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Extraordinary

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 7 / 9
Date: September 10, 2000
Author: Amazon User

It is unfortunate, in one sense at least, that the technology of computer games improves at such a rapid pace: this makes it improbable that this game, unlike some classics of literature which were largely ignored upon initial publication, will ever enjoy the status it so richly deserves. It sets a new standard for Computer RPG's- the dialogue, graphics, and music are excellent, as is the NPC interaction. Most impressively, the storyline is the richest and most involving of any game I've ever played. If you're a fan of Baldur's Gate or Icewind Dale, give this overlooked gem a try.

Truly superior. The best D&D-based game ever

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 6 / 7
Date: December 14, 2001
Author: Amazon User

Planescape Torment is the ultimate role-playing game that uses the D&D system -- a great balance of combat, quest-fulfilling, and most of all, storytelling. I played the old Pool of Radiance game, Baldurs Gate, and Icewind Dale. Planescape: Torment is better than them all. But the game is not just a great D&D game. It is a great role-playing and adventure game. Every character trait matters. Higher intelligence gives you access to more dialog options. Higher wisdom allows you to accumulate memories and experience faster. It is very rare to find a game that puts this kind of value on intellectual traits.

As I mentioned, the biggest strength of this game is the story. It is eerie, dark, humorous, creative, compelling, exciting, and unpredictable, all at the same time. It gets interesting in the first scene and stays that way until the excellent ending. It is supported with brilliantly written dialogue and elaborately painted characters. Unlike most games, the dialog is one of the highlights of the game. Each character that joins the main character is deep and contributes value to the story. The story in most games is hit-or-miss. This one was a home run. It's too bad that there aren't more like it out there.

The graphics, more than two years after the game came out, still look good (although they are not cutting edge anymore). The cinematic scenes are great, and the music is excellent too.

If there is a shortcoming to the game, then it is the combat system itself. The feedback during combat isn't very good, which sometimes leaves you wondering why one of the characters is taking damage, or why your spell didn't work. The variety of weapons and especially spells is decent, but nowhere close to the variety offered by other D&D games. For instance, there are only two fifth level priest spells in the game. The combat is still fun though, and there isn't an excessive amount of it.

If you are looking for a great story-driven, role-playing game, and not just a hack-and-slash game, then this is the game for you.

The best computer game i have ever played

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 6 / 7
Date: July 22, 2002
Author: Amazon User

I know at least two people who say that Torment ruined RPGs for them forever, because other games cannot compare to the excellent story and character development. I am more forgiving, but i can understand their point of view. Playing this game again lets you discover new things you missed the first time around. It is incredibly rich and rewarding, and leaves you wanting more. I could persist in this vein of hyperbole, but i'll just spare you. Get the game; you could probably get it at your local games store for...(i know i've seen it for that price at Fry's, and i think it was bundled with another game, too).

Note that if you're just looking for another click-and-slash game, perhaps you need to slow down and use your head instead of your fingers to fully enjoy this game.

RPG Masterpiece

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 6 / 8
Date: February 03, 2000
Author: Amazon User

Buy this game and see why Computer Gaming World ranked it as the best RPG of 1999. Be warned, it's extremely text-heavy, so plan on lots of reading! But don't let that deture you from a GREAT computer story with well drawn out and interesting characters and quests.

Greatest RPG in gaming history to date

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 6 / 8
Date: November 13, 2000
Author: Amazon User

I normally don't write reviews for things, but I decided that I had to make an exception in this case. I have beaten over 30 RPG's in my years of gaming, and this one is the greatest ever. If you're thinking of purchasing this one don't think just click the "Add to cart" button, you won't be tormented by the decision believe me. What will happen is that you will be drawn in to a darkly haunting RPG experience that is very artfully crafted and the most ingenious twists you could never imagine (well maybe you could). The characters are strange and unique, the ambient music is very gracefull and blends so well with the backgrounds that it is pure cinematic bliss. Kudos to Black Isle for this experience. I am only sad that this story will not be continued. I was mildly disappointed in Icewind Dale, and Baldur's Gate 2, after having played through this one. Sure the others have multiplayer support, but this one is a must have for the nights when you need a great story to haunt you dreams. See ya cutters out there somewhere.....

Easily the best RPG (and maybe best game) ever!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 5 / 6
Date: July 04, 2000
Author: Amazon User

I am midway through my second playing of Planescape:Torment, and if possible, it is more impressive the second time. As clever as I thought I had been solving puzzles the first time through, I was amazed to find different means of completing the same quests, with different rewards and consequences. It creates a different game, which adds to the replay value.

The quests themselves are wonderful. They vary in difficulty, complexity, and morality. You can usually work things out so that everyone is happy, or you can look out for yourself at the expense of everyone else. Be forewarned: your reputation precedes you!

Visually, P:T is impeccable. The characters move with fluidity, and even when simply stand around, each has some characteristic fidget that adds to the feeling that "The Nameless One" and company really exist.

This is not a "hack-and-slash" in the tradition of Diablo. The point of the game is the story, and it is possible advance to a high level without any combat at all. Eventually, combat will become necessary, and the spells and "critical hit" animations are impressive.

I do agree with a couple previous reviewers that the spellcasting interface is somewhat cumbersome and counterintuitive. The load times were a problem until I performed a full installation. (There are instructions on the Black Isle P:T website. Copy the CDs to your hard drive, then change the .ini file. It's easier than it sounds and DRAMATICALLY improves loading times.)

All in all, a simply tremendous game. Beautifully rendered, interesting characters, tremendous replayability, and most importantly a compelling story that will leave you desperate to find out "What is my name?"

Great game!

Best RPG since KQ2!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 5 / 6
Date: May 06, 2001
Author: Amazon User

I have played RPG (both computer and "real") for a lot of years but recently I have grown somewhat bored with them. Games like "Bladurs Gate" are exellently made but are to focused on the action for my taste (I still play them tough)and even this that can be fun at times it is nothing I can really say I enjoy as much as I used to.

When I started out playing "Torment" I was at first mildly amused, Mort's comments wre fun, and although the start was somewhat slow the game picked up momentum as it went on. About halfway throug the game I was frustrated with my caracter who might have been exelently made for hack and slash but were completly unequipt to handle the challanges I wanted to tackle. This said I made a new caracter, more focused on INT and WIS and all of a sudden I could actually verify all the suspicions I could not make sense of in my first attemt at the game. I had actually became interested in the plot of the game som much that I replayed scenes over and over to understand all as quickly as possible.

This is a game where action definetly takes the back seat to story. This is somewhat unusual but for those who appreciate well made caracters it is exellent. The story is complex (you figure it out eventually but unlike most you do not know have everything is going to end after the first chapter). To support the story the designers have also added the best supporting cast of caracters I have ever seen in a game (Nordom is a personal favourite). The fact that they have also blended the story with the style of play comuters make for (here you dont have to worry if you mlose a fight now and then) is an added bonus.

All in all this is a game I would recommend all but the most fanatical hack & slash gamer (even though there are plenty for them as well in the game). To me the highest praise you can give a RPG game is that there is enough in it for you to go back and play it again to se the consequenses if you hade made different choises, this can be said (and resaid) of this game.

The best computer roleplaying game ever made

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 5 / 6
Date: June 01, 2002
Author: Amazon User

This game is quite simply the best computer roleplaying game ever made.

The backdrop of the story is the most original and artistic I've ever seen in a computer game, and one of the best settings I've seen in paper & pencil roleplaying. While the setting uses elements of other fantasy, fiction, and history (elves, demons, zombies, etc.), the way they are arranged and utilized along with original ideas will blow you away from time to time. The architecture and character designs are beautiful at times, and always intriguing. One of the best aspects of this game is that it doesn't assume the player knows about the setting; rather, it introduces the strange and wonderful setting gradually as the game goes along, so the player can take it all in and appreciate it.

The actual gameplay is great. The game is easy to control and the interface is very user-friendly and intuitive. The player's options for what to do in the game slowly widen, so the player isn't overwhelmed with complex decisions early-on.

The actual story and character development is inspiring for roleplayers like me. Anyone running and Dungions & Dragons (or other roleplaying game) campaign should play this game for a while to see what an immersive, entertaining roleplaying story is like. Some PC games and roleplaying campaigns put a player's character as a tiny speck in a wide world, meaningless and useless in the grand scheme of things, while other games build the whole world around the player. This game puts the main character within his own mystery he must uncover, discovering the world and meeting people, while there is a whole world (infinite planes of existence, really) out there to interact with, that exists independent of the characters. This game does a very good job at making the player feel a personal connection to the character and the strange world through which he travels.

The only roleplaying game that comes close to this is Elder Scrolls 3: Morrowind, because it is so non-linear and immersive. The only way Morrowind excells beyond this game is in graphics. It is tragic that Wizards of the Coast discontinued the Planescape setting when it bought Dungeons & Dragons, so we may never again see a Planescape game. My only hope is that Black Isle someday remakes this amazing game with the new Neverwinter Nights engine. They really should...it would introduce this great title to gamers around the world who glance over it because it is a 2D game with dated graphics.

If you haven't played this game, read this review, and other reviews, and then do yourself a favor and buy this game here or at your local software store. You can probably find it in the bargain bin. Give the game an hour or so...if you don't like it, you only spent the cash it would take to watch the latest big-budget Hollywood cliche, and were probably a hundred times more mentally engaged. If you do like it, keep going - it only gets better.

Best RPG out there!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 4 / 4
Date: March 13, 2002
Author: Amazon User

Well here's the problem: no long range weapons. That's your problem. Of course, there is magical long range, but no bows. The other problem: Only two swords in the game, one impossible for your character to weild, the other difficult due to it's requirements (must be lawful good).

Ok, that's it. Those are the only problems. This game is absolutely amazing in every other respect. It has everything: riddles, the ability to lie, combat, mini-quests, and some really cool ideas (the immmortality thing is pretty awesome). When I first saw it, I thought, "Oh God no. Don't tell me they're going to mangle planescape." Planescape was to cool for that. But, they didn't. Though there weren't enough "Gates" or "Portals," there were a good deal of cool ideas, like capturing your mortality, actually being able to be evil, even illegal, without major punishment, an interchangeable character in everything but gender and looks, and so forth. I highly recommend this too any CRPGer.

Another super game from Black Isle Studios

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 4 / 4
Date: April 19, 2000
Author: Amazon User

I can't rave enough about this game. In particular, the dialog within the party and with NPCs really raises the bar. I think it's one of the best RPG's out there. It isn't perfect -- the focus on dialog isn't optimal for replay -- but I'm happy with a game that plays GREAT the first time through.

I don't have much to add to what others have said here except that:

This game plays on windows NT (though the specs say it isn't supported). I played it through on a laptop using DirectX 3.0 and WinNT 4 SP-5. I didn't have sound, however, because my sound card drivers aren't directX compatible -- and you do lose part of the plot if you don't have sound.

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