Planescape: Torment sequel finally in the works

[Chiefcrowe]

http://arstechnica.com/gaming/2012/12/planescape-torment-sequel-finally-in-the-works

 

[Dumac]

I have never played Planescape: Torment.

Is it playable on a modern system? Is it to outdated for me to enjoy, you think?

 

[PhatoseAlpha]

It was never much about the gameplay anyway, but by this point you might just be better off finding the fan novelization.

Funny thing.....they don't have rights to the Planescape setting. Which pretty much means no returning characters or setting. The setting was as important to PS:T as the characters, and it looks like this will be a "Final Fantasy" type sequel in name and theme only.

 

[Dankk]

I have never played Planescape: Torment.

Is it playable on a modern system? Is it to outdated for me to enjoy, you think?

Planescape: Torment uses the Infinity engine, which means it has the 2D/pseudo-3D isometric painted style graphics that have aged quite well. It won't look amazing, but it still looks surprisingly good.

There are mods that let you play the game at widescreen HD resolutions. The game is 100% playable on a modern system as long as you buy it on GOG.

http://www.gog.com/gamecard/planescape_torment

Here's a modding guide. It looks kinda long, but don't be intimidated; it's really just basic fixes for resolution and cutscenes, and it only takes a few minutes to do. The guide is pretty clear and holds your hand along the way.

http://thunderpeel2001.blogspot.com/2009/01/planescape-torment-fully-modded.html

That's all you need. You can now comfortably play what many consider to be the greatest RPG ever made. :thumbsup:

 

[akahoovy]

Not having the rights is a shame, because to me the idea of answering the question "What can change the nature of a man?" was really the player's answer, and as discussed in the article, they want to ask a different question now. It would have been neat, as sort of a way to continue your role as the Nameless One, if you could say what you answered then and have it effect gameplay in the sequel.

 

[ginfest]

I have never played Planescape: Torment.

Is it playable on a modern system? Is it to outdated for me to enjoy, you think?

I still fire it up from time to time on my laptop. You will have to search around for the fan pages/mods that make it playable on modern machines.
PS:T is one of the top ten games of all time.

 

[ImpulsE69]

I dunno...sequels (especially continuations) so far after the first (when people are in a different mindset) are generally a letdown. Taking a fresh approach and new story gives them leeway to forge new ground rather than be tied to old story lines and having to tie things in (whch makes fanboys go nuts saying this doesn't fit etc).

Looking forward to see what they come up with.

 

[sigurros81]

I love the music to this game.

 

[Dumac]

Planescape: Torment uses the Infinity engine, which means it has the 2D/pseudo-3D isometric painted style graphics that have aged quite well. It won't look amazing, but it still looks surprisingly good.

There are mods that let you play the game at widescreen HD resolutions. The game is 100% playable on a modern system as long as you buy it on GOG.

http://www.gog.com/gamecard/planescape_torment

Here's a modding guide. It looks kinda long, but don't be intimidated; it's really just basic fixes for resolution and cutscenes, and it only takes a few minutes to do. The guide is pretty clear and holds your hand along the way.

http://thunderpeel2001.blogspot.com/2009/01/planescape-torment-fully-modded.html

That's all you need. You can now comfortably play what many consider to be the greatest RPG ever made. :thumbsup:

Thanks for the info. I'll check it out.

I tried Baldur's Gate Enhanced Edition and couldn't get through it. It wasn't the graphics or gameplay that bothered me, but I just didn't get hooked. I was kind of just wandering around..killing things?

I've played games like NWN an enjoyed it, so I hope PS:T is fun. I know it is praised for it's story, which is what I felt was lacking in BG1 (at least as far as I got).

 

[thespyder]

That's all you need. You can now comfortably play what many consider to be the greatest RPG ever made. :thumbsup:

Just be aware that it is generally a love it or hate it type of thing. While many do find it to be among the best RPGs ever made, not everyone feels that way.

As for the article itself, I'll kind of evaluate it when I actually see it (screen shots and play videos).

Thanks for the info. I'll check it out.

I tried Baldur's Gate Enhanced Edition and couldn't get through it. It wasn't the graphics or gameplay that bothered me, but I just didn't get hooked. I was kind of just wandering around..killing things?

I've played games like NWN an enjoyed it, so I hope PS:T is fun. I know it is praised for it's story, which is what I felt was lacking in BG1 (at least as far as I got).

Yeah, BG1 isn't as story heavy as BG2 is. And a whole lot of the beginning is simply stomping around killing stuff until you are powerful enough to head north. Even then, although the story progresses, it rests a whole lot on you playing the role of your character rather than on heavy story elements.

BG2 is much better on both fronts. And it adds significant elements with the companions and their stories/quests. With that having been said, I highly recommend playing BG1 all the way through as it is a thoroughly enjoyable game in it's own right. And is essential for getting some of the feel of the companions in BG2 (Minsc and Boo and Dayonara for instance, or Kalid and Jahira).

 

[Dumac]

Planescape: Torment uses the Infinity engine, which means it has the 2D/pseudo-3D isometric painted style graphics that have aged quite well. It won't look amazing, but it still looks surprisingly good.

There are mods that let you play the game at widescreen HD resolutions. The game is 100% playable on a modern system as long as you buy it on GOG.

http://www.gog.com/gamecard/planescape_torment

Here's a modding guide. It looks kinda long, but don't be intimidated; it's really just basic fixes for resolution and cutscenes, and it only takes a few minutes to do. The guide is pretty clear and holds your hand along the way.

http://thunderpeel2001.blogspot.com/2009/01/planescape-torment-fully-modded.html

That's all you need. You can now comfortably play what many consider to be the greatest RPG ever made. :thumbsup:

So I went ahead and bought PS:T off GoG.

The above modding guide was great; thanks for that. Compiling all the necessary mods is incredibly useful, and the game looks great as a result.

I've only played a little bit, but the game is already much more interesting than BG1, multiple times over.

 

[ImpulsE69]

I've played it a number of times, but I've never managed to finish it. I get lost in all the quests I do love it though lol.

 

[smackababy]

I am in for at least one copy. Even if EA, Activision, and Ubisoft all get in on it and require always online connection to all 3 of their servers.


However, I don't think this game will do as well as people who loved the original Planescape: Torment hope it will. Realistically, the face of gaming has changed. No longer to the majority of players want an interactive novel with character development and intriguing stories. They want a sports like environment where they can pick up and go at any point, without having to "think."

I can only hope for the best though.

 

[JoetheLion]

Soooo what can change the nature of a man? I hope that the sequel won't change my attitude towards P:T, because I appreciate it not only as a great game with many hidden thoughts and philosophies, but also as a proof that video games CAN be art. Although I would appreciate another timeless gem, I am sceptical, how many video game brands were resurrected successfully without stomping the idea of the original game or series?

 

[sigurros81]

Just be aware that it is generally a love it or hate it type of thing. While many do find it to be among the best RPGs ever made, not everyone feels that way.

Thanks for the hard hitting observation there Lou. What other amazing reporting are you going to tell us next, That some people like Sean Connery as Bond while some don't?

 

[Red Storm]

I am in for at least one copy. Even if EA, Activision, and Ubisoft all get in on it and require always online connection to all 3 of their servers.


However, I don't think this game will do as well as people who loved the original Planescape: Torment hope it will. Realistically, the face of gaming has changed. No longer to the majority of players want an interactive novel with character development and intriguing stories. They want a sports like environment where they can pick up and go at any point, without having to "think."

I can only hope for the best though.

Project Eternity is (so far) proof that there is still room in this world for high quality, old fashioned RPGs. The key is in avoiding the big publishers.

 

[Mem]

The original was a classic masterpiece,I hope its not dumbed down or consolized,that's my greatest fear.

 

[Rhezuss]

Effing awesome news!

 

[Harabec]

Nice. My first play-through of PS:T was when I was fairly young, and afterwards I felt I had just finished reading one of the best novels ever.

 

[sigurros81]

Nice. My first play-through of PS:T was when I was fairly young, and afterwards I felt I had just finished reading one of the best novels ever.

OMG yes! I thought the game has some amazing dialogue as well as narrative. I hate sounding like a grumpy old geezer but dammit, why can't they make games like this anymore???

 

[Bateluer]

OMG yes! I thought the game has some amazing dialogue as well as narrative. I hate sounding like a grumpy old geezer but dammit, why can't they make games like this anymore???

Because you have to 'streamline' games to make them more widely accessible to people.

 

[Dankk]

Relevant: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uxs3g0Xgh7k

 

[styrafoam]

Its sad to me that he feels Wizards of the Coast would hamper the project. If Wizard's had even a small amount of business sense they would tell the Black Isle/Obsidian group "here, go crazy". The first round of infinity engine games are still selling 10+ years later, its probably the best form of exposure that the D&D property could ever have. Obviously contract obligations may not allow it, but it just seems like such an obvious thing to do.

 

[thespyder]

Its sad to me that he feels Wizards of the Coast would hamper the project. If Wizard's had even a small amount of business sense they would tell the Black Isle/Obsidian group "here, go crazy". The first round of infinity engine games are still selling 10+ years later, its probably the best form of exposure that the D&D property could ever have. Obviously contract obligations may not allow it, but it just seems like such an obvious thing to do.

In recent years, WoTC has become more about grinding out new intellectual properties and raking in the money than actually caring about gaming. More's the shame about that, but it is true. 4th edition is an example of this. As is abandoning Krynn and even Greyhawk.

There is a fair amount of 'Been there, done that. Got the Tee Shirt' in the way they abandon licenses. I mean take a look at how long it took them to agree to re-porting BG, generally considered one of the best CRPGs ever to come out?