iPad, Android, PC/Mac/Linux •
On Monday we wondered about the timer that Beamdog was winding down on a site that just happened to be named “Planescape”. When the timer went off yesterday revealing that, yes, it does indicate a new, enhanced version of the Infinity Engine classic, we were right there to post all about it. We were, our site was not. Turns out we had some issues on the backend that were preventing posts from appearing on the front page and, although he had absolutely nothing to do with it, I blame Kelsey. We’re back now–the issue self-corrected, which doesn’t inspire much hope for a problem-free future–and we’re ready to talk about the only digital RPG to feature the Lady of Pain.
The big announcement is for a PC/Mac/Linux/iPad/Android version of an enhanced edition of Planescape: Torment titled–wait for it–Planescape: Torment Enhanced Edition. It’s not out yet, but we won’t have to wait long. It will be releasing on all platforms on April 11.
So, what’s the big deal with Planescape: Torment, anyway? Developed by Black Isle back in 1999, it did something that not many games had done up to that point: put the story front and center. Unlike other Infinity Engine titles (Baldur’s Gate, Icewind Dale), the game was combat light and story heavy. Also, unlike most RPGs in which you’re trying to take down the Big Bad and Save the World, the main story focuses on simply finding out who you are. You begin the game unable to remember anything about yourself (hence the moniker The Nameless One), but have a body covered in tattoos recording your past deeds. This came out a year before Memento, in case you were wondering.
The game takes place in one of the greatest RPG settings ever thought out, Sigil. Known as the City of Doors, Sigil lies at the center of all the planes and is thus a melting pot for anything that ever came out of the twisted minds at TSR. You never know what you’ll bump into, or where a portal might lead. It’s a really fantastic place, and I wish it would be resurrected so that we could explore the city using today’s technology.
While we can’t do that, we can explore it using the Enhanced Edition which, you’ll be shocked to hear, enhances the vanilla experience that was released nearly 20 years ago. Unlike the Baldur’s Gate and Icewind Dale Enhanced Editions which added new NPCs, quests, and more, it looks like they’ve kept the story and characters of Planescape relatively untouched. The enhancements deal more with presentation, sound, and fixes.
- Enhanced Planescape: Chris Avellone, Lead Designer on Planescape Torment, has partnered with Beamdog to curate gameplay updates, bug fixes, and enhancements to best capture his original vision for the game.
- Remastered Music: The full Planescape: Torment soundtrack has been remastered in-game to add more depth to Sigil and the multiverse.
- 4K Interface: Sigil has never looked this good! The interface of Planescape: Torment has been rebuilt in high definition with tons of new convenience features.
- A Planescape For Today: The Enhanced Edition includes modern features such as tab highlighting, area zooming, combat log, quickloot, and more!
When it arrives on April 11, you’ll be able to download the game from either GoG or Steam, as well as Google Play and the App Store. P:TEE will be $20 on desktops and $10 for the mobile versions.
wow … I loved Planescape when I first played it many years ago. Can’t wait to go through it again.