This might seem a very stupied question, but I really don't know the answer. A local gaming store in my area was selling Planescape Torment for $15. I know it's an older game, but to me thats a good deal. I was tempted to buy it, but I didn't know enough about it to make the purchase. I own BG, tales of the sword coast, SoA, and ToB and love them all. I guess my question is, how is Planescape different from the Baldurs Gate series? Is it worth buying? What should I expect from the game? Is it more hack and slash like I heard Icewind Dale is? Is it more about storyline? How is the interface compared to BG2? How high a level can you get? Do you start out at level 1? Is there uber weapons in it like there was in BG2? Is it more of a powergamers dream like BG2 was? I guess you get what Im looking for. And please if you choose to reply to my post -- please do -- no spoilers. I might go out and buy it if the replies are favorable. Thanks in advance for your input.
Best to remain silent and thought a fool, then to open ones mouth and remove all doubt
PS:T is similar to the BG series in terms of the basic combat system and interface, but it departs from there:
It's a single-player only game (no multi-player support).
You don't get to choose what character to play, but you do get to adjust the stats. Your PC is unique in that he starts as a level 3 fighter with the ability to switch between the fighter, mage, and thief classes throughout the game.
Your PC's alignment changes based on how you play.
This game is heavily story-oriented, and on the opposite end of the spectrum from Icewind Dale.
There are some good weapons, but no uber-weapons. There are good high-level spells in this game.
INT, WIS, and CHA are more important than they are in the BG series.
The interface has a right-click menu (which I love) that allows you to simultaneously pause the game, target enemies, use items, etc.
Your PC can interact with party members.
Unless you like a pure hack & slash game, I recommend buying PS:T. I wasn't too sure about myself, when I first bought it, but I was bored with BG, so I tried it. The next thing I knew, I was playing through the night to see what would happen next.
There's nothing a little poison couldn't cure...
What happened here was the gradual habituation of the people, ... to receiving decisions deliberated in secret; to believing that the situation was so complicated that the government had to act on information which the people could not understand, or so dangerous that, even if he people could understand it, it could not be released because of national security.
Sojourner pretty much sums it up. I'll just add that it is a unique story, and one that will keep you playing to the end. I haven't gotten very far, and am anxious to try some of the higher level spells that I don't have yet. It's quite different from the Forgotten Realms series of games, but just as good and enjoyable. And for $15, there isn't a better buy out there. Heck, I'll spend $15 on a cover charge at a cheezy nightclub!!!
"Think on this, arrogant mageling: even the mightiest archmage has no spells strong enough to let him cheat death. Some take the road of lichdom... a living death. The rest of us find graves, and our dust is no grander than that of the next man. So when next you lord it over some farmer with your fireballs, remember: we all master spells enough to die"
Ithil Sprandorn, Lord Mage of Saskar, said to prisoner wizard Thorstel
It also features the first ever interactive back pack item
@Sleep, you mean the book?
To the Righteous belong the fruits of violent victory. The rest of us will have to settle for warm friends, warm lovers, and a wink from a quietly supportive universe.
That book is fun. I won't even describe its contents or effects, here--I don't want to spoil it for anybody else.
To the Righteous belong the fruits of violent victory. The rest of us will have to settle for warm friends, warm lovers, and a wink from a quietly supportive universe.
planescape torment is the antithesis of hack and slash. a lot of battles can be avoided if you are smart and choose the right dialogue. so if your ideal gameplaying strategy is "How can I schmooze this guy into letting me pass by/tell me something/give me something" then planescape torment is for you. if your ideal gameplaying strategy is "who should attack this guy first and what spells should be cast to kill his ass" then do not ever play planescape torment as you will have no fun at all.
I'm probably just restating what some people before me have said, so think of this post as added emphasis to said previous posts.
@Reedimus, with respect, I think you're exaggerating just a bit. Yes, there are some fights you can avoid, but most fights you simply can't. What's more, if you enjoy battles, there's no reason you have to argue your way out of anything--it's an option, not a given. So you can hack 'n slash your way through the game, or go for a more thoughtful approach. It's your choice.
To the Righteous belong the fruits of violent victory. The rest of us will have to settle for warm friends, warm lovers, and a wink from a quietly supportive universe.
Right: Mantouk. You're always welcome to let him live, but why bother? He's a menace to the health standards of the area.
To the Righteous belong the fruits of violent victory. The rest of us will have to settle for warm friends, warm lovers, and a wink from a quietly supportive universe.
Thanks for the input everyone. I ahve decided to give it a try. $15 is a price hard to beat. I need a break from SoA and ToB. But I want to stay close to the CRPG theme. I am sure it will be fun to try to adjust to not having to hack and slash though every fight. Beyond that, I jsut reinstalled BG1. I found it has a neat little trailer of planescape on it. I must say if the music in the game is anything like th music on the trailer, I knwo I am going to like this game just for the music.
Best to remain silent and thought a fool, then to open ones mouth and remove all doubt
I personally loved the music in the "Brothel of slating Intellectual lusts" i would spend hours in there not actually doing the quest properly, just to hear the music
I'd have to get drunk every night and talk about virility...And those Pink elephants I'd see.
Originally posted by Mr Sleep:
<STRONG>I personally loved the music in the "Brothel of slating Intellectual lusts" i would spend hours in there not actually doing the quest properly, just to hear the music </STRONG>
Yes, the music was great, there. Generally speaking, I think all the CRPGs from Interplay (whether from BIS or Bioware) have had fine music--including the use of some genuine Renaissance dance melodies (by Tielman Susato) for a few of the taverns.
I also think that some of the locations, like the Hall, or the Sensoriums--had more "mood" than nearly any other game I've played in a long time.
To the Righteous belong the fruits of violent victory. The rest of us will have to settle for warm friends, warm lovers, and a wink from a quietly supportive universe.
wow, it sounds starnge
how does the fighter\mage\theif thing work? do you gain levels in all at once, and how do you switch?
how does your align change?
and what in the blue hells is an 'uber-weapon'? is that a big ole' german frank-furter yo hit people with?
And that's the bottom line, 'cos Stoner Cold said so!
Mate, Feed, Kill, Repeat
I've felt the hate rise up in me...
Kneel down and clear the stone of leaves...
I wander over where you can't see...
Inside my shell, I wait and bleed...
-- no spoilers. I might go out and buy it if the replies are favorable. Thanks in advance for your input.
