Planescape: Torment
News, coverage and analysis tracking Planescape: Torment across the outlets.
Latest coverage
"If the player trusts you enough, they are not going to savescum": Why the makers of some of the best RPGs on PC want you to get used to failing
Several RPG developers discuss the concept of player failure in digital versus tabletop role-playing games. They explore how game design can encourage players to embrace failure as a narrative tool rather than something to be avoided through savescumming, emphasizing trust and agency.
2026's best RPG might look like Disco Elysium, but it was heavily inspired by Deus Ex, and its creator wants 'to do a first-person game at some point'
Developer Christoffer Bodegård discusses his journey into PC gaming, highlighting influential titles like Dragon Age: Origins and Deus Ex. His recently released CRPG, Esoteric Ebb, was inspired by tabletop RPGs and aims to replicate their unpredictability. Bodegård is exploring ideas for his next project, potentially a first-person game, and shares his current gaming habits, including extensive play of Paradox Interactive's grand strategy titles like Victoria 3 and Europa Universalis IV.
Are these the 100 most influential games of all time?
Kitfox Games CEO Tanya Short discusses a list of the 100 most influential video games of all time, compiled by professional game designers. The list, assembled through the Polaris game design retreat, aims to serve as a tool for designers to improve their craft and create influential games.
Planescape: Torment 2 could've happened, Baldur's Gate 2 veteran says – but Wizards of the Coast didn't want to fund the RPG even though "they were really into what we were doing"
Beamdog CEO Trent Oster revealed that a sequel to the acclaimed RPG Planescape: Torment was discussed with Wizards of the Coast, but the company ultimately declined to fund external development. Despite initial interest, Wizards of the Coast cited a lack of funds for external projects, and the studio was unable to secure funding from other sources, leading to the cancellation of Planescape: Torment 2.
Planescape: Torment 2 was greenlit by Wizards of the Coast, 'they were really into what we were doing', but it refused to fund the sequel, and nobody else was interested
Beamdog and former BioWare writer David Gaider pitched a sequel to Planescape: Torment, titled Planescape: Unraveled, to Wizards of the Coast. While Wizards of the Coast was initially receptive to the concept, they declined to fund the project themselves, and no other investors were found. The sequel was ultimately shelved by the end of 2016.
Hollow Home Is an Isometric Narrative RPG about the Ukraine War
Hollow Home is a narrative RPG developed by Twigames and published by Crunchy Leaf Games, set during the Ukraine War. Players control Maksym, a teenager navigating a city under occupation, focusing on conversations, relationships, and difficult choices with no combat. The game features a dynamic city environment, a limited action point system, and multiple endings, with a free demo available on Steam.
Sunday Patches
An unofficial DLC mod for Planescape: Torment is now available for download. This mod adds new content to the classic role-playing game on PC.
You can download Planescape: Torment's unofficial DLC mod right now
The fan-made expansion 'Blizzard in Baator' for Planescape: Torment is now available, adding new story content, characters, and locations. Act one of the mod, which is described as significantly larger than the Siege of Dragonspear expansion, can be downloaded from Github. The content is balanced for a level 16 Nameless One.
25 '90s Games That Hold Up Perfectly Today (And Where to Play Them) | TAG
This article identifies 25 video games from the 1990s that remain enjoyable for modern players, distinguishing between titles that hold up with no caveats and those that require specific versions or adjustments. It highlights how 2D pixel art generally ages better than early 3D graphics and provides information on where each game can be legally played today.
"Suck my toes, my darling" - Inkle's book of essays by game writers reveals the secrets behind the worlds we play in
Inkle has published "The Game Narrative Kaleidoscope," a collection of over 100 essays by game writers and narrative designers covering various aspects of the craft. The book features contributions from notable figures like Jordan Mechner and Rhianna Pratchett, offering insights into creating compelling game worlds and narratives. It is structured to be read non-linearly, with essays exploring themes such as player choice, narrative tension, and the challenges faced by creators in the industry.
Infinity Engine open source remake GemRB 0.9.5 gets Baldur's Gate II: Enhanced Edition playable
The open-source Infinity Engine remake project GemRB has released version 0.9.5, significantly improving compatibility for classic RPGs like Baldur's Gate, Planescape: Torment, and Icewind Dale, including their enhanced editions. This update brings enhancements to audio, input handling, pathfinding performance, and adds EE-like zoom functionality across supported games.
The great RPG debate: Defined playable characters or blank slates?
This opinion piece from PC Gamer's RPG column debates the merits of pre-defined characters versus blank slates in role-playing games. It explores popular titles like Baldur's Gate 3, Mass Effect, and Disco Elysium to illustrate the strengths of each approach to player character design.
Massively Overthinking: The nine games portrait of you
This article features Massively OP staff members sharing their personal lists of nine core video games that have shaped them. Contributors discuss foundational titles, franchise representations, and personal favorites across various genres, including MMOs, JRPGs, and action RPGs, reflecting on their impact on their gaming identities and creative work.
Esoteric Ebb Review - Thumb Culture
Esoteric Ebb successfully blends tabletop role-playing, story-driven CRPG mechanics, and player choice, drawing inspiration from games like Dungeons & Dragons, Planescape: Torment, and Disco Elysium. The game distinguishes itself with humor, meaningful consequences, and creative gameplay, featuring investigative mechanics, flexible task resolution, and adaptable spell systems.
Esoteric Ebb Review | NoobFeed
Esoteric Ebb successfully blends tabletop role-playing, story-driven CRPG mechanics, and player choice into an enjoyable experience. Influenced by games like Dungeons & Dragons, Planescape: Torment, and Disco Elysium, it establishes its own identity through humor, consequences, and creativity. The game features investigative mechanics, flexible task resolution, and adaptable spell systems, encouraging experimentation.
Esoteric Ebb Review | NoobFeed
Esoteric Ebb successfully blends tabletop role-playing, story-driven CRPG mechanics, and player choice into an enjoyable experience. Influenced by games like Planescape: Torment and Disco Elysium, it establishes its own identity through humor and meaningful consequences. The game features investigative mechanics, flexible task resolution, and character stats with distinct personalities.
D&D's most annoying rule helped Fallout co-creator Tim Cain get his big break at legendary RPG studio Interplay…
Fallout co-creator Tim Cain credits his knowledge of Dungeons & Dragons' THAC0 rule with helping him secure his first major game development job at Interplay. Cain explained that during his interview, his ability to recall specific THAC0 values for different classes impressed the hiring managers, leading to his role at the legendary RPG studio.
The future of RPGs is isometric
The isometric role-playing game genre is experiencing a significant resurgence, driven by the success of titles like Baldur's Gate 3 and Disco Elysium. This trend sees developers embracing the classic top-down perspective, bridging the gap between modern AAA RPGs and older, more hardcore cRPGs, with new projects emerging across indie, AA, and even AAA studios.
Esoteric Ebb Review – A Disco Elysium-Style RPG That Rewards Chaos and Roleplay
Esoteric Ebb is a detective roleplaying game that draws inspiration from Disco Elysium and Planescape: Torment, focusing on player choice and chaotic roleplay over traditional combat and leveling. The game features talking stats and skills that offer unique dialogue options, and it rewards players for making unconventional or humorous decisions, even if they lead to failure. This single-player experience emphasizes emergent gameplay and player freedom, offering a refreshing alternative to live-service titles.
This bizarre CRPG features claymation graphics, beat 'em up combat and the option to send defeated enemies to a prison colony, and it just left early access after a massive final update
Banquet for Fools, a CRPG developed by a two-person team, has officially launched after a significant final update. The game features claymation graphics, real-time combat inspired by beat 'em ups, and a unique system for dealing with defeated enemies by sending them to a penal colony. It also includes pagan spells and the ability to craft holy relics.
