Top 50 Video Games: Number 1

#1: Planescape Torment
System: PC
Publisher: Black Isle
Released: 1998
Players: 1

Planescape: Torment. Gaming perfection.

Here it is. The apex. The zenith. The candy at the center of the tootsie pop. Many of you knew this was coming. I love a great many games, and choosing one as better than the rest was difficult. I kept coming back to Planescape Torment. Roleplaying Games tend to be my favorites and this is, without a doubt, the best one out there.

For me, most RPGs appeal to me in a few ways: I love stats, and RPGs are usually full of these. Experience points, numerical values attached to things like intelligence, strength, damage rating on weapons, etc. The part of me that loves sports statistics loves RPGs. I love being able to develop and advance my characters as I see fit. Story usually is unimportant to me. Since I do tabletop roleplaying and I love books and movies, the stories in video games usually pale in comparison. No game before or since has made me care about the characters involved and driven me to see what happens next the way PS:T does.

While the story is the main attraction, there are plenty of battles to be fought.

Planescape is a tabletop roleplaying system built on the 2nd Edition Dungeons and Dragons ruleset. Planescape is a world of possibilities and portals. All planes in the multiverse are linked to a city called Sigil. You can go ANYWHERE from Sigil if you know the portal and the key to unlock it. This makes Sigil a fascinating place: you'll see beings of all races there, goods from far off lands, and if you're not careful you could end up in The Abyss, Mount Celestia, Mechanus or who-knows-where. Planescape is a world where words and beliefs wield as much power as swords and spells, and the game plays this out beautifully. For example, if you lie to enough people and tell them your name is Adahn, eventually a very confused man named Adahn appears in the city - people believe in him. There are numerous factions in Sigl, each built around its own belief structure. Stats like charisma and wisdom actually matter in the game, and there is more for an intelligent character to see and do than a brawny character. That's not to say that you can't finish the game with a club in your hand and drool on your chin, it's just not as rewarding.

Planescape Torment puts you in the shoes of The Nameless One, an immortal. You awake on a slab in the mortuary with no memory of who you are. The goal of the game is to die and, more importantly, find out why this is happening to you. On his journey to find out who he was and who he is, Nameless meets a cast of characters that is quite varied, incredibly well written and well voiced. There is Morte, a wiseass floating disembodied skull who, while he is very very nuts, seems to be hiding something from you. Dak'kon the githzerai (possibly my favorite game character ever) who is somber, wise and powerful though he seems to be carrying a heavy burden. Annah the fiery little tiefling thief with a quick temper and a troubled past. There's Fall-from-Grace who is a succubus on a journey to experience all the multiverse has to offer. There's also Ignus (Couch's favorite) a mage who is consumed in flames and has a passion to see the world burn - he may be tied to your past too.

The Rune of Torment. I considered getting a tattoo of this on my back, but the meaning it carries is significant and not something to be taken lightly. Looks damn cool though.

The game uses the same engine as Baldur's Gate and Icewind Dale, and as such isn't eye candy by most people's standards but it definitely works. The world of Planescape is dominated by earthy browns, greys and blacks painted upon rough, jagged angular buildings. The very architecture of Sigil itself suggests that violence could erupt from anywhere at anytime. The voice acting is simply outstanding. I got chills the first time my character got struck down and moaned "Don't let it end like this...." I can still hear the resignation in Dak'kon's voice as he says "My path is yours." The music is likewise well done. It is haunting and beautiful and sets the tone perfectly. This is one of the few games where I left the game's music on rather than turning on Bungle or something. The locales you visit are memorable, from The City of Doors (Sigil) to Curst to Baator. I was wearing headphones playing this game most of the time, and I can still hear the Pillar of Skulls in Baator wailing and screaming for Morte. The game has a ton of stuff to read, it's on par with a great book. It is a story full of fascinating questions where each answer brings with it more questions. The game treads on some pretty deep, introspective stuff. The Nameless One asks himself "What can change the nature of a man?" It's up to you to answer.

I associate the poor sales of this game with the downfall of modern civilization. The game got great reviews and sold like shit. I think lack of name recognition ("Planescape? What's that?") and the shitty box art that were major contributors. Bright orange background with a picture of a crazy looking grey skinned man is the equivalent of smearing poop on your video game box. The poor sales disappointed me because there is little hope for another official Planescape game.

Played any good books lately?

Video games are all about immersion. Planescape Torment is the most immersive game I've ever played. I've played through it three times and I plan on going through it again soon. I've seen the horrors of Baator; I've bartered my way out of the Dead Nations; I've been mazed by The Lady and lived to tell the tale; I've fought in the eternal Blood War; I've howled cries of madness with the Chaosmen; I've even held my very mortality in my hands. Gaming does not get better than Planescape Torment.