This issue is where very long load and save times -- a problem my old rig suffers from -- comes in handy.
No way am I scumsaving -- it takes 3 minutes to save and load, each. Likewise with saves and reloads during combat. If a character dies or the battle takes a bad turn, I just try to figure out how to still win.
Limiting how often one saves and loads is one way to heighten the tension of the game. I recommend it, as part of the possible "difficulty rulesets" that might be a good idea for a sticky post somewhere.
You can nerf the gameplay and combat of this game easily enough. Since it is not an MMO really, it is not the job of the devs to stop this. If people want to overpower the game, that is their problem.
Meanwhile, creative players can find ways to challenge themselves and turn combat into nailbiters. And at that level, this game does not disappoint in the least: this game can be a total bitch to win at, if you "roleplay" for difficulty and stop thinking this is all about min maxing or speedruns.
