Into the Aether - A Low Key Video Game Podcast

Only games podcast I listen to now! I don’t care about the news! I just want to hear about the PSP it makes my brain feel warm

Found this podcast through a mention a on MinnMax! This podcast is perfect if you want light commentary on all variety of video games that balances fun and insightful opinions. As an adult in my early 30’s I find this podcast relatable as a lot of the references made have lined up with my own video game experience. Sometimes some podcast hosts are of a certain generation and I don’t get pop culture references but this one hits just right especially when it comes to games.

I’ve listened to over 50 episodes, so I obviously enjoy something about this show. But it needs to be acknowledged this is largely a midlife crisis podcast dominated by a man who is often incredibly childish. Not in the endearing way. Stephen leans on his experiences from middle school and high school in every single episode. His humor is steeped in references most men (yes, whether they want to admit it or not, this is a “boys” podcast) in their 30s will find faintly familiar but won’t quite remember because they’ve moved on decades ago. Brendan isn’t much better. Unfortunately this also means their thematic analysis is often hyperbolic at best or superficial at worst. You’d think sometimes they were discussing Brothers Karamazov and then you visit the game in question and find, well, yep, it’s just a video game. There’s some unresolved trauma going on here, so I have no ill will toward either of them. I just wish they would grow up a bit, as it’d only enrich their analysis. This is one of the few video game podcasts that at least attempts to explore the medium’s thematic territory. At least AJ is genuinely funny.

this and minn max are the two best video game pods 😺