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Off-Topic Discussion => Gaming Discussion => Topic started by: Mr. Vega on August 02, 2007, 03:16:35 am

Title: Planescape: Torment
Post by: Mr. Vega on August 02, 2007, 03:16:35 am
In short, should I play this game? (A little late, I know.) Stories are the main draw for me with most of the games I have, so judging from what I have heard of this game, it sounds like a match made in heaven, but I'd like to ask you forumites who have played it (I know Ace for one has) how the plot and especially the characters and voice acting compare to say, KOTOR or TLJ 1&2, before I make my decision.
Title: Re: Planescape: Torment
Post by: Ace on August 02, 2007, 01:13:17 pm
The voice acting is like Baldur's Gate, mostly text. But the parts that do have voice overs are... perfect.

My big suggestion: Play a character with high wisdom, intelligence, and charisma. Take your time exploring. Lots of small optional things (such as a bronze sphere) unlock important plot points you can miss.

The plot is superior to most RPGs. The best parts of KOTOR2 (including the restored content) are reminiscent of parts of PS:T.

Another thing: Planescape is *WEIRD.* Once you get over that you'll have more fun ;)

Oh and another thing: Don't trust the skull.
Title: Re: Planescape: Torment
Post by: Roanoke on August 02, 2007, 02:57:17 pm
Never did finish Torment. I get tired when there are loads of loose threads. Gotta love the dead-pan sense of humour though.
Title: Re: Planescape: Torment
Post by: Ace on August 02, 2007, 05:02:33 pm
If you're finding loose threads, keep exploring. There are actually very few loose threads in the plot.
Title: Re: Planescape: Torment
Post by: phatosealpha on August 02, 2007, 05:46:56 pm
Drop points in wisdom before anything else.  Lots and lots of points.
Talk to your party members on a regular basis.  They'll often have interesting things to say, and if you don't take the time to actually talk to them, you'll miss out
on much of their depth.

In terms of depth, it flat out kills KotoR.  Not much voice acting, but that is part of the reason it blows away KotoR so easily - no need to make 'conversation' which involve 3 things to say which get the same response to cut on VA costs.
Title: Re: Planescape: Torment
Post by: BlueFlames on August 02, 2007, 06:37:48 pm
To answer the basic question, hells yes, you should play Planescape Torment.  It ditches the cliche Forgotten Realms setting and has an incredibly fascinating plot that will keep you intrigued and thinking straight through to the end.  Unlike many, more recent RPG's, Planescape Torment doesn't have the problem of peetering out after twenty hours like a geriatric man does in ten minutes without his Viagra.

I'll reiterate what was said above, about party members:  Talk to them.  They, as well as most of the NPCs in the world, have wonderful depth of character.  They have their own motivations and agenda, and it's really interesting to see how they interact with your character in light of their respective backgrounds.

Finally, if you play the game and decide you don't like it, I will beat you with a stick, until you change your mind.
Title: Re: Planescape: Torment
Post by: Mr. Vega on August 03, 2007, 03:04:29 pm
Well, this game appears to be slow paced, yet extremely complex. Will I be able to ressurect Deionarra eventually?
Title: Re: Planescape: Torment
Post by: Roanoke on August 03, 2007, 03:13:50 pm
Quote from: Ace on August 02, 2007, 05:02:33 pm
If you're finding loose threads, keep exploring. There are actually very few loose threads in the plot.

Now I think about it, I got stuck in an area where there was a lower level full of ultra strong slugs, any one of which would happily wipe out my entire crew, and I couldn't figure out where else to go and became bored. I remember the guards use to warn you before you ventured down there.
Title: Re: Planescape: Torment
Post by: phatosealpha on August 03, 2007, 03:30:14 pm
That's an optional dungeon - it's not actually required.
Title: Re: Planescape: Torment
Post by: Ace on August 03, 2007, 05:12:44 pm
Yeah Under Sigil is optional, it has some nice items but isn't tied to the plot.
Title: Re: Planescape: Torment
Post by: brozozo on August 03, 2007, 06:16:52 pm
Torment is a mustplay. It's not routinely cited on "x greatest games ever" lists for nothing.

I've heard that if you don't play as a mage, you miss out on a lot of content. Is that true?
Title: Re: Planescape: Torment
Post by: Ace on August 03, 2007, 07:54:18 pm
Well being a mage means you have the stats to not avoid a lot of content, and there is an interesting questline to become a mage.

However the stats (Int, Wis, Chr), not the class, are what is important in not missing content.
Title: Re: Planescape: Torment
Post by: phatosealpha on August 03, 2007, 11:23:27 pm
There's also one mage-only questline that's vital to understanding one of the game's major characters.

In addition, the stats they need are important to not missing content, as noted.  INT is a mage's PR, though in torment wisdom is by far the most useful, getting you much of the content, as well as a +35% bonus to all XP gained when you get it to max.  CHR....well, at least a mage has the friends spell until you can put points into it.

And additionally, the way the game is set up simply counteracts many of the checks built into the mage class in AD&D - they can't wear armor, but nameless can't wear armor at all, period.  Plus, they're fragile and die more easily then fighters or thieves....but nameless just gets back up, so no biggie. 
Title: Re: Planescape: Torment
Post by: Ace on August 03, 2007, 11:57:22 pm
Ah yes, the Unbroken Circle of Zerthimon. That was Mage-only.

Even then, other classes (and having high stats in other areas) can unlock some fun things too. Definitely worth replaying.
Title: Re: Planescape: Torment
Post by: phatosealpha on August 04, 2007, 02:08:29 am
Really?  Once I discovered how much Torment plays favorites, I tended to stick to mage.  Though making Annah blush during thieving practice was kind of fun.  What warrior/thief stuff did I miss?

At any rate, the really friggin' wonderful part of torment is that you can be all three.


Still, I think I'm always gonna favor mage.  The rest of the unbroken circle is pulled off so well that I can practically see the fire in D'akkon's eyes at the end of that quest.  And....y'know, D'akkon has more personality and character then the entire cast of Oblivion.

Come to think of it, pretty much any one who joins you has more character to them then.....well, pretty much 99% of all RPG characters period.  Morte, Dakkon, Annah, Ignus, Nodrom, Vhailor.....even the demon and the diva.

The 'showdown' with yourselves, christ, they even made a night hag into a character you could be sympathetic too.


That game really was beautiful.


Hell, even Jeremy Soule's soundtrack was wonderful, and I usually think he's a musical moron.  But then, my first exposure to him was Secret of Evermore, and being first exposed to a composer in an extraordinairly crappy game doesn't help.
Title: Re: Planescape: Torment
Post by: Koth on August 04, 2007, 09:14:56 am
Quote
Will I be able to ressurect Deionarra eventually?
Spoiler:
Kinda. Also keep her prophecy in mind it will play an important role and in the end and there will be some stuff to do with
Deionarra.

Quote
Well, this game appears to be slow paced, yet extremely complex.
Just keep on playing. In the beginning it's abit hard to get into the game but later you just can't stop playing.
Title: Re: Planescape: Torment
Post by: Ace on August 04, 2007, 02:15:50 pm
Quote from: phatosealpha on August 04, 2007, 02:08:29 am
Still, I think I'm always gonna favor mage.  The rest of the unbroken circle is pulled off so well that I can practically see the fire in D'akkon's eyes at the end of that quest.  And....y'know, D'akkon has more personality and character then the entire cast of Oblivion.

The pet Lim Lim has more personality than any of the NPCs in Oblivion. Which is a bit disgusting considering how much Bethesda claimed they improved it. (when most Morrowind NPCs, the ones with actual plots like Divayth Fyr, were more detailed then their counterparts in Oblivion)

I've as yet been able to pull through with an evil playthrough (where Vhailor apparently hunts you down). Easy to do in KOTOR1/2, even Jade Empire, but for some reason I can't get myself to be as much of a 'sell your friends into slavery' jerk in Torment...
Title: Re: Planescape: Torment
Post by: Turnsky on August 04, 2007, 02:31:13 pm
Quote from: Ace on August 04, 2007, 02:15:50 pm
Quote from: phatosealpha on August 04, 2007, 02:08:29 am
Still, I think I'm always gonna favor mage.  The rest of the unbroken circle is pulled off so well that I can practically see the fire in D'akkon's eyes at the end of that quest.  And....y'know, D'akkon has more personality and character then the entire cast of Oblivion.

The pet Lim Lim has more personality than any of the NPCs in Oblivion. Which is a bit disgusting considering how much Bethesda claimed they improved it. (when most Morrowind NPCs, the ones with actual plots like Divayth Fyr, were more detailed then their counterparts in Oblivion)

i'm inclined to agree on this, Oblivion was pretty, but lacked depth, Morrowind had depth, but you have to download a ton of mods to make it look good. :p
Title: Re: Planescape: Torment
Post by: redsniper on August 04, 2007, 03:51:53 pm
Quote from: phatosealpha on August 04, 2007, 02:08:29 am
Secret of Evermore ... extraordinairly crappy game ...
:hopping: :mad2: :snipe: :headz: :beamz:
Title: Re: Planescape: Torment
Post by: Mr. Vega on August 04, 2007, 07:23:52 pm
Jeremy Soule is one of many very talented anime/game composers who could write absolutely wonderful soundtracks if he would just rely more upon melody instead of showing off his skills by having the notes fly everywhere (i.e., he needs to imitate Uematsu. Hell, everyone would write better music if they composed to Uematsu's style). The only genuinely good music he's ever written have all been arrangements of the Morrowind or Guild Wars main themes. Everything else has been interesting to listen to but pretty much hollow.
Title: Re: Planescape: Torment
Post by: phatosealpha on August 04, 2007, 08:44:49 pm
Quote from: redsniper on August 04, 2007, 03:51:53 pm
Quote from: phatosealpha on August 04, 2007, 02:08:29 am
Secret of Evermore ... extraordinairly crappy game ...
:hopping: :mad2: :snipe: :headz: :beamz:

Sorry.  Evermore sucked.  The alchemy system was both overly grindy and ammo based.  The dialogue was intentionally cheesy but still bad, the characters were disinteresting, and the castle maze in chapter 3 went on forever.

Considering that it came out after Secret of Mana, which used the same basic gameplay formula but did it about 10 times better, calling it anything but crap is just impossible.

As for the music in particular in Evermore, it would've been a lot more impressive if you didn't spend 99% of the game 'listening' to a 'soundtrack' of ambient frogs croaking.
Title: Re: Planescape: Torment
Post by: redsniper on August 06, 2007, 05:16:01 pm
Quote from: phatosealpha on August 04, 2007, 08:44:49 pm
Secret of Mana... same basic gameplay formula ... 10 times better ...
:drevil: :cool: :D/me investigates.

Maybe Evermore does suck, but it'll always be one of those nostalgic childhood memories for me.