Developer: InXile Entertainment
Publisher: InXile Entertainment
Platform: PC
Tested on: PC
Torment: Tides of Numenera – Preview
For a generation of gamers that is considered as ‘old’ for the younger generation, there were certain titles that shaped the gaming industry and the memory and lives of those who played these games. Planescape: Torment is one of those titles that has left a serious impression on the industry, as well as the community of that time, but after 1999 things went eerily silent as to the question whether this game would ever receive a sequel or spin-off and it seemed as if the game would only be a memory for those who grew up with this title. Nonetheless, when a Kickstarter campaign was opened for Torment: Tides of Numenera things exploded way above initial expectations as the game shattered the backing records with financial support way above the initial goal. Today we are able to offer you a glimpse into the world of this spiritual successor of Planescape: Torment, albeit the Early Access build.
Just like its predecessor, Torment: Tides of Numenera starts off with a protagonist who has no clue who he truly is and wants to uncover what happened to him. While in the original game you were a man who resurrected each time he died and had his own life’s story carved in his back, this title takes a turn for a slightly less grim approach. The character creation is very original and messes around with presenting the player with choices supported by story, shaping their character based on the choices they make to solve problems presented to them or even behavioral patterns and so on. This way makes it a lot easier to connect with your character, even though you can’t customize his looks, but the psyche of this character might just as well represent your own character. If you don’t like what is tossed in front of you, you can simply try out (endless) different combinations to create a being that feels like the proper representation of you, of who you want to be or simply your ideal fantasy (anti-)hero.
As expected for a game that wears the ‘Torment’ name, the story that surrounds everything in this digital world is what truly drives the game. You’ll not only find story value in conversations or by exploring the vast world of this title, but also during combat you can make the necessary choices to alter the story in a way that suits your character the best. Even if you decide to duke it out with one of your enemies, it’s sometimes still possible to negotiate in the middle of combat hoping things might get a slightly less bloody outcome. Subtle things like this, as well as the massive amounts of dialogues will tingle your senses, especially for those who simply adore a good fantasy story.
Those who don’t like lengthy and story driven games might want to stay away from this one, as the difficulty level is already reasonably high and everything that happens often goes hand in hand with the choices you make in the vast sea of dialogues that is thrown at you. If you’re all about skipping dialogues to get to the meat of things, namely the combat portions of the game, you’ll be sorely disappointed as if you tend to choose things without thinking them over properly, you’ll actually miss most of the game and what actually makes the game a great title.
Of course, this game still holds many elements that other RPG titles have, namely the chance to gain experience to level up and further ‘pimp’ your character to whatever you want him to be. While at the character creation things are a tad more subtle, the further you progress stats become a bit clearer. That being said, be sure to read everything properly during the character creation, as it will subtly hint towards what stats are linked to the choices you are making.
Even though it still presides in its Early Access status, the game does look as if it’s nearing completion. The backdrop is simply amazing and the color tones feel flashy, but not overly so, making everything simply one big living painting, if you toss aside the fact that most of the environments are actually very static. The characters are a bit less impressive and feel like a subtle wink to the original game, as they feel a bit retro in many ways, but still look appealing enough to properly like what you see on screen. That being said, it’s clear that the developers are not quite done with the graphical quality of this game, as the menus and other facets of the game are still rather simplified and lack the finishing touch that the rest of the game already has. We are quite sure the end product will become an even prettier whole.
Conclusion
Even in its unpolished and unfinished state, Torment: Tides of Numenera proves to be a very interesting title and a worthy successor of the original Planescape: Torment. While the protagonist might be a bit less likeable than the original one, it’s fun to see that you can actually shape the entire character to your liking, when it comes to what drives him/her and his behavioral patterns. Gamers that like a deep running story and a vibrant fantasy world should consider trying this one out, even in its current state.
Torment: Tides of Numenera - Preview,
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