Just finished Planescape Torment. I just.. I am speechless. I am unable to contain within myself this experience of what that has clearly transcended the title of a "game". I am shocked, full of pity, miserable, full of sorrow. I am tormented.
In what game does the NPC scrounge 12 copper coins to reward you when you already posess 10k gold, and you just let him keep it while you are filled with pity. Over a virtual NPC! What game makes you sad for other characters - even your enemies! Most games - heck, most movies and books contain villians we cant stand not to hate. This game contains villians i cant stand not to feel sorry for. Theyre not evil - theyre the tormented victims of the unfortunate reality of the planes.
When you finally beat your archnemisis, you already think of what spell will you use to obliberate him to dust, and then he tells you his story. The vindictive instinct in all of us urges to kill him for his actions, and yet you set him free. Destroying him, or even being mean to his dying spirit would be like kicking a puppy.
This game... In what game do you talk someone off suicide? What game will make confront you with the meaning of death, life, order, chaos and evil? And articulate such compelling arguments for every philosophy that choosing a side feels like a betrayal - no matter which direction you choose.
What game will have voice actors so good, that thier words will chill your bones no matter how many times they will recite thier suffering? "I shall wait for you in deaths halls my love...".... Goosebumps all over.
In ordinary games, the characters will spout thier gibberish with every order you give them, making it blend into the background in a way where thier remarks are nothing more than white noise. In this game, any innocent dialogue in every moment may surprise you with a newfound meaning of your journey, attacking said white noise with colors of content that will pierce *knowing* to your very core. "Endure. In enduring grow strong." From white noise, after a certain even, it has taken a meaning so powerful, it deserves a lecture of its own. I may have went through an entire game without knowing the meaning behind those words.
And thats whats so good about it. In other games, i will be discontent that i have missed some stat boosts behind a tree, or a another dialogue option from the shopkeep. Yet here, i am staisfied with the knowing that this game is so expansive, i may never be able to muster the willpower necessary to venture every experience it may offer. You can do that with a game, but not a world, or a universe. And certianly not a multiverse.
Objects, stories and adventures arent there for you to play, highlighted when you hover your cursor over them so the developers time wouldnt be lost in vain. They dont feel a need to spoon feed you with where to go, or what to do next, or in what order.
Theyre just there. Thier existence a reward for those inquisitive enough to stop playing, and for a moment or even more, slow down and take it in. Look, guess: explore. And the prize for those who do? Torment.
In what game does the NPC scrounge 12 copper coins to reward you when you already posess 10k gold, and you just let him keep it while you are filled with pity. Over a virtual NPC! What game makes you sad for other characters - even your enemies! Most games - heck, most movies and books contain villians we cant stand not to hate. This game contains villians i cant stand not to feel sorry for. Theyre not evil - theyre the tormented victims of the unfortunate reality of the planes.
When you finally beat your archnemisis, you already think of what spell will you use to obliberate him to dust, and then he tells you his story. The vindictive instinct in all of us urges to kill him for his actions, and yet you set him free. Destroying him, or even being mean to his dying spirit would be like kicking a puppy.
This game... In what game do you talk someone off suicide? What game will make confront you with the meaning of death, life, order, chaos and evil? And articulate such compelling arguments for every philosophy that choosing a side feels like a betrayal - no matter which direction you choose.
What game will have voice actors so good, that thier words will chill your bones no matter how many times they will recite thier suffering? "I shall wait for you in deaths halls my love...".... Goosebumps all over.
In ordinary games, the characters will spout thier gibberish with every order you give them, making it blend into the background in a way where thier remarks are nothing more than white noise. In this game, any innocent dialogue in every moment may surprise you with a newfound meaning of your journey, attacking said white noise with colors of content that will pierce *knowing* to your very core. "Endure. In enduring grow strong." From white noise, after a certain even, it has taken a meaning so powerful, it deserves a lecture of its own. I may have went through an entire game without knowing the meaning behind those words.
And thats whats so good about it. In other games, i will be discontent that i have missed some stat boosts behind a tree, or a another dialogue option from the shopkeep. Yet here, i am staisfied with the knowing that this game is so expansive, i may never be able to muster the willpower necessary to venture every experience it may offer. You can do that with a game, but not a world, or a universe. And certianly not a multiverse.
Objects, stories and adventures arent there for you to play, highlighted when you hover your cursor over them so the developers time wouldnt be lost in vain. They dont feel a need to spoon feed you with where to go, or what to do next, or in what order.
Theyre just there. Thier existence a reward for those inquisitive enough to stop playing, and for a moment or even more, slow down and take it in. Look, guess: explore. And the prize for those who do? Torment.
- Joined
- Aug 23, 2012
- Messages
- 47
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