Don't bother reading any reviews. This is the game for anyone who is serious about cRPGs. Incredible storylines, solid game mechanics (there will be a learning curve for anyone whose D&D background is from 3rd ed. onwards. For the rest of us oldtimers, this will likely be a nostalgic trip to our early RPG days.) Best of all, there's a whole host of superb inter-party banter. And the return of the best NPC in the history of gaming: Minsc and his miniature giant space hamster, Boo. So stop reading and buy this now!
I liked a lot of things about this game, not the least of which was the fact that this was a CRPG re-creation of the old PnP Village of Hommlet module. Mind you it added a lot of content to the module, but that's a good thing. Besides that, I did have one major problem with the game. Maybe its because of the excellent DM I had back in the day, but as others have noted, the story is relatively light weight. Like IWD, this all about combat and dungeon crawls. As such, I felt that there wasn't much to separate ToEE from IWD. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, but my expectations were definitely much higher.
Yet another winner from days of yore. IWD comes complete with a solid, engrossing storyline (although the closing movie was more than a little cheesy) and a strong emphasis on combat. The character/inventory management side of the RPG equation are here. But is you're hoping for strong interaction with the npc's, look elsewhere. IWD (and its sequel) use the story as the framework for combat. OTH, if you enjoy games that are more combat focused (such as Jagged Alliance 2 and Fallout: Tactics) then this is definitely worth getting. You will create and run a team of up to 6 characters, although I remember the forums at the time were filled with discussions on the optimum party make-up for the smallest sized party possible. Bottomline, IWD is a turn-based small unit tactics combat simulator that uses the trappings of an RPG to provide a framing story. All in all, I enjoyed it immensely when it was first released and I look forward to enjoying it again. BTW, for those of you who are expecting this to be D&D in the grand 3rd edition tradition of NWN, prepare yourself for a shock. This is back in old 1st edition days when high rolls were good sometimes and bad other times. This is your daddy's D&D!
For me, Planescape Torment is the number 1 PC game of all time. No other game has been as successful in creating a truly interactive novel. I love cRPGs and I've played all the current crop of big name games (DA:O, ME, Fallout, Oblivion, etc). None of them can compare to Planescape. Yes, the graphics are dated and combat may feel a little more sedate compared to the high twitch factor of the current crop (which are more action rpg, than straight rpg). But this is a huge, intimate story line that will suck you in and not let you go. To date, Planescape is the only game that has provoked a strong emotional reaction in me. Its the only time where I've found myself losing myself so completely in the character of TNO, that I was literally reacting to events as myself and not as my character. On at least 2 occasions, I found myself cursing and screaming at characters on the screen! For those who've never played Planescape, be prepared. You will do a lot of reading. As I said, this is not a cRPG. Its an interactive novel and you're hero. So don't stop, don't think. Just by buy this game and start playing!
In some 20 odd years of playing PC games, no game left me more frustrated, confused and ultimately pleased than Sanitarium. Other games were more entertaining, but none more engrossing. Sanitarium is one of a very small handful (less than, actually) of games that left such a lasting impression that I found myself constantly going back, re-installing and re-playing until PC technology left the game behind. So purchasing this on GOG was a no-brainer.
For the record, I first played Fallout back in the day when it was first released. Since then, I've played it many a time, but not in the last few years, when my various gaming rigs proved too overpowered for this old game. Thanks to GOG, I'll be heading back to Vault 13. BTW, Fallout has what, IMO, has to be the best ending of all time. Especially if you took the Bloody Mess perk.
