Planescape Torment: Enhanced Edition

Planescape Torment: Enhanced Edition for PC, AND and iOS is the remastered version of the classic 1999 RPG Planescape: Torment developed by Black Isle Studios. The remaster was created by Beamdog, a studio responsible for the refreshed version of Baldur’s Gate, Baldur’s Gate II, and Icewind Dale. The game was released on PC and mobile platforms.

The Plot

Unlike the other remasters from Beamdog, Planescape Torment: Enhanced Edition for PC, AND and iOS has no additional story elements. It has to be mentioned that the game’s plot is nonlinear and its ending is almost entirely dependant on choices we make.

The game takes us to the Planescape universe, to Sigil, a City of Doors, from where one can go to every corner of the Multiverse. We meet our protagonist as he wakes up in the morgue. It turns out that it was not the first (nor the last) time it happened – our hero simply cannot die, and every time that happens, he just comes back from the dead after some time. Each death also comes with a complete wipe of his memories; as we start the game he cannot even remember his name. Fortunately, one of his previous ‘incarnations’ tattooed clues on the Nameless One’s body that will help him regain his memory. Our task is to find the truth about his past, learn the reason behind his immortality, and find the answer for a question that haunts him: what can change the nature of a man? Of course, we are not alone in our journey. From the beginning we are accompanied by Morte, a floating, talking human skull. In time many other characters will join us, like the philosopher/killer Dak’kon, a thief named Anna, or Fall-From-Grace, a succubus that seeks spiritual enlightment.

Mechanics

Action in Planescape Torment: Enhanced Edition for PC, AND and iOS is showed form the isometric perspective. Gameplay focues mostly on exploration, learning the stories of the inhabitants of this unique world, and on doing quests. There are a couple of factions we can join during our adventures (some of our potential team mates can be their members). Unlike in the other games based on the second edition of Advanced Dungeons & Dragons, we do not choose the character of our hero before starting the game. Instead, the Nameless One’s character depends on the faction we choose to join.

Even though we will have to face some enemies from time to time, in most cases combat is optional and can by avoided. When we have to fight, however, proper positioning of our characters and usage of their special abilities will lead us to victory. The game uses Real Time with Pause combat mechanics. It is also based on the second edition of Advanced Dungeons & Dragons, so the success of our actions is based on dice rolls. Each member of our party will level up as we gather more and more experience and will get more powerful with new pieces of equipment.

Technical Aspects

Although the original Planescape: Torment aged quite well, some changes were introduces in the remastered version. Visuals were improved (on PC we can even play in 4K), just like the user's interface. The game's soundtrack was also remastered. Chris Avellone, the designer of the original game, supervised some of the changes introduced by Beamdog. Most of them were tweaks to the game mechanics and fixes of bugs that were left in the original release.

Last updated on 05 April 2017