Into the Aether - A Low Key Video Game Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Artificial Banana (feat. LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight + Xenogears) May 27, 2026

Show notes

Sometimes I have dreams about a fruit you have to peel before you eat. It's this bright yellow color, it almost looks unnatural.

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

"The Need for GTA 6's Success Is A Symptom Of A Broken Industry" by Joshua Rivera

Discussed: Summer Game Fest on the horizon, GTA 6 on the horizon, Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight, the ambition of the Lego games, different eras of Batman, video game comedies, Rugrats, Mario, Xenogears, the haunted ice cream truck

Find us everywhere: https://intothecast.online
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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
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Season 8 cover art by Scout Wilkinson: https://scoutwilkinson.myportfolio.com/
Theme song by Will LaPorte: https://ghostdown.online/
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Timecodes:

(00:00) - Intro
(00:20) - Two things | SGF, GTA 6, Brendon's Tree, Nintendo Direct maybe coming
(22:33) - Break
(22:35) - LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight | The Killing Poke (stepping on a LEGO)
(45:41) - Break
(45:42) - Into the Pigpen
(49:13) - Xenogears | The Mario of video games
(01:09:51) - Wrapping up

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Thanks to all of our amazing patrons, including our Eternal Gratitude members:
Michael C
Brian M
SuperThisWay
Nick G
Starfallrondo
Susan H
0nlygh0sts
Vincent J
Patrick K
Ed A
Samantha D
North Hero
Sam H
Snzzn
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 ★

Octodad Traveler (feat. The Adventures of Elliot Demo, the PS1, Resident Evil 2, and more!) May 21, 2026

Show notes

Octodaaaad, really loves his RPGs.

Teachers Lounge's new EP Home Entertainment is available now on Bandcamp! - https://teacherslounge.bandcamp.com/album/home-entertainment

The PS1 Playlist

Polygon interview with Tomoya Asano and Naofumi Matsushita

Discussed: Malört, show predictions, PS1 playlist update, PS1 sampler platter, Bust A Groove, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2, Crash Team Racing, Final Fantasy VII, FFIX & Howl’s Moving Castle, Spyro vs Crash, The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales (Prologue Demo), Square Enix’s take on Mario, Resident Evil Requiem, Leon Must Die Forever, Resident Evil 2 Remake, RE2, Capcom Remake rumors

(00:00) - Intro
(00:51) - Realigning your QPU
(03:25) - Nice shirt
(04:56) - You GOTTA listen to the backlog
(06:49) - Some PS1 updates!
(12:25) - Bust a Groove | Games from your dreams
(17:01) - Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2 | Bob Burnquist was X
(29:12) - Break
(29:13) - The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales Prologue Demo | The city of brotherly Elliot
(01:05:40) - Break
(01:05:41) - Super Welliot Bros.
(01:06:30) - Resident Evil 9 | The Elliot of Raccoon City
(01:18:58) - Resident Evil 2 & 3 Remakes | BB plays catch-up
(01:37:58) - Resident Evil: Rumors | Maybe spoilers for games that might come out?
(01:45:42) - Wrapping up

Conker's Best Fur Day for the Ultra Nintendo (feat. Alabaster Dawn, Pragmata, Saros, and more!) May 13, 2026

Show notes

Dinosorry to hear you expected Fox McCloud instead of Conker!

Discussed: Star Fox and its upcoming remake, the various eras of Star Fox, the return of the 3DS, Alabaster Dawn (Early Access), Ultra Nintendo, Cross Code, Pragmata, Project Hail Mary, Saros, telling a story through a roguelike

(00:00) - Intro
(00:24) - Into the Apple (the Big one)
(01:48) - Starfox | What if Slippy looked more wet
(28:27) - Tiding from Roger to Chad!
(29:06) - Alabaster Dawn | Capybara Pet Simulator 2028
(01:04:23) - Break
(01:04:24) - Pragmata (EARLY GAME SPOILERS) | Morndas mornin' moon is fallin' (this is a Maroon 5 joke, don't ask me why)
(01:23:09) - Saros | The PS5 swan song
(01:45:38) - That's it
(01:48:47) - Wrapping up

---
Thanks to all of our amazing patrons, including our Eternal Gratitude members:
Brian M
SuperThisWay
Nick G
Starfallrondo
Susan H
0nlygh0sts
Vincent J
Patrick K
Ed A
Samantha D
North Hero
Sam H
Snzzn
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 ★

Waiting for Joey (feat. Esoteric Ebb, Saros, Bobo Bay, and more!) May 06, 2026

Show notes

Joey's head pierces the veil of the chained apartment door as blinding sunlight pours in behind him. His eyes are wrong — they're the color of jewels, reds and blues all mixed up and coating every millimeter. His expression is contorted, almost beyond recognition. "THE CEASELESS FEAST OF WANT," he yells into the room, "A GLEAMING BEACON SHIMMERING ON THE HORIZON." He tries to force his way into the room again, but the chain holds. "WE ARE WANTED. WE ARE HERE TO SERVE AND REST OUR BONES UPON A GOLDEN THRONE. THE SUN IS FOREVER, AND SO TOO SHALL WE BE." Joey from the hit sitcom Friends retreats from the crack in the door, leaving a radiant glow spilling into the room.

Discussed: Joey, George Costanza, Captain Picard, Esoteric Ebb, Disco Elysium, getting into CRPGS, neo-noir and grooviness, Saros, AAA roguelikes, Danny Boyle’s “Sunshine”, Bobo Bay, Vampire Crawlers

(00:00) - Intro
(00:40) - The Friends to Seinfeld spectrum
(05:18) - Esoteric Ebb | Curb Your Charisma Check
(37:34) - Tiding from Abby to Kellan!
(38:31) - Saros | Normal guy in normal land
(01:11:53) - Break
(01:11:54) - Bobo Bay | Prayers answered
(01:19:13) - Vampire Crawlers: The Turbo Wildcard Game from Vampire Survivors | You like cards?
(01:30:21) - What's coming out?
(01:32:37) - Wrapping up

One Hundred Grandfathers (feat. Rogue Legacy 2, Monster Hunter Stories 3, Paranormasight, and more!) Apr 29, 2026

Show notes

Name one hundred grandfathers. Fastest to name one hundred grandfathers wins. You will be disqualified if you name someone who is not a grandfather or if you remove your headphones which will be naming one hundred grandmothers at a high volume. Your time starts when you put your headphones on.

Discussed: Taskmaster, huge thanks to our patrons, the Vita episode is out, handheld games, revisiting Rogue Legacy 2 on a smaller screen, future consoles, daydreaming about UFO 50, Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection, the joys of character creation, video game musicals, Vampire Crawlers, Paranormasight: The Mermaid's Curse, what games pull off making internal documents fun, Flock Around

The Vita Episode is here!

(00:00) - Intro
(00:21) - The Marvel skeleton
(00:55) - Check out the Patreon for the Vita episode!!!
(02:30) - Vita, hardware, and the industry
(26:27) - Break
(26:28) - Monster Hunter Stories 3: Twisted Reflection | ENOUGH about the Vita we're BACK TO GAMING
(57:17) - Break
(57:18) - Brendon has been gaming
(57:49) - Vampire Crawlers | The go-to video game
(01:07:04) - Paranormasight: The Mermaid's Curse | The 30-year old game
(01:21:17) - Flock Around | Birdwatching with friends
(01:25:30) - Wrapping up

Hatsworthiness (feat. Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream, Vampire Crawlers, and Titanium Court) Apr 22, 2026

Show notes

It's Henry's court now.

Discussed: Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream, the joy of making OCs, Vampire Crawlers, Titanium Court, Hatsworthy games, hits that didn’t click

(00:00) - Intro
(00:26) - Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream | Living the dream
(47:17) - Break
(47:18) - Vampire Crawlers | Magic Wand, Spinach, Whip, Knife, Flame Wand
(01:14:52) - Break
(01:14:53) - Titanium Court | oh sick, you brought the listener! you guys hungry?
(01:33:34) - Games that we want/don't want to play more of
(01:39:29) - Wrapping up

Hugh and Rockin' Rob with The Moonheads (feat. Pragmata, Guilty Gear Strive, Persona 4 Arena Ultimax) Apr 15, 2026

Show notes

The AI running this moonbase hasn't responded for a few days, which is weird. I'm being sent up there on a mission to investigate the possible cause, but before I go I have one last thing on my agenda: Play a kickass rock song with the crew.

Discussed: the p4g episode and the vita episode, Pragmata, the street sweeper, fighting games, Guilty Gear Strive 2.0, Persona 4 Arena Ultimax, the Persona spin-offs, Pokémon Champions

(00:00) - Intro
(00:22) - Thank you!
(04:09) - Pragmata | NOT Megaman (yet)
(35:48) - Break
(35:49) - Guilty Gear -Strive- | The Quest Keeps Continuing
(51:47) - Persona 4 Arena Ultimax | Solving murders can wait. I have to FIGHT
(01:03:06) - Pokémon Champions | BB Sports
(01:14:15) - Wrapping up

Persona 4 Golden | Bonus Episode Apr 10, 2026

Show notes

Stephen and Brendon discuss the entirety of Persona 4 Golden and answer questions about friendship, social psychology, and what it's like to be a maligned cartoon bear in the human world.

Discussed: Persona 4 Golden

ITA's PS1 Playlist

Matt Horton's video essay on P4G for Flow State

"It's Time to Talk About it: Atlus, Naoto, and Transphobia" by Mattie Brice
"Atlus, We Haven't Forgotten Your Mishandling of LGBTQ Characters" by Carol Grant
"Persona 4's Identity Crisis Invalidates its Themes" by Lucas White
"Denial of the Self: Queer Characters in Persona 4" by Carolyn Petit

(00:00) - "Shadow World" composed by Shoji Meguro, Vocals by Shihoko Hirata, lyrics by Benjamin Franklin
(00:10) - There's no way you thought this would actually be lowkey right?
(02:52) - Hey welcome to the show!
(05:12) - The culmination of an eight year journey
(13:30) - Stephen's history with the franchise
(23:28) - General thoughts
(01:05:42) - Should you start with this one?
(01:11:32) - Spoiler checkpoint!
(01:11:53) - "Time to Make History" Composed by Shoji Meguro, Vocals by Shihoko Hirata, lyrics by Benjamin Franklin
(01:12:29) - FINAL SPOILER WARNING
(01:14:10) - How it begins
(01:25:24) - The first dungeon
(01:27:22) - Teddie pt. 1
(01:31:29) - Yukiko and the first dungeon
(01:46:28) - The progress-gating
(02:00:09) - "Signs of Love" Composed by Shoji Meguro, Vocals by Shihoko Hirata
(02:00:34) - It's Kanji time
(02:21:48) - Dojima and Nanako
(02:27:50) - The fridge
(02:29:08) - The family unit
(02:31:53) - Rise
(02:40:47) - Teddie pt. 2
(02:51:35) - The Summer
(02:57:46) - Naoto
(03:06:17) - We've got the full party!
(03:08:20) - "Heartbeat, Heartbreak" Composed by Shoji Meguro, Vocals by Shihoko Hirata
(03:08:54) - The endings
(03:18:51) - How was the final reveal?
(03:25:31) - SPOILERS FOR PERSONA 5 INCOMING
(03:26:56) - The culprit's motivations and moving toward the true ending
(03:35:31) - Fighting God
(03:38:21) - The Jungian lectures
(03:48:10) - The final months
(04:04:28) - The ski trip
(04:16:30) - The epilogue
(04:20:21) - "Reach Out To The Truth" Composed by Shoji Meguro, Vocals by Shihoko Hirata
(04:20:45) - Listener questions
(04:20:59) - Favorite way to make tofu from Jared (feat Percia)
(04:26:44) - Stephen's prop
(04:39:28) - Favorite and least favorite social links from Everyone
(05:08:04) - Dream/Nightmare blunt rotations from Neo Geo Pocket
(05:09:35) - Adjusting arcana from Lex
(05:13:34) - What is it like replaying Personas from Neo Geo Pocket
(05:18:43) - Favorite vocal performance from Ashley
(05:20:59) - Best visual/mechanical boss design AND best track from Matt
(05:25:03) - Era appropriate albums from Brittlemoon
(05:29:15) - Arcana resonance from Brady
(05:31:36) - Antagonist comparison from King Blackjack
(05:33:50) - What music genre from Biscuit
(05:38:08) - Chapter 50
(05:50:22) - THAT'S IT

Daruni-O's: They Rock! (feat. Zelda: Ocarina of Time, Fire Emblem, Advance Wars, and Cairn) Apr 08, 2026

Show notes

Surgeon General's Warning: Consuming Daruni-O's in any capacity can cause multiple health problems including chipped or broken teeth, stomach pain, or death. Do not consume Daruni-O's if human or Hylian. Daruni-O's are meant for goron consumption only.

Discussed: spring, upcoming Vita episode, FFX on Vita, the potential Ocarina of Time remake, perception of remakes, different eras of Zelda, Advance Wars, Cairn, photo mode in RE9

GMTK video about where Zelda can go next as a series
Climber plays Cairn

(00:00) - Intro
(00:20) - Into the Waether
(04:39) - Ocarina of Time remake rumors | A perfect segue
(40:09) - Break
(40:10) - Persona 4 Golden coming this Friday!!
(41:21) - Advance Wars | An imperfect segue
(01:00:15) - Break
(01:00:16) - Cairn | The rumors are true
(01:18:18) - Wrapping up

That's Fire Emblem: Three Houses (feat. Fire Emblem: Three Houses... and Mega Man Star Force) Apr 01, 2026

Show notes

When the calendar is bare, and a game can fit in there?
That's Fire Emblem: Three Houses!
When you don't know what to play, but you gotta kill the day?
That's Fire Emblem: Three Houses!

Discussed: PAX East, C2E2, new patreon episodes, the 2010 era of roguelikes, Spelunky, FTL, different styles of motivation, Fire Emblem Three Houses, the beauty of barks, Mega Man Star Force, the worst dressage music

(00:00) - Intro
(00:23) - PAX and C2E2
(12:34) - Break
(12:35) - Tidings from Jake to Rick!
(13:10) - Talking about Roguelike/lites
(45:53) - Break
(45:55) - Fire Emblem: Three House | Somehow, Byleth returned (it was Divine Pulse)
(01:15:57) - Break
(01:15:58) - Megaman Star Force Legacy Collection | There is nothing that could prepare you for how complex this lore is
(01:49:01) - AJ is very cool and has good podcasts and definitely is not writing this chapter text
(01:49:35) - Wrapping up

---
Thanks to all of our amazing patrons, including our Eternal Gratitude members:
SuperThisWay
Nick G
Starfallrondo
Susan H
0nlygh0sts
Vincent J
Patrick K
Ed A
Samantha D
North Hero
Sam H
Snzzn
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 ★

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