TORMENT: TIDES OF NUMENERA review

A spiritual successor to the 1999 cult RPG Planescape Torment, this text-heavy Kickstarter funded game sets out to prove the pen is indeed mightier than the sword…

The Good:

• Very much a cerebral affair. A game that relies on the decisions you make, rather than how mighty you are.
• A rich environment to explore, one that is both complex and well thought out.
• Detailed back-stories for every character you encounter.
• The choices you make define your personality and how you interact with the world.
• Plenty of side quests to involve yourself in.
• The option to take a non-violent strategy is encouraged and a breath of fresh air.

The Bad:

• A confusing plot, and it takes time to get your head around the premises.
• Aside from choosing your characters gender, there is no customisation options.
• There is A LOT of reading involved.
• Graphically lacking – especially compared to other RPG releases of its ilk.
• The top-down perspective means you never feel close to the game and consequently feel slightly detached from the action.
• Some of the encounter battles are too one-sided against you, although often you can talk your way out of them.

The Verdict:

A clunky game, this is obviously a labour of love, but the overly confusing storyline will put many people off. A diamond in the rough, in need of much more polish.