Summary
- Release Year: 1999
- Genres: Puzzle, Role-playing game (RPG), Strategy
- Platforms: iOS, Linux, Mac, PC (Microsoft Windows)
- Developers: Black Isle Studios
- Publishers: Interplay Entertainment
Planescape: Torment (1999): A Masterpiece of Role-Playing
Released in 1999, Planescape: Torment is a role-playing game (RPG) developed by Black Isle Studios and published by Interplay Entertainment. Set in the Dungeons & Dragons campaign setting of Planescape, the game follows the Nameless One, an immortal amnesiac who sets off on a quest across the infinite Planes to rediscover his past and reclaim his mortality.
Planescape: Torment is widely regarded as one of the greatest RPGs ever made, and for good reason. The game features a deeply immersive story, complex and compelling characters, and a unique setting that blends fantasy and philosophy.
Story
The Nameless One awakens in a mortuary with no memory of his past. The only clue to his identity is a tattoo on his hand that reads, “Remember your death.” As he sets out on his journey, he encounters a cast of unforgettable characters, each with their own unique story and motivations.
Among his companions are Morte, a floating skull who claims to be the Lord of Death; Dak’kon, a githzerai monk who seeks redemption for his past crimes; and Annah, a tiefling who is struggling to find her place in the world.
Together, the Nameless One and his companions travel across the Planes, facing challenges and making choices that will shape the course of their journey. Along the way, they learn more about the Nameless One’s past and the horrors he committed in his previous lives.
Gameplay
Planescape: Torment is a turn-based RPG that uses the Infinity Engine, the same engine that was used in Baldur’s Gate and Icewind Dale. The game features a variety of character classes and skills, allowing players to create a customized party that suits their playstyle.
Combat is resolved through a dice-rolling system, and players can choose to either control their characters directly or set their AI scripts to automate their actions. The game also features a unique dialogue system that allows players to interact with NPCs in a variety of ways.
Setting
Planescape: Torment is set in the Planescape campaign setting, which is a multiverse of infinite planes of existence. Each plane has its own unique laws and inhabitants, and the Nameless One and his companions must travel between them to find the answers they seek.
The game’s setting is rich and detailed, and it provides a backdrop for a story that explores themes of mortality, identity, and redemption.
Characters
One of the strengths of Planescape: Torment is its cast of characters. The Nameless One is a complex and enigmatic protagonist, and his companions are equally well-developed. Each character has their own unique story and motivations, and they all play an important role in the game’s narrative.
The characters in Planescape: Torment are some of the most memorable and beloved in RPG history. They are complex, flawed, and relatable, and they stay with you long after you finish the game.
Legacy
Planescape: Torment was a critical and commercial success, and it has since become one of the most beloved RPGs of all time. The game has been praised for its story, characters, setting, and gameplay, and it is considered to be a masterpiece of the genre.
Planescape: Torment has had a lasting impact on the RPG genre, and it continues to inspire and influence game developers today. The game’s unique setting and characters have been cited as influences on games such as The Elder Scrolls: Morrowind and Divinity: Original Sin.
Conclusion
Planescape: Torment is a truly unforgettable RPG experience. The game’s story, characters, setting, and gameplay are all top-notch, and it is a must-play for any fan of the genre. If you are looking for a deep and immersive RPG that will stay with you long after you finish it, then Planescape: Torment is the game for you.
Review Score
10/10
Art
Cover Art
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