Into the Aether - A Low Key Video Game Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Into the Aether VI: The Sega Dreamcast Aug 02, 2023

Show notes

It's finally here! After a summer break and over one-hundred games, Into the Aether returns for season six with a retrospective on the Sega Dreamcast library! Stephen and Brendon report back with a list of the 30 must-play games for the console in a discussion with producer AJ Fillari before drilling down and creating an ITA Top 5.

Thank you all for indulging us after our vacation, but we're so excited to be back!

You can find the full list of games discussed here: https://www.backloggd.com/u/brendonbigley/list/into-the-aether-the-sega-dreamcast-must-play-list/
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Produced by AJ Fillari: https://bsky.app/profile/ajfillari.bsky.social
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Season 6 Cover Art by Scout Wilkinson: https://scoutwilkinson.myportfolio.com/

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Timecodes:

(00:00) - Intro
(02:04) - Welcome to Into the Aether!
(15:02) - Quantifying "Dreamcast Vibes"
(20:05) - And I'm Brendon BIgley
(20:11) - The thing about the Dreamcast
(25:38) - How the episode is gonna go
(29:12) - It's 1999
(29:43) - The House of the Dead 2
(39:40) - Hydro Thunder
(46:41) - Soul Caliber
(58:42) - Happy Y2K
(01:03:38) - Mr. Driller
(01:08:03) - Cannon Spike
(01:14:49) - Grandia 2
(01:21:10) - Marvel vs Capcom 2: New Age of Heroes
(01:27:47) - Skies of Arcadia
(01:34:08) - Seaman
(01:49:18) - Shenmue
(02:11:59) - The Virtua RPG
(02:14:59) - 2000 (continued)
(02:16:02) - Power Stone 2
(02:23:50) - Capcom vs SNK 2: Mark of the Millenium 2001
(02:26:31) - D2
(02:34:35) - Legacy of Kain: Soulreaver
(02:39:01) - Frogger 2: Swampy's Revenge
(02:44:57) - Dead or Alive 2
(02:53:19) - Jet Set Radio (Jet Grind Radio)
(02:59:26) - Street Fighter III: 3rd Strike
(03:05:03) - Techromancer
(03:07:55) - Resident Evil: Code Veronica
(03:16:23) - 2000 AND 1???
(03:16:44) - Reiterating why the Dreamcast collapsed
(03:19:58) - Project Justice
(03:25:15) - Phantasy Star ONLINE
(03:29:42) - Virtua Tennis 2
(03:35:11) - Bomberman Online
(03:39:13) - 18 Wheeler American Pro Trucker
(03:41:47) - Putting a little bit of respect on Crazy Taxi
(03:42:24) - 18 Wheeler American Pro Trucker
(03:42:42) - The Last of Our 2001 Games
(03:42:45) - The Last of Us???
(03:43:09) - Sonic Adventure 2
(03:54:36) - Rest in Peace Dreamcast (there are still games coming out tho)
(03:56:44) - Shenmue 2
(04:09:11) - Ikaruga
(04:14:10) - Space Channel 5 Part 2
(04:18:05) - ReZ
(04:29:30) - Mentioning (Honorably)
(04:30:02) - Napple Tale: Arsia in Daydream
(04:32:19) - Air Force Delta
(04:33:02) - Mars Matrix
(04:33:32) - Elemental Gimmick Gear (EGG)
(04:35:51) - Ecco the Dolphin: Defender of the Future
(04:38:15) - ChuChu Rocket
(04:39:19) - Sega Bass Fishing
(04:39:33) - Dino Crisis
(04:39:57) - Tony Hawk Pro Skater 2, come on
(04:40:00) - Star Wars Jedi Power Battles
(04:40:26) - Spider-man
(04:42:14) - That's it!
(04:42:55) - We did it
(04:43:14) - This is now when we do a top 5
(04:58:46) - Making the Aether Top 5
(05:03:52) - Testing the list
(05:06:49) - The Aether Top 5 Best Video Games for the Sega Dreamcast
(05:07:18) - Wrapping up

An Introduction to the Sega Dreamcast w/ Chris Plante Jul 26, 2023

Show notes

Hello! This episode was originally posted to our Patreon in April of 2023 as a way to kick off our journey into the Sega Dreamcast catalogue. We're one week away from the release of our console retrospective, and felt a lot of the information our friend Chris Plante of Polygon and The Besties brought to this episode would in turn make next week's premiere even more interesting! So here's his walkthrough of everything you need to know about the Sega Dreamcast.

See you next week!
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Find us everywhere: https://intothecast.online
Join the Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/intothecast

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Follow on Mastodon: https://theaether.space/@intothecast
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Follow Stephen Hilger: https://stephenhilgerart.com/

Follow Brendon Bigley: https://theaether.space/@bb

Produced by AJ Fillari: https://theaether.space/@aj
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Season 5 Cover Art by Scout Wilkinson: https://scoutwilkinson.myportfolio.com/

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Timecodes:

(00:00) - Whoa, an episode?!
(05:50) - Intro: Dreamcast Primer feat. Chris Plante!
(11:02) - THE Ten Things to Know Before Your Dreamcast Journey
(17:05) - Number 10
(21:15) - Number 9
(39:20) - Number 8
(45:21) - Stay off the lightspeed!
(45:48) - A check-in
(51:15) - Explaining the VMU
(55:42) - Number 7
(58:35) - Talking about The Games
(01:04:12) - Codename: Dreamcast
(01:06:14) - Number 6
(01:11:05) - Number 5
(01:19:53) - Number 4
(01:22:07) - The sports guys are thinking
(01:22:35) - Number Three-o
(01:23:20) - Question about TVs
(01:28:08) - Xbox sequels?
(01:29:15) - Number Threem
(01:35:14) - A video gagagame
(01:40:21) - Number 2
(01:42:13) - Number 1
(01:48:26) - The Final Games
(02:00:29) - Credits and Works Cited
(02:03:07) - That's the end of The Document
(02:06:24) - Wrapping up

Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door (w/ Will LaPorte) | Bonus Jun 16, 2023

Show notes

Our friend Will LaPorte returns to the show for an almost five-hour discussion about the 2004 GameCube classic Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door.

Okay, now we're REALLY gonna take a break. See you again in August, friends!

Follow Will: https://ghostdown.bandcamp.com/
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Find us everywhere: https://intothecast.online
Join the Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/intothecast

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Follow on Mastodon: https://theaether.space/@intothecast
Follow on Tumblr: https://intothecast.tumblr.com
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Follow Stephen Hilger: https://stephenhilgerart.com/

Follow Brendon Bigley: https://theaether.space/@bb

Produced by AJ Fillari: https://theaether.space/@aj
---
Season 5 Cover Art by Scout Wilkinson: https://scoutwilkinson.myportfolio.com/

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Timecodes:

(00:00) - Intro
(03:45) - Histories with the series
(10:30) - General thoughts
(24:40) - Replayability
(55:46) - FINAL SPOILER WARNING
(56:40) - Talking about THE GAME WITH SPOILERS
(03:12:40) - Listener Questions!
(03:12:47) - Trope subversion // chaseallhart
(03:21:42) - Favorite joke/bit // hasselingthehoff
(03:32:45) - Go-to badges // nmcnallen
(03:38:02) - Welcome to the party! // Rob
(03:42:21) - The ultimate companion of ultimate destiny // haint_blue
(04:36:33) - Rolling up into a little paper tube and saying goodbye!

The Video Cart (feat. Summer Vacation Vibes) May 31, 2023

Show notes

SEE YOU IN AUGUST <3

Discussed: The PlayStation Showcase 2023, Listener Questions
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Find us everywhere: https://intothecast.online
Join the Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/intothecast

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Follow on Mastodon: https://theaether.space/@intothecast
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Follow Stephen Hilger: https://stephenhilgerart.com/

Follow Brendon Bigley: https://theaether.space/@bb

Produced by AJ Fillari: https://theaether.space/@aj
---
Season 5 Cover Art by Scout Wilkinson: https://scoutwilkinson.myportfolio.com/

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Timecodes:

(00:00) - Intro
(00:40) - Quick reminder!
(03:33) - Playstation Showcase, May 24th
(12:54) - Playstation Showcase, May 24th // The Good Shit(tm)
(53:16) - Questions before the beach
(53:42) - Best and worst flavor of ice cream? // Mace
(01:01:29) - 5 nice things about KH3? // Jeff
(01:06:11) - Street Fighter VI main? // bozluhrmann
(01:11:58) - Seasonal favorites? // Chris
(01:14:07) - Break games? // Kelsey
(01:22:18) - Have a KICK ASS summer <3

Seeing the Magician (feat. Humanity, Skies of Arcadia, Tears of the Kingdom) May 24, 2023

Show notes

Hey! As we mention at the top of the episode, we're going to be taking a break for the summer as a little gift to ourselves for making it five years. We understand this might come as a shock, but it's all to keep us energized and excited for when we come back with the Dreamcast premiere on August 2nd! We'll have another episode next week, then the Paper Mario TTYD bonus in early June. Any% will still hit the Patreon during the sabbatical, along with a few extra bits here and there — so stay tuned!

Discussed: Skies of Arcadia, Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan, Humanity, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
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Find us everywhere: https://intothecast.online
Join the Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/intothecast

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Follow on Mastodon: https://theaether.space/@intothecast
Follow on Tumblr: https://intothecast.tumblr.com
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Follow Stephen Hilger: https://stephenhilgerart.com/

Follow Brendon Bigley: https://theaether.space/@bb

Produced by AJ Fillari: https://theaether.space/@aj
---
Season 5 Cover Art by Scout Wilkinson: https://scoutwilkinson.myportfolio.com/

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Timecodes:

(00:00) - Intro
(03:45) - An announcement!
(13:51) - A videogame for the Sega Dreamcast // Skies of Arcadia
(40:14) - Remember that Sony system?? // Humanity
(53:30) - The bread guy does exist
(54:13) - A gift from the patron saint of the DS // Osu! Tatakae! Ouendan
(01:03:25) - That dern kingdom won't stop CRYING! // Tears of the Kingdom

A Podcast Episode About The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom May 17, 2023

Show notes

After years of build-up, we can finally talk about The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom for the Nintendo Switch.

Discussed: Blinx 2: Masters of Time and Space
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Follow Brendon Bigley: https://theaether.space/@bb

Produced by AJ Fillari: https://theaether.space/@aj
---
Season 5 Cover Art by Scout Wilkinson: https://scoutwilkinson.myportfolio.com/

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Timecodes:

(00:00) - This episode is about Tears of the Kingdom
(01:49) - Centering ourselves and breaking down the episode
(04:28) - Starting with the lead-up
(27:36) - Subtle refinements
(43:28) - The Powers
(01:05:05) - The tutorial and general thoughts
(01:16:31) - Doubling down on something narrative related

Canonical Dragonborn (feat. Video Games) May 10, 2023

Show notes

Greetings citizen. Have you heard of the High Elves? Yes? How about Algot the Northerner? Yes. That's right. THE Northerner.

Discussed: Honkai Star Rail, Star Wars Jedi Survivor, Redfall, Laya's Horizon, TMNT: Splintered Fate, RAD, What the Car?, Final Fantasy VI Pixel Remaster, Chained Echoes
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Find us everywhere: https://intothecast.online
Join the Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/intothecast

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Follow Stephen Hilger: https://stephenhilgerart.com/

Follow Brendon Bigley: https://theaether.space/@bb

Produced by AJ Fillari: https://theaether.space/@aj
---
Season 5 Cover Art by Scout Wilkinson: https://scoutwilkinson.myportfolio.com/

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Timecodes:

(00:00) - Intro
(02:23) - Some updates! // Honkai: Star Rail
(51:37) - I love my Saberco bread knife! // Star Wars Jedi Survivor
(01:21:30) - Shello
(01:21:47) - MORE GAMES on your PHONE!!!??? // Laya's Horizon
(01:29:59) - MORE GAMES on your PHONE!!!??? // What the CAR?!
(01:33:34) - MORE GAMES on your PHONE!!!??? // TMNT: Splintered Fate
(01:36:36) - Good roguelike?! // Rad + Splintered Fate
(01:44:09) - Beyond(tm) the Aether
(01:45:04) - A surprise segment! // Street Fighter VI Demo
(01:58:21) - Maybe the last segment // Chained Echoes + Final Fantasy VI Pixel Remaster
(02:23:59) - Wrapping up

Metroid Prime | Bonus May 08, 2023

Show notes

After receiving a distress signal* from a remote sector in pirate-laden space, we picked up the Metroid Prime Remaster for Nintendo Switch and talked about the whole dang thing and why this twenty-one year old game is still considered one of the best of all time.

* watching a Nintendo Direct
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Find us everywhere: https://intothecast.online
Join the Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/intothecast

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Follow Stephen Hilger: https://stephenhilgerart.com/

Follow Brendon Bigley: https://theaether.space/@bb

Produced by AJ Fillari: https://theaether.space/@aj
---
Season 5 Cover Art by Scout Wilkinson: https://scoutwilkinson.myportfolio.com/

★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Killing Cal Kestis (feat. Jedi Survivor, Honkai Star Rail, and more!) May 03, 2023

Show notes

"Don't look up," they said. The Force can't help you if you can't look straight forward, grapple with your adversity head on. If you spend your time with your head in the clouds, you won't be able to see your next move.

Discussed: Star Wars: Jedi Survivor, Pocket City 2, Honkai Star Rail, Mr. Sun's Hat Box
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Find us everywhere: https://intothecast.online
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Follow Stephen Hilger: https://stephenhilgerart.com/

Follow Brendon Bigley: https://theaether.space/@bb

Produced by AJ Fillari: https://theaether.space/@aj
---
Season 5 Cover Art by Scout Wilkinson: https://scoutwilkinson.myportfolio.com/

★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Secretly Hard Mode (feat. Advance Wars Re-Boot Camp, Sonic Frontiers, and more!) Apr 26, 2023

Show notes

It's just like they always say: "You can't gave your Wavelengths without finishing your Good Morning Video Games!"

Check out Wavelengths: https://www.youtube.com/@itswavelengths
Check out Y-Button: https://www.ybutton.online

Discussed: Advance Wars 1+2 Re-Bootcamp, Divinity Original Sin II, Sonic Frontiers, Marvel vs Capcom 2
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Find us everywhere: https://intothecast.online
Join the Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/intothecast

---
Follow on Mastodon: https://theaether.space/@intothecast
Follow on Tumblr: https://intothecast.tumblr.com
---

Follow Stephen Hilger: https://stephenhilgerart.com/

Follow Brendon Bigley: https://theaether.space/@bb

Produced by AJ Fillari: https://theaether.space/@aj
---
Season 5 Cover Art by Scout Wilkinson: https://scoutwilkinson.myportfolio.com/

★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

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