Posted on: July 17, 2017
tapeworm00
Verified ownerGames: 856 Reviews: 3
Great game marred by some bad mechanics
Sounds familiar? That's because what made PS:T amazing was definitely not the combat system, and in that sense this game truly is a 'spiritual sequel'. The story is extremely well written, and at certain points shines quite brilliantly in ways that PS:T also did. However, the weak spot that does difference it from PS:T is the companions. A couple of them are refreshingly interesting, but they mostly pale in compasion to PS:T's or even Pillars of Eternity's (and there were some bland companions there). The intricate, intimate stories of grief and love that make PS:T's companions so alluring gives way here to a few characterizations that never really connect with the player as strongly - there's really no big loss if you miss their stories for the most part. That said, the world-building is first-class, not in a sophisticated videogamey 'environmental storytelling' manner but in a much more traditional, text-and-image-based form. Every detail to be examined builds upon what you are looking at, and just like in PS:T the rather brilliant alien visual designs team up very well with descriptions to give your imagination a platform for sheer speculation. To me, this is what made PS:T such a pleasure to explore, and Numenera does it justice. It also experiments with literary ideas that PS:T didn't, like an entire environment that is also a character (and perhaps one of the most interesting and engaging in cRPGs), and it does so with such commitment that there's at least a few quite rewarding incidental characters in every scene. In a way, such a lavish attention to detail did sometimes compensate for the lackluster companions. Sometimes. Just as a final remark: if you loved PS:T but do not really mind not getting PS:T 2 (people who attached that expectation to this project haven't enjoyed Numenera at all, but not so much because of what it is, but because of what it isn't), get this game! Take your time, enjoy the massive readings, and let your imagination fly.
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