intothecast

Cousin Game (feat. Detective Instinct, Sektori, and Dragon Quest II)

We're bringing a whole new meaning to the idea of "cousin games."

Discussed: Changing up the intro, the Discord GOTY poll, Detective Instinct: Farewell, My Beloved, the structure of visual novels and adventure games, Sektori, the overlap between roguelikes and the arcade, Spike-Likes, the Vita, Dragon Quest II, silent protagonists who want to talk, the appeal of the Erdrick Trilogy remakes, Brendon’s Persona 4 purgatory 

Find us everywhere: 2025-12-03 08:00:11 +0000 UTC View Post

The Next Zelda | Any%

Welcome back to Any%, a show in which we only have ten minutes to discuss a video game related topic or prank.

This week, Stephen and Brendon talk about the future of Zelda.

As always, feel free to submit prompts for Any% episodes anywhere you see fit!

Shore Leave | November 2025

Welcome back to Shore Leave — it's the show where we don't have to talk about games if we don't want to.

This month we're kicking back after a few slices of pizza to talk about a whole grab bag of things like game development, the horrors and joys of building a business, and Al Pacino in Heat.

Steve-B presented by Bib Fortuna (feat. Kirby Air Riders, Dispatch, and Pokemon Lazarus)

Bib Fortuna takes the stage — calm, composed, he's been practicing for this moment — and takes a deep breath before revealing the next era of video game conferences. "We all know E3 has come and gone, but it's time for something truly new. I present: Steve-B."

Discussed: Steve B, Bib Fortuna and Ben Quadinaros, Kirby Air Riders, the genius of Sakurai’s design, Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake, the emotions evoked by older RPGs, the increasing popularity of Pokémon ROM hacks,...

Best Oceans | Any%

Welcome back to Any%, a show in which we only have ten minutes to discuss a video game related topic or prank.

This week, Stephen and Brendon talk about the best oceans in video games.

As always, feel free to submit prompts for Any% episodes anywhere you see fit!

Demons Cool (feat. Demonschool, Lumines Arise, and Octopath Traveler 0)

You kill time, I kill demons. We are not the same.

Discussed: Demonschool, Lumines Arise, Octopath Traveler 0 Prologue Demo

Find us everywhere: https://intothecast.online
Buy some merch, if you'd like: https://shop.intothecast.online
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Follow Stephen Hilger: 2025-11-19 08:00:11 +0000 UTC View Post

2014-2025 | Any%

Welcome back to Any%, a show in which we only have ten minutes to discuss a video game related topic or prank.

This week, Stephen and Brendon catch you up on Video Games if you've been ignoring them since 20214.

As always, feel free to submit prompts for Any% episodes anywhere you see fit!

For All Platforms (feat. Q-UP, Unfair Flips, Dragon Quest I + II, Silksong, and Hyrule Warriors)

Flip a coin and it lands on heads or tails. Release a Dragon Quest and it lands on every platform. Makes you think.

Matt Horton's video essay and interview about coin flipping games on Flow State

Q-Up soundtrack on bandcamp

Discussed: New stuff on Patreon, Stephen on Wavelengths, games about flipping coin...

Weed or Martini | Any%

Welcome back to Any%, a show in which we only have ten minutes to discuss a video game related topic.

This week, Stephen and Brendon decide if Nintendo's games are weed games or martini games.

As always, feel free to submit prompts for Any% episodes anywhere you see fit!

Greetings from Foul Rift, New Jersey (feat. Dragon Quest I + II, Pokémon ROMhacks, and Tales of Xillia)

I was heading towards Quelaag's Domain but had to pass through Foul Rift to get there... and I gotta say, I think this is the kind of place I could very easily call "home."

Matt Horton's video essay and interview about coin flipping games on Flow State

Discussed: A new November segment, Foul Rift, clowns, Powerline, Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake, Pokémon Hearth, Pokémon ...

One Per Franchise | Any%

Welcome back to Any%, a show in which we only have ten minutes to discuss a video game related topic.

This week, Stephen and Brendon pick one game in each franchise they can play forever... and never play any others again.

As always, feel free to submit prompts for Any% episodes anywhere you see fit!

The Port Aether Shore Leave Society | October 2025

Welcome back to Shore Leave — it's the show where we don't have to talk about games if we don't want to.

This month is all about two words: Ambition and Taste.

Let them wash over you.

100% (feat. Kiss/OFF, Voices of the Void, The Seance of Blake Manor, and Danganronpa)

I'm toiling away today, bagging trash and wiping down the windows while I process these signals. This morning I woke up and the first pass was done, but I'll need to let the system do its thing two more times before I can package the data up and ship it off. I think it's at 78% or something at this point, but it won't be done until dinner time at the earliest and by that point I'll need to decide between eating a bag of chips again or trying my luck on the shrimp that was in the fridge when I...

GOTY 2030 | Any%

Welcome back to Any%, a show in which we only have ten minutes to discuss a video game related topic.

This week, Stephen and Brendon talk about a GOTY five years from now.

As always, feel free to submit prompts for Any% episodes anywhere you see fit!

Portable Monsters (feat. Pokemon Legends: Z-A, Despelote, We Know the Devil, and Ball x Pit)

Alright everyone, sing along! 
Portamon, portable monsters,
Portamon can come with you!
Portamon, portable monsters,
Portamon on the go!

Discussed: Broadway musicals, Trails in the Sky Patreon bonus, our Patreon goals and the Vita episode, Pokémon and its divisive Switch era, Pokémon Legends: Z-A, We Know the Devil, Despelote, Ball X Pit, the ideal pacing of Roguelikes, a brief Hades II update

Find us everywhere: 2025-10-22 07:00:09 +0000 UTC View Post

The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky (with Lex and Matt) | Spoiler Chat

Stephen has finally rolled credits on the original Trails in the Sky and is joined by S Rank bracers Matt and Lex to discuss the entire journey, the unforgettable finale, and the plethora of games that follow the original classic.

Thanks again to Matt and Lex for coming on the episode. And thank you all so much for supporting the show!

Listen to Trails Through Trails: https://trailspod.online/
Follow Le...

Hades Two Jersey || Any%

Welcome back to Any%, a show in which we only have ten minutes to discuss a video game related topic.

This week, Stephen and Brendon place a sequel to Hades firmly in their home state.

As always, feel free to submit prompts for Any% episodes anywhere you see fit!

Gretchen (feat. Consume Me, Scarlet Hollow, LEGO Party, and Sonic Racing)

Gretchen looks at you with knowing eyes, and you can sense something within her literally dogged frame is desperate to say more than the small, breathy "woof" that escapes her mouth. You tell Stella that her dog speaks with the cadence of a southern belle. You'll be gone in a week anyway, why not shake the town up a bit and make them believe you can talk to animals before you go?

Discussed: The worst bit of all time, GOTY prep, Consume Me, Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds, Stephen’s Backlog...

Ghibli Fantasy | Any%

Welcome back to Any%, a show in which we only have ten minutes to discuss a video game related topic.

This week, Stephen and Brendon match Studio Ghibli films with entries in the Final Fantasy franchise.

As always, feel free to submit prompts for Any% episodes anywhere you see fit!

Yakuza 0 (with Erik Morrison) | Bonus

We're joined by Erik Morrison to finally talk at length about one of the many on-ramps into Ryu Ga Gotoku Studio's huge Like a Dragon franchise: Yakuza 0. 

Thank you to Erik for the doodles which became the basis of the episode art.
Find more of their work here: https://erikmorrison.com/

Find us everywhere: https://intothecast.online
Buy...

The A2 Effect (feat. Hades 2, Silent Hill f, Digimon Story: Time Stranger, and more!)

What do you call it when a sequel to a beloved game improves on almost everything? What do you call it when that's not enough?

Discussed: Brendon’s return, our experience with Digimon, the email song, dreaming of Scarlet Nexus 2, Digimon Story: Time Stranger, the name of the halloween segment, Strange Antiquities, the current state of mouse mode, Unfair Flips, probability in games, Silent Hill f, Hades II, the A2 effect

Stephen's 2025-10-08 07:00:08 +0000 UTC View Post

Never Again | Any%

Welcome back to Any%, a show in which we only have ten minutes to discuss a video game related topic.

This week, Stephen and Brendon talk about games they'd never play again.

As always, feel free to submit prompts for Any% episodes anywhere you see fit!

Parasite Steve (feat. Hades II, Ender Magnolia, and Parasite Eve)

When Minecraft Steve threatens the survival of the human race, New York City native Aya Brea must rise up to put a stop to his crafty ways.

Discussed: October’s arrival, Spooky Season’s new name, Hades II, what makes Supergiant special, the history of indie games, Ender Magnolia: Bloom in the Mist, Uncle Poseidon’s Wild Ride, the appeal of the video game ensemble, the appeal of the video game sequel, Parasite Eve, renting horror games as a kid, dad games and games with dads, PS1 ...

The Port Aether Shore Leave Society | September 2025

Welcome back to Shore Leave — it's the show where we don't have to talk about games if we don't want to.

This month we're reminiscing about past jobs, dreaming of The Great British Bake Off, and playing a new Fire Emblem mobile game.

SSB Roommates | Any%

Welcome back to Any%, a show in which we only have ten minutes to discuss a video game related topic.

This week, Stephen and Brendon figure out the best Smash Bros. roommate situation on offer.

As always, feel free to submit prompts for Any% episodes anywhere you see fit!

Sniffly (feat. Silksong, Easy Delivery Co, Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter, and more!)

Huddle up for warmth, grab a handkerchief, and turn off your computer terminal. Maybe just take this ride easy, you're not getting paid more to rush.

Discussed: Brendon is sniffly, Yakuza 0 bonus, Trails in the Sky 1st Chapter, Easy Delivery Co, Mycopunk, Silksong

Find us everywhere: https://intothecast.online
Buy some merch if you'd like: htt...

VGM Playlists | Any%

Welcome back to Any%, a show in which we only have ten minutes to discuss a video game related topic.

This week, Stephen and Brendon talk about their video game OST listening habits.

As always, feel free to submit prompts for Any% episodes anywhere you see fit!

Taking Out the Buzz (feat. Peak, Story of Seasons, Silksong, and more)

Does anyone else hear that low buzzing sound when the residents of Mineral Town talk? Or are my ears still ringing from my last encounter with Mayor Felix? Time will tell, I suppose.

Discussed: We’re both sick, Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar, what makes communities in games feel alive, games about being a shopkeeper, Neopets, Mayor Felix, PEAK, Friendslop, the secret microphone  within the Steam Deck, the word “marvel”, Silksong, intrinsic motivation, Hades II on the horizon...

Date Every Console | Any%

Welcome back to Any%, a show in which we only have ten minutes to discuss a video game related topic.

This week, Stephen and Brendon discuss console personalities.

As always, feel free to submit prompts for Any% episodes anywhere you see fit!

leafage.mp3

okay but you HAD to have known this one was coming

(thanks to anonyman in the discord for the screenshot)