A deep dive into Oblivion’s broken leveling system—and how staying weak might be the strongest way to play.
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In this episode of Press Start to Reflect, we take a hard look at Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered—a game that punishes you for daring to level up. We compare it to Final Fantasy 8 (another beautiful mess), talk about Bethesda’s scaling nightmare, and explain how staying weak is actually the strongest way to play.
Join us on Together at the Joystick as we relive our hilarious struggle against mudcrabs in glass armor, swords that shatter in three swings, and magic that drains faster than an old iPhone battery.
►Credits:
Essay/Video by Clayton Allen Davis
Music from Silent Hill
►About:
I’m just a regular guy living in a small rural town in Texas. My love for movies and video games has shaped who I am today. I’m especially passionate about the works of Stanley Kubrick and spend a lot of time researching his films and creative vision. When I’m not diving deep into Kubrick’s genius, I’m making my own music or producing fan music videos inspired by the tracks I love.
You can also catch me over on my gaming channel, where my wife and I kick back and play old-school games together—it’s all about good vibes and nostalgic fun. Come hang out with us! / @togetheratthejoystick