DESCRIPTION

In Planescape: Torment, you are known simply as the Nameless One. You awaken in a room full of dormant zombies, with no memories or information of the past, including how you got there or your name. It only takes a few questions with the first responsive person you meet to realize the very basics behind what's going on: you're dead — or you were! Why and how you were able to come back is only the beginning of your quest.

Torment is a single-player, isometric RPG, the first game set in the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons universe of Planescape. The game is developed by Black Isle Studios, the same team behind the critically acclaimed Fallout series and the award winning Baldur's Gate. Coincidentally, Torment uses BioWare's Infinity Engine (the same used for Baldur's Gate), albeit with a view much closer to the character.

In the true tradition of many role-playing games, your character has attributes that can increase through experience: strength, constitution, dexterity, intelligence, charisma and wisdom. Armor class, hit points, encumbrances, inventory management, spell casting and alignment are but some of the other aspects of character development. The Nameless One can switch class by talking to characters within the game: priest, mage, thief and fighter. You must build experience in all classes in order to get the fullest benefit of the attributes of each.

Character development (aside from primary statistics) is done solely through your action in the game. You can't choose your alignment outright and must role-play your character in a manner to mold and develop him to your own wishes. There is also no choice of class or character portrait as the Nameless One is your protagonist from the beginning. He will, however, be accompanied by a wide assortment of demented, strange and unusual characters throughout his adventures.

Another feature is the immortality of your character. Having already died and become reanimated, only a few things can send him to "true death." As a matter of fact, background information and additional clues to your earlier existence can be gleaned by the simple process of dying as your resurrections can spark "new" memories such as knowledge of spells.

There is no multi-player aspect to the game, but the Planescape setting promises a cast of colorful characters to join your party. But, will they be enough to help you unravel the mystery behind your character? ~ Derek Williams, All Game Guide