Detailed Summary of "The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Review (So Far)" - Kinda Funny Gamescast

Release Date: May 2, 2025

In this episode of the Kinda Funny Gamescast, hosts Andy Cortez, Greg “GameOverGreggy” Miller, and Snowbike Mike delve into their experiences with the newly released The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered. The discussion intertwines nostalgic memories, detailed gameplay analysis, technical evaluations, and lively interactions with the audience through Super Chats.

1. Introduction to the Episode

The episode kicks off with the usual banter among the hosts, setting a casual and engaging tone. Andy Cortez welcomes listeners, mentioning upcoming content and giving shout-outs to listeners and supporters. The hosts briefly discuss their recent gaming endeavors, including Andy’s adventures in Arc Raiders, fostering a sense of camaraderie before transitioning to the main topic.

2. Oblivion Remaster Overview

Andy Cortez introduces the focal point of the episode:

“[03:07] Andy Cortez: The topic of the show, it was a big game that released recently and it was Expedition 33, but another game also released and that was the often kind of rumored as of recently, the Oblivion Remaster.”

He provides a concise overview of Oblivion Remastered, highlighting its development by Virtuos and Bethesda Game Studios, the transition to Unreal Engine 5, and the inclusion of original expansion packs like Knights of the Nine and Shivering Isles. Despite a shadow drop that limited early access, Andy expresses enthusiasm for the remaster's potential to revisit a beloved classic.

3. Hosts' Personal Histories with Oblivion

Andy Cortez

Andy shares his limited history with the Elder Scrolls franchise:

“[08:21] Andy Cortez: I definitely have the least amount of history with this franchise because I was always the BioWare RPG player.”

He candidly admits unfamiliarity with Oblivion, setting the stage for a fresh perspective on the remaster.

Greg Miller

In contrast, Greg Miller reveals his lack of engagement with the original Oblivion:

“[08:36] Greg Miller: None. That's the whole thing. ... I played Fallout 4 and Starfield...”

Greg discusses his first Bethesda RPG experience with Fallout 3, emphasizing his preference for titles that offer deep narrative and immersive gameplay, such as Fallout 4 and Starfield.

Snowbike Mike

Snowbike Mike offers a nostalgic reminiscence:

“[09:29] Snowbike Mike: Yeah, I'm a 360 kid, so this was really special to me back in the day...”

He fondly recalls his early experiences with Oblivion, emphasizing its impact during his formative gaming years. Mike shares anecdotes about struggling with the game’s complex mechanics alongside his brother, highlighting the game's significance in his gaming journey.

4. Gameplay Experience and Mechanics

Character Creation and Classes

The hosts discuss their choices during character creation in the remaster:

• Andy chose a Dark Elf with a focus on stealth and archery, appreciating the visual enhancements and spell effects.

  “[43:23] Andy Cortez: I love clicking heads. I love being an archer in a lot of fantasy style games...”

• Greg opted for a Khajiit, leveraging their natural agility and stealth capabilities.

  “[44:53] Greg Miller: Khajiit. Hailing from the province of Elsweyr...”

• Mike selected a Dark Elf for his Evil Mike character, experimenting with different weaponry and spells.

  “[41:05] Snowbike Mike: ...I was really role playing this. My goal was to try to kill every NPC in the game.”

Lockpicking Challenges

A significant portion of the discussion centers around the lockpicking mini-game, a hallmark of Oblivion’s RPG mechanics:

• Andy recounts his initial frustrations and subsequent strategies:

  “[20:07] Andy Cortez: I was like, oh, I need these explosive materials...”

• Greg shares his struggles and the discovery of a Reddit workaround:

  “[22:35] Greg Miller: There's just this sound coming from Greg's desk... I started at IGN in 2007...”

They explore how the remaster retains the original’s complexity, requiring players to engage deeply with the mechanics to enhance their character’s skills.

5. Technical Issues and Remaster Performance

While the remaster boasts enhanced graphics and performance improvements, the hosts acknowledge ongoing technical challenges:

• Mike experiences frequent crashes on his lab PC:

  “[16:14] Andy Cortez: Why is that? Like, you. … running on very kind of janky unstable engine.”

• Andy encounters minor issues but is impressed overall with the visual fidelity:

  “[52:04] Andy Cortez: … impressed by how lightweight it was because the game is massive.”

• Greg discusses the remaster’s engine layering, causing instability but praises the graphical overhaul:

  “[17:22] Greg Miller: … When you level up, … this is like an old engine … adding into the unstableness there.”

Despite these hurdles, the hosts appreciate the remaster’s effort to breathe new life into a classic title, even as they navigate its imperfections.

6. Community Interaction and Super Chats

Throughout the episode, listeners actively participate via Super Chats, sharing their experiences, tips, and humorous anecdotes:

• Super Chats highlight common issues like carrying capacity, offering solutions such as mods for unlimited weight.

  “[56:30] Greg Miller: … [Super Chat] says got a quest breaking bug that was there in the OG Nice.”

• Fans reminisce about their favorite moments, such as Greg’s humorous lockpicking mishaps and Andy’s adventures in Arc Raiders.

  “[38:00] Andy Cortez: … Simoned Jason frequently in the Twitch chat also mentioned that he had a pretty bad game breaking bug.”

• The hosts respond to these interactions, fostering a lively and inclusive community atmosphere.

7. Comparisons to Modern RPGs and Other Titles

The discussion evolves to compare Oblivion Remastered with contemporary RPGs, highlighting the evolution of game design:

• Greg contrasts the remaster’s intricate systems with modern streamlined mechanics:

  “[20:09] Greg Miller: … Oblivion's even more egregious about it. … it's just gonna leave them there.”

• Andy reflects on how newer games offer more polished combat and narrative experiences, making his time with Oblivion feel both nostalgic and clunky.

  “[31:34] Andy Cortez: … could have been a Mass Effect remake in this style.”

• The hosts express a mix of admiration and critique, appreciating the remaster’s faithfulness while yearning for advancements seen in newer titles like Avowed and Kingdom Come Deliverance 2.

  “[65:01] Greg Miller: I’m really happy they did this. … How beautiful this game is.”

8. Concluding Thoughts

As the episode wraps up, the hosts share their final impressions and anticipations:

• Greg lauds the remaster for rekindling interest in a game he previously overlooked, emphasizing its role in bridging past and present gaming experiences.

  “[65:59] Greg Miller: … a great example of how these remasters do matter and can really speak to an audience that you didn't have before.”

• Mike treasures the nostalgic value, considering Oblivion a comfort game that will always hold a special place in his heart.

  “[66:33] Snowbike Mike: … the team did an incredible job. … special to me.”

• Andy reflects on the balance between old and new, expressing mixed emotions about the remaster’s strengths and shortcomings but ultimately appreciating its release.

  “[67:12] Andy Cortez: Wish I could mean it right now. … Kind of sad about the potential for what could have been.”

The episode concludes with heartfelt thanks to the listeners and a tease for upcoming content, including a spoiler cast and the finale of Game Showdown.

Notable Quotes with Speaker Attribution and Timestamps

• Andy Cortez on Oblivion’s complexity:

  “[16:04] Andy Cortez: … the original engine called GameBrio back in 2006 … adding into the unstableness there.”

• Greg Miller on character role-playing:

  “[27:23] Greg Miller: I have such a love for that.”

• Snowbike Mike on personal connection:

  “[30:37] Snowbike Mike: … factions, the companions …”

• Andy Cortez on modern game preferences:

  “[36:18] Greg Miller: … you slam my sword into them over and over again like die.”

These excerpts encapsulate the hosts’ genuine engagement with the remaster, blending technical analysis with personal anecdotes and community interactions.

Conclusion

The Kinda Funny Gamescast episode on The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered offers a comprehensive exploration of the game’s revival. Through candid discussions, technical evaluations, and heartfelt nostalgia, Andy, Greg, and Mike provide listeners with an insightful and entertaining review. Their interactions with the audience further enrich the conversation, making it a memorable episode for both long-time fans and newcomers curious about revisiting this iconic RPG.