Welcome back to The Punished Podcast! In this episode, we talk about the gaming phenomena that inspired this site’s very name: the backlog.
The Punished Podcast Episode 3
You’ve got games to play, and so do we. Listen along as we discuss what’s in our current backlogs, the challenges to getting through that stack of games, and tips for newcomers looking to break into the hobby. Plus, hear our reactions to a spicy take from the site’s newest contributor, Zack Gulinello!
MP3 Download | Spotify | Apple Podcasts
Tips for Managing a Gaming Backlog
Here’s a brief summary of our strategies for managing the backlog:
- Create a two-in, one-out policy for yourself (i.e., you have to beat two games before you can buy one new one… though easier said than done).
- Find an accountability buddy to play the same game as you.
- Use a tool like HowLongToBeat to see how long a game takes the average player to complete, so you can plan accordingly.
- Adjust your expectations around what it means to “beat a game.” In his essay on Elden Ring, fellow Punished Backlogger Sam Martinelli encourages the perspective that you’re finished with a game when you’re no longer enjoying it—even if that’s before you roll the credits.
Timestamps
- 0:00 – Intro
- 3:00 – Discussing Video Game Backlogs
- 48:00 – Zack’s Hot Take!
- 1:05:30 – Outro: Episode 4 Preview, and “What’re You Playing Next?”
Games in Our Backlog
We discuss a wide range of games, new and old. In alphabetical order, here are some that dominated our conversation (and haunt our free time):
- Alan Wake 2 (2023)
- Coffee Talk (2020) and Coffee Talk Episode 2 (2023)
- Dave the Diver (2023)
- Elden Ring (2022)
- Hollow Knight (2017)
- Immortals: Fenyx Rising (2020)
- The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (2017)
- The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (2023)
- Mail Time (2023)
- Ori and the Will of the Wisps (2017)
- Red Dead Redemption 2 (2018)
- Season: A Letter to the Future (2023)
- Smushi Come Home (2023)
- Spider-Man 2 (2023)
- Super Mario Bros. Wonder (2023)
- The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt (2016)
- Venba (2023)
Song Credits
- “Main Theme” (Ludvig Forssell) from Metal Gear Solid V: Phantom Pain
- “Ground Theme” (Koji Kondo) from Super Mario Bros.
- “The Nightingale” (Marcin Przybyłowicz) from The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
- “Greenpath” (Christopher Larkin) from Hollow Knight
- “Trailer Theme” (Failpositive) from Smushi Come Home
A video game outlet that blends quality words with inclusive voices. For business inquiries and review requests, reach us at press [at] punishedbacklog [dot] com.
Zack has been hooked on games ever since his older brother taught him where to find the secret warp whistles in Mario Bros. 3. He has never felt more joy than when Yoshi congratulated him on getting 120 stars in Mario 64 or more sadness than when he played Kingdom Hearts 3 after waiting 14 years for it. Zack mails a letter to Nintendo every day asking them to bring back Chibi Robo and will gladly tell you all about why it’s one of the greatest games of all time. He was hoping that writing for the site would help him get through his backlog, but it actually just made it worse now that he’s hearing about so many more great hidden gems. Oops…
Allison has been playing all sorts of games since the late ‘90s. She particularly enjoys life sims, casual games, tactical RPGs, and anything Mario. Her dream jobs are to be a Stardew Valley speed runner and a Mary Tyler Moore historian. As a recent MBA graduate, Allison hopes to use her extra time tackling her backlog and the never-ending list of 2023 releases.
David is the founder of The Punished Backlog. He has a problem finishing games he starts. Just beat: Nine Sols, UFO 50. Working on: Metaphor: ReFantazio. Can't wait for: Hollow Knight: Silksong. Follow David on Twitter at @David_Silbert to keep up to date with all things The Punished Backlog.
Amanda Tien (she/her or they) loves video games where she can pet dogs, punch bad guys, make friends, and have a good cry. She started writing for the site in 2020, and became an editor in 2022. She enjoys writing about mystery games, indies, and strong femme protagonists. Her work has also been published in Unwinnable Monthly (click here to read her cover feature on Nancy Drew games), Salt Hill Journal, Poets.org, Litro Magazine, Public Books, and more. She was the Co-Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Columbia University's Culinarian Magazine, and served for two years as the Managing Editor of Aster(ix) Literary Journal. She recently graduated with a MFA (Master of Fine Arts) in Creative Writing from the University of Pittsburgh. Her writing, art, graphic design, and marketing work can be viewed at www.amandatien.com. She does not post a lot on social, but you can find her on X and on Instagram.
