Backlog Crusader

Video Game Literary Classics 101 – Part One

By Angie | Backlog Crusader on July 5, 2019July 17, 2019

Apologies for the delay on the final post of the Video Games Literary Classics Community Collab!

I’ve decided to post the final “syllabus” in three parts due to 1.) My own unanticipated slowness at arranging it, 2.) So readers have time to check out the individual article submissions, and 3.) So a few bloggers have time to get their contributions turned in by the time I get to Part Three.

I’ll have Part Two up in the first half of next week, then Part Three the week after, and a final full post of everything together shortly after that with any requested edits. Plus there’s a special addition to this project that may be in the works – details to come!

Without further ado, let’s take a look at the first 5 games chosen by the gaming blogger community as literary classics…

Posted in: collab, culture, gamer, gamergirl, gaming, geek, hellblade, life is Strange, nerd, Okami, shadow of the colossus, Zelda

Gamer Culture Stories

Tales From Video Game Retail – Sandwiches and Shenanigans

By Angie | Backlog Crusader on July 4, 2019October 3, 2019

The Lunch Break Tag-along

We had a regular at my second video game store who would come in multiple days a week to hang out for hours on end without buying anything. No one felt comfortable asking him not to loiter because he was a young veteran discharged with an injury, and he was nice, if oblivious. The main problem was that he would follow either me or my female supervisor around the store constantly, talking at us and preventing us from getting work done.

Now, I say “talking at” and not “talking to” because he didn’t particularly care if we returned conversation or not. I think he was lonely, but we had work to do, man.

Posted in: gamer girl, games, gaming, girl gamer, retail, Stories, video games

Video Game Article

Final Fantasy X – Feels like home

By Angie | Backlog Crusader on July 2, 2019July 17, 2019

It’s been over fifteen years since I discovered the land of Spira as a kid. My first Sony console was the PlayStation 2, so I had never had the opportunity to play Final Fantasy titles before X. Final Fantasy X was my first experience with them. Playing FFX again feels so comfortable and nostalgic that it easily brings to mind all those late weekend nights in the dim glow of the TV next to the fireplace with my dog curled up under my chair, occasionally nudging my leg for attention. Final Fantasy X is a game that, for me, fits like a pair of gloves I thought I’d lost long ago.

Posted in: entertainment, final fantasy x, gamer, girl gamer, jrpg, music, Nintendo Switch, playstation

Other Game Stuff

Steam Key Giveaway Winners!

By Angie | Backlog Crusader on July 1, 2019

Good evening gamers! I just ran the 15 entrants through a Random.org list randomizer and below is the list of winners with the games each will be receiving. I’ll be sending out these codes via email tonight and tomorrow as time allows. Thanks for participating and for all of your support! ❤

Relsre – Epistory: Typing Chronicles
CJW – The Bridge
Santo – Dreadout
Robot – Getting Over It
Kassitar – The Road to Balhalla
Frostilyte – QUBE: Director’s Cut
This is Art Not Real Life – Her Story
Florian – Rising Storm 2 –
JB – Scanner Sombre
Fluxx – Insurgency
Nitro – Thirty Flights of Loving
QuietChisto – The First Tree
Odin – Kathy Rain
Tregs – Wargame: Red Dragon
Cvillian – Superbrothers: Swords and Sorcery

Posted in: community, gamer, gaming, giveaway, pc gaming

Video Game Article

Bloodstained first impressions! (Switch)

By Angie | Backlog Crusader on June 29, 2019July 17, 2019

Honestly, I was taken with Bloodstained immediately! It has a fantastic art motif, Gothic atmosphere, and fabulous music. As someone uninitiated in the Castlevania franchise, I am expecting great things based on what I’ve heard. I’m not very far yet, but I love what I see so far.

Posted in: bloodstained, castevania, entertainment, gamer, gaming, girl gamer, kickstarter, Nintendo Switch, videogames

Gamer Culture Stories

Tales From Video Game Retail – Peeves and Mistakes

By Angie | Backlog Crusader on June 28, 2019July 17, 2019

During College I used to work at a Best Buy and then later a GameStop. If you have ever worked retail you will understand the pain. Customers are almost never right. I took a little time to write down some of my most memorable stories and interactions. I hope you enjoy some of these more than I did when I experienced them!

Posted in: gamer girl, games, gaming, girl gamer, retail, Stories, video games

Other Game Stuff

New Logo and Patreon Launch – Become a Backlog Knight!

By Angie | Backlog Crusader on June 27, 2019July 2, 2019

Things are going extremely well with no sign of slowing down, so I wanted to go ahead and announce new branding and the Backlog Crusader Patreon launch!

Megan over at a Geeky Gal was amazing to work with on the branding for Backlog Crusader. Very quick, professional, with good communication and fair pricing. I would highly recommend her for any of your current or future graphic design needs!

I’ve gotten a few questions about if I’ll be setting up a Patreon, so without further ado, here is the info. Feedback is welcome!

Like the content? Please consider becoming a Patron of Backlog Crusader!

The Backlog Crusader Patreon will help to absorb the costs of the Backlog Crusader domain, professional email hosting, logo commission cost, and of course the hours I spend working on content I sincerely hope you enjoy. In return, I’ve prepared some rewards supporters should find appealing!

Posted in: blogging, community, gamer, gaming, girl gamer, patreon

Nintendo Switch Review

Momodora: Reverie Under the Moonlight Review (Switch) – the little priestess who could

By Angie | Backlog Crusader on June 26, 2019July 17, 2019

Momodora: Reverie Under the Moonlight is a charming, gorgeously animated Metroidvania title about a brave priestess trying to rid her village of a withering curse emanating from the country’s royal palace. Lovingly crafted with rich, detailed pixel graphics, Momodora: RUTM is a short and sweet adventure worth your time.

Posted in: entertainment, gamer, gamer girl, gaming, girl gamer, momodora, Nintendo Switch, Review, video games

Other Game Stuff

Blog Milestone Thank-You Steam Key GIVEAWAY! (Over 100 keys available)

By Angie | Backlog Crusader on June 25, 2019July 17, 2019

I created Backlog Crusader on April 25th and in only two months, thanks to the support of nerdy friends, family, and a great WordPress community, we’ve managed to reach 200 wordpress followers, 5,000 visitors, and 10,000 views. That’s basically absurd for a totally unknown, brand new gaming blog, and it’s all because of you guys!

It’s time to give back. As a celebration and a thank you to my amazing readers and fellow writers, I’m doing a giveaway from my Steam Key Loot Vault of over 100 keys that need a good home. They aren’t triple A titles or anything, but I’m sure some will be of interest. There’s definitely some indie favorites in there that you might not have tried yet!

SIGN UP HERE!

Posted in: blogging, community, gamer, gamergirl, gaming, giveaway, pc gaming, video games

Video Game Article

Mounts Done RIGHT – The Amazing Mount System in Guild Wars 2

By Angie | Backlog Crusader on June 24, 2019July 17, 2019

I have always been a huge sucker for pets and mounts in video games. If I get to own, raise, ride, or play with animals of any kind, chances are I’ll love whatever game it is. When I used to play World of Warcraft I would spend ages running old raid content for the 2% chance of rare mount loot drops. As in “Sorry I can’t go out to dinner, gotta run Icecrown Citadel on my 10th alt before weekly raid reset.” (It was a sickness, really.)

When a mount system was finally added to Guild Wars 2 last year in the Path of Fire expansion, I was ecstatic! In developer interviews on the subject, ArenaNet calls their design philosophy the “Joy of Movement”, and it is indeed an absolutely joy to collect and ride these incredibly well designed mounts. Each type of mount has a specific mechanical purpose and handles very differently, rather than being a series of model re-skins as is seen inmost MMOs. Mounts in Guild Wars 2 are essentially a case study is how to do mounts right. Giddy-up!

Posted in: entertainment, gamer, gamergirl, gaming, girl gamer, guild wars 2, mmo, mmorpg, pc gaming, video games