TES4: Oblivion Analysis | A Quick Retrospective

[@Patrician]

Thanks to everyone who supported me the past 10 months. Read this comment before you respond: NIRNROOT: Yes I said it weird. You can apparently drop Nirnroot on at least the Steam version of Oblivion. It's weird because I've had conversations IRL about not being able to drop Nirnroot, and it's one of the chief complaints of the Nirnroot quest I've heard (being that you have to collect ~100 of them just to be able to finally stop carrying them around). Those memories came from the physical PC copy as well as the 360 copy, in case anyone wants to look into it. HACKDIRT: Yes, I'm aware that Hackdirt is a Lovecraft reference. I figured a fake out referencing an obscure film from the 60s was an obvious enough joke. Do you actually think I knew what "Shadow over Elveron" was prior to writing this script? It was a made for TV film from the late 60s, it's so obscure the novel it was based on doesn't even have a wikipedia page. "Shadow over Innsmouth" is, however, not an obscure reference. The joke is predicated on you thinking I'm about to say "Shadow over Innsmouth" and then faking you out at the last second. Thanks for playing along, you can stop telling me now. MOUNT AND BLADE: I did not say that Mount and Blade came after Mordhau. That paragraph is just structured badly, also I was lazy and used the Bannerlord footage I already had rather than getting new Warband footage. I mention Morrowind first, then clarify that Mordhau has directional attacks, and then say that Mount and Blade also used directional attacks, which was supposed to be relative to the first subject, not the second. The idea was to progress the idea backwards, and then show that Elder Scrolls pre-dated it all.

[@BronsoloTV]

Thank YOU

[@Euruos]

This is the only time I'll fell like staying up for 20 hours was justified

[@Kenjuudo]

Thanks man!

[@sagedamage109]

12:00:00 my man

[@Screwball-D2]

THANK YOU

[@TheOneTrueNeravarOfOoo]

Now that you've done a quick analysis. Do an in depth, time consuming one.

[@kylefer]

Yea boii

[@almightytwee1188]

70 hours later

[@defaultthedude]

He would do a 15 second review of a gamr

[@cosmogoblin]

I disagree. This was too long and I didn't like it, so I clicked off at 11:55:00. Boring!

[@delsi3795]

Yea this is half a days work, I want a full one

[@illbebeck8655]

I just love how he titled this 12 hour video "A Quick Analysis" as if he's threatening us that he can easily make a longer version

[@kasus123]

Foreshadowing of skyrim analysis which would probably be 20 hours

[@thatguyryan9603]

Lmao!

[@Michael-bx8up]

Skyrim - A Brief Overview Video length - 48 hours

[@kennedyshotfirst2534]

@@Michael-bx8up Can KZbin videos even be that long?

[@Trakesh]

Threatening?

[@elgatochurro]

"whoever made this UI doesn't use magic" Earlier "Todd is a barbarian main"

[@James11111]

The whiplash of talking about a quest line, going on a tangent about something else in the middle of it, and then slamming back to the questline suddenly is great.

[@baronvonbeandip]

Holding multiple things in one's mind sure is hard.

[@embodimentofgreatness5514]

@@baronvonbeandipif your brain is damaged goods, sure. he was writing a script, meaning he had plenty of time to internalize his thoughts, going from one tangent to another seamlessly. thats why this video is so great, subtle humor, great structure, and a whole heap of verifiable information to back all of his arguments

[@AChunkyDog]

Kinda like getting sidetracked in Oblivion.

[@carsineceremony]

​@@AChunkyDogthis video really makes you FEEL like youre playing oblivion

[@Rebelzize]

Worth the 12 hours I'd say

[@vherus]

I am so happy that you’ve watched this! You guys are doing incredible work, thank you

[@irbis_rosh]

Every single minute of it

[@devonkeith6860]

certainly

[@mfspectacular]

I'd imagine retrospectives like this help iron out things youre trying to correct in the remake mod, like level scaling. Hope it goes well, that'll prolly be what gets me into oblivion lol

[@HugoFoxHH]

100%

[@badgerbane]

This is great because by the time I finish watching it, I've forgotten what was said at the start and get to enjoy it all over again. This is the only content I need now. This shall sustain me.

[@jenniferwerezak4165]

Lol

[@SolidDragonUK]

Lmao

[@NeiasaurusCreations]

@@BrickleYourFrickle Simple, there's too much info to digest all at once. You can probably come back and pick up on points you might've missed or forgotten by the end durations of 12hours. Especially if you have to pause, or god forbid watch it all in one sitting. Currently watched it like twice now, and am 6 hours into it. I sat through all 6 so far all at once.

[@cephaleaorion4888]

i will not eat, this video continues my life

[@degenReflow]

The rewatch value is immense.

[@SuperZergMan]

"This game is shit, I can't hit anything!" -Mannimarco, wielding a dagger he doesn't have the skills to use properly.

[@Xathal]

It's always that fucking -iron- silver dagger.

[@Akechifan]

The legendary and infamous Necromancer runs out of magicka after 1 spell

[@zelexen]

i mean, how are you spose to know that if its your first time playing a es game?

[@captainufo4587]

@@zelexen By - Ghasp - READING the description of the skill or the game's manual?

[@lucklesscomet4987]

@@captainufo4587 to be fair, most new players to Morrowind don't buy physical copies that have the manual. However, some reading can help have a basic, if somewhat uninformed understanding.

[@phocarrot]

Oblivion was my first Bethesda game and I managed to accidently become a vampire without realizing it and kept vaguely wondering why I kept getting hurt when I went outside and why all the NPCs were constantly telling me how awful I looked. And then I tried to pickpocket someone who was asleep and saw the "feed" button and was like "I can... feed them??" So I clicked it and my character started feeding ON them and that was when it all finally clicked. 10/10, excellent roleplaying experience.

[@boogit9979]

If youre roleplaying as a rube unaware what vampires are in the setting then sure.

[@Kris-wo4pj]

@@boogit9979 if ya never realized vampires were a thing or they can turn ya into one by punching ya like how people use to think AIDs are spread it makes sense esp with it being their first ever bethsada game. no other vampirism is spread like that.

[@NigerianCrusader]

Ye man and also trump is 10/10 too

[@drago3036]

That sounds like a very funny RPG experience XD

[@magicmanbran54]

​@@NigerianCrusaderDRUMPF

[@Frostman411]

"Using the ring we honorably looted of Sir Amiel's corpse." Look I appreciate that more than halfway through your script you still had a good sense of humor.

[@NigerianCrusader]

Yep and trump has a great humor too

[@BigPanda096]

​@@NigerianCrusaderwhat is this even for?

[@NigerianCrusader]

@@BigPanda096 TRUMP HAS GOOD HUMOR DUDE NOW VOTE TRUMP IN 2024

[@reidparker1848]

​@@NigerianCrusader You're crazy

[@NigerianCrusader]

@@reidparker1848 HOW AM I CRAZY

[@DanteGrey]

I've been enjoying falling asleep to random sections of this and waking up to a different video every night

[@chubburito6398]

thought i was the only guy who did that

[@Crruptedwoona]

Good I'm not alone

[@tombyrne9003]

That’s exactly how I view these lol

[@weedblaster2125]

These and Action Button’s videos are the best for that

[@jrheeney3685]

I still feel like there’s always a new section to fall asleep too

[@thefoxoflaurels3437]

One reason I think Shivering Isles is remembered so fondly by me in particular is that in all the ways Oblivion is uncanny and janky is emboldened in a setting where everything is defined by how uncanny and janky it is

[@tgr3423]

Shivering Isles is honestly kind of genius as an expansion. It's so immersive precisely because it takes advantage of (accidentally or not) how freaking *bizarre* Oblivion is, especially its NPCs. It's my favorite part of Oblivion.

[@fable23]

They had the perfect excuse to get rid of Levitation and Teleportation and they chose not to use it; just say that it was in some way tied to the Heart of Lorkhan. That the heart's destruction sent magical shockwaves through the world that altered the way that certain magic worked, making some spells no longer possible. You can even say the change was gradual so it makes sense you could still use them in the Morrowind post game. It might sound flimsy, but it is ten thousand times more believable than "everyone collectively pinky promised not to use two of the coolest and most useful magical powers that any being can possess."

[@QaysSyed]

Very similar to how the Tribunal’s powers were waning I would have never thought of that!

[@honeybadger6275]

It makes me wonder if the devs that worked on oblivion had even played morrowind, let alone worked on it.

[@doghat1619]

​@@honeybadger6275yes, it's almost entirely the same dev team, just larger. These changes were made deliberately to give the game wider appeal

[@honeybadger6275]

@@doghat1619 They doubled the size of the company between oblivion and morrowind, and several key figures left after morrowind. But tell me more about how that constitutes "almost entirely the same."

[@doghat1619]

@@honeybadger6275 which key figures left after morrowind?

[@daxterisnumber1]

People: Wanna go watch a movie Me: Sorry I don't got time Also Me: Watches 6 movies worth of oblivion analysis

[@joearnold6881]

Were you the one who made the same comment on the Morrowind video? I loved it then and the callback now is even better!

[@TheRealLetharos]

Truth

[@cpt.arctourus7950]

Do what I do watch it during your insomnia nights or when your on a 12 hour shift

[@Christopheromoan]

I’m a house painter, I listen to headphones 8hrs a day while I work (plus commuting to and from) so I burn through easily 50 hours of podcasts, audiobooks and KZbin videos. I thoroughly enjoyed your Morrowind video being more audio than visual and the length was no problem for me. I’d love to hear you do these cogent and thoughtful deep dives on every game you’ve ever enjoyed.

[@omgitzsirairhorn]

what do you do when it rains?

[@DrewIbarra714]

@@omgitzsirairhorn not everyone paints houses and I'm sure a hoodie with some earbuds would still work

[@Christopheromoan]

@@omgitzsirairhorn on days that it rains, you paint the insides of houses. Or you have the day off. :)

[@GabrielShakkori]

That's awesome makes me want to get my own videos out glad to know other people like me listen to these videos while they get their jobs done and move on with their lives I just don't know what video game I would want to do retrospective on but this guy is my main man I've watched him for inspiration

[@SnatchyMrAvi1]

@@omgitzsirairhorn then we get a indoor job assaigned or taken the day of

[@yonahga5731]

The Perma-Virgin 10-minute review vs the Omega-Chad 12-hour quick retrospective

[@9manny99]

The only true full length review would be a novel

[@dannyb2344]

This might only be fore saving streams but doesn’t KZbin have a 12 hour limit?

[@joyustdust21]

@@dannyb2344 there are videos on KZbin that are way longer but they are also years old so they might have changed policies sense then

[@kennandunn7533]

Long Man Good!

[@iloveyourunclebob]

@@9manny99 well, by length, this technically is a novel in audiobook format lol

[@Sorenova]

9:15:59 the player just standing there while matthieu bellamont's master plan of...... trying to stab a ghost(?) just happens in front of you always drove me insane

[@BoleDaPole]

That explains how you got to the 9 hour mark of this youtube video

[@jayjayrusso1]

Sneaky Skooma Cat

[@Slender_Man_186]

Jump in the caac

[@redbasher636]

Hows life been Sorenova? Do you often deal with the fame you garnered in the past or is it just stuff ya did? No hate, loved yer content.

[@YayapLives]

6:36:52 "That UI is for another _day."_ 24 hour Skyrim analysis video confirmed!

[@AsexTwin]

analysis video so long that you can’t even upload it to youtube

[@bogdanpostole7251]

@@AsexTwin but if you stream the video it can be done

[@AsexTwin]

@@bogdanpostole7251 it would but you wouldn’t be able to rewatch it

[@stubbsie1038]

No way I just scrolled down and saw this comment right as he said this

[@sirreginaldfishingtonxvii6149]

Actual week long video incoming

[@kemsat-n6h]

“A quick retrospective” Is a half day long. This is the syllabus for a semester of school for scribes in TES76 taking a history course.

[@toxicitzi357]

It is a day long, as far as people stay awake that is.

[@NoOne-rq4pm]

TES 76? Oh god please no not another one! *FO76 flashbacks begin*

[@ttayWer]

how do you even speak for that long

[@braydencharles6188]

@@ttayWer you're genuinely stupid if you actually think this was all done in one sitting and not over weeks and months.

[@Hema8551]

@@braydencharles6188 it was 80% a joke or he meant total, also dont like your own comment

[@Mehumies12]

This video was very well paced. For it being so long, it didnt feel stretched out or boring at any point.

[@Jereb343]

It's the occasional bits of dry humour that keep it interesting for me. Helps that oblivion is already so ridiculous. I assume that's why this is my favourite of his three big videos

[@VGZTeaTime]

I think it's very funny that there's a whole faction of mages who broke off to practice a banned magic in Necromancy, but they STILL respect the ban on teleportation and levitation. Can't commit TOO MANY magic crimes I guess

[@Diccolo91]

They’re not savages….

[@heavenheathern]

Professionals have standards

[@UndereNeko]

My favourite thing about it is it's like, the equivalent of the entire government completely outlawing all forms of car/bus/train travel for literally no reason and no-one giving a shit, but then a single school bans smoking SPECIFICALLY in that school because it's harmful to their students and everyone goes apeshit.

[@CommieApe]

Thanks inconsistent storytelling! Very cool!

[@metaparalysis3441]

@@CommieApe it's more not having a good ingame excuse for game mechanics

[@razbuten]

I’ve really enjoyed working my way through this.

[@timetaker7816]

Just starting the journey now can't wait till I complete it

[@suddenshadow]

try tounge but hole

[@esar96]

Thanks for mentioning this in Iron's stream. I enjoyed it quite a bit

[@BubblewrapHighway]

"I wonder if I'm almost done with this 6 minute intro..." *18 minutes in*

[@SunBro_Talos]

@@suddenshadow amazing chest ahead

[@Suwako__Moriya]

3:26:50 One of my fondest memories of Morrowind was walking into a tomb on a low-level mage character, seeing a Dremora, saying "hell no" and using a lock spell (not even sure why I had it) on an interior door and getting the fuck out of dodge. I later came back at a higher level, shot the door with an open lock spell and annihilated the Dremora behind it.

[@colinclement2752]

Oh hell to the nah nah nah

[@aprinnyonbreak1290]

"I have sealed an ancient evil behind this portal" "It's an angry red man with a baseball bat listening to Linkin Park, locked behind a wooden door" "THE THREAT TO OUR REALM IS IMMINENT"

[@neoqwerty]

Honestly that's probably the smartest move a character could make in-universe. "Okay I'm getting the feck out and you can just stay in here, fella."

[@pappy2690]

That's morrowind

[@richardlionerheart1945]

I suspect the reason you had that spell was same as mine you thought it was the opening spell instead of locking spell

[@Yaboi-h]

I recently realised how Jauffre getting the special dialouge of "yes Kvatch" makes him an irredeemable, irresponsible, incompetent idiot. With just one singular dialouge the super elite grandmaster of the blades reveals that he basically put the entirety of Tamriel at risk because he's a bum. He knew Uriel had an illegitimate heir as a backup plan, yet as he heard about the assassination of the Emperor's heirs and the big U himself he didn't IMMEDIATELY have Martin taken to Cloud Ruler Temple: strike 1. If the player visits Kvatch before delivering the amulet Jauffre implies that he knows of the attack but you never see a single blade agent sent to take Martin away nor are there any blades agent corpses to show he at least tried: strike 2. If the player B-lines it to the priory he gives a fucking inmate who might just have been a bloodthirsty murderer the task to retrieve the only hope of Tamriel: strike 3 he is out. And this is only the FIRST conversation you have with the guy. I will not even mention the clusterfuck of how the mythic dawn steals the amulet because that makes me want to open the console and just remove Jauffre from the game.

[@cassi5420]

Yeah it’s just a running problem with TES wanting a foot in every door. The desire for a heroic, time-precious epic really clashes with the open world and ability to do what you want when you want it. The implementation of the player character is VERY lazy at times, like I have no professional writing experience and I still feel like I could write quests better than that. And Skyrim was the same way, since Alduin can never actually win and characters will put way too much trust in you

[@jaycrownshaw3902]

I mean, personally it always felt to me like the story of the game expects you to at least be waiting a day or 2 before going to kvatch. Its not possible for daedra to have "overran kvatch last night" as the npc says cause in order for the gate to open the emperor had to be dead. Personally I think it would take time for Jauffre to get down to Martin and him sending the player is his answer. The blades seem stretched thin compared to the mythic dawn. Idk its not actually a problem for me that stoey plays out how it does other than the quantum nature of kvatchs destruction

[@RancorousSea]

@@jaycrownshaw3902 I think the Mythic Dawn should have had more presence in the overworld along with the Oblivion Gates. It doesn't really make sense that the Daedra are everywhere but the Mythic Dawn are just resting on their laurels. Like you guys just assassinated the Emperor and stole the Amulet of Kings, this is the time to make your move. The Dawnstar Museum guy in Skyrim had more hustle than they did.

[@RJManette]

​@@RancorousSeaI always wondered this too. I figured they would be the ones opening the oblivion gates on the Nirn side and that I'd find them near oblivion gates and communicating with daedra but there's nothing. There's barely any interaction with the Mythic Dawn or the Daedra and it's a lil sad.

[@domonkospap2421]

No, dont expect logic! You have to come up with contrived and complicated theories like the Mehrunes Dagon theory to explain these inconsistencies For example, Uriel Septim could see into the future (The dragon blood… they see more than lesser men) Uriel probably left Jauffre specific instructions before he let his heirs and himself get assassinated. Applying Mehrunes Dagon theory, it all makes sense

[@ryconroleplays]

I still remember watching that E3 demo over and over again, just blew my mind. Remembered freaking out over the chains moving and the ribcage casting live shadows

[@InsidiousOne]

Damn. Oblivion didn't feel like a game, it felt like some black magic from the year 5000, when we were watching this demo.

[@paulsibistowicz2068]

Jep. The moving chain was crazy back then

[@supermcbrian]

oh hey rycon. i was just watching your dust playthru.

[@DJWolfHouse]

The radiant AI blew my mind. I had one of those Xbox magazine discs with a trailer of Oblivion on it and I would watch it over and over. It was the first game I ever bought for 360. I remember reaching a mountain peak and being like, “Holy. Shit.” The beauty blew me away and honestly, oblivion’s stylized environment (not the faces obviously lmao) still holds up pretty well to me.

[@nagger8216]

I can see it, other than NPCs, I think Oblivion's graphics hold up surprisingly well

[@PrivateSessions]

It's an honor to now only have the second-longest Oblivion retrospective on YT. Congrats and good job, pat.

[@theczman007]

You still have almost 2 days as number 1, enjoy it while you can

[@Heidinn217]

just watched yours, lol while relaxing in a bath... thank you

[@tonightscake4127]

Guess I know what I'll be watching tonight...

[@CorvoFG]

Looking forwards to your 3 day long Fallout 4 essay! 😉

[@Hero_Of_Old]

Its a like an inside joke for KZbinrs to outdo each other on making the longest Oblivion retrospective on KZbin haha

[@blueshit199]

after watching this entire 12 hour long video I still can't get over how an Argonian lady sends two people to drown to death out of curiosity while she has a natural water breathing ability, and yet somehow she's the good guy and gets a promotion for it?

[@jokig]

Oh wow I feel stupid now for never realizing that. I play Argonians all the time, how did this slip past me?

[@janssenmccormick7824]

@@jokig Because you play Argonians all the time.

[@meticulousCheese]

@@jokig Turns out, so did she

[@Justlilmonster]

Wait i kinda forgot the story. Wasn't the person who sent ppl to drown a Guy and not the Argonian lady??

[@Justlilmonster]

@@shaynehughes6645 i finally remembered. "You will retrieve this ring for me. Should you manage to do so, I shall consider sending a recommendation to the University. The well is locked, so you'll need the key. Deetsan should have a copy of it" Falcar told the "stupid associate" to retrieve the ring. The Argonian Lady did not

[@invidatauro8922]

Others have said this, but I think Kingdom Come Deliverance shows you can have a combat system not based around dice rolls, yet still heavily taking into account your character's in game skills. All the combat skills in Kingdom come are based around some combination of the weapon stat and a corresponding attribute. And you see large change in Henry as you level up. At level 1, your sword swings are slow, your parry window is miniscule, and even a bandit in rags will probably give you some trouble. You also don't have access to combos that give you a leg up. You also tend to waste your stamina a lot more. At higher levels, he is much faster, can parry more easily, and can even do things like feint. It's an excellent demonstration of becoming more skilled in a weapon. And much like Morrowind, while the early levels suck, it doesn't actually take more than a bit of training (actual training in KCD) with a weapons trainer to get it to a perfectly usable level. Archery is actually my favorite example of this as when you first pick up a bow it's nearly impossible to hit anything, the arrows don't fly as hard, the bow shakes and sways all the time, and if you're not wearing armor or a vambrace, you will take damage from using it to show the bowstring hitting henry's arm. A few levels and you don't need the vambrace anymore. A few more and you're arrows fly farther and hit harder, and by level 20 you're steady as a rock. I see your point about dice rolls influencing and think that it could work but I think a system like this, where you see actual progression and the skill becomes literally easier to use mechanically with the same actions giving better results but with more input and feedback from the player, is a better way of dealing with the combat issue, espcially for a first person 3d rpg.

[@samfire3067]

*Breaks shoulder trying to fire arrow*

[@daedalus6433]

Morrowind used dice rolls to simulate this since it was very difficult to make an advanced combat system like this back in 2002, especially considering the time crunch Bethesda was under

[@scottwerner279]

Bannerlord, which he does mention, is similarly good at this. Your attack stats go up, but so does your swing speed to the point that your high level character is indistinguishable from your first level guy.

[@daedalus6433]

@@scottwerner279 I don't think indistinguishable is the right word.

[@scottwerner279]

lol you're right, I wrote this half asleep this morning. @@daedalus6433

[@Dispro]

"This is an audio based experience" THANK YOU, exactly what I want from these kinds of long-form critical analysis videos.

[@pokemondie1]

Teleportation is a perfectly valid school of magic, and don't let anyone tell you otherwise!

[@abdalln8554]

*knock knock* its us the omnilresent imperial battlemages. We gotta memory hole mysticism before we're late for not helping during the great war.

[@NigerianCrusader]

Yep man and also trump make him president again man! Go vote matey! Go go go!

[@iivin4233]

Teleportation and, to a lesser extent, levitation are two spells in my Big Book of OP No-No Spells for Settings. This is because, while any magic would change aspects of civilization in ways Elder Scrolls games refuse to contemplate, teleportation and levitation would change all of society. Unless Tamriel were filled with flying cities (in the games) and armies (other than daedric ones) portalling into castle keeps--or simply the projectiles hurled by those armies--I would not want to see the concepts of teleportation and levitation come within mile of the setting. I am not against them as mechanics. Task the player to set up or restart an archanatrans suppression system as part of military campaign against the daedra. Leaves some wildlands in the gaps and edges where all magics are permanently available. These could be hazardous areas where cackling mages and magical creatures could ambush from above, kill you, resurrect you, or transport you to unknown locations for macabre experimentation.

[@samwild6630]

@@iivin4233 I'm with you on this. It has way too much impact on entire settings to just handwave. I think it's ok to have things like fixed teleporters with a macguffin to explain why they can't be everywhere, for the sake of having in-universe fast travel options. Things like levitation could be tied to object size and mass easily - individuals don't have enough magic to lift great objects and even then, it's difficult to control them. Grabbing a pencil or dagger can be learned, but moving a tabled would be quite difficult. Time travel and parallel universes are even worse in my mind. Unless it's handled "perfectly", it ruins the worldbuilding for me. I think what they did in Skyrim was good though, it was more a window into the past and not actually going back to change events. Even sending Alduin forward in time is ok in my eyes - I read it as he was put in a sort of stasis for a few thousand years, which is just as a good explanation.

[@Evarakeus]

20 hours of TES critique and analysis released within 8 months of each other. Not only is your content longer, more girthy, and far meatier, but it's delivered quicker than any other video game critique KZbinr could possibly compete with

[@BlackBulletRave]

One could say that with that girth, he thrusts his content into the limelight.

[@gmxealot6236]

What a great way to tell him that his content is worth dick

[@Euruos]

Penis reference nice

[@TheRyrydaven09]

Pause

[@Looneyboy]

Really gay way to describe it

[@beyondpain101]

I dunno how many times I've watched this, but I have to wonder. How many people have been woken up by that last line. "You've massively overslept."

[@cpt.arctourus7950]

I woke up to a auto play hadvar going "hey you your finally awake huh"

[@Sparkle8205]

i mean i listen to these to go to sleep… so many times…

[@wunderfuls]

FOR THE LOVE OF GOD DO FALLOUT NEW VEGAS. Love your shit man keep it up.

[@xXxMrRazorxXx]

Yes please! I want to see him do it.

[@zhitchcresttail3387]

Get ready for a video the length of an average New Vegas playthrough then

[@samiesta9996]

The amount of research for a Patrician TV FNV review is going to be insane. In my recent 100%(not quite but close) playthrough, I reached 100 hours on my character.

[@wunderfuls]

@@samiesta9996 im currently recording my playthrough of my min max character build. Years of playing this game and i average about 100 plus hours for a completionist playthrough.

[@sisyphusrodahrockshout9326]

Nah all things in due time, first things first is Fallout 1&2. You may skip 3 though, moat of us wont hold it against you!

[@dblundz]

Just finished the morrowind video "I won't be making another video this long or like this" *Insert 12 hour oblivion video lmao please give us a 19 hour skyrim video next plz

[@jerryturgin6583]

The most hilarious thing would be a twenty second video saying "skyrim bad" over and over again

[@Vacuumbead]

KZbin videos can’t be over 12 hours now

[@Vacuumbead]

@Dr. Bright A few months ago old videos over 12h are still up but nothing over 12h can be uploaded anymore

[@pancakeboy8642]

You thought the factions part of this video was long just wait the companions and the mage guild are just atrocious

[@abfg616]

@@Vacuumbead This is so sad guys

[@Whitelight]

I just want to know how you did the audio editing.

[@jamesbrincefield9879]

I love your work. Thank you for existing.

[@catsquidcatoverlord9842]

Haha, taking notes I assume.

[@logancade342]

Whitelight, you're a beast.

[@EliasCassab]

That Eminem Without Me remix caught me by surprise

[@Don11037]

Seen you on EFAP

[@gabby3036]

11:38:37 "Wes Johnson *AND* Wes Johnson" is now an inside joke between my husband and I after I showed him that one amazing section.

[@baronvonbeandip]

"My husband and I" Implying it isn't Wes Johnson and Wes Johnson.

[@alteye1]

The fact that people will just continue and continue to make videos such as this one amazes me. Thank you so much

[@Vmar98]

"You up this weekend?" "Nah man, I'm watching THE Oblivion retrospect"

[@Bradley_UA]

"You up this weekend?" "No" "Why, are you watching THE Oblivion retrospect as well?" "Nah, I'm just watching the quick analysis"

[@iikepie12]

My friend literally called me yesterday and asked if I was free. He wasnt ready for my response of watching a 12 hour long video on Oblivion.

[@Hero_Of_Old]

"Completely get it, enjoy"

[@embodimentofgreatness5514]

this guy gets it

[@Lyubimov89]

I found this video on a pretty difficult week of my life. For reasons I cannot adequately explain, listening to half a day of an in-depth discussion of a game I played what seems like a lifetime ago really helped me keep my head above water, with the video length being a positive factor for that. Thank you for making this.

[@YourLocalRaccoon]

"This video isnt meant to be watched in its entirety in one sitting" Thats a challenge. Challenge accepted.

[@StardustCorvid]

Ah, another watching the whole video in one sitting out of spite

[@SilenzedSpaz]

I don't usually like "video-essay" type content, but your analysis on Morrowind was just impressive by its immense scope and ambition. And now you drop this, after only 8 months? And its 5 hours longer? Fucking outstanding, can't wait to watch it.

[@evereststevens7034]

I’m not one for video essays either or even video game reviews/criticism

[@varvarith3090]

Achieved by injecting meth directly into the brain through the eye socket.

[@haruhirogrimgar6047]

@@varvarith3090 After Sheogorath took them of course.

[@PineJayForge]

You forgot to mention my "favorite" part of Knights of the Nine. If you stick the Crusader's relics on the stand, they re-level their stats. If you get the set at the beginning of the game, then just visit the chapel every 5 or so levels to restore the gear, you don't need any other armor. It makes everything but the very highest tier of armor useless.

[@Spellweaver5]

But that's a good thing. It's because of lack of feature like this you had to postpone certain quests with important rewards (Escutcheon of Chorrol, most notably) until the latest levels.

[@hunterlong1820]

That sounds awesome actually. Hate getting the super awesome daedric artifact weapon only to have it be easily surpassed by some random npc’s Garbo sword a few levels later

[@valuebrandmelkor5973]

@@hunterlong1820 it's good for individual players but it's bad for the system as a whole because it gives you a mechanical incentive to ignore every other armor set, and the unique aesthetics they can provide, in favor of a single white suit.

[@hunterlong1820]

@@valuebrandmelkor5973 yeah I can see that. Just depends on how much of a meta slave you are. I miss playing RPG’s before the internet and not being able to look up the best build armor training methods etc lol.

[@Spellweaver5]

​@@valuebrandmelkor5973 it really doesn't. It's a good set of armour, but it's not universal. There is the restriction to not get any infamy which means you can't reasonably get it before the Thieves' guild, Dark Brotherhood, and some daedric quests, because let's be honest, doing another pilgrimage is a chore. You might want specific enchantments on your armour too.

[@diedaedrie382]

I don't usually ever comment on YT videos but having watched the entire video over the course of this past week, I felt compelled to offer feedback after having just finished listening to the appreciation you have for it toward the end. It seems apparent you have taken a lot of care and consideration for how you deliver your analyses regarding the various pieces of content the game has to offer, which has resulted in a very nice balance between trying to be objective in the flaws of the game, delivering funny quips often enough for well-paced chuckles without over-saturating the video with jokes and deviating from the goal of analyzing the game, and utilizing various insights and takes from other sources in a cohesive and digestible way that made it pleasant for someone like me who cannot remember the last time watched a video spanning more than an hour, let alone 12. Being extremely nostalgic of Oblivion, I have been battling a severe itch to boot it up and run a playthrough of it until I came across your video, and after finishing the video, I don't have that itch to play the game anymore. Not to say that is a bad thing, but rather, your video helped give me a sense of peace about why I cherished the game so much and what about it left such a deep impression with me. I feel like you did a really solid job on this and I am eager to go and watch the Morrowind analysis as well as your future content. Thanks for the months of work and commitment to seeing it through.

[@gobs379]

It's so rare to find great longform commentary with all those qualities you mention in the intro. It probably why I've watched this video through several times over the years. Some days I just need something to keep that child-like part of my brain alive and entertained while I slog through a slow, dull day at work. Thanks Patrician.

[@paradoxicalsg3522]

I can’t believe this was actually recommended to me in a timely fashion. I keep expecting this to be a video released years ago on a now dead channel, with this and your Morrowind video now being two of my favorite things on this whole forsaken site, and my luck being such that would mean you would not be making content anymore. How happy I am to be wrong. I can’t wait to dive into the rest of your content

[@alexmcqueen2916]

FUCK YEAAHHHHH

[@joshjames582]

Minor lore nitpick - Orcs being occasionally referred to as beast people has been an intermittent thing since Daggerfall. Morrowind lists them as one of the three beast races, while simultaneously having books explaining their Mer heritage. It's an unreliable narrator thing, I'm sure. It didn't originate in ESO but like you said, that likes to recontextualize things.

[@alexanderchippel]

Also racism.

[@KitKatHexe]

While I will concede the point that ESO likes to recontextualize things, I still hold that it's otherwise pretty faithful with the lore. It's set far back enough on the timeline to where many discrepancies with earlier games can be easily explained away as the unreliable narrator. It gets the most problematic when it tries to do anything with the daedra, though it rarely fucks up the lore in that department (my favorite instance of this is how Barbas is a bro in Morrowind, Oblivion, and Skyrim, but he's an absolute jackass in ESO) I do however have a big problem with the lack of a 9th divine in the Imperial pantheon. Sure Tiber septum hasn't been born yet so obviously he hasn't ascended to godhood as Talos, but even back in daggerfall before his retroactive Ascension there was a 9th divine the form of Reymon Ebonarm, Imperial god of war

[@Caelinus]

@@KitKatHexe I think Bethesda's lore people decided to scrub that given that they apparently removed all references to him completely, even from in game books he was previously mentioned in. So that is probably not on the ESO people. It is very likely they are aware of him, but he is not officially canon anymore.

[@Ky-vv8nj]

I'm gonna need a 12 hour explanation on this.

[@gewuerzwanze5627]

Orcs were created when some mer were eaten and shat out by malacath/molag bal. They descended from mer but arent better than goblins or rieklings

[@SarahHxC]

My headcanon: the reason Uriel Septim couldn't teleport out of the city was because he had his recall spell on top of his tower. Lazy old dude.

[@remainprofane7732]

All I would do all day is jump off the tower and recall before hitting the ground, fuck running the empire

[@grot777]

@@remainprofane7732 haha yess

[@mayonnaiseluther1568]

@@remainprofane7732 but does momentum carry with mark and recall? If it doesn't that would work but if it does you'd be pretty screwed, however you could probably set it up to launch you like in portal or something.

[@remainprofane7732]

“Somebody call the battlemage, the emperor sling-shotted himself into low orbit and is suffocating in the vacuum of space” “Again?”

[@SarahHxC]

@@remainprofane7732 imagine the day he accidentally casts it too late... Dear populace of the empire, we are sad to announce that the Emperor has died, and traumatized a couple of passer-bys in the process of splatting...

[@awkwardGardener]

Honestly I've gotten so worn out on lockpicking minigames in general that when I finally played the original Deus Ex I was almost excited that it was a real time wait with no minigame.

[@ratatoskrnuts6354]

I like them only if they're real time life in Thief. You have to move fast and messing up makes noise

[@kimzyeryoz9639]

Mannimarco is actually my favorite fight for one particular reason: It's absolutely awful in basically every way, however, the first time I fought him way back in 07 or so he got lodged up against a part of the underwater tunnel, his path finding ceased to exist and he outright drowned. And the more I learn about the lore, the funnier it becomes

[@seancsnm]

I played that part of the game at the point when common street beasts like bears were a more difficult fight. I legit expected to go back to the university to find that the fight had been a farce and a way to lure me away while the real Mannimarco attacked the heart of the guild.

[@PorkpieJohnny]

He was kind of tough for me, mostly because he was bugged and didn't take any damage from my attacks. Thankfully, it's not like he could do anything to really hurt me, and like you said, I was able to get him to follow me into that underwater tunnel and get him stuck. Drowning DID actually do damage to him, so that's how I won

[@Illitha]

Mannimarco, the King of Worms, the Necromancer Moon, dies of drowning. Fucking hilarious and it's my new headcannon

[@keyboardstalker4784]

@@seancsnm that’s too clever for this game.

[@scoobysnax]

imagine Vanus Galerio screaming incoherently in Aetherius because he spent a thousand years trying to kill his shitty ex and some rando in Cyrodiil drowns him on accident

[@kazmark_gl8652]

Genuinely lost my shit at "I summoned a clone of Cameron which summoned a dremora which shot lighting that hit the original Cameron instantly crashing the game"

[@jakemasters4361]

Not sure if this has been mentioned, but you don't even need to take the colossal soul gem from Traven after he kills himself. It changes nothing about the ensuing quest to not have it. So his suicide just comes off as another hilarious act of incompetence on the guild's part.

[@cfdcfd15]

I did not know that, Bruh moment.

[@Sheogorath-]

"Let Me quickly kill myself so you can take over the guild"

[@aprinnyonbreak1290]

I love the Mages Guild in Oblivion. It's like they went out of their way to facilitate someone completely inept at spellcasting falling into the seat of Archmage.

[@strangestecho5088]

@@aprinnyonbreak1290 Then in Skyrim they literally install a viking dragon hunter as the guild head, because unlike the mages he actually gets shit done.

[@theonlybilge]

​​@@aprinnyonbreak1290 "We trained him wrong, as a joke!"

[@WolfWalrus]

3:13:50 If the sun moves east to west across the sky in Tamriel then a clockwise order does make sense; the reason "clockwise" is that direction is because that's the direction the shadow moves on a sundial (in the northern hemisphere). If the people of Cyrodiil use sundials _and_ the sun moves from east to west _and_ they're based in the northern hemisphere of Mundus, then clockwise is a fine direction to use.

[@baronvonbeandip]

Which comes first, east-west or the sun's travel path? Also, why assume that the geographic shape is elliptoid instead of, say, a cylindrical prism or infinite plane. After all, there's no in universe justification for our ideas of gravity.

[@zantac180]

I’m only just past the first hour, but I cannot say just how happy it made me for Young Scrolls’ Star to start playing when the Adoring Fan shows up! I bought both the normal and instrumental version of the song. Edit1: Okay, so I’m coming back to comment on your UI review. Thank you so much for praising the artist! I’ve always loved the pictographs as they made it so easy for me to understand the menus when I was a kid playing the game when it came out. I’ve also used them as examples of how to properly convey something simply both in my college classes and at my current job!

[@hamblok0]

Basically at this point you're creating some kind of youtube documentary series but it's about RPG's all crammed into one episode, and I'm absolutely here for it.

[@keyboardstalker4784]

I’d totally watch a 15 hour fallout retrospective from Patrician TV. It would be super boring if anyone else made it.

[@Big_Zussy]

In the Thieves Guild final quest, you can survive the fall from the chimney if you have high enough acrobatics without wearing the Boots. The boots won’t break and you can wear them forever if you want for that ridiculous stat boost they give you!

[@greenscheme2040]

You can wear them then do the Sanguin quest AFTER The Ultimate Heist and when you get you gear back at the shrine you can't wear them again BUT the 50 extra points is added permanently to Acrobatics. And Acrobatics is one of the two attributes that do go up for real past 100 as in the skill does increase. Wait until you are at 100 and now you have 150 skill in Acrobatics. So you are back to Morrowind roof jumping levels again. Awesome.

[@scolf4232]

I ended up being able to save them because even though my acrobatics wasn't too great, I had killed a zombie and had its body fall down the chimney shaft and sit at the bottom. When I fell, its body broke my fall just enough to survive.

[@tobyeaterofbark9582]

@@greenscheme2040 thanks! I’m playing through rn and I jump everywhere. I planned on doing thieves guild last so I hope I’ll be able to survive the fall

[@bEtHeSdA_LAME_sTuDi0s]

@@greenscheme2040 i remember o used the multiple rings glitch and had a cracked imperial athletic and speed wise. Id run at the top stone ramparts in bruma and the ramps shape combined with my broken acrobatics launched me the whole way onto the roof of the bruma chapel

[@aprinnyonbreak1290]

I remember way back in the day, on my second or third character, I found where it spits you out, and built a paintbrush step ladder to get down and keep the boots on a nobody character.

[@remuskane8684]

I like the idea of the CoC becoming Sheogorath, because it matches what happened to Martin quite well. Martin mantled an Aedra, possibly the most powerful of the Aedra, while the CoC goes on to mantle a Daedra, and is probably the most powerful Daedra now that he has full control of his realm and most of the power of Jyggalag.

[@AC-hj9tv]

Nice CoC

[@michaelhicks4196]

@@AC-hj9tvStop! You’ve violated the law

[@NigerianCrusader]

He’s stronger than the Dragonborn now and yes it’s canonically him who’s sheogorath now shivering isles is canon and sheorgothath in Skyrim is hero of ivatch also more stronger than the nerevarine and the agent and the eternal hero

[@remuskane8684]

@@NigerianCrusader There’s no need to debate who’s stronger. It ultimately doesn’t matter. I was more arguing for the parallels between the CoC and Martin, not between the CoC and any other pc.

[@NigerianCrusader]

@@remuskane8684yep but im just saying that cuz i want to prove that the skyrim community is weaker than oblivion players like myself neveraine is also pretty strong dragonborn is pretty strong too but not as strong as neravine or HOK

[@NotLordAsshat]

The worst part about these videos being so fucking long is that I take for granted that they're going to keep going. When they finally end it's a truly sad moment, given how engaging it is the entire way.

[@NigerianCrusader]

YEP

[@yourehereforthatarentyou]

i listen to videos like these while i work and every time one ends i’m like “what now” and have to stop what i’m doing to scroll through my watch later looking for another 1hr+ long video i haven’t had the time to watch yet

[@Tocroach22]

@@yourehereforthatarentyou I’ve listened to this video all the way through several times in the last two weeks because nothing really scratches the itch. I don’t want to listen to my usual podcasts while I work because they’re usually really informationally dense (and related to my field of work) and I feel bad missing stuff. This masterpiece though? I can tune out or tune in as needed

[@pulpfan8027]

@@yourehereforthatarentyousame, i already watched his skyrim and morrowind videos, i’m nervous to finish this one coz other channels’ retrospectives don’t hit the same way

[@TheMysterieRPGguy]

True but when they do end I also breath a sigh of relive or better put maybe satisfaction, it's like turning the final page on a great book.

[@it_is_i_deo]

Honestly, seeing a 12 hour video about something I'm interested in is like finding a gold mine, I'm a security guard and I work 16 hour shifts, so I love shit like this

[@igornikolic8192]

Wtf 16 hour shifts? How does that work :o

[@it_is_i_deo]

@@igornikolic8192 I only work 3 days a week, and I get like 5 hours of sleep for those 3 days

[@Patrician]

Wanted to fill a niche I felt was missing having worked my own long, boring shifts.

[@it_is_i_deo]

@@Patrician I respect that

[@udozocklein6023]

@@igornikolic8192 it works. either you have no sleep, no family, or no life. one of those things has to dodge for the work.

[@hyperventalated]

Just started but I HIGHLY appreciate the focus on making this audio-centric so that we can listen to this while going about another task. That's my favorite way to experience these types of analyses and I think its cool you acknowledge that audience

[@demifull4339]

Agreed.

[@drfrankendoodle]

100% agree

[@jennytalls2087]

...not that i'd miss out on the tiny visual jokes

[@Masterdeber]

I love listening to his retrospectives at work, makes my shift much more pleasant and go by much quicker

[@dubiusindex8216]

The sequel we all wanted but didn't deserve. I finally played Morrowind after watching your video like 3 times. The analysis and background knowledge were amazing. Cannot wait till tomorrow :)

[@ajmace172]

Same here the Morrowind analysis is the reason I played 100+ hours

[@Frank-jr1ly]

Is it still fun to play now? I got it for free but haven't played, not sure if it's too dated to be fun

[@GreggyAck]

Speak for yourself. I've been a good little Breton and deserve enlightenment.

[@richardoconnor8715]

@@Frank-jr1ly I picked up morrowind after watching Patricians last video too, and I’ll say this: it’s a fuckin blast if you’re up for it. Plenty of people bounce off of it because it’s a bit dated but even though it is I had so much fun. I used OpenMorrowind which is a program that fixes so much of the bugs and stuff but still keeps it very close to vanilla. I didn’t use any other mods, even though most people will recommend them. I swear to god it’s my favorite elder scrolls game now, it’s so entertaining and the amount of time you can spend just running around and experiencing things is ridiculous. The world is fascinating, the cultures are super interesting. If you’re willing to put up with some bad graphics and a bit of jankiness it’s one of the most enjoyable RPGs out there.

[@Frank-jr1ly]

@@richardoconnor8715 that's super interesting to hear. Is open morrowind available on nexus mods that I've got for skyrim or do I need to buy it separate?

[@hollismcc96]

I have never played a single elder scrolls game but I will in fact be watching this whole thing and the other quick retrospectives. thanks for getting me through my homework

[@NigerianCrusader]

Buy it please… or just play daggerfall and arena there good and free on steam

[@hollismcc96]

@@NigerianCrusader thanks for the suggestions!! it’s on my list now :)

[@NigerianCrusader]

@@hollismcc96 no problem, but daggerfall and arena are very different from morrowind oblivion and Skyrim I’ve heard people say that Daggerfall and arena are hidden gems

[@northeee8072]

This review runs for about the same length as an audiobook of a 400 page hard cover book. I am in awe of your thorough attention to detail. You’re a mad man, and it’s fantastic!

[@MedicMain9]

First thing that crossed my mind as well, the script alone must've been a nightmare to write. Dude is a legend.

[@danielyoho7783]

My stepdad used morrowind as a teaching tool for me on how to read when I was a child, I also had issues with dyslexia and adhd, so he had me play the game so I’d want to read and be good at it!

[@joshdaymusiced]

That's cool! I take it it worked well?

[@Grumboble]

I actually learned to spell by playing servers on minecraft! I had spelling difficulties as a kid (couldn’t spell anything more complex than three letter words when I was 11) and it worked wonders since it forced me to learn to be able to communicate. Now I’ve graduated HS with 4 years of AP English!

[@danielyoho7783]

@@joshdaymusiced it worked wonderfully

[@zwhsantwnopoylos5972]

@@danielyoho7783 It's wonderful how games can teach someone to read and write . For me English seemed hard since it isn't my native language but after starting playing games with my dad when since i was 7 , i can write and read English better than i can write or speak in my native language sometimes. Although the pronunciation...

[@jeste4187]

That’s a beautiful thing.

[@River_StGrey]

I like your points about the fast travel implementation while cutting features. A couple years ago, I was playing the Bruma mod expansion for Skyrim, and was excited to feel nostalgic with places I recognized. After wandering around the countryside a bit, I started thinking "Why doesn't a single landmark here look familiar?" and it's because I fast traveled everywhere and had no idea what the connective countryside in Cyrodil looked like.

[@humanitiestheproblem]

After Morrowind I didn't rly mess with Oblivion..so it's exactly what happened to me with Skyrim, I couldn't help myself using it. Survival really makes you slow down and enjoy the ride, I know Falkreath better than ever now that I'm forced to stay in the warmer regions longer. Beforehand it was left in the dust the moment I left Helgen. Survival should be the way the game was intended to play.

[@bEtHeSdA_LAME_sTuDi0s]

@@humanitiestheproblem sure but not anniversary edition survival. Its ridiculously imbalanced. You gotta pack 19 salmon steaks to eat every 3 hours to not have a hunger penalty

[@humanitiestheproblem]

@@bEtHeSdA_LAME_sTuDi0s you don't HAVE to, you just heard from some guide that it's "weight efficient" to carry salmon steaks..I carry 20apple cabbage stews, 10 potatoe soups and 3 hots at any given time. Takes 1 to 2 soups to fill me up for a few hrs..3 tops if I rly let it go. Soups ftw.

[@bEtHeSdA_LAME_sTuDi0s]

@@humanitiestheproblem idk what patch you have but despite having endless food my character is always under hunger penalty every 3 hours

[@humanitiestheproblem]

@@bEtHeSdA_LAME_sTuDi0s unless you play on PC, everyone has the same current patch: AE. I coukd very well be wrong but I think your impatience with having to eat more than you'd like is affecting your opinion on the game mode.

[@N3wguy321]

Currently packing up for a move, and your longform content is perfect; I can occupy the thinking parts of my brain with your videos while my lizard brain boxes things up in peace.

[@IvanTheLeiwand]

Hope everything went well for you ❤

[@NigerianCrusader]

Ye man and vote trump

[@danielioja8904]

I need the skyrim one next ,watched both this one and morrowind's one every night for the last 2 weeks . P.s make it even longer

[@nice3333333333]

P.s that’s what she said

[@brachyion9070]

inb4 24 hour skyrim video.

[@thatrandomcrit5823]

No, give us Daggerfall.

[@brachyion9070]

@@thatrandomcrit5823 inb4 48 hour daggerfall video

[@thatrandomcrit5823]

@@brachyion9070 Yes.

[@KeshaLukin]

The best part for me was was uncovering the simple truth about Mehrunes Dagon. If you are a lord of destruction you need to pull back last minute for them to rebuild so you could destroy again. This is extremely profound realisation.

[@whoknows8264]

But is it what the writer's intended or did they just fumble into it?

[@KeshaLukin]

@@whoknows8264 frankly It doesn't really matter. At least for me. It's just great way of putting it.

[@whoknows8264]

@@KeshaLukin fair enough, personally I do love the concept of playing a mortal pawn trying to survive the machinations of divine beings. I don't think any of the later games have such an interesting take like Oblivion main quest.

[@apaul7502]

sorry im having trouble understanding what you mean, why would he need to pull back? hes the prince of destruction, but also revolution and change. he would want to commit to bringing about a new world order because thats what hes the prince of doing right?

[@KeshaLukin]

@@apaul7502 the basic principle would be: in order to destroy something, this something should exist. Destruction is impossible without creation and vice versa. So if we were to imagine complete destruction into nothingness then the very reason for existence of prince of destruction would be pointless. There would be simply nothing to destroy. So in a sense to maintain status quo you need to pull back. Let them rebuild and find a new "entertaining" way to destroy what's rebuilt. Hope that makes sense.

[@gadtherad0973]

I love this guy. He's sophisticated enough to point out the tendencies and conclusions that people jump to and predict, know, and understand the results, criticism, and judging of his video and addresses them. All in all great video and creator.

[@baronvonbeandip]

When you play enough Oblivion, you get good at predicting generic NPC dialogue.

[@StevenSantanaF]

"No load times," and "every NPC has their own schedule," are some of the oldest marketing lines in the books

[@kozhedub]

lmao does it count as a "loading screen" when the game randomly freezes to load a new cell

[@sapiensfromterra5103]

Yet if you look at the Gothic series, you get both promises fulfilled (the first within reason obviously) and way earlier than Oblivion

[@BiomechanicalBrick]

@@sapiensfromterra5103 gothic isn't an rpg with fantasy life simulation elements it's a beat em up or some shit whatever nobody cares (just annoyed at ppl bringing up "gothic" in an elder scrolls discussion)

[@poilboiler]

@@BiomechanicalBrick Cranky because it did several things much better than Oblivion? Like this shopkeeper apprentice in the sequel who mans a street stall, some people walk up and buy stuff, he goes to sweep the street in front of the stall, at evenings he goes to the nearby pub to drink and occasionally he heads into the nearby alley to take a piss.

[@BiomechanicalBrick]

@@poilboiler yeah that's a couple more different behaviours than a commoner oblivion npc. Too bad oblivion had to do that for magnitudes more NPCs, and a lot of them also eat sleep wander travel search steal shop converse etc. But I don't care because the elder scrolls promises and tries doing an action game/life simulation rpg while gothic is some random action game that doesn't give the same number of freedoms to the player. You can say there are many options in the elder scrolls but they're shallower/less developed (such as combat animations which is something gothic fans love flaunting). However being able to open every door, pick up every object, speak with every character and use every interactive mechanic in the game on them is worth something. Gothic is all about combat and the elder scrolls is more about simulation and role playing i guess? That's why I don't get why people bring up gothic they probably think gothic "deserves" more popularity than tes which is imo an irrational take because they simply do different things that create different experiences.

[@fmsyntheses]

The only unequivocally good product of this series are Jeremy Soule's soundtracks. They'll never not be in a playlist in my Spotify.

[@implayingsomebass4753]

I can't believe I did think to find him on there!

[@stuartyd77]

@@implayingsomebass4753 that's easy for you to say.

[@cryism7798]

i love your 12h long video!! i’m a total mega nerd who actually doesn’t like 10 or 20 minute videos, so this was a genuine treat. don’t let them discourage you king

[@KingLizard616]

Same.

[@icesedai]

This video is still so good 2 years later. I re-visited the Morrowind and Skyrim ones again this week, they're the perfect crossover between my obsession with TES and love of long form content. Thank you for your hard work.

[@bobbypreston4109]

Now I can watch both the Morrowind and Oblivion videos back to back! This pleases me! Edit: I know that you have stated previously that this is not the usual or preferred way you have of presenting analysis. I am overwhelmingly in favor this format and long style of video essays. The amount of research, planning, and passion is obvious for any to notice. This is talent, true and simple. Thank you so much for the hard work put into this.

[@Slavaltube]

The arena orc champion standing still and taking the beating for a long time is objectively quite dumb. Yet it made me feel genuinely sad, even though I didn't initially care about the orc. He was constantly saying that he hated what he turned out to be and wanted to die, so I challenged him to give him one last good fight and end his suffering. And I was low level, so I wasn't even sure I could beat him. Naturally, I quick saved when the gate opened and charged towards him. And he did not try to defend himself. After landing a couple strikes, I stopped and asked him why he was not fighting. He [presumably] said that he hates to fight because all his valor and proficiency he was so proud of turned out to be just a legacy of some vampire. So he won't fight. I hit him some more and at that time I started to feel really bad. I stopped, healed him back and tried casting a frenzy spell on him. It didn't work. I wanted to leave the arena, but of course I could not. I wanted to load a save, but my quick saved was here, and another save was like 6 hours ago. I was stuck there with no other choice but to kill him. I felt so weak and useless and stupid. I sunk a sword in him one more time and it just felt terribly wrong. I used the console to make him fight me, pretending as if my frenzy spell did work. But it is mere magic, it contradicted his beliefs and he was much weaker than if he were to fight with passion. I slayed him and the crowd went crazy cheering their new champion. The message about the dark brotherhood popped up, and it didn't feel like a bug. It really felt as if I murdered a friend. It was already late evening. I went out of the pit and left arena without even claiming my reward. I wasn't even running. It felt wrong for the moment so I switched to walking and slowly went into the night. I was thinking about how stupid I was. At that time I myself was a vampire and was gathering ingredients to cure me from vampirism. I could've told the guy that I would give him the cure, and give some health potion or whatever - he wasn't really a vampire. Yeah, he just learned the news and felt terrible and wanted to die, but he would eventually get over it. He would if I had not come in and kill him "out of mercy". The man deserved better. Yeah that's pretty weird, but I loved the feeling, and I wouldn't feel like that had he just fallen down in a couple blows

[@Hanfgurkenhasser]

That was a beautiful and bloody depressing write-up. :(

[@arturillosmeriglia8029]

Holy fuck this is depressing... Hopefully you took your frustration out on the adoring fan!

[@Virsidus]

Look at the good side. It's just a game, however that showed you how much empathy and compassion you have, you a good heart, rejoice!

[@ІванІндукаєв]

Долго искал нашего, чтобы отметить прелесть превьюхи

[@aprinnyonbreak1290]

That's humanity right there. Me, I take it as a chance to hit a guy 600 times with this rusty iron dagger I found for blade exp.

[@peregrination3643]

"Look, murder is all fine, but an organization that utilizes teleportation magic? That's a step too far in illegality." I'm not sure how many jabs there are in this video against the outlawing of levitation and teleportation, but that's the best one out of the first 8.5 hours.

[@markmartin2819]

Watch the skyrim and starfield video if you want more jabs at teleportation/levitation 😂

[@Sluglove]

Short form teleportation is in oblivion too which is odd

[@TheSqoad]

8:21:40 - With high health and/or acrobatics, you can surivive the fall without the Boots of Springheel Jak, so you get to keep them forever. My brother discovered that by accident by forgetting to equip the boots and surviving with barely any health to spare, haha.

[@NigerianCrusader]

Clever brother. ALSO vote trump ! ! !

[@cosmogoblin]

22:49 The main quest in Morrowind is not just "voluntary", it's EXPECTED that most people will ignore it. The inhabitants of the Cavern of the Incarnate can be viewed as representing your many, many playthroughs that didn't bother with it. Morrowind respected your right to do what you wanted - and the main quest is always there waiting for you, if you want it.

[@kingleepz]

can confirm, was pretty young when I played morrowind (played it on xbox back in like 2004 but I probably did a thousand playthroughs where I just aimlessly wandered around the world doing random quests and looking in every nook and cranny, to this day I'm not sure I ever finished the main story, I think I've just watched the story recaps online.

[@helter1234]

Which is wild because Morrowind's main quest is one of the best in any open world game. To this day I am in love with the concept of you becoming "the chosen one" by completing a bunch of arbitrary but interesting tasks rather than you being born the "most special guy ever."

[@neoqwerty]

@@helter1234 honestly that and "every hero has multiple parallel iterations" that Shadowkey made canon by making its multiplayer a canon mechanic (a Shadow of Conflict can sync up two (or more) Nirns and one Nirn can then "host" another version of that specific hero) are the two best things I've ever seen. A combination of mantling and potential-Nirns has meant that I can get, simultaneously, without needing to pick which one is my "real" main character: one of my characters where it's unclear if he's Nerevar with missing a large amount of his memories, or Dagoth Ur managed to partially reprogram some poor sucker into thinking he's Nerevar with massive holes in his memories but it's really Voryn Dagoth's memories and assumptions of Nerevar's life. another character who is a healer and just guilt tripped and good-deeded her way through the quest instead of Hortatoring and Nerevarining. some reformed bandit goober who just had no better idea because his skillset prior to Vvardenfell were "can't read, doesn't magic, mugs people, stabs people", who just took the blades and nerevarine and hortator jobs because "the weird man who spared me from execution asked nicely if I could go do the things so I guess???? okay????" and that's how a chaos-tornado of an ex-convict accidentally mantled a warlord???? and then a hissy cat who just did a lot of deicides (because the jury-rigged path exists too) after reading a sermon while high and taking "reach heaven by violence" to mean "kill a bunch of gods and turn their corpses into a ladder to the sun" and I'm still unsure if his narrative is just her being high or if she managed to corprus-dream the literal into the metaphysical and somehow wound up lost somewhere in Magnus' plane.

[@Pangora2]

@@helter1234 There's also the very funny chance you never really become any special chosen one at all. What if you survived Corpus just by chance? There's a cave full of people who also 'survived' it seems, but failed somewhere else. The whole prophecy and such might just be the Gods beating around the bush because they can't bother to explain their 4D chess. There's simply a non-zero chance the main character is just some average Joe, and I find the greatest joy it can be argued. Have you ever watched or read a retelling of a video game, like Freeman's Mind, DM of the Rings, or Darths and Droids? Someone could easily do that same treatment to Morrowind.

[@wearecoterminous]

I miss robes over armour and having hoods that don't suck

[@logansaxby7224]

Same

[@aevvah_flxwer8550]

Same

[@boogit9979]

Morrowind didnt have hoods tho

[@aevvah_flxwer8550]

@@boogit9979 If only it did 😔

[@ourkinginyellow]

@@boogit9979 daggerfall

[@otminealnamer1385]

I actually like Oblivion's combat in principle; it's just the lackluster AI and extreme sponginess of it(which is due in part to its leveling/scaling issues) that makes it feel like a slog. In terms of flow of the melee itself, I enjoy how quick and "crisp" it is. Blocking feels nice, weapons hit quickly. It doesn't have the issue of putting emphasis on animation visuals over responsiveness, which frustrates me in skyrim, fallout 4, and other unrelated games.

[@kennedyshotfirst2534]

"They used a cruise missile to kill a rodent... and failed", is my favourite quote of this entire video.

[@curtisjackson4090]

Bingo!

[@scarvestarr]

My favorite was: "Stop, your breaking the law. It's been too long since I've had a good brawl."

[@reidparker1848]

​@@curtisjackson4090 "That's a bingo!"

[@reidparker1848]

4:31:40

[@honeybadger6275]

Yeah that's the disappointing part of incompetent writers, everyone in the game is moronic.

[@graf]

Going to enjoy watching this in hour-odd segments over the coming week. If it's anything like the Morrowind video then we're in for a treat. 16:04 - I did not realise how much of a flaw this actually was, I thought F3 requiring a solid 30+ minutes of researching and patching to be able to play is just a part of playing older games. Real eye-opener there.

[@Patrician]

It is their problem because other publishers went back and fixed the gfwl integration. Bethesda won't even patch Skyrim VR to work on the index

[@rowanoberski9927]

​@Jahtzee I would agree with you if they were to remove it from stores for sale if they do not update it. If they don't update it and continue to sell it then it becomes an issue they should fix.

[@kupokinzyt]

I oddly enough have no issues running FO3 from Steam on Windows 11.

[@KevinDonovan420]

@@kupokinzyt same, I’m on Windows 10 but it works like a charm, it used to make me patch GFWL but I guess they fixed it recently

[@AlchemistOfNirnroot]

@@rowanoberski9927 It's really not difficult to get F3 working. Now PS3 versions of Skyrim on the other hand did warrant refunds.

[@felipearellano2811]

As a Brazilian citizen, I have to congratulate Bethesda on the city of Bravil and how accurate it represents my country: Shit places and even shittier layout, a diverse population but somehow the racial tension is none compared to what it could be.

[@beaubanhagel9658]

They even sound similar phonetically!

[@Kingcobra6699]

i found brazil quite accommodating,though..

[@lmsesh]

Brasil é um tolete mesmo

[@Mizoca]

I agree with everything but shit places? You must live somewhere in the middle of the Tietê River or inside a favela somewhere that no one knows about. Brazil is beautiful, it just lacks organization and a lot of corruption.

[@luisvidal4690]

It is pretty curious how brazil had a fuckton more slaves, outlawed slavery way later compared to everyone else, and somehow the racial tension although present isnt as bad as in the US.

[@prophylaxis24]

I don't know how many times I've watched this by now but today I discovered the Running in Circles motif and gotta say it adds a nice, nuanced layer to the analysis.

[@GrandmasterDinnerRoll]

By the gods I’m going to CHIM so hard when this premieres

[@Heidinn217]

The gods gave you two hands, and you use them both for your weapon.

[@brunop.8745]

@@Heidinn217 But then how am i supposed to level my Short Blade skill?

[@DarrellThody]

The Hero of Kvatch becoming a full blown Sheogorath I always figured was a GRADUAL process. By the time TES V rolls around, the transformation had been complete. Imo it may have completed in the lifetime of Dervenin in Solitude, who gives you Pelagius' Hip Bone and tells you Sheogorath had begun to refuse to see him. Some people might not like this perspective but the idea of the Hero of Kvatch slowly losing their mind whilst becoming the prince of madness is interesting to me, and somewhat tragic.

[@cassandrapearsall4273]

"You're A deadric Lord now, you should be able to-" You're a dude with a stick who will likely become a deadric lord that technically never really existed, be glad you didn't just jet shunted out of the isles. I also love the slow adoption theory, you aren't even mad at the end of the questline because you're still mortal and material

[@reyavispa]

kkkkkp

[@varietywiarrior]

Oblivion itself is peanutbutter banana sandwich crazy. I like to think that maybe the player character was always a little crazy, but in a weird sociopathic way. Like American Psycho, but with more homelessness. A murder hobo, if you will.

[@richardlionerheart1945]

@@varietywiarrior postal dude type crazy where you go mad just to fit in

[@varietywiarrior]

@@richardlionerheart1945 Exactly!

[@drmalpractical]

i love how theres slowly more and more chaos sprinkled in as the video goes on, i’m nearly 9.5hrs in and i just heard the phrase elven femboys. a while ago he played the horsecock song. this is my new favorite youtube video

[@christophersmith8848]

Pat's mind slowly unraveling as his sanity slips away as he approaches the Mad God makes too much sense

[@Elenrai]

​@@christophersmith8848cheese

[@LloCiDul]

I didn't think of it like that but now that you mention it, if Pat does have highly structured scripts there is absolutely no way that's on accident. He's probably figuring, shit, their 10 hour into a video who cares what bullshit I insert in LMAO.

[@Nesolepus]

Found your videos looking up long videos retrospective. And you have been perfect for my 9 hour work shifts at Lowes.

[@Amara87387]

I actually like the potato quests. The reason is partially what you say, but also for the realistic yet mundane beauty of it. Sometimes I want to be a hero, other times, I just want to be a wandering traveler passing through at the right time, and I might not solve some confound dilema, but just doing normal people things for normal people. Maybe if I stick around someone will have a bigger quest, or maybe I’ll move on to the next town and just be remembered as the girl who got the potato’s back, and I genuinely like that

[@torazely]

Agreed. I love the idea of being just a small time hero in certain towns. To some, i am a destined hero, some powerful warrior capable of almost rewriting the laws of the universe. To others, i am simply a helpful hand.

[@Steve_Everyman]

Check out kingdom come deliverance. It has a historical setting, and a lot of the quests are very low stakes. It was a real nice breath of fresh air for someone who has played tons of fantasy rpgs where you end up saving the world.

[@Amara87387]

@@Steve_Everyman I’ve started a few runs. Really fun game! I love the combat in it

[@getthegoons]

Can't spend every day whaling on Satan. Gotta slow down, smell the roses, and deliver a package for some guy sometimes.

[@hahano1121]

I remember playing khajit, going to the arena, using eye of fear on a fighter, and getting the 'your act has been witnessed' when I killed him. I was like, duh.

[@Terralncognita]

"That's...why I'm here."

[@gewuerzwanze5627]

"Well i fucking hope so"

[@keatonkitsune4064]

I've always believed the CoC becomes Sheogorath not only based on his dialogue in Skyrim but his actions. He is actively pursuing a course to help Pelagius with his madness, which is different from causing it from before.

[@stacksmalacks8826]

Yeah I've always taken the actions in game as the CoC as mantling Sheo

[@nifralo2752]

What is CoC ?

[@stacksmalacks8826]

@@nifralo2752 Champion of Cyrodil, Oblivion player character. And mantling is the act of walking in the footsteps of a god to then become divine yourself. Its how Tiber Septim became Talos, he mantled Lorkhan with his conquest of tamriel, amongst other deeds

[@jacktaylor6253]

Also it would be a giant "fuck you" to sheo to literally just go "hey yeah, he came back after killing jyggalag". Like if that was gonna happen he would have just had haskill use a one-shot spell on his ass when he turned

[@druffner]

​@@nifralo2752corruption of champions

[@jordithefox2786]

Love how these videos are bite size perfect for watching to the end in one sitting

[@vampyro241]

2:24:05 I cant believe I ended up Running In Circles trying to find this song, only to realize it was literally called "RUNNING IN CIRCLES" by young scrolls

[@shaleverlias]

THANK YOU, you are a life saver. I went through the entire bibliography painstakingly and couldn’t find it. I literally listened to every song listed on there and thought I was going insane.

[@cool140000]

THANK YOU FINALLY

[@demolition_lovers]

Releasing this video after months of work must have been one of the most relieving feelings. Absolutely fantastic video.

[@caiawlodarski5339]

3:13:44 The only reason our clocks run clockwise in the first place is that that is the direction the premodern predecessor to the clock (the sundial) ran. And since the ayleids are a civilization that were obsessed with the sun and the stars this kind of makes sense.

[@fredrogers838]

great catch!

[@thechugg4372]

I have no idea why this comment exists on an oblivion video and I am really scared to dive in the rabbit hole.

[@caiawlodarski5339]

@@thechugg4372 Here is a bit more: In the southern hemisphere, sundials run counter clockwise, so if southern hemisphere civilizations were the ones to invent clocks, they would run counter clockwise.

[@evanhansen5064]

wow, i would not have thought about this

[@henotic.essence]

@@caiawlodarski5339 I learned something new today!!! Thanks!

[@lil_thang]

Love falling asleep to the Morrowind video, this one somewhat, but the cutaway gags are very distracting. Horsecoq/Harry Potter meme bits. I had tried sleeping to further uploads like the Skyrim and Outer Worlds stuff but they have similar problems.

[@baronvonbeandip]

"You're finally awake..."

[@lil_thang]

@@baronvonbeandip "hey you, you were dreaming... wake up... whats your name?"

[@HoboJimsGravyTrain]

My favorite part of TSI, was the discovery that Sheogorath can kill you even with God Mode on.

[@KnoxCarbon]

"Oh? You call that 'God Mode?' Ha! Hilarious! A man after my own heart, ha ha ha ha... let me show you what a real god is capable of."

[@bearandthebull2372]

I think the aspect also shows just how much greater a daedric prince is than a hero. Even with full power,even with the greatest cheat known to man,you will NEVER be stronger than one of these guys.

[@porkers7792]

Listening to the Oblivion leveling system, even after knowing it myself for quite a while, makes me return to the question: Was this system created out of ignorance, an unfortunate blend of a myriad of design choices, or was it created because Todd Howard is secretly the devil incarnate? I guess we will never know.

[@Patrician]

It works for the first couple hours so I imagine that was the extent of long test playthroughs.

[@CrazyBeardedGamer]

Yep. It just works.

[@janefkrbtt]

7:34:20 bro that legit bummed me out. Todd as a man can just completely shatter a writers creative process. What a bum.

[@aprinnyonbreak1290]

What if the world scaled by a completely different metric than level? Breath of the Wild has a hidden exp system that does absolutely nothing for the player's stats, but quietly tracks the things the player has accomplished, such as killing the "leaders" of enemy camps, bosses, or completing quests, and gradually increases enemy and gear quality as that fills. For Oblivion, what if instead of scaling based on level, the world scaled based on your Fame? Retouch up what exactly gives fame to clear up loose edges, and this way, the world gets stronger not because you took a nap, but because you actually did things. Getting gear checked is unlikely to happen, since exploring the world and doing stuff means finding gear, and if you're feeling weak, then stopping to train on what you CAN handle actually makes you stronger without the world catching up.

[@daviddinoger]

@@aprinnyonbreak1290 Eh thing is in BOTW this kind of makes sense since you could argue Ganondorf senses that you're becoming stronger and that you're becoming a threat so he spawns stronger enemies. Fame wouldn't make that much sense. Why would people or monsters become stronger overall? You could however maybe make SOME enemies stronger or better equipped. Like if you had a high fame Bandit bosses have better gear cause they are scared of you and train more so they are stronger. The more i think about it this could actually work well with bandit camps. They are scared so they train harder, hire stronger people with better geat and maybe even capture creatures to protect themselves from you. Would definitely not work with elven ruins, animal caves, oblivion gates/daedra.

[@d.m.515]

I too love the four play styles of Elder Scrolls: Soldier, Scholar, Sneaker, and Snake-Alignment Specialist.

[@baronvonbeandip]

I have a snake that requires aligning

[@torazely]

Ah yes. the four Hogwarts Houses.

[@taylorelliott8824]

Took me a week and have but watched until the end. Listened to it while driving to work. Loved the video and all the effort.

[@baitbait65]

I remember playing Oblivion while ignoring leveling and eventually being overwhelmed by how strong the enemies became. When I learned how to efficiently level/min max it felt like such an accomplishment.

[@aprinnyonbreak1290]

My first character was actually nearly perfect for a playthrough. I hadn't played an Elder Scrolls game before, so I picked a bunch of skills that sounded cool at the time. I ended up with a weird grab bag of stuff like Alchemy, Security, Conjuration, ect on a primarily melee character, along with Heavy Armor and Blunt. I levelled at a pretty decent rate, and completely sidestepped the levelling issues with the game by accident, and never realized the issues until my second character.