Into the Aether - A Low Key Video Game Podcast

What do Dragon Quest games and 90s Nickelodeon game shows have in common?
Discussed: What is five dollars, Blue Prince, Dragon Quest VII Reimagined, Unbeatable, Mario Tennis: Power Tour

Use code AETHER20 at checkout for 20% off your first year of Pika!

Find us everywhere: https://intothecast.online
Buy some merch, if you'd like: https://shop.intothecast.online
Join the Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/intothecast
---
Follow Stephen Hilger: https://bsky.app/profile/stephenhilger.bsky.social
Follow Brendon Bigley: https://bsky.app/profile/bb.wavelengths.online
Produced by AJ Fillari: https://bsky.app/profile/ajfillari.bsky.social
---
Season 8 cover art by Scout Wilkinson: https://scoutwilkinson.myportfolio.com/
Theme song by Will LaPorte: https://ghostdown.online/
---
Timecodes:
(00:00) - Intro

(00:21) - AJ is here!

(04:08) - How much is 5 dollars?

(08:54) - Blue Prince | It's like "prince" but also "prints". Get it?

(25:24) - Break

(28:05) - Dragon Quest VII: Reimagined | It's a hero once again!

(51:25) - Break

(51:26) - Unbeatable | Count me in, Jack

(01:03:45) - Mario Tennis Power Tour | Some are calling it the Culinary Class Wars of gaming

(01:22:27) - AJ's Switch 2 critical mass

(01:27:30) - Wrapping up

---
Thanks to all of our amazing patrons, including our Eternal Gratitude members:
SuperThisWay
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J-Rock
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iceman
Christian H
Rydan B
Caleb H
Arden F
Eye of the Duck
Kale
Nathan E
J. H. A
joelchrono
Mellow
Matthew B
Robin LP
SeekingSeaking
Jimmers
zoey!
Vinny M
Matt
Kerry K
Brian M
Noah D
Zach D
Christopher TD
Hugo W
Todd
Chris B
Lukerfuffle
Stephen Y
Daniel G
Eric F
Taran W
Brendan O
Chris Z
Clayton M
Zach R
Dylan N
Federico V
Tigerz Revenge
Logan H
Alan R
John A
Mike L
mattjanzz
David M
HeavyPixels
Kaleb H
Tyler J
Corey Z
Susan H
Barry T
Robert R
Chris J
Brett Allen H
Dan S
Jack S
Garrett C
jimiibo
John H
Dirch F
Jim E
Jim W
Tristan L
Evan B
AwfulHanzo
min2
Aaron G
Jean H
Todd N
red_wagon
Neil
Peter B
John V
v
Erik M
Redmage77
Joshua J
Tony L
Danny K
Gibson G
Kate Duncan B
Richard M
Daniel N
Seth M
James
Andy H
Demo
Emma
Lyn E
Corey T
Caleb W
Jake L
Jesse W
Mike T
Codes
Matt B
Wesley
mebezac
Alex L
Sergio L
ninjadeathdog
Rory B
A42PoundMoose
Robert M
Michael W
Andrew
this_JUSTIN
Ryan O
14.3 billion years
Brendan K
Megan B
SecretAgentKoala
Noah O
Arcturus
Andrew W
hepahe
Chase A
LoveDies
Nick Q
Chris M
RB
Karen H
Adam F
Scott H
Alexander S
Matt H
Murray
David P
Jason K
Micah O
Kamrin H
Andrew D
Kyle S
Philip N

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Thank you to Theater of the Mindset for sponsoring this episode!

Hey is this thing on? Had an idea for a Persona game but instead of "The Midnight Channel" there's "The 7:18 Bowl of Chili." What do we think, gang?
Discussed: Post-GOTY, what we had for dinner, Antiques Roadshow, GOTY 2016, the next season premiere, The Jersey Devil, Brendon Vaguely, Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment, the appeal of the Warriors spin-offs, Zelda’s past and future, the Zelda movie, Persona 4 Golden, the upcoming Persona 4 remake, the unique strengths of Persona 4
(Spoilers for our 2026 Season Premiere:) Google Form for your input. Details mentioned in the episode!

Find us everywhere: https://intothecast.online
Buy some merch, if you'd like: https://shop.intothecast.online
Join the Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/intothecast
---
Follow Stephen Hilger: https://bsky.app/profile/stephenhilger.bsky.social
Follow Brendon Bigley: https://bsky.app/profile/bb.wavelengths.online
Produced by AJ Fillari: https://bsky.app/profile/ajfillari.bsky.social
---
Season 8 cover art by Scout Wilkinson: https://scoutwilkinson.myportfolio.com/
Theme song by Will LaPorte: https://ghostdown.online/
---
Timecodes:

(00:00) - Intro

(01:31) - Thank you for being here!

(02:57) - The next season premiere will be...

(08:39) - Antiques Roadshow

(12:20) - Flipping something just for kicks

(12:30) - Hyrule Warriors: Age of Imprisonment | Antiques Castle Town Show

(35:30) - Break

(36:11) - BB stands for Big Bug

(36:32) - Persona 4 Golden | It's time to talk about Persona 4 Golden

(01:21:41) - Mid-game Teddie spoiler!!!

(01:27:09) - Persona 4 Golden | It's time to talk about Persona 4 Golden

(01:34:24) - Wrapping up

---
Thanks to all of our amazing patrons, including our Eternal Gratitude members:
Vincent J
Patrick K
Ed A
J-Rock
Samantha D
North Hero
Sam H
Snzzn
J-Rock
Gregory Mark S
Cmndr Biscuit
iceman
Christian H
Rydan B
Caleb H
Arden F
Eye of the Duck
Kale
Nathan E
J. H. A
joelchrono
Mellow
Matthew B
Robin LP
SeekingSeaking
Jimmers
zoey!
Vinny M
Matt
Kerry K
Brian M
Noah D
Zach D
Christopher TD
Hugo W
Todd
Chris B
Lukerfuffle
Stephen Y
Daniel G
Eric F
Taran W
Brendan O
Chris Z
Clayton M
Zach R
Dylan N
Federico V
Tigerz Revenge
Logan H
Alan R
John A
Mike L
mattjanzz
David M
HeavyPixels
Kaleb H
Tyler J
Corey Z
Susan H
Barry T
Robert R
Chris J
Brett Allen H
Dan S
Jack S
Garrett C
jimiibo
John H
Dirch F
Jim E
Jim W
Tristan L
Evan B
AwfulHanzo
min2
Aaron G
Jean H
Todd N
red_wagon
Neil
Peter B
John V
v
Erik M
Redmage77
Joshua J
Tony L
Danny K
Gibson G
Kate Duncan B
Richard M
Daniel N
Seth M
James
Andy H
Demo
Emma
Lyn E
Corey T
Caleb W
Jake L
Jesse W
Mike T
Codes
Matt B
Wesley
mebezac
Alex L
Sergio L
ninjadeathdog
Rory B
A42PoundMoose
Robert M
Michael W
Andrew
this_JUSTIN
Ryan O
14.3 billion years
Brendan K
Megan B
SecretAgentKoala
Noah O
Arcturus
Andrew W
hepahe
Chase A
LoveDies
Nick Q
Chris M
RB
Karen H
Adam F
Scott H
Alexander S
Matt H
Murray
David P
Jason K
Micah O
Kamrin H
Andrew D
Kyle S
Philip N

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Hear ye, hear ye!! Don your warmest winter gear and settle in for another recounting of our favorite video games from this most recent year. And by "our" we of course also mean "your." It's everyone's GOTY. And that's why it's called a "Spectacular."
Discussed: Our ten favorite games of 2025, and a lot more.
(Spoilers for our 2026 Season Premiere:) Google Form for your input. Details mentioned in the episode!

Find us everywhere: https://intothecast.online
Buy some merch, if you'd like: https://shop.intothecast.online
Join the Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/intothecast
---
Follow Stephen Hilger: https://bsky.app/profile/stephenhilger.bsky.social
Follow Brendon Bigley: https://bsky.app/profile/bb.wavelengths.online
Produced by AJ Fillari: https://bsky.app/profile/ajfillari.bsky.social
---
Season 8 cover art by Scout Wilkinson: https://scoutwilkinson.myportfolio.com/
Theme song by Will LaPorte: https://ghostdown.online/
---
***🚨SONG CREDITS ARE IN CHAPTERS. FULL SPOILERS FOR THE LIST!!!🚨***
Timecodes:

(00:00) - Intro

(01:23) - What the heck is this podcast anyway??

(06:00) - The PS Vita episode is coming!

(12:03) - The year 2025

(33:37) - AJ's Game of the Year!

(36:07) - GOTOYs

(53:01) - Zuko of the Year

(53:57) - GOTOYs

(01:28:08) - That's the GOTOYs!

(01:29:27) - Trouble Shooting Star by ZENTA | Yakuza 0 OST

(01:29:45) - Matt Horton's Game of the Year!

(01:30:58) - How we do GOTY

(01:31:52) - Stephen's #10

(01:38:24) - solar flare by kariomart, Blue Cayman | Q-Up OST

(01:38:51) - Brendon's #10

(01:43:58) - Airport by Erik Skog | PEAK OST

(01:44:24) - Stephen's #9

(01:54:57) - Lagoon Layer by Naoto Kubo | Donkey Kong Bananza OST

(01:55:29) - Brendon's #9

(02:03:19) - Bountiful Harvest by Amos Roddy | Ball X Pit OST

(02:03:44) - Stephen's #8

(02:10:38) - Detective by Joey Lopes | Detective Instinct: Farewell, My Beloved OST

(02:11:09) - Brendon's #8

(02:22:12) - Reflection Affection (feat. Pau Figueres) by Darren Korb | Hades II

(02:22:44) - Stephen's #7

(02:27:11) - Traveling With Friends by Kōichi Sugiyama, performed by the Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra | Dragon Quest II OST

(02:27:44) - Brendon's #7

(02:37:32) - Peach Stadium by Nintendo Music Team, Atsuko Asahi, Maasa Miyoshi, Takuhiro Honda, Yutaro Takakuwa | Mario Kart World OST

(02:38:12) - Stephen's #6

(02:47:38) - Factorial Area by Masafumi Takada | Digimon Story: Time Stranger OST

(02:48:08) - Brendon's #6

(03:00:55) - Glamorous by coda | Consume Me (Original Game Soundtrack)

(03:01:24) - Erik's Game of the Year!

(03:02:38) - LOTY

(03:03:12) - A very special announcement!!!!!!!!!

(03:07:56) - A call to action!

(03:15:34) - Getting to the top 5

(03:17:02) - Stephen's #5

(03:22:46) - Sightless Shepherd by Darren Korb (featuring Sam Gendel) | Hades II OST

(03:23:16) - Brendon's #5

(03:30:11) - Bouncy Castle by Tommy Baynen | Sektori Official Soundtrack

(03:30:37) - Stephen's #4

(03:37:39) - Epilogo by pánico | Despelote OST

(03:38:10) - Joshua Rivera's Game of the Year!

(03:40:18) - Brendon's #4

(03:45:15) - r i o by kariomart, Blue Cayman | Q-Up OST

(03:45:46) - Stephen's #3

(03:49:55) - Let's Imagine It Freely by plasterbrain | StarVaders OST

(03:50:26) - Brendon's #3

(03:59:44) - Beyond the Waves by Kōichi Sugiyama, performed by the Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra | Dragon Quest II OST

(04:00:14) - Two Shreks or an Opera

(04:00:32) - Stephen's #2

(04:07:42) - Incisive Battle by Christoper Larkin | Hollow Knight Silksong OST

(04:08:13) - Chase's Game of the Year!

(04:11:06) - Brendon's #2

(04:20:36) - Stories of All Manor by Trigg & Gusset | Blue Prince OST

(04:21:05) - Stephen's #1

(04:34:33) - Rumble by Paledusk (featuring Masato from coldrain) | The Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy OST

(04:35:08) - Lex's Game of the Year

(04:37:20) - Brendon's #1

(04:52:39) - Bellhart by Christopher Larkin | Hollow Knight: Silksong (Original Soundtrack)

(04:53:09) - Scout's Game of the Year!

(04:54:49) - Recapping the top 10s

(04:56:00) - Break

(04:56:02) - One slice of pizza and a one player video game

(04:56:28) - Stephen's guesses for Brendon's GOTYs

(04:58:06) - The Discord Top 10 Games of the Year

(05:10:04) - Andy's Game of the Year!

(05:11:52) - Honorable Mentions

(05:12:43) - Stephen's Honorable Mentions

(05:18:27) - Brendon's Honorable Mentions

(05:30:26) - Ponk(Matt)'s Game of the Year!

(05:32:29) - Creating the ITA Top 5

(05:55:48) - The Into the Aether Top 5 Video Games of 2025

(05:56:22) - A wish, granted

(06:00:08) - A surprise!

(06:04:44) - Into the Future!

(06:20:20) - Wrapping up

---
Thanks to all of our amazing patrons, including our Eternal Gratitude members:
Vincent J
Patrick K
Ed A
J-Rock
Samantha D
North Hero
Sam H
Snzzn
J-Rock
Gregory Mark S
Cmndr Biscuit
iceman
Christian H
Rydan B
Caleb H
Arden F
Eye of the Duck
Kale
Nathan E
J. H. A
joelchrono
Mellow
Matthew B
Robin LP
SeekingSeaking
Jimmers
zoey!
Vinny M
Matt
Kerry K
Brian M
Noah D
Zach D
Christopher TD
Hugo W
Todd
Chris B
Lukerfuffle
Stephen Y
Daniel G
Eric F
Taran W
Brendan O
Chris Z
Clayton M
Zach R
Dylan N
Federico V
Tigerz Revenge
Logan H
Alan R
John A
Mike L
mattjanzz
David M
HeavyPixels
Kaleb H
Tyler J
Corey Z
Susan H
Barry T
Robert R
Chris J
Brett Allen H
Dan S
Jack S
Garrett C
jimiibo
John H
Dirch F
Jim E
Jim W
Tristan L
Evan B
AwfulHanzo
min2
Aaron G
Jean H
Todd N
red_wagon
Neil
Peter B
John V
v
Erik M
Redmage77
Joshua J
Tony L
Danny K
Gibson G
Kate Duncan B
Richard M
Daniel N
Seth M
James
Andy H
Demo
Emma
Lyn E
Corey T
Caleb W
Jake L
Jesse W
Mike T
Codes
Matt B
Wesley
mebezac
Alex L
Sergio L
ninjadeathdog
Rory B
A42PoundMoose
Robert M
Michael W
Andrew
this_JUSTIN
Ryan O
14.3 billion years
Brendan K
Megan B
SecretAgentKoala
Noah O
Arcturus
Andrew W
hepahe
Chase A
LoveDies
Nick Q
Chris M
RB
Karen H
Adam F
Scott H
Alexander S
Matt H
Murray
David P
Jason K
Micah O
Kamrin H
Andrew D
Kyle S
Philip N

★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

The return of bump-slash combat is here, but what we’re positing is: What if it’s time for throw up and explode combat?
Disclaimer: We recorded this before the recent news about Larian’s use of generative AI for creative work. It’s very disappointing.
Discussed: the Vita is here, Persona 4 Golden, the upcoming remake of P4, our experience getting into Persona, our S-Link arcana, Vita games we’re most excited for, a caveat from the future, the Divinity trailer, BG3, Divinity Original Sin 2, the pending fate of GTA 6, 2025 takeaways, Angeline Era, bump-slash renaissance, Octopath Traveler 0, Octopath as a series, the upcoming Elliott sweep, GOTY Eve

Find us everywhere: https://intothecast.online
Buy some merch, if you'd like: https://shop.intothecast.online
Join the Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/intothecast
---
Follow Stephen Hilger: https://bsky.app/profile/stephenhilger.bsky.social 
Follow Brendon Bigley: https://bsky.app/profile/bb.wavelengths.online
Produced by AJ Fillari: https://bsky.app/profile/ajfillari.bsky.social
---
Season 8 cover art by Scout Wilkinson: https://scoutwilkinson.myportfolio.com/
Theme song by Will LaPorte: https://ghostdown.online/
---
Timecodes:

(00:00) - Intro

(00:24) - Vita means life!

(07:10) - Persona 4 Golden | PSP stands for PerSona Playing

(40:03) - What Vita game are you looking forward to?

(44:58) - Break

(45:00) - Quick Larian caveat

(47:34) - Divinity | Vibe check

(01:13:35) - Break

(01:13:36) - C'mon Dutch! Bring me to that statue in the desert!

(01:15:33) - Angeline Era | Brendon's been gaming

(01:28:55) - Break

(01:28:57) - Octopath Traveler 0 | A power-driven podcast

(01:49:35) - GOTY eve!

(01:54:00) - Wrapping up

---
Thanks to all of our amazing patrons, including our Eternal Gratitude members:
Vincent J
Patrick K
Ed A
J-Rock
Samantha D
North Hero
Sam H
Snzzn
J-Rock
Gregory Mark S
Cmndr Biscuit
iceman
Christian H
Rydan B
Caleb H
Arden F
Eye of the Duck
Kale
Nathan E
J. H. A
joelchrono
Mellow
Matthew B
Robin LP
SeekingSeaking
Jimmers
zoey!
Vinny M
Matt
Kerry K
Brian M
Noah D
Zach D
Christopher TD
Hugo W
Todd
Chris B
Lukerfuffle
Stephen Y
Daniel G
Eric F
Taran W
Brendan O
Chris Z
Clayton M
Zach R
Dylan N
Federico V
Tigerz Revenge
Logan H
Alan R
John A
Mike L
mattjanzz
David M
HeavyPixels
Kaleb H
Tyler J
Corey Z
Susan H
Barry T
Robert R
Chris J
Brett Allen H
Dan S
Jack S
Garrett C
jimiibo
John H
Dirch F
Jim E
Jim W
Tristan L
Evan B
AwfulHanzo
min2
Aaron G
Jean H
Todd N
red_wagon
Neil
Peter B
John V
v
Erik M
Redmage77
Joshua J
Tony L
Danny K
Gibson G
Kate Duncan B
Richard M
Daniel N
Seth M
James
Andy H
Demo
Emma
Lyn E
Corey T
Caleb W
Jake L
Jesse W
Mike T
Codes
Matt B
Wesley
mebezac
Alex L
Sergio L
ninjadeathdog
Rory B
A42PoundMoose
Robert M
Michael W
Andrew
this_JUSTIN
Ryan O
14.3 billion years
Brendan K
Megan B
SecretAgentKoala
Noah O
Arcturus
Andrew W
hepahe
Chase A
LoveDies
Nick Q
Chris M
RB
Karen H
Adam F
Scott H
Alexander S
Matt H
Murray
David P
Jason K
Micah O
Kamrin H
Andrew D
Kyle S
Philip N

★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

We're joined this week by Brandon Sheffield — creative director at Necrosoft Games and cohost of the fantastic Insert Credit podcast — for a conversation about making games, and making Demonschool specifically. Afterwards, we have a conversation about the highs and lows of Metroid Prime 4: Beyond and making a version of Rorschach who is somehow even worse than the original.
Discussed: Brandon Sheffield is here, the pitfalls of men’s fashion, the release of Demonschool, the beauty and importance of 7/10 games, the PS1 era, design informed by limitation, Jeanne d’Arc, how tactics games could be streamlined, News Tower, the specific era we’re in, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, Myles Mackenzie, Metroid as a series, the Zune, Nintendo’s Disney Era

Vote in the GOTY poll, if you’d like! https://forms.gle/E6wRvbdBnw7KDNSy7 

Brendon's Silksong video
Find us everywhere: https://intothecast.online
Buy some merch, if you'd like: https://shop.intothecast.online
Join the Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/intothecast
---
Follow Stephen Hilger: https://bsky.app/profile/stephenhilger.bsky.social 
Follow Brendon Bigley: https://bsky.app/profile/bb.wavelengths.online
Produced by AJ Fillari: https://bsky.app/profile/ajfillari.bsky.social
---
Season 8 cover art by Scout Wilkinson: https://scoutwilkinson.myportfolio.com/
Theme song by Will LaPorte: https://ghostdown.online/
---
Timecodes:

(00:00) - Intro

(00:14) - Demonschool | Brandon Sheffield is here!

(01:05:04) - Break

(01:05:05) - Metroid Prime 4: Beyond | I will not make a Myles joke. I will not make a Myles joke. I will not make a Myles joke. I will not make a Myles joke.

(01:57:34) - Wrapping up

---
Thanks to all of our amazing patrons, including our Eternal Gratitude members:
Ed A
J-Rock
Samantha D
North Hero
Sam H
Snzzn
Bertito
J-Rock
Gregory Mark S
Cmndr Biscuit
iceman
Christian H
Rydan B
Caleb H
Arden F
Eye of the Duck
Kale
Nathan E
J. H. A
joelchrono
Mellow
Matthew B
Robin LP
SeekingSeaking
Jimmers
zoey!
Vinny M
Matt
Kerry K
Brian M
Noah D
Zach D
Christopher TD
Hugo W
Todd
Chris B
Lukerfuffle
Stephen Y
Daniel G
Eric F
Taran W
Brendan O
Chris Z
Clayton M
Zach R
Griffin
Dylan N
Federico V
Tigerz Revenge
Logan H
Alan R
John A
Mike L
mattjanzz
David M
HeavyPixels
Kaleb H
Tyler J
Corey Z
Susan H
Barry T
Robert R
Chris J
Brett Allen H
Dan S
Jack S
Garrett C
jimiibo
John H
Dirch F
Jim E
Jim W
Tristan L
Evan B
AwfulHanzo
min2
Aaron G
Jean H
Todd N
red_wagon
Neil
Peter B
John V
v
Erik M
Redmage77
Joshua J
Tony L
Danny K
Gibson G
Kate Duncan B
Richard M
Daniel N
Seth M
James
Andy H
Demo
Emma
Lyn E
Corey T
Caleb W
Jake L
Jesse W
Mike T
Codes
Matt B
Wesley
mebezac
Alex L
Sergio L
ninjadeathdog
Rory B
A42PoundMoose
Robert M
Michael W
Andrew
this_JUSTIN
Ryan O
14.3 billion years
Brendan K
Megan B
SecretAgentKoala
Noah O
Arcturus
Andrew W
hepahe
Chase A
LoveDies
Nick Q
Chris M
RB
Karen H
Adam F
Scott H
Alexander S
Matt H
Murray
David P
Jason K
Micah O
Kamrin H
Andrew D
Kyle S
Philip N

★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★