December 31, 2025

The 2025 Game of the Year Spectacular

6 hours 23 minutes

Hear ye, hear ye!! Don your warmest winter gear and settle in for another recounting of our favorite video games from this most recent year. And by "our" we of course also mean "your." It's everyone's GOTY. And that's why it's called a "Spectacular."

Discussed: Our ten favorite games of 2025, and a lot more.

(Spoilers for our 2026 Season Premiere:) Google Form for your input. Details mentioned in the episode!

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/
---
***🚨SONG CREDITS ARE IN CHAPTERS. FULL SPOILERS FOR THE LIST!!!🚨***
Timecodes:

(00:00) - Intro

(01:23) - What the heck is this podcast anyway??

(06:00) - The PS Vita episode is coming!

(12:03) - The year 2025

(33:37) - AJ's Game of the Year!

(36:07) - GOTOYs

(53:01) - Zuko of the Year

(53:57) - GOTOYs

(01:28:08) - That's the GOTOYs!

(01:29:27) - Trouble Shooting Star by ZENTA | Yakuza 0 OST

(01:29:45) - Matt Horton's Game of the Year!

(01:30:58) - How we do GOTY

(01:31:52) - Stephen's #10

(01:38:24) - solar flare by kariomart, Blue Cayman | Q-Up OST

(01:38:51) - Brendon's #10

(01:43:58) - Airport by Erik Skog | PEAK OST

(01:44:24) - Stephen's #9

(01:54:57) - Lagoon Layer by Naoto Kubo | Donkey Kong Bananza OST

(01:55:29) - Brendon's #9

(02:03:19) - Bountiful Harvest by Amos Roddy | Ball X Pit OST

(02:03:44) - Stephen's #8

(02:10:38) - Detective by Joey Lopes | Detective Instinct: Farewell, My Beloved OST

(02:11:09) - Brendon's #8

(02:22:12) - Reflection Affection (feat. Pau Figueres) by Darren Korb | Hades II

(02:22:44) - Stephen's #7

(02:27:11) - Traveling With Friends by Kōichi Sugiyama, performed by the Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra | Dragon Quest II OST

(02:27:44) - Brendon's #7

(02:37:32) - Peach Stadium by Nintendo Music Team, Atsuko Asahi, Maasa Miyoshi, Takuhiro Honda, Yutaro Takakuwa | Mario Kart World OST

(02:38:12) - Stephen's #6

(02:47:38) - Factorial Area by Masafumi Takada | Digimon Story: Time Stranger OST

(02:48:08) - Brendon's #6

(03:00:55) - Glamorous by coda | Consume Me (Original Game Soundtrack)

(03:01:24) - Erik's Game of the Year!

(03:02:38) - LOTY

(03:03:12) - A very special announcement!!!!!!!!!

(03:07:56) - A call to action!

(03:15:34) - Getting to the top 5

(03:17:02) - Stephen's #5

(03:22:46) - Sightless Shepherd by Darren Korb (featuring Sam Gendel) | Hades II OST

(03:23:16) - Brendon's #5

(03:30:11) - Bouncy Castle by Tommy Baynen | Sektori Official Soundtrack

(03:30:37) - Stephen's #4

(03:37:39) - Epilogo by pánico | Despelote OST

(03:38:10) - Joshua Rivera's Game of the Year!

(03:40:18) - Brendon's #4

(03:45:15) - r i o by kariomart, Blue Cayman | Q-Up OST

(03:45:46) - Stephen's #3

(03:49:55) - Let's Imagine It Freely by plasterbrain | StarVaders OST

(03:50:26) - Brendon's #3

(03:59:44) - Beyond the Waves by Kōichi Sugiyama, performed by the Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra | Dragon Quest II OST

(04:00:14) - Two Shreks or an Opera

(04:00:32) - Stephen's #2

(04:07:42) - Incisive Battle by Christoper Larkin | Hollow Knight Silksong OST

(04:08:13) - Chase's Game of the Year!

(04:11:06) - Brendon's #2

(04:20:36) - Stories of All Manor by Trigg & Gusset | Blue Prince OST

(04:21:05) - Stephen's #1

(04:34:33) - Rumble by Paledusk (featuring Masato from coldrain) | The Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy OST

(04:35:08) - Lex's Game of the Year

(04:37:20) - Brendon's #1

(04:52:39) - Bellhart by Christopher Larkin | Hollow Knight: Silksong (Original Soundtrack)

(04:53:09) - Scout's Game of the Year!

(04:54:49) - Recapping the top 10s

(04:56:00) - Break

(04:56:02) - One slice of pizza and a one player video game

(04:56:28) - Stephen's guesses for Brendon's GOTYs

(04:58:06) - The Discord Top 10 Games of the Year

(05:10:04) - Andy's Game of the Year!

(05:11:52) - Honorable Mentions

(05:12:43) - Stephen's Honorable Mentions

(05:18:27) - Brendon's Honorable Mentions

(05:30:26) - Ponk(Matt)'s Game of the Year!

(05:32:29) - Creating the ITA Top 5

(05:55:48) - The Into the Aether Top 5 Video Games of 2025

(05:56:22) - A wish, granted

(06:00:08) - A surprise!

(06:04:44) - Into the Future!

(06:20:20) - Wrapping up

---
Thanks to all of our amazing patrons, including our Eternal Gratitude members:
Vincent J
Patrick K
Ed A
J-Rock
Samantha D
North Hero
Sam H
Snzzn
J-Rock
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 ★

...more

View all episodes

By Stephen Hilger + Brendon Bigley

4.8

368368 ratings

December 31, 2025

The 2025 Game of the Year Spectacular

6 hours 23 minutes

Discussed: Our ten favorite games of 2025, and a lot more.

(Spoilers for our 2026 Season Premiere:) Google Form for your input. Details mentioned in the episode!

(00:00) - Intro

(01:23) - What the heck is this podcast anyway??

(06:00) - The PS Vita episode is coming!

(12:03) - The year 2025

(33:37) - AJ's Game of the Year!

(36:07) - GOTOYs

(53:01) - Zuko of the Year

(53:57) - GOTOYs

(01:28:08) - That's the GOTOYs!

(01:29:27) - Trouble Shooting Star by ZENTA | Yakuza 0 OST

(01:29:45) - Matt Horton's Game of the Year!

(01:30:58) - How we do GOTY

(01:31:52) - Stephen's #10

(01:38:24) - solar flare by kariomart, Blue Cayman | Q-Up OST

(01:38:51) - Brendon's #10

(01:43:58) - Airport by Erik Skog | PEAK OST

(01:44:24) - Stephen's #9

(01:54:57) - Lagoon Layer by Naoto Kubo | Donkey Kong Bananza OST

(01:55:29) - Brendon's #9

(02:03:19) - Bountiful Harvest by Amos Roddy | Ball X Pit OST

(02:03:44) - Stephen's #8

(02:10:38) - Detective by Joey Lopes | Detective Instinct: Farewell, My Beloved OST

(02:11:09) - Brendon's #8

(02:22:12) - Reflection Affection (feat. Pau Figueres) by Darren Korb | Hades II

(02:22:44) - Stephen's #7

(02:27:11) - Traveling With Friends by Kōichi Sugiyama, performed by the Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra | Dragon Quest II OST

(02:27:44) - Brendon's #7

(02:37:32) - Peach Stadium by Nintendo Music Team, Atsuko Asahi, Maasa Miyoshi, Takuhiro Honda, Yutaro Takakuwa | Mario Kart World OST

(02:38:12) - Stephen's #6

(02:47:38) - Factorial Area by Masafumi Takada | Digimon Story: Time Stranger OST

(02:48:08) - Brendon's #6

(03:00:55) - Glamorous by coda | Consume Me (Original Game Soundtrack)

(03:01:24) - Erik's Game of the Year!

(03:02:38) - LOTY

(03:03:12) - A very special announcement!!!!!!!!!

(03:07:56) - A call to action!

(03:15:34) - Getting to the top 5

(03:17:02) - Stephen's #5

(03:22:46) - Sightless Shepherd by Darren Korb (featuring Sam Gendel) | Hades II OST

(03:23:16) - Brendon's #5

(03:30:11) - Bouncy Castle by Tommy Baynen | Sektori Official Soundtrack

(03:30:37) - Stephen's #4

(03:37:39) - Epilogo by pánico | Despelote OST

(03:38:10) - Joshua Rivera's Game of the Year!

(03:40:18) - Brendon's #4

(03:45:15) - r i o by kariomart, Blue Cayman | Q-Up OST

(03:45:46) - Stephen's #3

(03:49:55) - Let's Imagine It Freely by plasterbrain | StarVaders OST

(03:50:26) - Brendon's #3

(03:59:44) - Beyond the Waves by Kōichi Sugiyama, performed by the Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra | Dragon Quest II OST

(04:00:14) - Two Shreks or an Opera

(04:00:32) - Stephen's #2

(04:07:42) - Incisive Battle by Christoper Larkin | Hollow Knight Silksong OST

(04:08:13) - Chase's Game of the Year!

(04:11:06) - Brendon's #2

(04:20:36) - Stories of All Manor by Trigg & Gusset | Blue Prince OST

(04:21:05) - Stephen's #1

(04:34:33) - Rumble by Paledusk (featuring Masato from coldrain) | The Hundred Line: Last Defense Academy OST

(04:35:08) - Lex's Game of the Year

(04:37:20) - Brendon's #1

(04:52:39) - Bellhart by Christopher Larkin | Hollow Knight: Silksong (Original Soundtrack)

(04:53:09) - Scout's Game of the Year!

(04:54:49) - Recapping the top 10s

(04:56:00) - Break

(04:56:02) - One slice of pizza and a one player video game

(04:56:28) - Stephen's guesses for Brendon's GOTYs

(04:58:06) - The Discord Top 10 Games of the Year

(05:10:04) - Andy's Game of the Year!

(05:11:52) - Honorable Mentions

(05:12:43) - Stephen's Honorable Mentions

(05:18:27) - Brendon's Honorable Mentions

(05:30:26) - Ponk(Matt)'s Game of the Year!

(05:32:29) - Creating the ITA Top 5

(05:55:48) - The Into the Aether Top 5 Video Games of 2025

(05:56:22) - A wish, granted

(06:00:08) - A surprise!

(06:04:44) - Into the Future!

(06:20:20) - Wrapping up

★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

...more

More shows like Into the Aether - A Low Key Video Game Podcast

View all

Nintendo Voice Chat

3,404 Listeners

Retronauts

2,112 Listeners

The Besties

4,843 Listeners

Giant Bombcast

5,666 Listeners

Kinda Funny Gamescast: Video Game Podcast

2,849 Listeners

Get Played

2,195 Listeners

The MinnMax Show

2,111 Listeners

Triple Click

1,164 Listeners

Fire Escape Cast

504 Listeners

The Nextlander Podcast

1,144 Listeners

The Jeff Gerstmann Show - A Podcast About Video Games

1,016 Listeners

Friends Per Second

383 Listeners

Wavelengths with Brendon Bigley

39 Listeners

Remap Radio

861 Listeners

Post Games

333 Listeners

Share The 2025 Game of the Year Spectacular

Sign up to save your podcasts

The 2025 Game of the Year Spectacular

The 2025 Game of the Year Spectacular

More shows like Into the Aether - A Low Key Video Game Podcast

Nintendo Voice Chat

Retronauts

The Besties

Giant Bombcast

Kinda Funny Gamescast: Video Game Podcast

Get Played

The MinnMax Show

Triple Click

Fire Escape Cast

The Nextlander Podcast

The Jeff Gerstmann Show - A Podcast About Video Games

Friends Per Second

Wavelengths with Brendon Bigley

Remap Radio

Post Games