Sequels All the Way Down (feat. Atelier Yumia, Ender Magnolia, Romancing SaGa 2)
Mar 19, 2025
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The hosts kick off with an exciting announcement about their new podcast partnership. They delve into the characters and gameplay dynamics of Atelier Yumia, discussing storage challenges in gaming. Anticipation brews for titles like Ender Magnolia and the nostalgia of hearing about Rune Factory. A heartfelt birthday tribute adds warmth, while a deep dive into Romancing SaGa 2 explores its unique RPG mechanics. They also tackle the evolving VR landscape, reflecting on the potential and challenges of the PlayStation VR2.
The hosts proudly announce their partnership with the Pickaxe podcast network, contributing to their show's ongoing evolution and outreach.
Introspection on balancing personal lives with podcasting responsibilities highlights the hosts' commitment to listener engagement and well-being.
Listeners can expect pre-recorded advertisements as a primary change, allowing the hosts greater control over ad relevance and alignment with their content.
Discussions surrounding the Atelier franchise reveal the hosts' enthusiasm for innovative storytelling and character dynamics in contemporary RPG design.
Deep dives
Exciting News of Network Change
The hosts announce that they have joined a new podcast network, Pickaxe, starting on March 27th. This partnership comes after positive conversations with the network, which has shown interest in the show. The hosts express their excitement about the change, emphasizing that while some things will change, many aspects of the show will remain the same. They acknowledge their gratitude to listeners who supported them through word-of-mouth growth over the years.
Balancing Ambitions and Well-Being
The hosts reflect on their ambitions for the show while balancing their personal lives and full-time jobs. They candidly share that they previously overcommitted, causing concerns among listeners regarding their well-being. Moving forward, they plan to find a better balance, ensuring both quality content and their health. They express pride in finding a way to continue producing episodes while managing their energy effectively.
Adjustments to Advertising
The inclusion of pre-recorded advertisements will be the primary change listeners can expect with the new network. The hosts clarify that while they have done their own version of ads, the network will handle traditional advertising. They assure listeners that the network allows filtering out unwanted ad categories, and they have control over ensuring the ads fit the show's spirit. The hosts welcome listener feedback on any advertising issues that might arise as they navigate this new change.
No Major Changes to Show Structure
Despite the network change, the core structure and format of the show will remain mostly unchanged. The hosts reassure listeners that they have no plans to alter the show's content or direction significantly. They confirm their continued presence in the Discord community and the maintenance of their Patreon, emphasizing its importance. The hosts believe these changes will only enhance the show's ability to reach and engage with its audience.
Upcoming Game Reviews
The hosts discuss their recent gaming experiences, sharing insights about a new Atelier game and a demo they played without informing each other. They mention their respective platforms, noting differences in storage management and game performance. Their dialogue hints at thoughtfully exploring genre tropes, game design, and the nostalgic value of long-running RPG franchises. They express curiosity about the future direction of these games and their impact on their gaming experiences.
Atelier Game Reception
The hosts delve into the Atelier franchise's development, highlighting its unique world-building and character dynamics. They share their admiration for the series, acknowledging its past influence on the RPG genre. The exchange reveals their intrigue in the franchise's evolving narrative structures, noting how newer entries may appeal to different audiences. They engage in dialogue about the implications of character design and storytelling within the context of contemporary gaming.
Valkyria Chronicles Discussion
Reflecting on Valkyria Chronicles, the hosts discuss the mix of narrative themes involving war against a backdrop of quirky characters and strategic gameplay. They highlight the series' effectiveness in addressing serious topics while maintaining elements of levity. The blend of mechanical depth and character-driven storytelling is emphasized, with considerations on how different games within the franchise handle these themes. Their conversation illustrates a deep appreciation for how this series combines engaging tactics with character development.
Future of Valkyria Chronicles
The hosts express hope for the continued growth of the Valkyria Chronicles franchise, reflecting on its evolution and past successes. They draw parallels between the series' narrative potential and the shifts in gaming trends, particularly with how player expectations have evolved. Mentioning the changes in the gaming landscape, they suggest that a resurgence of the series could resonate with a broader audience. The dialogue conveys anticipation for a new installment that could integrate lessons learned from prior titles.
They really nerfed Sephiroth in Minecraft 2: Spelunking to the Zenith of Hope: RiZing - Obsidian Edition. He's basically unplayable now.
Discussed: A big announcement (for real!), answering your (probably) two big questions, Smash Bros. Ultimate tier lists, Atelier Yumia: The Alchemist of Memories and the Envisioned Land demo, PS5 storage solutions, Runefactory 4, Xenoblade Chronicles X, Tidings, Ender Magnolia: Bloom in the Mist, A mini Nier podcast, Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven, PSVR 2, the Steam sale --- Find us everywhere: https://intothecast.online Buy some NEW merch if you'd like: https://shop.intothecast.online Join the Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/intothecast --- Follow Stephen Hilger: https://stephenhilgerart.com/ Follow Brendon Bigley: https://bsky.app/profile/bb.wavelengths.online Produced by AJ Fillari: https://bsky.app/profile/ajfillari.bsky.social --- Season 7 cover art by Scout Wilkinson: https://scoutwilkinson.myportfolio.com/ Theme song by Will LaPorte: https://ghostdown.online/ --- Timecodes:
(00:00) - Intro
(00:22) - A big announcement!
(09:16) - Atelier Yumia: The Alchemist of Memories and the Envisioned Land | Gaming
(37:23) - Balmy Summer Breeze by Hayato Asano
(37:56) - Xenoblade Chronicles X is almost here
(40:16) - Tidings from Jenny to Jasper!
(41:57) - Tidings from Zach to Thomas!
(42:51) - Ender Magnolia: Bloom in the Mist | A video game Brendon would like to talk about
(01:03:34) - Break
(01:04:55) - Romancing SaGa 2: Revenge of the Seven | A game with a classy subtitle
(01:20:15) - Valkyria Chronicles 4 | NOT a PSP game
(01:39:04) - Marvels Midnight Suns | The Steam Sale is still happening
(01:39:51) - Wrapping up
--- Thanks to all of our amazing patrons including our Eternal Gratitude members: Zachary D IanfaceMcGee Matt H Clayton M Chris Y w0nderbrad Shawn L Cody R Zach R Federico V Logan H Alan R Slink mattjanzz Deacon Grok Corey Z Directional Joy Susan H Olivia K Dan S Isaac S Will C Jim W Evan B David H min2 Aaron G V Erik M Brady H Joshua J Tony L Danny K Seth M Adam B Justin K Andy H Demo Parker E Maxwell L Spiritofthunder Jason W Jason T Corey T Minnow Eats Whale Caleb W fingerbelly Jesse W Mike T Codes Wesley Erik B mebezac Sergio L ninjadeathdog Rory B A42PoundMoose Andrew Justin M Peter Stellar.Bees Brendan K Scott R wreckx Noah O Michael G Arcturus Chris R hepahe Cory F Chase A LoveDies Nick Q Wes K Chris M RB Michaela W Adam F Scott H Alexander SP Therese K jgprinters Jessica B Murray David P Jason K Bede R Kamrin H Kyle S Philip
