HundredProofSam 1369 Report post Posted September 25, 2011 Introducing Back Catalogue As gamers, we're all too fixated on the latest and greatest that hits the shelves, digital or otherwise. Having said that, we end up missing out on some classic games, which while may not be the ideal showcase for your supercomputer or launch console, have a lot more to offer than just eye candy and modern trappings such as auto-save, cut-scenes and achievements. It's tragic really. To fill this asteroid-sized hole, we've decided to launch Back Catalogue, a regular feature on the not-so latest, but absolutely greatest that gaming has to offer. These are the hidden gems that you probably missed out on while salivating over trailers for what's hot and happening. There's a whole lot more to love about gaming than the new and shiny. And no, these aren't retro-reviews. Rather, we'll be telling you what made these titles worth playing back then, what makes them worth firing up right now, and how they hold up in an era heavily influenced by shaders, HD, engines and what not. Many of these games have slipped under the radar thanks to relative obscurity since we're a largely young gaming population, with most of us having our roots with the Playstation 2. Also, a publisher void about a decade ago had resulted in these bits of digital distraction being labelled as abandonware. However, thanks to digital providers like GOG.com, gamers once again have access to these gems. Oh, and there's a chance to win what is featured on Back Catalogue thanks to the fine folk at GoG.com, who have generously offered us codes for each feature. Out first Back Catalogue article features Planescape: Torment - perhaps the finest story ever told in video games. So do take a look, and let us know what you think in the comments section and on the forums. PLANESCAPE: TORMENT What is it about? Planescape: Torment is a game set in the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons Planescape campaign universe, and it's a AD&D rules-based RPG. You play the Unnamed One, who is cursed with eternal life but forgets his past, and you are on a journey of self discovery. That's the simple description. It's also about existentialism, surrealism, and the stuff which made Kafka and Dali famous. Why should I play it now? Planescape: Torment has the finest writing in video games and one of the craziest stories ever told, which features a lecherous talking skull. The game boasts an astounding script long enough to fill quite a few games' worth nowadays. When Roger Ebert says that video games are not art, he obviously never played Planescape: Torment. Christopher Nolan would have to notch down the story of this game a bit if he wanted ideas for a sequel to Inception. The words bring the worlds of Planescape to life with astonishing detail, and the worlds are filled with colourful characters. The game focuses more on dialogue and it's possible to resolve most of the situations through dialogue than combat. How does it hold up today? Pretty well. The game featured hand drawn backgrounds and an isometric view, which will hold up forever and ever. It is in the same class as Fallout, Baldur's Gate II and Icewind Dale II - lots of small characters and buildings and details. The main draw is the writing, and that holds up easily. The game follows a modified version of the D&D rules - it's actually slightly more difficult than BGII or IWDII in the game mechanics part. Don't go in expecting Dragon Age II. This game wants you to think. Is it similar to anything else out there? Dragon Age: Origins from the recent past. It belongs firmly with Baldur's Gate II, Neverwinter Nights, Icewind Dale II, and Fallout in terms of looks and gameplay. As for the storyline and writing, it is better than the Monkey Island series, Final Fantasy Tactics, Dreamfall or the Myst series. The game script has over 800,000 words in it; there are books which are smaller. What do I need to play this? A simple PC. This game was released in 1999 and ran at 640x480. It will run easily on systems today. 'When I played through...' The words! Oh, the words! They set Sigil alight and brought it to life. There was so much detail in the words that I could visualise what the planes must have been with ease. The protagonist catches you by surprise; he is by far the ugliest character you will see, and yet you will empathize with him by the end. Finally, Morte deserves a special mention. His dialogues are absolutely hilarious. There usually is no reason to have a talking skull in your party, but he is so well worth the ride. Is there anything else I should be aware of (i.e. mods, crazy glitches, contribution to pop culture, Internet meme, etc)? Planescape: Torment is pop culture. It never sold well, but received lots of critical acclaim. It also features a star cast - Michael T Weiss, Mitch Pileggi, Dan Castellaneta, Sheena Easton, and more. The game shipped with bugs, but there are fan patches available. There is also a freely available book, which puts together the entire game as a novel. If you own a widescreen monitor, be sure to install the widescreen mod and incredible UI mod. There are some essential mods listed on GOG.com, which actually improve the shipped game, including one which unlocks quests which were shipped with the game but not unlocked. Where do I get it? GOG.com is your best bet. It's one of their big sellers, and at $10, it's a steal. If you do manage to find a physical copy, grab it and put it in your bank locker. They are rare. If you find Planescape: Torment interesting and would like to play it yourself, let us know here. We're giving one IVG member a free copy of the game courtesy GOG.com. 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CM Sunny 445 Report post Posted September 25, 2011 Nice Story you say, Color me excited. Nice initiative & first pick, Would have loved to play it if I had a pc Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
spindoctor 484 Report post Posted September 25, 2011 does it have 64 player multiplayer? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sackboy 369 Report post Posted September 25, 2011 Same Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Aftrunner 1827 Report post Posted September 25, 2011 You could seriously run this on a netbook. So unless you are posting on IVG from a phone or a Mac (lol) you can play this. Oh and if you create a GOG account right now, they are giving away Beneath a steel sky for free. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CM Sunny 445 Report post Posted September 25, 2011 You could seriously run this on a netbook. So unless you are posting on IVG from a phone or a Mac (lol) you can play this. Oh and if you create a GOG account right now, they are giving away Beneath a steel sky for free. Ps3 here Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sackboy 369 Report post Posted September 25, 2011 You could seriously run this on a netbook. So unless you are posting on IVG from a phone or a Mac (lol) you can play this. Oh and if you create a GOG account right now, they are giving away Beneath a steel sky for free. iPod touch here Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sackboy 369 Report post Posted September 25, 2011 Oh and if you create a GOG account right now, they are giving away Beneath a steel sky for free. Beneath a steel sky One of the best point and click ever it's just behind monkey island and broken sword Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dylanjosh 673 Report post Posted September 25, 2011 D&D ruleset Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CM Sunny 445 Report post Posted September 25, 2011 D&D ruleset How dare you Only Sam is allowed to bash DnD Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bulovski 251 Report post Posted September 25, 2011 Good start - a gem of a game which more people should play. Some writers should also play *cough* Karen Traviss *cough* Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bird Bird Bird 751 Report post Posted September 25, 2011 DN:MP Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Aftrunner 1827 Report post Posted September 25, 2011 Ps3 here iPod touch here Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Snake 1434 Report post Posted September 25, 2011 very nice... too bad , i havent played P:T due to my lack of interest in D&D games in my early years of gaming. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
spindoctor 484 Report post Posted September 25, 2011 the game is on sale right now on gog.com as well. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
piper 1204 Report post Posted September 25, 2011 Nice initiative, bringing back classics. Never played this game (or heard of it) before today so I'll definitely look forward to more articles along this line. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TouchyFever 18 Report post Posted September 25, 2011 had heard about this game a long time back when only PC ruled the gaming scene but somehow was not able to play it then. do i get to play it now as it really looks awesome... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pushy 345 Report post Posted September 25, 2011 nice read up, will play it sometimes later, already have lotsa backlog of current gen games :\ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Skywalker 0 Report post Posted October 4, 2011 This One is a CULT CLASSIC ...IVG CAN I HAVE THE FREE COPY ...PRETTY PLEASE I have played Baldur’s Gate II, Neverwinter Nights, Icewind Dale II, and Fallout but unfortunately could not get my hands on this gem of a game and yes the art is a beauty to behold Thanx a ton for the heads up on GOG.com ...jus registered on the site and they are giving away 5 games FREE2download :wOOtjumpy: this a total BLAST FROM DA PAST THANK YOU IVG and its really commendable of you guys to have started this section ..brings back old memories I totally love the old school style of games with isometric views & hand drawn gorgeous artwork Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
