Into the Aether - A Low Key Video Game Podcast

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

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

(00:40) - 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

---
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 ★

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!

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) - 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

---
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 ★

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 

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

(00:26) - 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

---
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 ★

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

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

(00:22) - 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

---
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 ★

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

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) - "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

---
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 ★