Planescape: Torment (and other CRPG D&D games)

[Rath Darkblade]

Does anyone know if Planescape: Torment is worth playing? I know it's from a similar era as "Neverwinter Nights", which I enjoyed (and "Baldur's Gate", which I never played).

However, the particular iteration I linked to was released by Beamdog, a company with a ... checkered history (read: a history of messing with the original games and irritating fans of those games, at least according to the GOG reviews). So ... just wondering: what do you think, hmm?

[Tawmis]

Does anyone know if Planescape: Torment is worth playing? I know it's from a similar era as "Neverwinter Nights", which I enjoyed (and "Baldur's Gate", which I never played).
However, the particular iteration I linked to was released by Beamdog, a company with a ... checkered history (read: a history of messing with the original games and irritating fans of those games, at least according to the GOG reviews). So ... just wondering: what do you think, hmm?

You do realize, that BEAMDOG is made up of former BIOWARE employees looking to ENHANCE their older games, like NEVERWINTER NIGHTS and such, and in my opinion (I've only loaded NWNEE by them), have done a good job touching things up visually and fixing some of the models. That said, that's my view of just ONE game they've released (which I got for free from a contest they ran on Twitter!) - but it also happens to be the one game, I am probably most passionate about from that era of BIOWARE games (pre-dating Mass Effect and Dragon Age and Jade Empire).

As for the game in question, it's less like NWN and more like BALDUR'S GATE type of feel. It's a CRPG, yes, but it's more party - than just you (and maybe some hirelings if you go that route).

[Rath Darkblade]

Yes, I'm aware of all that.

That said, that's my view of just ONE game they've released (which I got for free from a contest they ran on Twitter!) - but it also happens to be the one game, I am probably most passionate about from that era of BIOWARE games (pre-dating Mass Effect and Dragon Age and Jade Empire).

Hmm - would that be NWN1, by any chance?

As for the game in question, it's less like NWN and more like BALDUR'S GATE type of feel. It's a CRPG, yes, but it's more party - than just you (and maybe some hirelings if you go that route).

OK. As I said, I haven't played "Baldur's Gate" before, so I don't know what a BG-type-of-feel is. Yes, I understand it's about an adventuring party, rather than just you ... but in NWN, you could have an adventuring party too. (At least, you could in NWN2; not so much in NWN1, where you could have two other people at best).

Obviously it won't be like Dragon Age, graphics-wise (or any other way). If I want something like that, then I should go for Mass Effect, right?

[Tawmis]

Yeah - so Baldur's Gate, Planescape, they work on a group party mechanic. Which, I personally also enjoy.
However, as much praise as the first Baldur's Gate got, I didn't get the hype.
That said, I think I had/have (original, not Beamdog remake) Planescape - but can't recall if I ever finished it.
But I remember the play style being very much like Baldur's Gate (and google search of images, show I am remembered correctly)

[Rath Darkblade]

Er ... sorry, I'm new to the Baldur's Gate/Planescape type of game. What do you mean by "a group party mechanic"? How is this mechanic different to NWN or Dragon Age? *shrug*

Also, why didn't you get the hype about BG1? (I think I know what you mean - all the hype about iPhones and other apple products just irritated me. But I'm just curious why you thought BG1 wasn't as wonderful as all that).

[Tawmis]

Er ... sorry, I'm new to the Baldur's Gate/Planescape type of game. What do you mean by "a group party mechanic"? How is this mechanic different to NWN or Dragon Age? *shrug*

Also, why didn't you get the hype about BG1? (I think I know what you mean - all the hype about iPhones and other apple products just irritated me. But I'm just curious why you thought BG1 wasn't as wonderful as all that).

I think it just came to me.

So unlike, say NWN1, where you can clearly walk almost anywhere - BG, you could only walk specific paths. (Although, they did have open fields where you could map the entire area zig zagging back and forth), but maneuvering throw towns and such didn't flow. Some party members might get stuck behind something or someone and just start running back and forth trying to course correct themselves.

And by party mechanics, not different than Dragon Age. You just need to know - and select - what each party is going to do.

[Rath Darkblade]

Hmm. Well, since I've heard many, many, many (many!) good things about Pillars of Eternity ... and so as not to miss out on the GOG sale (where it's 50% off) ... I finally got PoE1, and downloading it now.

I'm wary of large games on principle, since my connection has never been what you'd call fast. Still, PoE1 isn't very large (15 Gb) ... and it's 5% done so far (in 5 minutes). So fingers crossed that I might even get to play it a little before bedtime.

I'll let you know my impressions as I go.

[Tawmis]

Hmm. Well, since I've heard many, many, many (many!) good things about Pillars of Eternity ... and so as not to miss out on the GOG sale (where it's 50% off) ... I finally got PoE1, and downloading it now.

I'm wary of large games on principle, since my connection has never been what you'd call fast. Still, PoE1 isn't very large (15 Gb) ... and it's 5% done so far (in 5 minutes). So fingers crossed that I might even get to play it a little before bedtime.

I'll let you know my impressions as I go.

Oh I loved PoE!

I said before - it starts off WEIRD. But it will ALL make sense.