The #Backlog Breakdown

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/13YhqKoXpI5gm6GuJzIIYP9...

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 ](

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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And...

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.

And check out all our social media channels over on our...

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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Also, if you'd like to support...

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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The Backlog Breakdown is a...

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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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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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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The Backlog Breakdown is a proud member of the Play...

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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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...

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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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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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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The...

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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The Backlog Breakdown is a proud...

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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The Backlog Breakdown...

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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The Backlog Breakdown...

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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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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The Backlog Breakdown is a proud member of the Play Well Network, a network of podcasts that seek to approach recreation in a more...

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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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...

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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The Backlog Breakdown is a proud member of the Play Well Network, a network of...

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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The Backlog Breakdown is a proud member of the Play Well Network, a network of podcasts that seek to approach recreation in a...

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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The Backlog Breakdown is a proud member of the Play Well Network, a network of podcasts that seek to approach recreation in...

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

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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...

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.

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The Backlog Breakdown is a proud member of the Play Well Network, a network...

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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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...

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...

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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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...

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.

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The Backlog Breakdown is a proud member of the Play Well Network, a...

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.

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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

We'd love to hear from you! Join us on our social media by checking out...

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

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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...

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...

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...

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.

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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...

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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The Backlog Breakdown is a proud member of the Play Well Network, a network of podcasts that...

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!

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

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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 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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The Backlog Breakdown is a proud member of the Play Well Network...

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.

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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...

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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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...

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

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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...

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

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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.

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The Backlog Breakdown is a proud member of the Play Well Network, a network of podcasts that seek to...

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!

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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...

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!

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.

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?

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The Backlog Breakdown is a proud member of the Play...

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/

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And if you'd like...

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

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...

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.

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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

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...

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!

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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

The Backlog Breakdown is a proud member of the Play Well Network, a network of podcasts that seek to approach recreation...

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

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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...

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

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 Here. Get PWNed, scrubs.

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

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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

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 Here. Get PWNed, scrubs.

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/

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The Backlog...

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

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 Here. Get PWNed, scrubs.

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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The Backlog Breakdown is a proud member of the Play Well Network, a network of podcasts that seek to approach recreation in a...

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

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...

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...

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...

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

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 Here. Get PWNed, scrubs.

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

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...

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

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

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

The Backlog Breakdown is a proud member of the Play Well Network, a network of podcasts that seek to approach recreation in a more...

--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.

...

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.

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

We'd love to...

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

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...

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

...

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...

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<...

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

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 Here. Get PWNed, scrubs.

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

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

The Backlog Breakdown is a proud member of the Play Well Network...

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

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 Here. Get PWNed, scrubs.

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

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

The Backlog Breakdown is a proud member of the Play Well Network, a network of podcasts that seek to approach recreation...

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

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 Here. Get PWNed, scrubs.

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

The Backlog Breakdown...

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

The Backlog Breakdown is a proud member of the Play Well Network, a network of podcasts...

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...

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

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...

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

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...

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

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...

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...

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...

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...

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

The Backlog Breakdown is a proud member of the Play Well Network, a network of podcasts that seek to...

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...

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

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...

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

The Backlog Breakdown is a proud member of the Play Well...

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

The Backlog Breakdown is a proud member of the Play Well Network, a network of podcasts that seek to approach recreation in a...

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...

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

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...

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...

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

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...

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

The Backlog Breakdown is a proud member of the...

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

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...