The #Backlog Breakdown
Two dudes who love God, their wives, the church, and occasionally indulge in some video games.
Bite-sized: The Naked Truth (nudity in gaming by Jacob Van Olst)
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.
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...
75: GoW Finale
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.
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...
Bite-sized: The State of Sony (w/ Micah Hendrick)
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...
74: god of war's first half
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).
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...
Bite sized: Sustainable Stewardship (ft. The HenshinDad)
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...
73: god of War (A breakdown of our baggage)
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.
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...
Bite sized: A Legacy
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...
72: Game & Watch (Gaming on TV)
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?
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...
Bite-sized: Diving Deep on Youtube
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...
71: Dragon Quest V
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!
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...
PWNcast Special - Ready Player 2: A Steady DeCline
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
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.
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...
Bite sized: GameStonks
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).
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...
69: What Remains of Edith Finch (ft. Micah Hendrick)
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!
Our Facebook group is The Backlog Book Club and Here is our Twitter. You can also email us...
Bite sized: Soul Hackers
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.
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...
68: HD Resolutions
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.
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...
Bite sized: 2021's #backlog Beatdown
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.
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...
67: The REAL Top 100 & Gaming in 2021
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.
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...
Bite sized: In Defense of Final Fantasy IV
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.
We'd love for you to join in our ongoing conversations! Our Facebook group is The Backlog Book...
66: Top 100 - 2021 Edition (Part 2)
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.
Our Facebook group is The Backlog Book Club and Here is our Twitter. You can also email...
66: Top 100 - 2021 Edition (Part 1)
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 1 contains our intro discussions and backlog report.
Our Facebook group is The Backlog Book Club and Here is our Twitter. You can...
Bite sized: Nearly No (something) November Recap
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!
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...
Bonus Breakdown: Nate's Best Bosses
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...
65: Like a Boss
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...
Bite sized: Persona 5 - The Royal Treatment
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!
We'd love for you to join in our ongoing conversations! Our Facebook group is The Backlog Book Club and...
64: Gratitude Dudes
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...
Bite sized: XCOM 2
Episode Notes
"What's Nate gunna talk about this week?" is the question. XCOM is the answer. Well, XCOM 2, but close enough.
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...
63: The Dark Side of Productivity
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...
Bite sized: Nearly No (social media) November
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!
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...
62: Bioshock (ft. Micah Hendrick)
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...
Bite sized: SuperGiant is Super Rad
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.
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...
61: How Shall We Then Play Horror Games?
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...
Bite sized: A Story Borne of Blood
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...
60: Loving the Craft of Bloodborne
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...
Breakout Brohang: Thoughts on Next Gen
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.
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...
59: Backlog Mailbag: Games as Work?
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...
Bite sized: Burnout
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.
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.
<...58: The Best I Never Had
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...
Bite sized: Yu-Gi-Oh!
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.
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...
57: Angry Video Game Nerds
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. <...
