This was cut from our Patreon exclusive preshow, the brohang (hence the different intro/outro music).

If you want to get more personal, you can find Nate on PSN at Nate_McKeever or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG and Josh on PSN at Broccolope or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG.

69: What Remains of Edith Finch (ft. Micah Hendrick)

Wed, 03 Feb 2021 06:00:00 -0000

Somehow we managed to make an episode about What Remains of Edith Finch that is longer than actually playing through the entire game yourself. That definitely says something about how much the game has effected us, though it also confirms that we are just absolutely horrible at brevity. A huge thanks to Micah for hanging out with us all night for this one! Hit him up on Twitter for more of his thoughts of video games and photo-mode snapshots!

The Opening and Closing theme we used for this podcast is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

Bite sized: Soul Hackers

Wed, 27 Jan 2021 06:05:00 -0000

This week Josh gives his thoughts on his first beaten game of 2021: Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Summoner: Soul Hackers, complete with a brief history of how it got such a convoluted name.

If you want to get more personal, you can find Nate on PSN at Nate_McKeever or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG and Josh on PSN at Broccolope or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG.

68: HD Resolutions

Wed, 20 Jan 2021 06:06:00 -0000

This week we're talking about resolutions, goals, habits, and all that new years-y kinda stuff. Are they helpful? If so, what are some of the pitfalls? How do you go about fulfilling them throughout the year? We aren't gurus or anything, but hopefully we can break down some of the benefits.

The Opening and Closing theme we used for this podcast is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

Bite sized: 2021's #backlog Beatdown

Wed, 13 Jan 2021 17:43:22 -0000

On this bite sized episode, Josh and Nate talk about why we're doing the 2021 #backlog Beatdown, the official rules as they stand, and how you can join in on the fun.

If you want to get more personal, you can find Nate on PSN at Nate_McKeever or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG and Josh on PSN at Broccolope or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG.

67: The REAL Top 100 & Gaming in 2021

Wed, 06 Jan 2021 06:01:00 -0000

On this episode we finalize our Top 100 Games list for 2021 and take a look ahead for what we're excited for in the coming year and some ideas on how we'll tackle our backlogs.

The Opening and Closing theme we used for this podcast is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

Bite sized: In Defense of Final Fantasy IV

Wed, 30 Dec 2020 14:03:41 -0000

On last week's episode, Josh said that Final Fantasy IV doesn't deserve a spot on the Top 100 Games list. TheTechnoFunkBoy begs to differ, and on today's bite sized episode, you'll hear why it's so great.

A bit thank you goes out to TheTechnoFunkBoy for his contribution and for tackling such a tough subject. Be sure and check out his podcast Retro Station which is also a part of the Play Well Network, or say Hi over on Twitter.

If you want to get more personal, you can find Nate on PSN at Nate_McKeever or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG and Josh on PSN at Broccolope or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG.

66: Top 100 - 2021 Edition (Part 2)

Wed, 23 Dec 2020 18:05:00 -0000

Josh goes crazy and decides to hack away half of our Top 100 games list while Nate talks him down. Somehow we thought it would be a good idea to discuss 125+ games in a single episode--you think we'd know by now how bad at brevity we are but it turns out we continue to surprise ourselves by doing the same thing every episode. Since this episode so beefy, it had to be split into 2 parts. Part 2 contains our main topic discussion.

The Opening and Closing theme we used for this podcast is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

66: Top 100 - 2021 Edition (Part 1)

Wed, 23 Dec 2020 06:24:00 -0000

The Opening and Closing theme we used for this podcast is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

Bite sized: Nearly No (something) November Recap

Wed, 16 Dec 2020 06:05:00 -0000

Josh and Nate decided to pull back from screens and/or social media during the month of November as a sort of trial period to reset and reevaluate. Was it helpful in any way? Find out on this week's bite sized episode!

If you want to get more personal, you can find Nate on PSN at Nate_McKeever or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG and Josh on PSN at Broccolope or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG.

Part of the Opening theme is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

Bonus Breakdown: Nate's Best Bosses

Fri, 11 Dec 2020 23:00:00 -0000

Nate wanted in on the action from episode 65 and recorded a bonus episode with his favorite bosses live on Facebook.

Our Facebook group is The Backlog Book Club and Here is our Twitter. You can also email us at thebacklogbreakdown@gmail.com. And if you'd like to support us, you can visit our Patreon.

If you want to get more personal, you can find Nate on PSN at Nate_McKeever or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG and Josh on PSN at Broccolope or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG.

The Opening and Closing theme we used for this podcast is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

65: Like a Boss

Wed, 09 Dec 2020 06:01:00 -0000

This week Josh & Wes talk about their favorite boss battles in all of gaming and some that are just the worst. Like, absolute trash. Bosses that can make people break controllers and swear off gaming forever.

Our Facebook group is The Backlog Book Club and Here is our Twitter. You can also email us at thebacklogbreakdown@gmail.com. And if you'd like to support us, you can visit our Patreon.

If you want to get more personal, you can find Nate on PSN at Nate_McKeever or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG and Josh on PSN at Broccolope or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG.

The Opening and Closing theme we used for this podcast is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

Bite sized: Persona 5 - The Royal Treatment

Wed, 02 Dec 2020 06:03:00 -0000

Remember when The HenshinDad himself came on for our summer series on Persona 5? Well, using his magical time wizard powers, he not only played through but achieved the platinum trophy for Persona 5 Royal. Is it any good? How does it compare to the original? All that and more on this somewhat bite sized episode of the Backlog Breakdown!

Be sure and check out Wesley's podcast, Henshin Dad, and follow him on Twitter for all things Tokusatsu!

If you want to get more personal, you can find Nate on PSN at Nate_McKeever or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG and Josh on PSN at Broccolope or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG.

64: Gratitude Dudes

Wed, 25 Nov 2020 06:01:00 -0000

I know it's a dumb name for an episode; I couldn't think of anything better. But regardless, stopping to be thankful is really powerful and hopefully our discussion can help you look to what you've been given, too.

Our Facebook group is The Backlog Book Club and Here is our Twitter. You can also email us at thebacklogbreakdown@gmail.com. And if you'd like to support us, you can visit our Patreon.

If you want to get more personal, you can find Nate on PSN at Nate_McKeever or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG and Josh on PSN at Broccolope or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG.

The Opening and Closing theme we used for this podcast is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

Bite sized: XCOM 2

Wed, 18 Nov 2020 04:12:05 -0000

"What's Nate gunna talk about this week?" is the question. XCOM is the answer. Well, XCOM 2, but close enough.

If you want to get more personal, you can find Nate on PSN at Nate_McKeever or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG and Josh on PSN at Broccolope or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG.

Part of the Opening theme is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

63: The Dark Side of Productivity

Wed, 11 Nov 2020 06:01:00 -0000

We're a podcast about enjoying video games as stewards of the time that God gives us, so naturally we're fans of productivity tips and ways to schedule our lives that can help us to maximize our time. But is it always good to try and be productive, no matter the cost? This week we're tackling the toxic side of productivity and some of the pitfalls we've found ourselves in when we see our lives and relationships as primarily transactional.

Since we mentioned it in the episode, you can watch/listen to Josh's latest message he preached at his church here.

Our Facebook group is The Backlog Book Club and Here is our Twitter. You can also email us at thebacklogbreakdown@gmail.com. And if you'd like to support us, you can visit our Patreon.

If you want to get more personal, you can find Nate on PSN at Nate_McKeever or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG and Josh on PSN at Broccolope or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG.

The Opening and Closing theme we used for this podcast is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

Timestamps:

0:00:20- the opening bit

0:03:01- some political rambling/ranting

0:11:18- the boys get caught up

0:23:20- the #backlog report

1:02:39- a word from our friends

1:03:30- the main topic

1:51:52- wrapping up/contact info

1:54:05- shoutout to Dorian

1:57:29- the final word

Bite sized: Nearly No (social media) November

Wed, 04 Nov 2020 06:01:00 -0000

Josh is a jerk and stole Nate's idea for a bite-sized episode. He's going to spend November pulling back from social media and phone usage, but why you may ask? Well tune in to hear it from his own mouth this week on the backlog breakdown!

If you want to get more personal, you can find Nate on PSN at Nate_McKeever or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG and Josh on PSN at Broccolope or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG.

Part of the Opening theme is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

62: Bioshock (ft. Micah Hendrick)

Wed, 28 Oct 2020 05:01:00 -0000

Take a dive down into Rapture with us as we take a nice, beefy look at 2007's seminal video game masterpiece, Bioshock, with our good friend Micah Hendrick.

Our Facebook group is The Backlog Book Club and Here is our Twitter. You can also email us at thebacklogbreakdown@gmail.com. And if you'd like to support us, you can visit our Patreon.

If you want to get more personal, you can find Nate on PSN at Nate_McKeever or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG and Josh on PSN at Broccolope or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG.

The Opening and Closing theme we used for this podcast is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

Bite sized: SuperGiant is Super Rad

Wed, 21 Oct 2020 05:01:00 -0000

On this return-to-form bite sized episode, Nate discusses why SuperGiant games may just be the best indie dev team out there currently making games. At least until Silksong comes out.

If you want to get more personal, you can find Nate on PSN at Nate_McKeever or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG and Josh on PSN at Broccolope or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG.

Part of the Opening theme is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

61: How Shall We Then Play Horror Games?

Wed, 14 Oct 2020 05:01:00 -0000

It's October, so we decided to talk about horror games as a genre and how they use their mechanics to effect the player. Can horror really be considered a genre?

Our Facebook group is The Backlog Book Club and Here is our Twitter. You can also email us at thebacklogbreakdown@gmail.com. And if you'd like to support us, you can visit our Patreon.

If you want to get more personal, you can find Nate on PSN at Nate_McKeever or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG and Josh on PSN at Broccolope or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG.

The Opening and Closing theme we used for this podcast is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

Bite sized: A Story Borne of Blood

Wed, 07 Oct 2020 05:01:00 -0000

The story of Bloodborne is vague and esoteric, and is told through character interactions and items descriptions. Basically, it's hidden really well in the game, for better or worse. This week Josh explains what he understands to be the main story of the game in a single, 45-minute rambling. Maybe he's gone made trying to understand it all? I guess you'll have to decide for yourself.

This episode is cut from our regular "brohangs", which are pre-show hangouts where we discuss miscellaneous topics and rant about our opinions on everything from movies to politics to planning out our episode schedule. Brohangs are accessible by our Patrons from as little as $1 per month, so if you're interested in hearing more content from us you can check them out Here.

The Opening theme we used for this episode is: "Time Chill" ReMix by Juan mv, hosted by OCRemix.

60: Loving the Craft of Bloodborne

Wed, 30 Sep 2020 05:01:00 -0000

This time around we're talking Bloodborne: the good, the... well, there isn't much bad about it, and the ugly, which is basically the entire game. Strap yourself in for some mind-altering gothic and Lovecraftian horror. It's gunna be a weird one.

Our Facebook group is The Backlog Book Club and Here is our Twitter. You can also email us at thebacklogbreakdown@gmail.com. And if you'd like to support us, you can visit our Patreon.

If you want to get more personal, you can find Nate on PSN at Nate_McKeever or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG and Josh on PSN at Broccolope or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG.

The Opening and Closing theme we used for this podcast is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

Breakout Brohang: Thoughts on Next Gen

Wed, 23 Sep 2020 05:01:00 -0000

Can it really be considered a bite-sized episode if it's over an hour long? We didn't think so, but we still thought you may want to hear our thoughts on the next generation of consoles coming out in November.

The Opening and Closing theme we used for this episode is: "Time Chill" ReMix by Juan mv, hosted by OCRemix.

59: Backlog Mailbag: Games as Work?

Wed, 16 Sep 2020 03:29:54 -0000

This week we're discussing a question we received about whether or not Christians should pursue a career in gaming. Is it wrong? Is it helpful? Is it wise? Listen in as we try and come up with a few answers and how we've come to our conclusions.

Our Facebook group is The Backlog Book Club and Here is our Twitter. You can also email us at thebacklogbreakdown@gmail.com. And if you'd like to support us, you can visit our Patreon.

If you want to get more personal, you can find Nate on PSN at Nate_McKeever or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG and Josh on PSN at Broccolope or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG.

The Opening and Closing theme we used for this podcast is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

Bite sized: Burnout

Wed, 09 Sep 2020 05:01:00 -0000

On this week's bite sized episode, Nate tackling the dreaded burnout. Not, like, the series of racing games, but the sense of not really wanting to play anything at all. What can we learn from times like these? Well, take 20 minutes of your day and find out here on the Backlog Breakdown.

If you want to get more personal, you can find Nate on PSN at Nate_McKeever or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG and Josh on PSN at Broccolope or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG.

Part of the Opening theme is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

58: The Best I Never Had

Wed, 02 Sep 2020 05:01:00 -0000

We've all got immense backlogs, but that doesn't mean that they're all good games. As they age without having been played, the cream of the crop rise to the top. Today we're talking about all the greats that we haven't yet played!

Our Facebook group is The Backlog Book Club and Here is our Twitter. You can also email us at thebacklogbreakdown@gmail.com. And if you'd like to support us, you can visit our Patreon.

If you want to get more personal, you can find Nate on PSN at Nate_McKeever or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG and Josh on PSN at Broccolope or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG.

The Opening and Closing theme we used for this podcast is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

Bite sized: Yu-Gi-Oh!

Wed, 26 Aug 2020 05:01:00 -0000

Yu-Gi-Oh is a video game too, right? This week Josh shares a rambling diatribe about a shonen manga and the power of nostalgia. Context and background play a big part in understanding how Yu-Gi-Oh originally came about and Josh likes to talk.

If you want to get more personal, you can find Nate on PSN at Nate_McKeever or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG and Josh on PSN at Broccolope or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG.

Part of the Opening theme is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

57: Angry Video Game Nerds

Wed, 19 Aug 2020 05:01:00 -0000

As the title references, gamers can be known for their unbridled rage, leading to the destruction of controllers, TVs, and sometimes the English language. But is anger always an improper response? What exactly causes such visceral fury? This week Josh and Nate take a look at anger and is relationship with gaming and what we can learn when we dig a bit deeper.

Our Facebook group is The Backlog Book Club and Here is our Twitter. You can also email us at thebacklogbreakdown@gmail.com. And if you'd like to support us, you can visit our Patreon.

If you want to get more personal, you can find Nate on PSN at Nate_McKeever or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG and Josh on PSN at Broccolope or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG.

The Opening and Closing theme we used for this podcast is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix and the main topic theme is: "Kirb Your Enthusiasm" by Brandon Strater and halc, also hosted by OCRemix.

Bite sized: HenshinDad on Ouendan

Wed, 12 Aug 2020 05:01:00 -0000

You may not know the series by its Japanese name, but have you ever heard of Elite Beat Agents? Did you know it was an American-ized version of a longer running Japanese series? Well, HenshinDad is here to school you on these wacky rhythm games on this week's bite sized breakdown!

Be sure and check out Wesley's podcast, Henshin Dad, and follow him on Twitter for all things Tokusatsu!

If you want to get more personal, you can find Nate on PSN at Nate_McKeever or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG and Josh on PSN at Broccolope or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG.

Part of the Opening theme is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

56: Persona 5 Deep Dive ft. HenshinDad

Wed, 05 Aug 2020 05:01:00 -0000

The boys are back at it with the HenshinDad, breaking down their spoiler-filled thoughts on the story and themes of Persona 5. What is the game trying to say? And what does it provide as the antidote to the ills of society? There's so much to unpack about this 100+ hour RPG that there may be some more discussion on the future. Who knows?

Check out Wes's Summer of Persona series Here and be sure and check out Wesley's podcast, Henshin Dad, and follow him on Twitter for all things Tokusatsu!

Our Facebook group is The Backlog Book Club and Here is our Twitter. You can also email us at thebacklogbreakdown@gmail.com. And if you'd like to support us, you can visit our Patreon.

If you want to get more personal, you can find Nate on PSN at Nate_McKeever or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG and Josh on PSN at Broccolope or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG.

The Opening and Closing theme we used for this podcast is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

Bite sized? Spiderman: Into the Spiderverse

Wed, 29 Jul 2020 05:01:00 -0000

This week's "bite sized" episode is taken from our Brohang: our extra chats that are available for our Patreon members. We'd mentioned in the past how Josh thinks that Into the Spiderverse is overrated, so we wanted to flesh that out a bit more and break down the benefits (and not so beneficial things) about Spiderman, masculinity, and Ernest Cline books.

If you want to get more personal, you can find Nate on PSN at Nate_McKeever or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG and Josh on PSN at Broccolope or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG.

We decided to use our Brohang music for this one, so the Opening and Closing theme we used for this episode is: "Time Chill" ReMix by Juan mv, hosted by OCRemix.

55: Persona 5 Overview ft. HenshinDad

Wed, 22 Jul 2020 05:01:04 -0000

Persona 5 is a huge game. In lieu of this, we decided to split up our discussion of the game into two episodes: one covering our thoughts on the game as a whole, the second diving deeper into the story and themes of the game and what it is trying to say. Our good friend the Henshin Dad joined us to talk about the game and all of is highs and lows. Be sure and join us again in 2 weeks for more Persona 5!

Be sure and check out Wesley's podcast, Henshin Dad, and be sure to follow him on Twitter for all things Tokusatsu!

Our Facebook group is The Backlog Book Club and Here is our Twitter. You can also email us at thebacklogbreakdown@gmail.com. And if you'd like to support us, you can visit our Patreon.

If you want to get more personal, you can find Nate on PSN at Nate_McKeever or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG and Josh on PSN at Broccolope or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG.

Bite sized: Reckful (ft. The TechnoFunkBoy)

Wed, 15 Jul 2020 17:10:09 -0000

This weeks's bite sized episode is quite a bit heavier than usual, but sometimes it's good to just stop and take stock of current events and what we can learn from them, even if it leaves us at a loss for words.

If you want to get more personal, you can find Nate on PSN at Nate_McKeever or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG and Josh on PSN at Broccolope or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG.

Part of the Opening theme is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

Bonus: Weird & Wacky One-Off ft. AMA Winners and PWN.

Sat, 11 Jul 2020 03:03:08 -0000

We're got some special announcements for you that just couldn't wait for a regular episode: the winners of our AMA contest and the premiere of our Play Well Network! And, because we're bad at brevity, a bunch of other small things as well.

Our Facebook group is The Backlog Book Club and Here is our Twitter. You can also email us at thebacklogbreakdown@gmail.com. And if you'd like to support us, you can visit our Patreon.

If you want to get more personal, you can find Nate on PSN at Nate_McKeever or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG and Josh on PSN at Broccolope or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG.

54: Material Boys in a Digital World

Wed, 08 Jul 2020 03:44:43 -0000

The nature of digital gaming in the modern world makes playing a plethora of different games convenient and almost universally accessible. But are there still any merits to owning physical games? Why do some people still prefer stacks of cartridges and discs over a single hard drive or memory card? On this episode we're here to tackle the pros and cons of physical and digital gaming.

Our Facebook group is The Backlog Book Club and Here is our Twitter. You can also email us at thebacklogbreakdown@gmail.com. And if you'd like to support us, you can visit our Patreon.

If you want to get more personal, you can find Nate on PSN at Nate_McKeever or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG and Josh on PSN at Broccolope or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG.

Bite sized: Nate Must Play Vita

Wed, 01 Jul 2020 05:01:00 -0000

Vita means life, Kinda ironic, isn't it? Well, not if your name is Nate McKeever. Listen in to find out why this little handheld may just still be worth your time.

This episode was edited by Reed Butterfield. If you have any audio editing, mixing, or mastering needs, check out his website Here for more information. Thanks, Reed!

If you want to get more personal, you can find Nate on PSN at Nate_McKeever or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG and Josh on PSN at Broccolope or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG.

Part of the Opening theme is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

53: Kcollecting w/ Jesse Knopp

Thu, 25 Jun 2020 02:15:33 -0000

This week we invited good friend of the show Jesse Knopp on to talk about his physical collection of games and why he keeps multiple copies of Chrono Trigger on SNES.

Our Facebook group is The Backlog Book Club and Here is our Twitter. You can also email us at thebacklogbreakdown@gmail.com. And if you'd like to support us, you can visit our Patreon.

If you want to get more personal, you can find Nate on PSN at Nate_McKeever or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG and Josh on PSN at Broccolope or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG.

Bite sized: Personae

Wed, 17 Jun 2020 05:01:00 -0000

You've heard of the games but what exactly is a Persona, and where did the concept originate? Can it teach us anything about humanity? Well, Josh gives his rambling thoughts on the subject on this week's bite sized episode.

If you want to get more personal, you can find Nate on PSN at Nate_McKeever or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG and Josh on PSN at Broccolope or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG.

Part of the Opening theme is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

52: The AMAs

Wed, 10 Jun 2020 05:01:00 -0000

We asked for questions and you guys responded, so today we're responding to your responses.

Our Facebook group is The Backlog Book Club and Here is our Twitter. You can also email us at thebacklogbreakdown@gmail.com. And if you'd like to support us, you can visit our Patreon.

If you want to get more personal, you can find Nate on PSN at Nate_McKeever or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG and Josh on PSN at Broccolope or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG.

Bite sized: Diablo 3

Wed, 03 Jun 2020 05:00:00 -0000

Nate thinks that Diablo 3 is the greatest shlooter in existence. This week, you get to hear him explain why. Okay, okay, but on the real, you get to hear Nate's history with the series and why he's still a big fan to this day.

If you want to get more personal, you can find Nate on PSN at Nate_McKeever or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG and Josh on PSN at Broccolope or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG.

Part of the Opening theme is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

51: Superior Mario Bros.

Wed, 27 May 2020 03:35:52 -0000

Super Mario Bros. 3 is a dang classic. But does it hold up today like it did back in 1988, or is it a relic of its time? You may already have an inkling of our conclusion from the episode title, but listen in to find out why we see things the way we do.

Our Facebook group is The Backlog Book Club and Here is our Twitter. You can also email us at thebacklogbreakdown@gmail.com. And if you'd like to support us, you can visit our Patreon.

If you want to get more personal, you can find Nate on PSN at Nate_McKeever or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG and Josh on PSN at Broccolope or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG.

Bite sized: Final Fantasy VI Piano Collections Review

Wed, 20 May 2020 16:00:58 -0000

A few weeks ago we talked about JRPGs and Final Fantasy VI kept coming up, so what better than to look at some piano arrangements of some of the game's best tracks? Well, I'm sure there are a few better things but this will have to do for now.

If you want to get more personal, you can find Nate on PSN at Nate_McKeever or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG and Josh on PSN at Broccolope or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG.

Part of the Opening theme is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

50: We're Halfway There: The Big Five-Oh

Wed, 13 May 2020 11:37:10 -0000

Today's episode marks 50 full length episodes of the podcast, so join us as we look back on the good, the bad, and the beefy of the past 2 years of podcasting.

This episode was edited by Reed Butterfield. If you have any audio editing, mixing, or mastering needs, check out his website Here for more information. Thanks, Reed!

Our Facebook group is The Backlog Book Club and Here is our Twitter. You can also email us at thebacklogbreakdown@gmail.com. And if you'd like to support us, you can visit our Patreon.

If you want to get more personal, you can find Nate on PSN at Nate_McKeever or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG and Josh on PSN at Broccolope or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG.

Bite sized: This Backlog Life - Gameboy (ft. HenshinDad)

Wed, 06 May 2020 05:01:00 -0000

In this special edition of the bite sized breakdown, Mr. Wesley Rea regales us with the tale of Nintendo's first dedicated portable handheld console. We hope it will be both engaging and educational for you.

Warmest of greetings, Ye olde Backlog bros.

Be sure and check out Wesley's podcast, Henshin Dad, and be sure to follow him on Twitter for all things Tokusatsu!

If you want to get more personal, you can find Nate on PSN at Nate_McKeever or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG and Josh on PSN at Broccolope or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG.

49: How Shall We Then Play JRPGs?

Wed, 29 Apr 2020 05:01:01 -0000

This week we're kicking off a new genre of episodes that focus on picking apart video game genres. Where do we start? Well I'll give you a hint (if you haven't yet read the episode title), we've been playing Octopath Traveler and Persona 5.

Our Facebook group is The Backlog Book Club and Here is our Twitter. You can also email us at thebacklogbreakdown@gmail.com. And if you'd like to support us, you can visit our Patreon.

If you want to get more personal, you can find Nate on PSN at Nate_McKeever or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG and Josh on PSN at Broccolope or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG.

Bite sized: My Kinda Sorta Sabbatarianism

Wed, 22 Apr 2020 13:00:04 -0000

Is Sunday your fun day or is it the day to get the best rest? This week Nate explains his understanding of Sabbatarianism and how he observes it, while Josh just makes bad podcast descriptions.

If you want to get more personal, you can find Nate on PSN at Nate_McKeever or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG and Josh on PSN at Broccolope or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG.

Part of the Opening theme is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

48: Productivity

Wed, 15 Apr 2020 05:19:09 -0000

Need some tips on productivity? Well, maybe you're listening to the wrong podcast. But hopefully we can help get you started on the road to using your time well.

Our Facebook group is The Backlog Book Club and Here is our Twitter. You can also email us at thebacklogbreakdown@gmail.com. And if you'd like to support us, you can visit our Patreon.

If you want to get more personal, you can find Nate on PSN at Nate_McKeever or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG and Josh on PSN at Broccolope or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG.

Bite sized: Virtue's Last Reward

Wed, 08 Apr 2020 14:51:45 -0000

Coming from our special quarantine bunker (yeah, sorry for the audio quality on this one), Josh breaks down why he got obsessed with Zero Escape: Virtue's Last Reward.

If you want to get more personal, you can find Nate on PSN at Nate_McKeever or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG and Josh on PSN at Broccolope or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG.

Part of the Opening theme is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

47: Resident Evil 2 (ft. Micah Hendrick)

Wed, 01 Apr 2020 05:01:00 -0000

The remake of Resident Evil 2, released in 2019, popped up on a few "best game of the year" lists. With it being so new, why are we talking about it on a Backlog podcast? Well, there's not much of an answer to that outside of the fact that its a darn good game--and we'll break down the benefits of playing one of the best in the series. A huge thanks to one of our patrons, Micah Hendrick for coming on the show to discuss it!

Say Hi to Micah on twitter and follow his gaming exploits over at GG.

Our Facebook group is The Backlog Book Club and Here is our Twitter. You can also email us at thebacklogbreakdown@gmail.com. And if you'd like to support us, you can visit our Patreon.

If you want to get more personal, you can find Nate on PSN at Nate_McKeever or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG and Josh on PSN at Broccolope or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG.

Bite Sized: Castle Crashers w/ Megan McKeever

Wed, 25 Mar 2020 05:01:00 -0000

Sometimes we play games with our spouses. Castle Crashers is one such game.

If you want to get more personal, you can find Nate on PSN at Nate_McKeever or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG and Josh on PSN at Broccolope or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG.

Part of the Opening theme is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

46: Now That's What I Call...Hyper Light Drifter!

Wed, 18 Mar 2020 04:35:24 -0000

In our new series, we're highlighting specific indie games that we think are worth your time. This week, we're taking a look at Hyper Light Drifter by HeartMachine.

Our Facebook group is The Backlog Book Club and Here is our Twitter. You can also email us at thebacklogbreakdown@gmail.com. And if you'd like to support us, you can visit our Patreon.

If you want to get more personal, you can find Nate on PSN at Nate_McKeever or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG and Josh on PSN at Broccolope or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG.

Bite Sized: Import Gaming ft. Wesley Rea

Wed, 11 Mar 2020 05:01:00 -0000

Wes likes games from other countries and you should, too. Why? Well, listen in and find out!

Be sure and check out Wesley's podcast, Henshin Dad, and be sure to follow him on Twitter for all things Tokusatsu!

If you want to get more personal, you can find Nate on PSN at Nate_McKeever or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG and Josh on PSN at Broccolope or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG.

Part of the Opening theme is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

45: Stick It In Your Pipe (ft. Beau York)

Wed, 04 Mar 2020 06:01:00 -0000

Despite the inflammatory title, this week we're discussing how to balance life as an adult while gaming with Beau York of The Country Squire Radio. Beau is a big advocate of podcasting and has about a million projects going on at any one time, so who better to tackle the myth of balance?

A big thanks to Beau for making time to come on the show this week. Drop him a line on twitter here and check out The Country Squire Radio.

Our Facebook group is The Backlog Book Club and Here is our Twitter. You can also email us at thebacklogbreakdown@gmail.com. And if you'd like to support us, you can visit our Patreon.

If you want to get more personal, you can find Nate on PSN at Nate_McKeever or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG and Josh on PSN at Broccolope or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG.

Bite Sized: 9 Hours, 9 Persons, 9 Doors

Wed, 26 Feb 2020 06:01:00 -0000

Josh finished a dark, wacky, slightly convoluted, Japanese sci-fi visual novel and wanted to debrief a little bit. Enjoy his voice as he talks.

If you want to get more personal, you can find Nate on PSN at Nate_McKeever or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG and Josh on PSN at Broccolope or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG.

Part of the Opening theme is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

44: Escapism

Wed, 19 Feb 2020 07:00:00 -0000

Are video games just an escape from reality? Is it wrong to view them as such? Where is the line between healthy recreation and retreat into virtual reality? While all of your questions may not be answered in a 2 hour podcast, Nate & Josh thought it would be helpful to try and discussion some of these questions as they relate to one of their favorite hobbies. And a big shoutout to Jonathan Hodrick for the question that sparked today's topic!

Our Facebook group is The Backlog Book Club and Here is our Twitter. You can also email us at thebacklogbreakdown@gmail.com. And if you'd like to support us, you can visit our Patreon.

If you want to get more personal, you can find Nate on PSN at Nate_McKeever or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG and Josh on PSN at Broccolope or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG.

Bite Sized: Remasters, Remakes, & The Wonderful 101

Wed, 12 Feb 2020 05:19:22 -0000

On this week's bite sized episode, Nate makes some observations about Kickstarter and preorders based on the recent announcement of the Wonderful 101 Remaster coming soon from Platinum games.

If you want to get more personal, you can find Nate on PSN at Nate_McKeever or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG and Josh on PSN at Broccolope or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG.

Part of the Opening theme is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

43: The Official BB Top 100 Games of All Time: 2020 Edition

Wed, 05 Feb 2020 21:23:24 -0000

We did it. We finalized our list of greatest games ever released, even if we've never played a lot of them. But it's official, so if you don't like it then you can wait til next year when our official list will probably look very different.

Our Facebook group is The Backlog Book Club and Here is our Twitter. You can also email us at thebacklogbreakdown@gmail.com. And if you'd like to support us, you can visit our Patreon.

If you want to get more personal, you can find Nate on PSN at Nate_McKeever or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG and Josh on PSN at Broccolope or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG.

Bite-Sized: Edutainment & Gamification (ft. Wesley Rea)

Wed, 29 Jan 2020 06:01:00 -0000

This week's bite sized episode is contributed by our fantastic friend of the show, the Henshin Dad himself, Mr. Wesley Rea! As a teacher by trade, Wes knows much more about the interplay between games and learning than either of our humble hosts and is here to educate us all about the subject.

For more on this topic, Wes recommends checking out the Well PlayED podcast and The Characteristics of Games from MIT press.

Be sure and check out Wesley's podcast, Henshin Dad and follow him on Twitter for all things Tokusatsu!

If you want to get more personal, you can find Nate on PSN at Nate_McKeever or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG and Josh on PSN at Broccolope or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG.

Part of the Opening theme is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

42: Bottom's Up

Wed, 22 Jan 2020 13:28:13 -0000

This week on The Backlog Breakdown, Nate and Josh are culling the official BB Top 100 games of all time list to something a little more manageable--and personal. At least, that's the idea. The list includes 138 games, so they're starting at the bottom and cutting what they believe doesn't belong.

Our Facebook group is The Backlog Book Club and Here is our Twitter. You can also email us at thebacklogbreakdown@gmail.com. And if you'd like to support us, you can visit our Patreon.

If you want to get more personal, you can find Nate on PSN at Nate_McKeever or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG and Josh on PSN at Broccolope or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG.

Bite Sized: And Now For Something Totally Random (ft. TechnoFunkBoy)

Wed, 15 Jan 2020 06:01:00 -0000

TheTechnoFunkBoy, Kai himself guests on this bite sized episode to break down the concept of randomness in classic games and its affect on speedruns.

Be sure and check out The TechnoFunkBoy's podcasts, The Retro Zoo Super Show and Dice & Dreary and follow him on Twitter to see all that he's up to!

If you've got feedback for us, send it to thebacklogbreakdown@gmail.com, join our Facebook group: The Backlog Book Club, and catch us on Twitter. And if you'd like to support us, you can visit our Patreon.

If you want to get more personal, you can find Nate on PSN at Nate_McKeever or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG and Josh on Twitter, Facebook, and GG.

Part of the Opening theme is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

41: Podcastineering 101

Wed, 08 Jan 2020 06:01:00 -0000

In the first episode of 2020, Josh and Nate take a look at what they're expecting from the new year, both in their lives and what's in store for the podcast.

The meme that Josh sent Nate can be seen here.

Our Facebook group is The Backlog Book Club and Here is our Twitter. You can also email us at thebacklogbreakdown@gmail.com. And if you'd like to support us, you can visit our Patreon.

If you want to get more personal, you can find Nate on PSN at Nate_McKeever or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG and Josh on PSN at Broccolope or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG.

Bite Sized: It is a live...sort of

Wed, 01 Jan 2020 15:26:29 -0000

We talked about our Christmas gifts and our giveaway winner. Enjoy!

Our Facebook group is The Backlog Book Club and Here is our Twitter. You can also email us at thebacklogbreakdown@gmail.com. And if you'd like to support us, you can visit our Patreon.

If you want to get more personal, you can find Nate on PSN at Nate_McKeever or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG and Josh on PSN at Broccolope or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG.

Part of the Opening theme is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

40: What 2019 Means to Me

Wed, 25 Dec 2019 06:01:53 -0000

As 2019 comes to close, the Backlog Bros. take a look back to evaluate at what they've played and what they've learned over the past year. #BacklogGolf had its share of pros and cons, and hopefully by reflecting a bit the bois are able to make better decisions in the coming year.

Also, if you want to see Norman Reedus and the Magical Fetus, Click Here.

Our Facebook group is The Backlog Book Club and Here is our Twitter. You can also email us at thebacklogbreakdown@gmail.com. And if you'd like to support us, you can visit our Patreon.

If you want to get more personal, you can find Nate on PSN at Nate_McKeever or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG and Josh on PSN at Broccolope or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG.

Bitesized: Set Your Goals

Wed, 18 Dec 2019 12:21:09 -0000

As the decade comes to a close, Josh explains his method for setting and achieving goals. Does it have anything to do with your backlog? Well, not really. But it may be beneficial.

Enter to win a $25 gift card for any digital video game storefront of your choice by sending us your top 10 games of all time and sharing the contest on social media! Our Facebook group is The Backlog Book Club and Here is our Twitter. You can also email us at thebacklogbreakdown@gmail.com. And if you'd like to support us, you can visit our Patreon.

If you want to get more personal, you can find Nate on PSN at Nate_McKeever or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG and Josh on PSN at Broccolope or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG.

Part of the Opening theme is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

39: Work Hard, Play Well

Wed, 11 Dec 2019 13:52:42 -0000

This time around, Josh and Nate discuss work, rest, and entertainment. Video games are our hobby of choice, but how should we view it in light of the responsibilities of life? They're definitely a good thing, but can you have too much of a good thing?

If you want to get more personal, you can find Nate on PSN at Nate_McKeever or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG and Josh on PSN at Broccolope or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG.

Bitesized: Thanks for Playing

Wed, 04 Dec 2019 06:01:00 -0000

On this week's bite sized episode, Nate is breaking down the benefits of his No Single Player November. Did the frustration mount or did he find it refreshing? Did it go by quickly or did time crawl due to boredom? You'll just have to listen and find out.

If you want to get more personal, you can find Nate on PSN at Nate_McKeever or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG and Josh on PSN at Broccolope or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG.

Part of the Opening theme is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

38.5 Calvin & Hobbes pt2

Wed, 27 Nov 2019 21:47:31 -0000

This week we're talking about the comic strip Calvin and Hobbes. What does a comic strip have to do with video games? Why are we discussing music for the first 20 minutes? Are you a Calvinist? All this and more on this week's episode of the Backlog Breakdown!

If you want to get more personal, you can find Nate on PSN at Nate_McKeever or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG and Josh on PSN at Broccolope or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG.

38: Calvin & Hobbes pt1

Wed, 27 Nov 2019 05:55:13 -0000

If you want to get more personal, you can find Nate on PSN at Nate_McKeever or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG and Josh on PSN at Broccolope or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG.

Bitesized: Jackbox

Wed, 20 Nov 2019 06:01:00 -0000

On this week's bite sized episode, Josh confirms the rumors: he did in fact find himself a PS4. So get ready for a story for which you already know the ending. In addition, he also talked about Jackbox and why you might want to pick yourself up a pack or two for the holidays. He forgot to mention it on the episode, but he recommends Party Pack 4 because it includes Fibbage 3, which has a handy "family friendly" feature that helps in mixed company.

If you want to get more personal, you can find Nate on PSN at Nate_McKeever or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG and Josh on PSN at Broccolope or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG.

Part of the Opening theme is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

37: The Backlog Brochachos

Wed, 13 Nov 2019 05:08:50 -0000

Due to a last minute scheduling conflict (and poor time management skills) Josh wasn't able to make it on the cast this week, but don't worry because it's a major upgrade. Both Wes and Micah joined Nate to talk about the upcoming games of 2020 and to put him in the hot seat and grill him on his tastes in gaming.

Say Hi to Micah on twitter and read his review of Spirit of the North over at The Reformed Gamers. And be sure to check out Wesley's podcast, Henshin Dad and follow him on Twitter for all things Tokusatsu! And check out his Pokemon Retrospective series also over at The Reformed Gamers.

If you want to get more personal, you can find Nate on PSN at Nate_McKeever or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG and Josh on PSN at Broccolope or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG.

BiteSized: Valkyrie Profile

Wed, 06 Nov 2019 12:31:55 -0000

On this week's bite sized episode, Nate takes a look at the tri-Ace developed PS1 classic, Valkyrie Profile. Is it worth your time? Why did it get bumped from your Top 10? All this and more on this episode of the Backlog Breakdown.

If you want to get more personal, you can find Nate on PSN at Nate_McKeever or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG and Josh on Twitter, Facebook, and GG.

Part of the Opening theme is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

36.5: Silent Hill 2 pt2: All the spoilers

Thu, 31 Oct 2019 04:11:09 -0000

Welcome back for more spoopiness. Brace yourself, because this episode goes into full on spoiler territory, on a mission to dissect all the best parts of Silent Hill 2: the themes it uses and the story it tells. Fair warning: there is some mature content in this episode. It is tackled in a tasteful way, but the things we will be discussing are not for the faint of heart.

You can contact us at thebacklogbreakdown@gmail.com, join our Facebook group: The Backlog Book Club, chat on our Discord Server, and catch us on Twitter. If you'd like to support us, you can do so via Patreon.

And if you want to get more personal, you can find Nate on PSN at Nate_McKeever or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG and Josh on Twitter, Facebook, and GG.

36: Silent Hill 2 pt1 (no spoilers)

Wed, 30 Oct 2019 04:10:47 -0000

It's that time of year again--time to get spooked! With October coming to a close, Nate and Josh discuss one of the spoopiest games of all time: Silent Hill 2. Because this game is so heavily story driven, note that this is only half of our thoughts on the game. Stay tuned for part 2, coming soon!

And if you want to get more personal, you can find Nate on PSN at Nate_McKeever or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG and Josh on Twitter, Facebook, and GG.

BiteSized: On a Journey with Micah Hendrick

Wed, 23 Oct 2019 05:01:47 -0000

This week's BiteSized episode is hosted by our Backlog Brochacho, Micah Hendrick! Micah is prepared to take you on a Journey through 2012's influential walking simulator by thatgamecompany. What does it mean? Is it worth your time? Why walk in a video game when you can just walk in real life? Well, Micah's got an answer for you as he breaks down the benefits of the indie darling, Journey!

Say Hi to Micah on twitter and follow his gaming exploits over at GG. If you've got feedback for us, send it to thebacklogbreakdown@gmail.com, join our Facebook group: The Backlog Book Club, and catch us on Twitter. And if you'd like to support us, you can visit our Patreon.

If you want to get more personal, you can find Nate on PSN at Nate_McKeever or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG and Josh on Twitter, Facebook, and GG.

Part of the Opening theme is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

35: Disagreeing Agreeably

Wed, 16 Oct 2019 05:01:00 -0000

This time around on the Backlog Breakdown we're talking about what happens when we hear stupid people saying dumb things and feel like we need to enlighten them with our boundless wisdom. Except not. Contrary to popular belief, it's actually possible to disagree with someone on some pretty important topics (like the greatest games of all time, amirite?) and still remain good friends. How is that possible? Well, come listen because we're pretty good at being bad at brevity and tackle the topic from a few different viewpoints, sharing our thoughts on sincerity, self-reflection, humility, blessing others, convictions, assurance, validation, and the imago Dei.

And if you want to get more personal, you can find Nate on PSN at Nate_McKeever or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG and Josh on Twitter, Facebook, and GG.

BiteSized: Rogue Legacy and the legacy of Rogue

Wed, 09 Oct 2019 05:01:00 -0000

This week's bite sized episode is all about the challenging, comedic, 2d platforming rogue-like with RPG elements: Rogue Legacy. Is it worth playing? Well, yeah. Especially since you can get it pretty much anywhere for less than $10. But it definitely isn't a stealth game, so why is it called a roguelike, anyway? Well, never fear, Josh is here to give a quick and dirty explanation that may leave you more confused than when you started.

On the episode, Josh referenced this Youtube video for a more in depth look at the genre.

If you want to get more personal, you can find Nate on PSN at Nate_McKeever or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG and Josh on Twitter, Facebook, and GG.

Part of the Opening theme is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

34: Psycho for Psychonauts

Wed, 02 Oct 2019 13:14:28 -0000

This week on the Backlog Breakdown we're traveling deep into the minds of your hosts Nate and Josh to see what they think about the Double Fine studio's cult classic, Psychonauts. Would you be psycho to play this game in 2019, or naut? Ok, I apologize. That was really bad.

And if you want to get more personal, you can find Nate on PSN at Nate_McKeever or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG and Josh on Twitter, Facebook, and GG.

BiteSized: Be A Man

Wed, 25 Sep 2019 05:01:14 -0000

This week's bite sized episode is contributed by our fantastic friend of the show, the Henshin Dad himself, Mr. Wesley Rea! He's giving a slightly different perspective on the topic of our last episode and the value of "manliness lists." As someone who has immersed himself in different cultures, his input is a valuable addition to what's already been said, if we do say so ourselves.

Be sure and check out Wesley's podcast, Henshin Dad and follow him on Twitter for all things Tokusatsu!

If you want to get more personal, you can find Nate on PSN at Nate_McKeever or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG and Josh on Twitter, Facebook, and GG.

Part of the Opening theme is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

33: Tis a Silly Thing

Wed, 18 Sep 2019 04:30:48 -0000

This week on the Backlog Breakdown we're going slightly off script and talking about the 99 steps to manhood, or at least 99 suggestions that some pastor guy made. Is there any value in attempting to quantify something like manhood? Well, we'll talk about it for a couple hours if you're interested.

And if you want to get more personal, you can find Nate on PSN at Nate_McKeever or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG and Josh on Twitter, Facebook, and GG.

BiteSized: Golf Story and things and stuff

Wed, 11 Sep 2019 05:01:00 -0000

This week Nate's coming at you with a bite sized episode about everyone's favorite pass time: Golf! Well, not really. Video games! Chances are, if you're listening to this, it's one of your favorite pass times. I mean, you're invested enough to spend your time listening to someone talk a video game about golf, so that says something. Anyways. There are also some updates and reporting on some games and shows of interest as well. But don't worry, it won't take up more than 30 minutes of your precious time.

If you want to get more personal, you can find Nate on PSN at Nate_McKeever or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG and Josh on Twitter, Facebook, and GG.

Part of the Opening theme is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

32: Not Getting Any Younger

Wed, 04 Sep 2019 04:43:40 -0000

This week on the Backlog Breakdown we're talking about awesome games...that aren't quite as awesome by today's standards. We're acknowledging that nostalgia and historical context plays heavily into our fond memories for certain games, and perhaps some alternatives that may be worth your time.

And if you want to get more personal, you can find Nate on PSN at Nate_McKeever or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG and Josh on Twitter, Facebook, and GG.

BiteSized: Mega Man Legends

Wed, 28 Aug 2019 05:01:00 -0000

This week's BiteSized episode is hosted by our friend and fellow #Backlog Book Club contributor, Wesley Rea! He's here talking about one of his absolute favorite games of all time, Mega Man Legends, along with its sequel(s). Does the blue bomber translate well to 3D? And even if he did back on PS1, does it hold up? All this and more on the breakdown!

Be sure and check out Wesley's podcast, Henshin Dad and follow him on Twitter for all things Tokusatsu!

If you want to get more personal, you can find Nate on PSN at Nate_McKeever or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG and Josh on Twitter, Facebook, and GG.

Part of the Opening theme is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

31: Homie Don't Play That Game

Wed, 21 Aug 2019 04:07:22 -0000

This week on the Backlog Breakdown we're talking about content, themes, and types of games that we stay away from and why. Should we, as gamers, allow ourselves to play anything we want? What if we're encouraged to look past some questionable content because of the story or gameplay? Hopefully our discussion can help you as you reflect on what is appropriate for you to consume when enjoying your hobbies.

And if you want to get more personal, you can find Nate on PSN at Nate_McKeever or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG and Josh on Twitter, Facebook, and GG.

BiteSized: Habitica

Wed, 14 Aug 2019 05:01:00 -0000

This week you get 25 minutes of Josh rambling about organization, optimization, efficiency, and a number of other buzzwords. For reals though, if you're the kind of person who needs something to help keep track of your responsibilities, Habitica might just be the thing for you.

If you want to get more personal, you can find Nate on PSN at Nate_McKeever or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG and Josh on Twitter, Facebook, and GG.

Part of the Opening theme is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

30: A Few of Our Favorite 2019 Things

Wed, 07 Aug 2019 04:35:00 -0000

This week on the Backlog Breakdown, we're giving out our 2019 Game of the Year awards...so far. As we've been beating down our backlogs this year, we wanted to take a moment and reflect on some of our favorites and those that were shared with us as well. Our top picks were both released within the past 5 years, so it still feels somewhat relevant.

And if you want to get more personal, you can find Nate on PSN at Nate_McKeever or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG and Josh on Twitter, Facebook, and GG.

The Opening and Closing theme we used for this podcast is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix

BiteSized: The Doom Song

Wed, 31 Jul 2019 03:00:00 -0000

On today's bite sized episode, Nate breaks down the benefits of playing a game about brutally killing space demons while listening to metal. For the 4th time. It's 2016's Doom!

If you want to get more personal, you can find Nate on PSN at Nate_McKeever or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG and Josh on Twitter, Facebook, and GG.

Part of the Opening theme is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

29: I Followed This One Rule And My Backlog Results Were AMAZING.

Wed, 24 Jul 2019 05:00:00 -0000

This week on the Backlog Breakdown, Nate and Josh address a concept that was articulated by Austin Wood of GamesRadar here. Do you feel the need to finish previous games in a series before their latest entries? Are you accumulating a backlog of games that you'll probably never touch "just in case?" Does any of this really matter? Well, we think there are some issues of stewardship and accountability lying just beneath the surface that may need addressing when it comes to how we buy and play games. Perhaps we're wrong, but you'll only know if you listen and find out!

We were recently on an episode of the Retro Zoo Super Show, talking about Earthbound on SNES. You should totally check it out.

And if you want to get more personal, you can find Nate on PSN at Nate_McKeever or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG and Josh on Twitter, Facebook, and GG.

The Opening and Closing theme we used for this podcast is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix

BiteSized: Micah Gear Solid

Wed, 17 Jul 2019 05:01:00 -0000

This week's BiteSized episode is hosted by our friend and #Backlog Book Club member, Micah Hendrick! Micah helped us break down the benefits of Shadow of the Colossus a few months ago, and this time he's back to address another game that is especially meaningful. So lace up your bandana and tune yourself to the proper frequency for another episode of the Backlog Breakdown!

If you want to get more personal, you can find Nate on PSN at Nate_McKeever or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG and Josh on Twitter, Facebook, and GG.

Part of the Opening theme is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

28: I Got Nothing: A Mid-Year Review

Tue, 09 Jul 2019 21:48:49 -0000

It's July, which means that 2019 is already halfway over. Join us as we discuss some of the highlights of the year so far and reevaluate our priorities as it relates to the podcast, our gaming habits, and our goals for the year.

You can contact us at thebacklogbreakdown@gmail.com, join our Facebook group: The Backlog Book Club, and catch us on Twitter. If you'd like to support us, you can visit our Patreon.

And if you want to get more personal, you can find Nate on PSN at Nate_McKeever or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG and Josh on Twitter, Facebook, and GG.

BiteSized: Life Imitating Art Imitating Life

Wed, 03 Jul 2019 11:00:00 -0000

On this week's bite sized episode, Josh reflects on his time at the Grand Canyon and why it caused him to think about video games.

You can contact us at thebacklogbreakdown@gmail.com, join our Facebook group: The Backlog Book Club, and catch us on Twitter.

And lastly, if you want to get more personal, you can find Nate on PSN at Nate_McKeever or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG and Josh on Twitter, Facebook, and GG.

Part of the Opening theme is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

27: I'll Make a Man Out of You

Wed, 26 Jun 2019 05:56:15 -0000

On this episode of the Backlog Breakdown, Nate and Josh discuss whether or not it's childish to play video games. Spoiler alert: it depends. But on what, you might ask? Well, tune in and find out!

You can contact us at thebacklogbreakdown@gmail.com, join our Facebook group: The Backlog Book Club, and catch us on Twitter.

And if you want to get more personal, you can find Nate on PSN at Nate_McKeever or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG and Josh on Twitter, Facebook, and GG.

BiteSized: VR

Tue, 18 Jun 2019 11:49:36 -0000

This week on the Breakdown, Nate shares his experience with the PSVR and breaks down the benefits of what could happen with this new type of interactive experience. Is it the future of gaming? Will it make you sick to your stomach? Is it worth the cost? Find out on this week's bite sized episode!

You can contact us at thebacklogbreakdown@gmail.com, join our Facebook group: The Backlog Book Club, and catch us on Twitter.

And lastly, if you want to get more personal, you can find Nate on PSN at Nate_McKeever or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG and Josh on Twitter, Facebook, and GG.

Part of the Opening theme is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

26: Top 10 GOATs

Wed, 12 Jun 2019 20:37:26 -0000

Episode 26 marks the 1-year anniversary of The Backlog Breakdown podcast. To celebrate, Nate and Josh discuss a little bit about themselves and their favorite games by running down their personal top 10 games of all time.

You can contact us at thebacklogbreakdown@gmail.com, join our Facebook group: The Backlog Book Club, and catch us on Twitter.

And lastly, if you want to get more personal, you can find Nate on PSN at Nate_McKeever or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG and Josh on Twitter, Facebook, and GG.

BiteSized: Mother 3

Tue, 04 Jun 2019 05:01:00 -0000

This week's BiteSized episode is hosted by our friend and fellow #Backlog Book Club contributor, Wesley Rea! In tandem with our #BacklogBusters series for the past 2 months, Wes is coming at ya with his thoughts on Mother 3. Never played it? Well, we can't fault you for that because Nintendo's made it awfully difficult to obtain over here in the 'States, but Wes explains why it may just be worth the trouble to nab yourself a copy.

Be sure and check out Wesley's podcast, Henshin Dad and follow him on Twitter for all things Tokusatsu!

You can contact us at thebacklogbreakdown@gmail.com, join our Facebook group: The Backlog Book Club, and catch us on Twitter.

And lastly, if you want to get more personal, you can find Nate on PSN at Nate_McKeever or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG and Josh on Twitter, Facebook, and GG.

Part of the Opening theme is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

25: Beating Down Backlogs as a Man of Business (ft. Luke Parker)

Tue, 28 May 2019 23:59:00 -0000

Today the boys finally reveal a 100% fool proof method to demolishing your backlog...by inviting on a guest. There's also some discussion on game time VS money spent and some thoughts on PSVR, so come check it out!

You can contact us at thebacklogbreakdown@gmail.com, join our Facebook group: The Backlog Book Club, and catch us on Twitter.

And lastly, if you want to get more personal, you can find Nate on PSN at Nate_McKeever or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG and Josh on Twitter, Facebook, and GG.

The Opening and Closing theme we used for podcast is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

BiteSized: The Level 5 Guild Series

Tue, 21 May 2019 02:58:18 -0000

This week Josh is taking a look at Level 5's "Guild" series of games for the 3DS. Who is Level 5? What are these games? How are they connected? All these questions...and well, basically just these questions are answered in about 20 minutes this week for our Bitesized Breakdown.

You can contact us at thebacklogbreakdown@gmail.com, join our Facebook group: The Backlog Book Club, and catch us on Twitter.

And lastly, if you want to get more personal, you can find Nate on PSN at Nate_McKeever or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG and Josh on Twitter, Facebook, and GG.

Part of the Opening theme is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

24: The Dark Souls of Metroidvanias (ft. Logan Sharp of The Reformed Gamers)

Tue, 14 May 2019 17:20:29 -0000

On this episode the guys are joined by the Alpha Deer himself, Mr. Logan Sharp of The Reformed Gamers! After some initial discussion of #BacklogGolf and the brand new Backlog Breakdown twitter account, they present their arguments on why Hollow Knight is the single greatest indie game ever created by a 3-man team from Australia. #HollowKnightInSmashConfirmed

We recommend using the PrayerMate app for keeping track of your prayer list and setting reminders.

And it goes without saying that you should be listening to the Reformed Gamers podcast.

You can contact us at thebacklogbreakdown@gmail.com, join our Facebook group: The Backlog Book Club, and catch us on Twitter.

And lastly, if you want to get more personal, you can find Nate on PSN at Nate_McKeever or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG and Josh on Twitter, Facebook, and GG.

The Opening and Closing theme we used for podcast is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

BiteSized: Let's Get Heavy

Tue, 07 May 2019 12:43:46 -0000

An episode on lifting weights on a video game podcast? What's that got to do with anything? Well, you'll find out as this week Nate breaks down the benefits of lifting, gives his own personal story with the hobby, and gives some tips for anyone who's interested in starting.

We'd love to hear from you! You can contact us at thebacklogbreakdown@gmail.com or The Backlog Book Club on Facebook Catch Nate on PSN at Nate_McKeever or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG and Josh on Twitter, Facebook, and GG.

Part of the Opening theme is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

23: Boy, It's Time for Bed

Tue, 30 Apr 2019 14:21:54 -0000

Game, Eat, Sleep, Repeat. Sometimes one of those things doesn't get enough attention, so we're here to rub it in your face. Or maybe just remind ourselves of our need to take care of our bodies a little better. But before we get there we've got our typical slew of random conversations about the Avengers, trolls, Easter and egg hunts, and a possibly offensive joke. Maybe we really do need to take a rest.

Here's some of the media we referenced in the episode:

The Challies article on Netflix

Crosswalk's reasons you need sleep

An Infographic on the dangers of Sleep Deprivation

And the book "Why We Sleep" by Matthew Walker

You can contact us at thebacklogbreakdown@gmail.com or The Backlog Book Club on Facebook Catch Nate on PSN at Nate_McKeever or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG and Josh on Twitter, Facebook, and GG.

The Opening and Closing theme we used for podcast is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

BiteSized: Metal Slug Anthology

Tue, 23 Apr 2019 03:32:19 -0000

You like running and gunning? Who doesn't! This week Josh rambles on and on about the first 6 main title entries of the Metal Slug series and his experience with them.

For a deeper look at the series as a whole, Josh recommends this video on Youtube

Part of the Opening theme is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

22: The Backlog Brides and their Blushing Bois

Tue, 16 Apr 2019 13:34:06 -0000

Notes will be uploaded at a later date (sorry dude in a hurry at the moment).

A Bite-Sized Breakdown

Tue, 09 Apr 2019 03:10:42 -0000

A wild episode appears! "But it hasn't even been a fortnight since the last one," you ask? Well strap in Loggers, and learn all about our new weekly format, coming to a podcast aggregator near you! And after this week's explanation, Nate goes in depth on a game he's mentioned on a previous episode that deserves a little bit more love: Pyre by SuperGiant games.

You can contact us at thebacklogbreakdown@gmail.com or The Backlog Book Club on Facebook Catch Nate on PSN at Nate_McKeever or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG and Josh on Twitter, Facebook, and GG.

The Opening and Closing theme we used for podcast is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

21: P-R-I-O-R-I-ties

Tue, 02 Apr 2019 13:34:39 -0000

This week the bois are getting practical, talking about priorities as a Christian, husband, and functioning adult male. Whether you think "scheduling" is a bad word or if you're just curious about what keeps them from blowing through their backlog, come listen and find out. Sometimes they'll even apply their own advice. Sometimes.

We HIGHLY recommend checking out the Henshin Dad Podcast, hosted by our friend Wesley.

You can contact us at thebacklogbreakdown@gmail.com or The Backlog Book Club on Facebook Catch Nate on PSN at Nate_McKeever or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG and Josh on Twitter, Facebook, and GG.

The Opening and Closing theme we used for podcast is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

20.2: A Continued Interview with CT

Tue, 26 Mar 2019 13:02:15 -0000

If you couldn’t tell from the title, this week’s episode is the 2nd half of our conversation with an SNES Chrono Trigger cartridge, lovingly referred to as “CT.” If you haven’t heard our last episode, this one won’t make much sense. So what are you waiting for? Go listen to that sucka!

You can check out the Chrono Break Trailer Here

You can contact us at thebacklogbreakdown@gmail.com or The Backlog Book Club on Facebook Catch Nate on PSN at Nate_McKeever or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG and Josh on Twitter, Facebook, and GG.

The Opening and Closing theme we used for podcast is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

20.1: An Interview with CT

Tue, 19 Mar 2019 20:18:45 -0000

This week on the Backlog Breakdown we have an extremely special guest, one who goes by the name of "CT". Sit back, relax, and enjoy our conversation about one of the greatest games ever made with one of the greatest games ever made. Don't think about it too hard, it doesn't have to make sense. This week is part 1 of our interview, be sure to tune in next week for part 2!

You can contact us at thebacklogbreakdown@gmail.com or The Backlog Book Club on Facebook Catch Nate on PSN at Nate_McKeever or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG and Josh on Twitter, Facebook, and GG.

The Opening and Closing theme we used for podcast is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

19: Times are a'Changin

Wed, 06 Mar 2019 03:46:20 -0000

This week our heroes Nate and Josh are talking about the ways in which gaming has changed for them throughout the years. Do you still game the same way you did when you were younger? You do game more? Less? What style of games do you play? Oh, the times, they are a'changin.

You can contact us at thebacklogbreakdown@gmail.com or The Backlog Book Club on Facebook Catch Nate on PSN at Nate_McKeever or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG and Josh on Twitter, Facebook, and GG.

The Opening and Closing theme we used for podcast is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

Episode 18: Games that Will Be on our Backlogs ft. Error 204

Tue, 19 Feb 2019 22:58:18 -0000

On this episode of the Cheeselog backbook bake sale, the bois have some special guests, the lads from the Error 204 podcast. Luke and Mark join Nate and Josh as they look at the latest Nintendo Direct, covering Switch games that are set to release in 2019. As an extra special treat, Nate and Josh also stuck around after the show to talk about Christian conduct as it pertains to mockery and sarcasm, the results of which will be posted on the next episode of Error 204.

Obviously, we highly recommend that you check that episode out over at Error 204's website, and go listen to the their other episodes while you're at it.

We'd also recommend the Verses app to help memorize Scripture. If you sign up, friend us so we can memorize together!

You can contact us at thebacklogbreakdown@gmail.com or The Backlog Book Club on Facebook Catch Nate on PSN at Nate_McKeever or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG and Josh on Twitter, Facebook, and GG.

The Opening and Closing theme we used for podcast is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

Episode 17: Now You're Playing with Power

Tue, 05 Feb 2019 07:23:27 -0000

On this episode the bois are talking about processing power. What is it good for? Absolutely...well, something. It can definitely make your game look prettier and run smoother, but what else does it do? Is there more potential yet to be unlocked? Where does gaming go from here? All or none of your questions will be answered here on the Backlog Breakdown!

If you dig our conversations, we'd recommend you check out this epiode of Colin's Last Stand's Fireside chats series, with special guest Chase Williams.

You can contact us at thebacklogbreakdown@gmail.com or The Backlog Book Club on Facebook Catch Nate on PSN at Nate_McKeever or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG and Josh on Twitter, Facebook, and GG.

The Opening and Closing theme we used for podcast is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

Episode 16: Let's Get Technical, Baby

Tue, 22 Jan 2019 07:18:00 -0000

In order to make a more concerted effort to beatdown their backlogs in 2019, a group of people came together and codified the competition that is now known as "#BacklogGolf." What is this glorious new sport, you may ask? Well, here to tell you all about it is the game master himself, Mr. Eric Bryant.

You can contact us at thebacklogbreakdown@gmail.com or The Backlog Book Club on Facebook Catch Nate on PSN at Nate_McKeever or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG and Josh on Twitter, Facebook, and GG.

The Opening and Closing theme we used for podcast is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

Episode 15.5: Scaling Mountains and Slaying Giants with Micah Hendrick (Part 2 of 2)

Tue, 15 Jan 2019 14:14:05 -0000

Episode 15.5: Scaling Mountains and Slaying Giants with Micah Hendrick (Part 2 of 2)

The second half of last week's conversation comes in the form of a deep dive into Colossus 3-16, the ending of the game, and some closing thoughts. Personal anecdotes, emotional impact, and mechanical frustrations are shared as we take a look at each Colossus to try and explain the grandeur of this PS2 classic. As you may know, we can get a little long-winded and things got a little...out of control with the length of the episode, so we've split it into 2 parts and hid them throughout the Forbidden Lands. You've stumbled upon the second half here, so be sure and go listen to the first half before jumping in.

A special thanks to Micah Hendrick for joining us for this episode!

You can contact us at thebacklogbreakdown@gmail.com or The Backlog Book Club on Facebook Catch Nate on PSN at Nate_McKeever or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG and Josh on Twitter, Facebook, and GG.

The Opening and Closing theme we used for podcast is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

Episode 15: Scaling Mountains and Slaying Giants with Micah Hendrick (Part 1 of 2)

Tue, 08 Jan 2019 15:01:53 -0000

Today we're looking at the seminal classic, Shadow of the Colossus with Mr. Micah Hendrick. Why is this game so well acclaimed? What is it that makes this game worth of multiple releases and remasters? Why are so many professing gamers obsessed with a game with only 16 enemies? All this and more in our discussion here on the Backlog Breakdown. As you may know, we can get a little long-winded and things got a little...out of control with the length of the episode, so we've split it into 2 parts and hid them throughout the Forbidden Lands. Or, at least, until next week.

A special thanks to Micah Hendrick for joining us for this episode!

You can contact us at thebacklogbreakdown@gmail.com or The Backlog Book Club on Facebook Catch Nate on PSN at Nate_McKeever or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG and Josh on Twitter, Facebook, and GG.

The Opening and Closing theme we used for podcast is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

Episode 14: Reflections, Resolutions, and eveRything in Between

Tue, 25 Dec 2018 06:00:21 -0000

Merry Christmas Loggers! On the final episode of 2018, the boys have decided to take a look back at the highlights of the year and look forward to what's coming up for the podcast, the group, and some personal goals as well.

Need something to do over your Christmas break? Check out:

The White Horse Inn

Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silent by The Modern Post.

You can contact us at thebacklogbreakdown@gmail.com or The Backlog Book Club on Facebook Catch Nate on PSN at Nate_McKeever or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG and Josh on Twitter, Facebook, and GG.

The Opening and Closing theme we used for podcast is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

Episode 13: Outraged Over Outrage

Tue, 11 Dec 2018 12:44:06 -0000

This week the boys are discussing disappointment, enjoyment, and outrage in the gaming community. Do our emotional ties to video game announcements say something deeper about who we are? How should we react to how people react? All your questions will be answered after we report on our personal lives, backlog beatdowns (or lack thereof), and the absolute craziness of this time of year for each of us.

Some recommended reading for the episode can be found here.

A very special thank you goes to Jason for the new logo artwork!

You can contact us at thebacklogbreakdown@gmail.com or The Backlog Book Club on Facebook Catch Nate on PSN at Nate_McKeever or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG and Josh on Twitter, Facebook, and GG.

The Opening and Closing theme we used for podcast is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

Episode 12: Git Yoself Some Frands

Tue, 27 Nov 2018 06:57:37 -0000

With the holidays upon us, what are we sad gamers bois to do? Man up and cultivate relationships with all of the friends and family that we're forced into being around! What are some of the intersections of community and gaming? What are some of the pitfalls in the stories that we partake in? Let's fumble through some of these questions and more on episode 12 of the Backlog Breakdown!

Some media recommendations to check out this time around are Selfwire's episode on Fathering Yourself, based on the Proverbs, the "Let's Study" series on Galatians and James, and The Bookening podcast's episodes on The Big Sleep.

A very special thank you goes to Jason for the new logo artwork!

You can contact us at thebacklogbreakdown@gmail.com or The Backlog Book Club on Facebook Catch Nate on PSN at Nate_McKeever or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG and Josh on Twitter, Facebook, and GG.

The Opening and Closing theme we used for podcast is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

Episode 11: A Deep Dive into a Dead Space

Tue, 13 Nov 2018 15:12:08 -0000

On this, the beefiest of bois, Nate and Josh explore the farthest reaches of outer space and their deepest fears with the #backlogbuster game for October, Dead Space. Josh shares his experience as a newbie and horror fan, and Nate attempts to take off his nostalgia goggles after last week's conversation to see how the game holds up a decade later. Spoiler alert: it's still pretty good.

Some media recommendations to check out this week are the movies Christopher Robin and Bohemian Rhapsody, and another shoutout to Power Rangers RPM.

A very special thank you goes to Jason for the new logo artwork!

You can contact us at thebacklogbreakdown@gmail.com or The Backlog Book Club on Facebook Catch Nate on PSN at Nate_McKeever or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG and Josh on Twitter, Facebook, and GG.

The Opening and Closing theme we used for podcast is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

Episode 10: My Rose-Colored Glasses Give Me A +2 To Self-Deception

Tue, 30 Oct 2018 14:12:33 -0000

On this week's episode the boys are talking about that warm nostalgic feeling and reminiscing on the good ole' days. Or are they? Was the past really as rosy as we remember? Are our favorite games really all that good, or were we just dumb kids who didn't know any better? Find out on this week's episode of the The Backlog Breakdown!

We also suggest checking out:

The Big Sleep

The Bookening: The Big Sleep

Super Mario: How Nintendo Conquered America

You can contact us at thebacklogbreakdown@gmail.com or The Backlog Book Club on Facebook Catch Nate on PSN at Nate_McKeever or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG and Josh on Twitter, Facebook, and GG.

The Opening and Closing theme we used for podcast is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

Episode 9: Completing your Collection

Tue, 16 Oct 2018 13:51:40 -0000

Our topic this time around is Completionism. Should you complete every game you own to get the most out of your investment, or should you just finish it as quickly as possible so you can move on and continue beating down your backlog? What are the pitfalls in these approaches? Come get our take of non-brevity on the subject, plus some chatter about Power Rangers, beards, Dead Space, and the weather.

We also suggest checking out:

Reassess your yearly goals.

BellyBusters: The Stronglift System

Journal through a book of the Bible.

You can contact us at thebacklogbreakdown@gmail.com or The Backlog Book Club on Facebook Catch Nate on PSN at Nate_McKeever or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG and Josh on Twitter, Facebook, and GG.

The Opening and Closing theme we used for podcast is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

Episode 8: Backlog Breakdown no Densetsu: Link's Adventure (ft. Average Trainer Wes & TechnoFunkBoy)

Tue, 02 Oct 2018 12:52:49 -0000

On the beefiest boi yet, Nate and Josh are joined by Paul, the Techno Funk Boy, and Wes, the Average Trainer, to talk about Zelda 2: The Adventure of Link. Is it as terrible as the internet says that it is? It is as difficult as people say? Is it...a diamond in the rough? Let's break it down!

Hashtogs!

This episode's load of cool content to check out:

The Book of Atrus

Power Rangers RPM

WMAC Masters

Vince19 on Youtube for Statistics on Video games.

The SelfWire Phenomenon

Take Budgeting Seriously

Do not partake in Ready Player One in any form.

Catch Paul on The Retro Zoo Super Show and on Twitch

And hit up Wes on Youtube at Average Trainer Wes

You can contact us at thebacklogbreakdown@gmail.com or The Backlog Book Club on Facebook Catch Nate on PSN at Nate_McKeever or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG and Josh on Twitter, Facebook, and GG.

The Opening and Closing theme we used for podcast is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

Episode 7: Are you not entertained?

Tue, 18 Sep 2018 12:57:26 -0000

On this week's breakdown, Josh and Nate take a strange journey through the topic of entertainment and its importance in their lives. We all agree that there are benefits to video games, but does that make entertainment a right? What is its proper place? What are some signs of addiction or idolatry? What about contentment?

This week's plugs for other cool content:

SelfWire

Fallen and Redeemed Masculinity, a sermon by Nate's Pastor, Jared Havener.

Contact us at thebacklogbreakdown@gmail.com or The Backlog Book Club on Facebook Catch Nate on PSN at Nate_McKeever or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG and Josh on Twitter, Facebook, and GG.

The Opening and Closing theme we used for podcast is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

Episode 6: Emulation is still Theft! Pt 2.

Tue, 04 Sep 2018 06:24:28 -0000

Part 2 of our series on emulation, ROMs, and art centers around the idea of games preservation. Should art be preserved? Does God care about preservation? How do you decide which games to preserve? Get all the answers on this week's episode!

Plugs and other materials related to games preservation:

Lost Levels

GameHistory.org

Retronauts - Episodes 41, 62, & 76.

Back in My Play Episode 99

A Life Well Wasted

In Defense of ROMS - an article by Chris Kohler of Kotaku

Museums Give Video Games Bonus Life, But The Next Level Awaits

Game Capture: Archives of Multiplayer Game Worlds by Henry Lowood

What Makes a Good Metroidvania? by Polygon

We were on the last episode of the Retro Zoo Super Show. Listen Here

Contact us at thebacklogbreakdown@gmail.com or The Backlog Book Club on Facebook Catch Nate on PSN at Nate_McKeever or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG and Josh on Twitter, Facebook, and GG.

The Opening and Closing theme we used for podcast is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

Episode 5: Emulation is Theft! ...or is it?

Tue, 21 Aug 2018 13:50:01 -0000

This week's breakdown is a conversation that was brought up by a good friend of the show, Wes. Because the topic of emulation and ROMs is complex and multifaceted, we're splitting it up into 2 parts, the first of which lays the foundation of our understanding and differing perspectives on the issue. Some related topics we touch on are "Games as Art", the difference between emulation and ROMs, God's sovereignty, and personal property. Stealing is sinful, but is emulation really theft?

This week's Pro Tip: Ask yourself: "Why do I need to play this game?"

This week's plugs for other cool content:

Good and Angry

The Retro Zoo Super Show

The Gaming Historian: Emulation in Court

In Defense of ROMS - an article by Chris Kohler of Kotaku

The Sacred Symbols Podcast Language Warning

Contact us at thebacklogbreakdown@gmail.com or The Backlog Book Club on Facebook Catch Nate on PSN at Nate_McKeever or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG and Josh on Twitter, Facebook, and GG.

The Opening and Closing theme we used for podcast is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

Episode 4 - Gameplay, Story, or Presentation?

Tue, 07 Aug 2018 14:23:57 -0000

Today's breakdown centers around the discussion of how you decide to tackle games in your backlog. What do you like to play, and how do you determine what's worth picking up? Do you play games for the story, the music and artwork, or the gameplay mechanics? Is it a combination of the three? What does genre have to do with it? In addition to that, we also coin some timeless phrases like "Corpse Paint Kirby", "Logan Mouth", and "Brain Jazz".

Some things we recommend checking out over the next 2 weeks:

Digitally Distracted - Game Dave

Using the Historic Confessions of the Faith in personal Bible study. Check out the WCF, 3 Forms of Unity, and 1689 LBC

Bloodywood - Jee Veerey

Making It

The Completionist's review of Chrono Trigger Language Warning

Contact us at thebacklogbreakdown@gmail.com or The Backlog Book Club on Facebook Catch Nate on PSN at Nate_McKeever or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG and Josh on Twitter, Facebook, and GG.

The Opening and Closing theme we used for podcast is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

Episode 3: The New and Shiny

Tue, 24 Jul 2018 12:56:10 -0000

This week's main topic of discussion is the latest and greatest that video games have to offer. They often promise the world on a disc but can they really live up to all the hype? Join us as we take a look at some of the pros and cons of early adopting and what it means for our backlogs. But before we get there, we've got an extended edition of the Backlog Report that touches on all kinds of topics like politics, convictions in gaming, Puritan theology, the Shin Megami Tensei series, and thatgamecompany's Journey.

Some things we recommend checking out over the next 2 weeks:

The Startup Podcast

Everything is Alive

The Newseum

Secrets of the Most Productive People Podcast

This week's Pro Tip: The best way to manage your backlog is to stop buying games.

Contact us at thebacklogbreakdown@gmail.com or The Backlog Book Club on Facebook Catch Nate on PSN at Nate_McKeever or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG and Josh on Twitter, Facebook, and GG.

The Opening and Closing theme we used for podcast is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

Episode 2 - All the Deals

Tue, 10 Jul 2018 05:28:31 -0000

This week we're discussing Steals, Deals, and Meals on Wheels. Well not really, but 2 out of 3 ain't bad. As good stewards, we want to be able to take advantage of sales and get the most out of our money, but is it always wise to continue to purchase more games even when we already have a lot to play?

Shoutouts to our bros at:

The Error 204 Podcast

The Reformed Gamers

and be sure to listen to something you loved back in High School. Or Smashing Pumpkins. Or Weezer.

Contact us at thebacklogbreakdown@gmail.com or The Backlog Book Club on Facebook Catch Nate on PSN at Nate_McKeever or on Twitter, Facebook, and GG and Josh on Twitter, Facebook, and GG.

The Opening and Closing theme we used for podcast is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

Episode 1: Titles are Overrated

Tue, 26 Jun 2018 05:27:41 -0000

On the inaugural episode of The Backlog Breakdown, we attempt to answer the questions What is this podcast all about? Why are we doing it? and How will it be done? Plus we use a few smart-sounding catch phrases like "A theology of leisure" and talk about Bourbon.

Shoutouts to our bros at:

The Reformed Gamers

The GG App

The So...Talk to Me Podcast

and Partnering to Remember for Bible memorization tips.

Contact us at thebacklogbreakdown@gmail.com or The Backlog Book Club on Facebook Catch Nate on PSN at Nate_McKeever or on Twitter or Facebook and Josh on Twitter and Facebook.

The Opening and Closing theme we used for podcast is: "The Savior of Dream Land" ReMix by Juan Medrano, hosted by OCRemix.

The Most Important Episode You'll Ever Hear

Thu, 02 Feb 2017 14:00:36 -0000

Episode Notes

This, my friends, is called a "test". Copyrighted music and all.