The first words that come to my mind when I ask myself to describe Planescape: Torment are 'originality' and 'uniqueness'. While I'm aware these definitions are very inflated in the modern market, I'm pretty positive that Planescape can put the player in a setting that can't be found in any other game. This game is not about saving the world. It's not about killing the main villain. It's about saving yourself. You don't have a name. You awaken on a table in the morgue - not knowing who you are, bearing scars that could have killed a mortal man and tattoos are covering your entire body - you look more like a zombie than a living man. You should be dead, yet you live - you cannot die. You are immortal but it feels more like you are cursed to live rather than being blessed with eternal life. In a desperate quest for salvation your adventures will take you from the enigmatic city of Sigil - the crossroads of the planes, through the depths of Hell and into another planes. You will meet and learn to know yourself and your curious existence in the people (and creatures) you meet, in your followers and into the very existence of the world around you. Intellect and wits, not brute strength, are your most powerful weapons. Through interactions and a lot of conversations you will learn about your past lives and their experience will turn out to be the key to escape from your no longer wanted immortality. Pain and regret follow The Nameless One wherever he goes yet there is still hope... but it might be your last chance to learn who you really are. Thread carefully, strike swiftly and LEARN, for knowledge is strength. In the end Planescape manages to tell a very personal and (dare I say?) epic story, that covers a lot of philosophical questions - are the blessings we seek after not curses in disguise, what is eternal, what can change the nature of a man? These are not predefined questions, but rather formed during the game. The answers are up to the player - the game might give you the hints, but you may miss them, depending on your playing style. Multiple playthroughs are advisable - you will not discover everything by just playing once. The gameplay, though including a lot of text reading, is accompanied by pleasant combat and some breathtaking special effects. Strangely, there are no swords in the game (except one which is carried by one of your companions), no shields. Many things that can be found in mainstream fantasy games are missing here but I didn't find that even a bit limiting the pleasure of the game. It's strengths lie in the complex storytelling and unique atmosphere. Having that in mind, I don't recommend this game to the battle-loving audience. Planescape: Torment is a rare gem in the history of gaming. The writing is so good it can easily be adapted for a book or a movie. However, there is no better way to experience an engulfing story than interaction with the characters and the setting. In that aspect, no other game can rival Planescape.
