Editing Planescape: Torment

{{short description|1999 video game}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2018}}
{{Infobox video game
| image      = Planescape-torment-box.jpg
| alt        = Game box art of a man's face—with rough features and shaded blue—looking out of the box against an orange background of a city. The title is justified middle and top in stylized letters.
| caption    = Cover art featuring The Nameless One as portrayed by producer [[Guido Henkel]]
| developer  = [[Black Isle Studios]]
| publisher  = [[Interplay Entertainment]]{{efn|Published in Japan by [[Sega]]}}
| producer   = {{Unbulleted list|[[Guido Henkel]]|Kenneth Lee}}
| designer   = [[Chris Avellone]]
| programmer = Dan Spitzley
| artist     = Tim Donley
| writer     = Chris Avellone
| composer   = [[Mark Morgan (composer)|Mark Morgan]]
| engine     = [[Infinity Engine]]
| platforms  = {{Unbulleted list|[[Windows]]|[[Android (operating system)|Android]]|[[iOS]]|[[Linux]]|[[macOS]]|[[Nintendo Switch]]|[[PlayStation 4]]|[[Xbox One]]}}
| released   = {{Collapsible list|title={{Nobold|December 10, 1999}}|'''Windows'''|{{vgrelease|NA|December 10, 1999|UK|January 7, 2000}}|'''Enhanced Edition'''|'''Android''', '''iOS''', '''Linux''', '''macOS''', '''Windows'''|April 11, 2017|'''Switch''', '''PS4''', '''Xbox One'''|October 15, 2019}}
| genre      = [[Role-playing video game|Role-playing]]
| modes      = Single-player
}}
'''''Planescape: Torment''''' is a 1999 [[role-playing video game]] developed by [[Black Isle Studios]] and published by [[Interplay Entertainment]] for [[Windows]]. The game takes place in locations from the multiverse of [[Planescape]], a ''[[Dungeons & Dragons]]'' (''D&D'') fantasy campaign setting. The game's engine is a modified version of the [[Infinity Engine]], which was used for [[BioWare]]'s ''[[Baldur's Gate (video game)|Baldur's Gate]]'', a previous ''D&D'' game set in the [[Forgotten Realms]].

''Planescape: Torment'' is primarily story-driven, with combat taking a secondary role. The protagonist, known as The Nameless One, is an immortal man who forgets everything if killed. The game focuses on his journey through the city of [[Sigil (Dungeons & Dragons)|Sigil]] and other planes to reclaim his memories of previous lives, and to discover why he was made immortal in the first place. Several characters in the game may join The Nameless One on his journey; most of these characters have encountered him in the past or have been influenced by his actions in some way.

The game was not a commercial success, but it received critical acclaim and has since become a [[cult classic]], claimed by video game journalists to be the best role-playing video game of 1999. It was lauded for its immersive dialogue, for the dark and relatively obscure Planescape setting, and for the protagonist's unique persona, which shirked many characteristics of traditional role-playing games. It is commonly cited as one of the [[greatest video games of all time]]. An enhanced version for modern platforms was made by [[Beamdog]] and released for Windows, [[Linux]], [[macOS]], [[Android (operating system)|Android]], and [[iOS]] in April 2017 and for [[Nintendo Switch]], [[PlayStation 4]], and [[Xbox One]] in October 2019.

==Gameplay==
[[File:Planescape start-room.jpg|thumb|left|alt=Screenshot of the game, with a heads up display.|The Mortuary room in which the game opens; visible are two player characters, a zombie, the bottom-menu, and the radial-actions menu.]]
''Planescape: Torment'' is built on [[BioWare]]'s [[Infinity Engine]], which presents the player with a pre-rendered world in an isometric perspective in which player characters are controlled.<ref name="gsreview">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/pc/rpg/planescapetorment/review.html |title=Planescape: Torment for PC Review |first=Greg |last=Kasavin |date=December 21, 1999 |website=[[GameSpot]] |access-date=February 27, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090802075139/http://www.gamespot.com/pc/rpg/planescapetorment/review.html |archive-date=August 2, 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="allgame overview">{{cite web |url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=19285&tab=overview |title=''Planescape: Torment'' Overview |first=Derek |last=Williams |publisher=[[Allgame]] |access-date=February 27, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141114155333/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=19285&tab=overview |archive-date=November 14, 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The game's role-playing ruleset is based on that of [[Editions of Dungeons & Dragons#Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 2nd edition|''Advanced Dungeons & Dragons'' 2nd Edition]].<ref name="gamestudies" /> The player takes the role of The Nameless One, an immortal man with amnesia on a quest to learn why he was created immortal.<ref name="gamepro" /> Exploration around the painted scenery is accomplished by clicking on the ground to move, or on objects and characters to interact with them.<ref name="pt manual">{{cite book |first=Matt |last=Norton |title=Planescape: Torment Instruction Manual |year=1999 |publisher=[[Interplay Entertainment|Interplay]] |location=Irvine, California }}</ref> Items and spells may be employed through hotkeys, quick slots, or a radial menu.<ref name="spyreview2" />  An alternative to armor is the use of magical tattoos which can be applied to The Nameless One and certain other characters to enhance their abilities.<ref name="NYT">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/library/tech/00/04/circuits/articles/27game.html |title=A Universe Where Ideas Can Trump Actions |first=Seth |last=Schiesel |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=April 27, 2000 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150811031006/http://www.nytimes.com/library/tech/00/04/circuits/articles/27game.html |archive-date=August 11, 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The game begins with character creation, where the player assigns attribute points such as strength, intelligence, and charisma to The Nameless One.<ref name="pcg review" /><ref name="spyreview" /> The Nameless One starts the game as a [[Fighter (Dungeons & Dragons)|fighter class]], but the player may later freely change it to a [[Rogue (Dungeons & Dragons)|thief]] or [[Wizard (Dungeons & Dragons)|wizard]].<ref name="pt manual" /> The player may recruit companions throughout the game to join the party. There are seven potential companions, but only a maximum of five may accompany The Nameless One at any given time. Conversation is frequent among party members, occurring both randomly and during conversations with other non-player characters.<ref name="spyreview" /> The gameplay often focuses on the resolution of quests through dialogue rather than combat, and many of the game's combat encounters can be resolved or avoided through dialogue or stealth.<ref name="spyreview" /><ref name="incite" /> The Nameless One carries a journal which helps the player keep track of the game's numerous quests and subplots.<ref name="gamestudies" /> The Nameless One is immortal, so running out of health points usually imposes no penalty beyond respawning in a different location.<ref name="euro" />

''Planescape: Torment'' uses the ''D&D'' character alignment system, in which a character's ethical and moral perspective and philosophy are determined based on the axes of "good vs. evil" and "law vs. chaos", with neutrality bridging the two opposing sides. The Nameless One begins as "true neutral" but can be incrementally changed based on the character's actions throughout the game, with reactions from the game's non-player characters differing based on his alignment.<ref name="gsreview" /><ref name="gamestudies" /><ref name="escapist">{{cite web|url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/issues/issue_7/47-Planescape-Torment |title=Planescape: Torment |first=Chris |last=Dahlen |date=August 23, 2005 |publisher=[[The Escapist (magazine)|The Escapist]] |access-date=March 4, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090607042417/http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/issues/issue_7/47-Planescape-Torment |archive-date=June 7, 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="nextgen" />

==Synopsis==
===Setting===
''Planescape: Torment'' is set in the [[Planescape]] multiverse,<ref name="gamepro" /> a ''[[Dungeons & Dragons]]'' [[campaign setting]] which consists of various [[Plane (Dungeons & Dragons)|planes of existence]], the creatures which live in them (such as [[devil (Dungeons & Dragons)|devils]], [[Modron (Dungeons & Dragons)|modrons]], and [[List of Dungeons & Dragons deities|deities]]), and the properties of the magic that infuses each plane.<ref name="ign" /> A large portion of ''Planescape: Torment'' takes place in [[Sigil (Dungeons & Dragons)|Sigil]],<ref name="ign" /> a large city located atop an infinitely tall spire at the center of the multiverse,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.montecook.com/cgi-bin/page.cgi?arch_lineos39 |title=Planescapin' |access-date=March 4, 2009 |first=Monte |last=Cook |author-link=Monte Cook |work=Monte's Journal |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090713222351/http://www.montecook.com/cgi-bin/page.cgi?arch_lineos39 |archive-date=July 13, 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref> that connects the planes with each other via a series of portals.<ref name="gamestudies" /> The city is overseen by the powerful Lady of Pain, while numerous [[faction (Planescape)|factions]] control different functions of the city related to each group's [[world view]], with The Nameless One being able to join several of these factions during the game. The story eventually moves on to other planes, such as [[Baator]] and [[Carceri (Dungeons & Dragons)|Carceri]], where The Nameless One continues to discover more about his past. Throughout the game, The Nameless One slowly learns about his previous incarnations and the influence they have had on the world.<ref name="spyreview" />

=== Characters ===
''Planescape: Torment''{{'s}} protagonist is known as The Nameless One, a man cursed with [[immortality]] for thousands of years.<ref name="IGN interview1">{{cite web|first=Richard "Jonric" |last=Aihoshi |title=Planescape: Torment Interview |url=http://rpgvaultarchive.ign.com/features/interviews/torment.shtml |work=[[Vault Network|RPG Vault]] |publisher=IGN |date=September 21, 1998 |access-date=May 13, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713005354/http://rpgvaultarchive.ign.com/features/interviews/torment.shtml |archive-date=July 13, 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Every time he dies, another person in the multiverse dies to fuel his resurrection. Upon rebirth, The Nameless One has little to no recollection of his past life, and often with completely different [[personality]] than before.<ref name="game">{{Cite video game |title=Planescape: Torment |developer=Black Isle Studios |publisher=Interplay |date=December 12, 1999 }}</ref> When the game starts, The Nameless One wakes in a [[mortuary]] as a result of his latest death. He then sets out on a quest to discover how he died and why he is immortal, also hoping that the adventure will help him regain memories of his past incarnations.

During his quest, The Nameless One meets several characters who can join him as companions: [[Morte (Planescape)|Morte]], Annah-of-the-Shadows, Dak'kon, Ignus, Nordom, Fall-From-Grace, and Vhailor. These playable characters can also interact with the Nameless One to further the game's plot.<ref name="IGN interview2">{{cite web|first=Trent C. |last=Ward |title=Planescape: Torment Interview 2 |url=http://pc.ign.com/articles/068/068682p1.html |work=IGN PC |publisher=IGN |date=July 1, 1999 |access-date=May 13, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110428074609/http://pc.ign.com/articles/068/068682p1.html |archive-date=April 28, 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Morte is a [[Cynicism (contemporary)|cynical]] floating skull originally from [[Outer Plane#Baator|Baator's]] Pillar of Skulls, a grotesque entity composed of the screaming heads of individuals who dishonestly advised others in their lifetime. He is introduced at the game's beginning in the mortuary.<ref name="game" /> Morte loyally follows The Nameless One, partly out of guilt for having caused the deaths of some of his previous incarnations.<ref name="RPGWatch2">{{cite web|url=http://www.rpgwatch.com/show/article?articleid=56 |title=Tales of Torment, Part 2 |last=Beekers |first=Thomas "Brother None" |date=August 1, 2007 |publisher=RPGWatch |access-date=March 6, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090217122902/http://www.rpgwatch.com/show/article?articleid=56 |archive-date=February 17, 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The Nameless One meets Annah-of-the-Shadows, a young and brash [[tiefling]] [[rogue (Dungeons & Dragons)|rogue]],<ref name="game" /> outside the mortuary,<ref name="game" /> but she does not join the group until a later point in the game. Dak'kon is a [[githzerai]], who once made an oath to help The Nameless One until his death, but became enslaved to him for eternity due to not knowing of his immortality.<ref name="game" /> Ignus is a [[pyromania]]cal being who was once an apprentice mage of one of The Nameless One's past incarnations.<ref name="game" /> In the Rubikon Dungeon Construct,<ref name="game" /> the Nameless One can find Nordom, a [[modron (Dungeons & Dragons)|modron]] disconnected from its species' [[Group mind (science fiction)|hive mind]].<ref name="game" /> Fall-From-Grace is a [[succubus (Dungeons & Dragons)|succubus]] who acts as proprietress of the ''Brothel of Slaking Intellectual Lusts'' in Sigil; unlike other succubi, she is not interested in seducing mortals.<ref name="ign" /><ref name="game" /> Vhailor, found below the city of Curst on the plane of the [[Outlands]], is essentially an animated suit of armor dedicated to serving merciless justice.<ref name="game" />

Notable non-player characters include Deionarra, a former lover of one of the Nameless One's past incarnations who died as a result of his amoral actions;<ref name="Hardcore101"/> Ravel Puzzlewell, a [[Night hag (Dungeons & Dragons)|night hag]] who helped the Nameless One's first incarnation to become immortal;<ref name="Hardcore101"/> Trias the Betrayer, a fallen [[Deva (Dungeons & Dragons)|deva]] who decides to take matters into his own hands due to his disillusionment with the gods’ stance on fighting evil forces;<ref name="Hardcore101"/> Coaxmetal, a giant golem confined inside the siege tower in Sigil's Lower Ward who forges weapons for the inhabitants of the planes to destroy each other in the name of entropy;<ref name="Hardcore101"/> and the Transcendent One, the embodiment of the Nameless One's mortality and the [[Boss (video games)|final boss]] of the game.<ref name="Hardcore101">{{cite web|first=Maciej|last=Miszczyk|date=October 3, 2017|title=Planescape: Torment|website=Hardscore Gaming 101|url=http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/planescape-torment/|access-date=October 12, 2020|archive-date=November 22, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171122201835/http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/planescape-torment/|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Plot ===
The game begins when The Nameless One wakes up in a mortuary.<ref name="gamestudies">{{cite journal|first=Diane |last=Carr |date=May 2003 |title=Play Dead: Genre and Effect in ''Silent Hill'' and ''Planescape: Torment'' |journal=Game Studies |volume=3 |issue=1 |issn=1604-7982 |url=http://www.gamestudies.org/0301/carr/ |access-date=May 1, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091216172306/http://www.gamestudies.org/0301/carr/ |archive-date=December 16, 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="IGN interview1" /> He is immediately approached by a floating skull, called Morte, who offers advice on how to escape.<ref name="ign" />  Morte also reads the tattoos written on The Nameless One's back, which were inked there as reminders by a previous incarnation of himself, that contain instructions to find a man named Pharod.<ref name="game" /> After a conversation with the ghost of Deionarra, and passing by enslaved [[undead (Dungeons & Dragons)|undead]] who work at the mortuary, The Nameless One leaves to explore the slums of Sigil.<ref name="spyreview" /> He finds Pharod, who is the chief of an underground village of scavengers and the adoptive father of Annah, and is asked to retrieve a magical bronze sphere for him before he will give answers.<ref name="game" /> After returning, Pharod does so, giving him further hints to help piece together his forgotten past.<ref name="game" /> Later on, The Nameless One learns from a powerful sorcerer named Lothar that the night hag Ravel Puzzlewell caused his immortality,<ref name="game" /> but that she is imprisoned in a magical maze for committing crimes against the Lady of Pain.<ref name="game" /> The Nameless One eventually finds a portal to enter the maze, but realizes that it requires a piece of Ravel to activate it; for this, he locates a daughter of hers and takes drops of her blood.<ref name="game" />

Once in the maze, The Nameless One converses with Ravel, who asks him "what can change the nature of a man?"{{snd}}a question that plays a prominent role throughout the game.<ref name="game" /><ref name="RPGWatch2" /> Ravel is pleased with The Nameless One's answer because he offers his own thoughts; she claims she has killed many men in the past who, instead of giving their own answers, tried to guess what her answer, which they assumed was the only answer, might be.<ref name="game" /> As the conversation progresses, Ravel explains that a past incarnation of The Nameless One had asked her to make him immortal.<ref name="game" /> However, the ritual she performed was flawed, which causes The Nameless One to risk losing his memory each time he dies.<ref name="game" /> She also reveals that the mortality she separated from him was not destroyed, and that as long as he was alive, his mortality must still be intact somewhere.<ref name="game" /> Not knowing where it is, she suggests that the fallen deva Trias might know.<ref name="game" />

Ravel then attempts to keep The Nameless One and his party there by force, with them having to defeat her in combat.<ref name="game" /> After they do so and leave the maze, Ravel is revealed to have faked her death. A being known as The Transcendent One then appears, and kills Ravel after a short conversation.<ref name="game" /> The portal that The Nameless One and his party found in the maze takes them to the city of Curst, a gate town on the border of the [[Outlands]] and [[Carceri (Dungeons & Dragons)|Carceri]], to find Trias. Finding him magically imprisoned underneath Curst, The Nameless One offers to help free him in exchange for answers. Doing so, Trias then claims not to know where The Nameless One's mortality lies, but points him in another direction.<ref name="game" /> The Nameless One then visits the Outlands and Baator, where he learns that his mortality lies in a place known as the Fortress of Regrets, and that only Trias knows how to access it.<ref name="game" /> Meanwhile, however, Curst has "slid" from the border of the Outlands to the neighboring chaotic plane of Carceri due to the chaos unleashed by Trias after The Nameless One freed him.<ref name="game" /> After fights through the city against large groups of [[Demon (Dungeons & Dragons)|demons]], The Nameless One and his party reach Trias, who they also fight. After Trias is weakened enough through combat, he tells The Nameless One that the portal to the Fortress of Regrets is located within Sigil's mortuary, right next to where The Nameless One awoke.<ref name="game" />

In the Fortress of Regrets, The Nameless One encounters three of his past incarnations: one practical, one good, and one paranoid. The Nameless One learns that the "good" incarnation was the original man who was made immortal by Ravel, and learns that he had committed immeasurably terrible sins in his lifetime. Realizing that he would be damned to suffer in the Lower Planes when he dies, he sought immortality to give him time to atone for his sins.<ref name="game"/> Unfortunately, the memory losses he suffered after each death and reincarnation foiled this plan. After merging with his past incarnations through dialogue or combat, gaining their combined experience and knowledge, The Nameless One confronts the embodiment of his mortality, The Transcendent One, who reveals that since being separated from The Nameless One, it has enjoyed its freedom and has been erasing clues that might lead The Nameless One to discover the truth.<ref name="game" /> Depending on the player's choice, The Nameless One either slays The Transcendent One through combat, convinces it to rejoin with him, or commits suicide with a special weapon, with either option ending his immortality. The Nameless One then awakens on a battlefield in the Lower Planes, and accepts his fate to fight forever in the Blood War.

==Development==
In 1997, the game's designers produced a 47-page document that outlined the game's premise and [[vision statement]], and was used to pitch the idea to management at [[Interplay Entertainment|Interplay]].<ref name="last rites">{{cite web|url=http://www.rpgwatch.com/files/Files/00-0208/Torment_Vision_Statement_1997.pdf |title=Planescape CRPG: ''Last Rites'' Product Review Packet |date=July 12, 2007 |publisher=RPGWatch |last=Last Rites team |access-date=March 6, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090319190803/http://www.rpgwatch.com/files/Files/00-0208/Torment_Vision_Statement_1997.pdf |archive-date=March 19, 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Initially, the game was to be called ''Last Rites'',<ref name="RPGWatch1">{{cite web|url=http://www.rpgwatch.com/show/article?articleid=55 |title=Tales of Torment, Part 1 |last=Beekers |first=Thomas "Brother None" |date=July 30, 2007 |publisher=RPGWatch |access-date=March 6, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090713222318/http://www.rpgwatch.com/show/article?articleid=55 |archive-date=July 13, 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref> and they described the game as "avant-garde" fantasy to distinguish it from [[high fantasy]]. The document also contained concept artwork for characters and areas of the game.<ref name="last rites" /> It was released for [[Windows]] on December 10, 1999, in the United States and on January 7, 2000 in the United Kingdom, as one of three ''Planescape'' games being developed by Black Isle at the time, along with a [[PlayStation (console)|PlayStation]] game by [[Colin McComb]] based on [[FromSoftware]]'s ''[[King's Field (series)|King's Field]]'', and a [[PC game]] by [[Zeb Cook]]; the other two were canceled, and only ''Last Rites'' was released as ''Torment''.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2000-12-09 |title=Interplay - News |url=http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/micro_stories.pl?ACCT=000952&TICK=IPLY&STORY=/www/story/12-10-1999/0001093898&EDATE=Dec+10,+1999 |access-date=2023-10-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20001209094600/http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/micro_stories.pl?ACCT=000952&TICK=IPLY&STORY=/www/story/12-10-1999/0001093898&EDATE=Dec+10,+1999 |archive-date=December 9, 2000 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=1999-12-21 |title=Planescape Torment in the UK? |language=en |work=Eurogamer.net |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/article-25470 |access-date=2023-11-27}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2015-03-25-planescape-playstation-black-isle-kings-field-from-software|title=The story behind Black Isle's cancelled PlayStation Planescape game|website=[[Eurogamer]]|date=March 27, 2015|access-date=February 12, 2017|archive-date=November 6, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161106214619/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2015-03-25-planescape-playstation-black-isle-kings-field-from-software|url-status=live}}</ref> McComb, one of the designers of the overall ''Planescape'' setting, joined the ''Torment'' project after his game fell through.<ref name="McComb">{{cite web |last1=Purchese |first1=Robert |title=Planescape: Torment: a podcast post-mortem with the game's makers |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012-08-22-planescape-torment-a-podcast-post-mortem-with-the-games-makers |website=Eurogamer |date=August 24, 2012 |access-date=June 30, 2018 |archive-date=January 31, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180131085628/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2012-08-22-planescape-torment-a-podcast-post-mortem-with-the-games-makers |url-status=live }}</ref>

{{quote box|align=right|width=30em|quote=''Planescape Torment'' aims to provide its players with a sense that they are excavating a history (the avatar's forgotten past) while exploring, more or less at will, a vast and bizarre invention. |author=Diane Carr |source=''Game Studies''<ref name="gamestudies" />}}
From the outset, ''Planescape: Torment''{{'s}} designers intended to challenge traditional role-playing game conventions: the game features no [[Dragon (Dungeons & Dragons)|dragons]], [[Elf (Dungeons & Dragons)|elves]], [[Goblin (Dungeons & Dragons)|goblins]], or other common fantasy races; there are only three swords; the rats faced in the game can be quite challenging to defeat; and the undead sometimes prove more sympathetic than humans.<ref name="IGN interview1" /><ref name="RPGWatch2" /> The designers explained that most RPGs tend to have a "correct" approach to solving problems, which is almost always the morally good approach.<ref name="last rites" /> They called this "predictable and stupid" and wished to make a game with greater moral flexibility, where a particular problem might have "two wrongs or two rights".<ref name="last rites" /> The main quest is not about saving the world, but about understanding The Nameless One and his immortality.<ref name="last rites" /> Death (of the protagonist or his companions) is often just a minor hindrance, and even necessary at times.<ref name="allgame overview" /><ref name="spyreview">{{cite web|url=http://archive.gamespy.com/legacy/reviews/torment_a.shtm |title=''Planescape: Torment'' Review |first=Joost |last=Loijens |date=January 22, 2000 |publisher=[[GameSpy]] |access-date=February 27, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081023180024/http://archive.gamespy.com/legacy/reviews/torment_a.shtm |archive-date=October 23, 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="last rites" /><ref name="AV">{{cite web |first=Chris |last=Dahlen |title=Inventory: 11 of Video Gaming's Strangest Moments |url=https://www.avclub.com/inventory-11-of-video-gamings-strangest-moments-1798209461 |work=[[The A.V. Club]] |publisher=[[The Onion]] |date=May 24, 2006 |quote=And in the best moment, flagrantly defying the laws of gaming, you actually have to kill yourself to trick someone into sneaking you into a morgue. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090508052154/http://www.avclub.com/articles/inventory-11-of-video-gamings-strangest-moments%2C1552/ |archive-date=May 8, 2009 |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[File:Chris Avellone.jpg|thumb|left|Lead designer and writer Chris Avellone in 2009|alt=A Caucasian male sitting in front of a laptop. He has brown hair, a black shirt, and a red lanyard.]]

According to lead designer and writer [[Chris Avellone]], ''Planescape: Torment'' was inspired by books, comics, and games, including ''[[Archie Comics]]'', ''[[The Chronicles of Amber]]'', ''[[Elementals (Comico Comics)|The Elementals]],'' and ''[[Shadowrun]]''.<ref name="gsaward" /> The game's 1997 outline also makes references to ''[[The Lord of the Rings]]'' to describe some characters.<ref name="last rites" /> While working on ''Planescape: Torment'', Avellone was simultaneously working on ''[[Fallout 2]]''.<ref name="RPGWatch1" /> In an interview from 2007, he says that ''Fallout 2'' helped him rethink the possibilities of dialogue in ''Planescape: Torment'' (and in later games he was involved with, including ''[[Neverwinter Nights 2]]'').<ref name="RPGWatch2" /> Producer [[Guido Henkel]] commented on simplifying the ''AD&D'' rules: "I think we still take the ''AD&D'' rules very seriously and we follow those rules. We just take the liberty of removing some of the 'overhead'."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://desslock.gamespot.com/features/planescape/interview.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010526134552/http://desslock.gamespot.com/features/planescape/interview.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 26, 2001|title=Planescape: Torment Interview -- page 1 of 5 -- Desslock's RPG News|date=May 26, 2001}}</ref> The game's credits also cite ''[[Final Fantasy VII]]'' as an inspiration.<ref name="Hardcore101"/>

On developing the character of Ravel Puzzlewell, Avellone thought a cryptic puzzle maker who was in love with the player character and who genuinely tried to help people only to have it backfire on her would make an interesting antagonist.<ref name="Ravel"/> Avellone likened Ravel's life to a branching bramble "stretching across the planes" and alluded to other incarnations of her that exist as characters in Avellone's other video game works; in a 2007 blog post, he considered his work on Ravel to be one of the experiences he is most proud of in his career, and that it informed his writing for the ''[[Knights of the Old Republic II]]'' character [[Kreia]].<ref name="Ravel">{{cite web |url=http://forums.obsidian.net/index.php?automodule=blog&blogid=1&showentry=91 |title=Un-Ravel-ling Torment. |author=Chris Avellone |date=September 21, 2007 |publisher=Obsidian Forum Community |access-date=June 10, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151103140727/http://forums.obsidian.net/index.php?automodule=blog&blogid=1&showentry=91 |archive-date=November 3, 2015 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}</ref>

Avellone remarked that many of the ideas in the game "could only have been communicated through text, simply because no one would have the budget or resources to fully realise many of these fantasy works through TV or movies".<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.next-gen.biz/features/games-due-lit-course |title=Games Due for a Lit Course |date=May 21, 2007 |magazine=[[Edge (magazine)|Edge Online]] |access-date=August 9, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100113184932/http://edge-online.com/magazine/games-due-a-lit-course |archive-date=January 13, 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Ultimately, Avellone has expressed some regret about the game's heavy focus on dialogue, as he feels this interfered with the overall [[game mechanic]]s, particularly the combat system.<ref name="RPGWatch2" /><ref name="escapist2">{{cite web|url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/85666-Chris-Avellone-Talks-Planescape-Torment |title=Chris Avellone Talks ''Planescape: Torment'' |first=Andy |last=Chalk |date=August 14, 2008 |publisher=[[The Escapist (magazine)|The Escapist]] |access-date=May 13, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081205053256/http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/85666-Chris-Avellone-Talks-Planescape-Torment |archive-date=December 5, 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The game's script contains around 800,000 words,<ref>{{cite journal |journal=[[PC Gamer|PC Gamer UK]] |volume=137 |date=July 2004 |pages=104–105 |title= Planescape: Torment}}</ref> after early previews had indicated that the game would be only about 20 hours long.<ref name="nextgen" />

In several interviews, producer Guido Henkel stated that he was increasingly frustrated by the pressure the management of Interplay put on the development team after Interplay's [[initial public offering]].<ref name="pcgames">{{cite web |first=Daniel |last=Kreiss |title=Nase voll |url=http://www.pcgames.de/Guido-Henkel-Person-18330/Specials/Nase-voll-32590/ |work=PC Games Online |publisher=Computec Media AG |page=5 |language=de |trans-title=Fed up |date=February 27, 2002 |access-date=September 1, 2009 |archive-date=September 8, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100908081804/http://www.pcgames.de/Guido-Henkel-Person-18330/Specials/Nase-voll-32590/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="dsa">{{cite web |last=Luley |first=Armin "Avantenor" |title=Interview mit Guido Henkel |url=http://www.dsa-game.de/content/view/218 |work=DSA – Drakensang |page=4 |language=de |trans-title=Interview with Guido Henkel |date=September 23, 2007 |access-date=September 1, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121115105205/http://www.dsa-game.de/content/view/218 |archive-date=November 15, 2012 }}</ref> Although only a few additional subplots and characters had to be discarded to meet the planned release date, he accused the Interplay management of disregarding the development team regarding things like [[package design]] and [[marketing]].<ref name="pcgames" /> Henkel said that it was his main goal to prevent the game from being "crippled" before leaving Interplay when the game reached beta status.<ref name="dsa" /> He also claimed that his overall influence on the game was greater than that of Avellone, Eric Campanella, or Dave Maldonaldo, but since a producer often has to make unpopular decisions, his role was later downplayed.<ref name="dsa" /> In 2011, Henkel also revealed that The Nameless One's face on the game box art is based on his real face, because the day before the cover photo shoot was scheduled to take place, the model contracted to appear on the box backed out over a scheduling conflict, so Guido Henkel was proposed to use his face.<ref name="tnoface">{{cite web|url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/113839-Meet-the-Real-Face-Behind-The-Nameless-One|title=Meet the Real Face Behind The Nameless One|date=October 26, 2011|access-date=April 19, 2017|website=escapistmagazine.com|archive-date=May 10, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180510082004/http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/113839-Meet-the-Real-Face-Behind-The-Nameless-One|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Cosmetics|Make up]] lasted for about two hours, and photography took 45 minutes, Henkel said: "My face was red as a beet and burned for the rest of the day, because of the solvent that was used to remove the appliances. Nonetheless, it was all well worth it".<ref name=tnoface/>

The game used the [[Infinity Engine]], a [[game engine]] initially developed by [[BioWare]] for ''[[Baldur's Gate (video game)|Baldur's Gate]]''.<ref name="allgame overview" /><ref name="ign" /> However, ''Planescape: Torment'' was being developed using the Infinity Engine before ''Baldur's Gate'' had been released, leaving the engine's acceptance in the market still unknown.<ref name="pcg scoop" /> Black Isle made modifications to the engine to suit the game. For example, playable characters were able to run, and both the character [[sprite (computer graphics)|sprites]] and backgrounds were larger and more detailed.<ref name="pcg scoop" /> The greater size and detail was achieved by bringing the perspective closer to the ground.<ref name="gsreview" /> Magic was also an important part of the game's design, and a team of four designers worked solely on the visuals and mechanics of spells.<ref name="IGN vault">{{cite web|url=http://rpgvaultarchive.ign.com/features/previews/pstorment-3.shtml |title=''Planescape: Torment'' Preview |access-date=December 8, 2008 |date=July 13, 1999 |work=[[Vault Network|RPG Vault]] |publisher=IGN |page=3 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081229071244/http://rpgvaultarchive.ign.com/features/previews/pstorment-3.shtml |archive-date=December 29, 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

In addition to official [[Internationalization and localization|localizations]], for example the one by [[CDP.pl|CD Projekt]] for the Polish market,<ref>{{cite web|first=Will |last=Porter |title=PC Interview: Looking Back ... The Witcher |url=http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=185601 |work=[[PC Zone]] |date=March 28, 2008 |access-date=June 1, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081206191735/http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=185601 |archive-date=December 6, 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Metropolis Joins CD Projekt Group |url=http://pc.ign.com/articles/852/852937p1.html |website=IGN |date=February 18, 2008 |access-date=June 1, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110613184916/http://pc.ign.com/articles/852/852937p1.html |archive-date=June 13, 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref> fan communities developed Spanish, Hungarian, and Italian [[fan translation]]s of the game.<ref>{{cite news|first=Ciro |last=Galante |title=Planescape: Torment |url=http://www.elcorreodigital.com/vizcaya/prensa/20070610/sociedad/planescape-torment_20070610.html |work=[[El Correo]] |publisher=[[Grupo Vocento]] |date=June 10, 2007 |access-date=June 1, 2009 |language=es |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130110192305/http://www.elcorreodigital.com/vizcaya/prensa/20070610/sociedad/planescape-torment_20070610.html |archive-date=January 10, 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Torment fordítás projekt |url=http://member.rpg.hu/peterpg/index.php?doc=rpg:adnd:torhu |work=PeteRPG |date=October 10, 2007 |access-date=August 31, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120227030318/http://member.rpg.hu/peterpg/index.php?doc=rpg:adnd:torhu |archive-date=February 27, 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Planescape Torment |url= http://www.itpteam.org/traduzione.aspx?tradu=1 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080430032030/http://www.itpteam.org/traduzione.aspx?tradu=1 |archive-date=April 30, 2008 |work=ITP Team.org |access-date=August 31, 2009 }}</ref> When Interplay dropped support for ''Planescape: Torment'' after the official 1.1 [[patch (computing)|patch]], several not yet fixed [[Software bug|bugs]] were corrected by fan-created [[unofficial patch]]es.<ref name="weidufixpack">{{cite web |first=Paul "Qwinn" |last=Escalona |title=Planescape: Torment Ultimate WeiDU Fixpack |quote=''Fixing literally hundreds of bugs and thousands of typos, thereby restoring a lot of lost and inactive content'' |publisher=Spellhold Studios |url=http://www.spellholdstudios.net/ie/pst-fixpack |access-date=February 16, 2011 |archive-date=January 16, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130116145839/http://spellholdstudios.net/ie/pst-fixpack |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author=Platter |title=Platter's ''Planescape: Torment'' Fix Pack v1.37 |url=http://planescape.outshine.com/ |work=Planescape: Torment Fix Pack |date=August 23, 2004 |access-date=August 31, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121227081223/http://planescape.outshine.com/ |archive-date=December 27, 2012 }}</ref> Other [[mod (computer gaming)|mods]] add back items and quests omitted from the final version of the game or new features such as [[widescreen]] support.<ref>{{cite web |title=Mod and fixes for ''Planescape: Torment'' |url=http://www.sorcerers.net/Games/Torment/index_mods.php |work=Sorcerer's Place |access-date=August 31, 2009 |archive-date=February 13, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130213001548/http://www.sorcerers.net/Games/Torment/index_mods.php |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=G3: Widescreen Mod |url=http://www.gibberlings3.net/widescreen/ |work=The Gibberlings Three |access-date=August 31, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130207101320/http://www.gibberlings3.net/widescreen/ |archive-date=February 7, 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Useful Files & MODs for Planescape: Torment |url=http://www.bootstrike.com/Torment/files.html |publisher=Bootstrike.com |access-date=February 23, 2010 |archive-date=March 5, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130305173448/http://bootstrike.com/Torment/files.php |url-status=live }}</ref>

Initially, Interplay hired [[dark ambient]] musician [[Lustmord]] to create the musical score for the game. He worked on the project for four months, writing over 40 original pieces. However, just six weeks before the game released, one of the producers had a change of heart on the game's musical direction, who wanted it to sound less ambient and "more along the lines of [[John Williams]]". His first time working on a video game project, Lustmord considered the experience "terrible", eventually reusing some of the elements from the score in his 2001 album, ''Metavoid''.<ref name="lustmord">{{cite web|url=http://www.lustmord.com/interview_seven.html |title=Lustmord interview |first=Nicolas |last=Chevreux |date=July 31, 2001 |work=Recycle Your Ears |access-date=February 27, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090504010117/http://www.lustmord.com/interview_seven.html |archive-date=May 4, 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Needing a replacement soundtrack done quickly, Interplay then reached out and asked [[Mark Morgan (composer)|Mark Morgan]], who had worked on other Black Isle Studios games, to do it. Two additional themes were penned by [[Richard Band]].<ref>{{Cite AV media notes |title=Planescape: Torment The Soundtrack |year=1999 |url=https://vgmdb.net/album/2244 |type=Liner notes |publisher=[[CDP.pl|CD Projekt]] |access-date=June 29, 2018 |archive-date=December 30, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171230203204/http://vgmdb.net/album/2244 |url-status=live }}</ref> The game's cast of [[voice acting|voice actors]] included [[Michael T. Weiss]], [[Sheena Easton]], [[Rob Paulsen]], [[Mitch Pileggi]], [[Dan Castellaneta]], [[Keith David]], [[Jennifer Hale]], [[John de Lancie]], and [[Tony Jay]].<ref name="credits">{{cite web |url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=19285&tab=credits |title=''Planescape: Torment''&nbsp;– Credits |publisher=[[Allgame]] |access-date=March 19, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110531070320/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=19285&tab=credits |archive-date=May 31, 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

After the game's release, a reviewer for [[Game Revolution]] praised its sound, saying that "When you're in a crowded city, it ''sounds'' like a crowded city. Walk past a bar, and you'll hear the noise of the drunken patrons inside. Wander near a slave auction, and you'll hear the auctioneer calling. Go to a party in the festival hall, and it sounds just like a party". The same reviewer also stated "''Planescape''<!--NOTE: Bold text, not italics, is used in the reference text--> has just about the best sound I've ever heard in a game."<ref name="grevolution" /> IGN gave the sound 8.5 out of 10<ref name="ign" /> and noted that "The game has fantastic speech and sound effects, but what's more impressive is the way they fade in and out depending on how close you're standing to them."<ref name="ign" />

==Adaptations==
A book by the same name was written by Ray and Valerie Vallese and released by [[Wizards of the Coast]] in 1999.<ref>{{cite book |first=Ray and Valerie |last=Vallese |title=Planescape: Torment |publisher=[[Wizards of the Coast]] |location=Renton, Washington |year=1999 |isbn=978-0-7869-1527-9 }}</ref> The book's plot follows the game's only loosely, conferring a much bigger role to Fhjull Forked-Tongue, a minor supporting character from the game who advises the Nameless One to seek the Pillar of Skulls in [[Outer Plane#Baator|the first layer of Baator]] for answers, and its ending differed significantly from the game's. The book also did not follow the source material in its adaptation of the game's characters; for example, in the game, the main character's lack of a name is a sign of his incomplete state and a source of protection in being anonymous.<ref name="game" /> In the book, the protagonist chooses a [[proper name]] and is called "Thane" by his associates.<ref name="Hardcore101" /> Maciej Miszczyk from ''Hardcore Gaming 101'' found the book to be "bland and uninteresting", offering "nothing new to those who’ve already beaten the game", and an "inferior alternative" for those who have yet to experience the game.<ref name="Hardcore101" />

For the game's 2010 re-release on [[GOG.com]], a second, more accurate, novelization produced by Rhyss Hess was bundled with it, based on the game script by Chris Avellone and [[Colin McComb]].<ref name="GOG"/>

A third novelization was completed in 2013 by fans through a combined amalgamation of the in game text, the Rhyss Hess novelization, and a text based [[Let's Play]] by the user ShadowCatboy on the forum [[Something Awful]]. The project was edited by Logan Stromberg and is widely regarded as the best adaptation of the game.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Planescape: Torment - The New Novelization|url=http://discogenie.dyndns.org/planescape/|access-date=2021-02-17|website=discogenie.dyndns.org|archive-date=December 21, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201221101135/http://discogenie.dyndns.org/planescape/|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Reception==
{{Video game reviews
| MC = 91/100<ref name="metacritic" />
| Allgame = {{rating|4.5|5}}<ref name="allgame">{{cite web |url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=19285&tab=review |title=''Planescape: Torment'' Review |first=Derek |last=Williams |publisher=[[Allgame]] |access-date=February 27, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141114155333/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=19285&tab=review |archive-date=November 14, 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
| EuroG = 7/10<ref name="euro" /><br />8/10 (after patch)
| GamePro = {{rating|4.5|5}}<ref name="gamepro">{{cite magazine|url=http://www.gamepro.com/article/reviews/3948/planescape-torment/ |title=Review: ''Planescape: Torment'' |first=Jay |last=Turner |date=November 24, 2000 |magazine=[[GamePro]] |access-date=February 27, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090818045914/http://www.gamepro.com/article/reviews/3948/planescape-torment |archive-date=August 18, 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
| GameRev = A−<ref name="grevolution" />
| GSpot = 9.0/10<ref name="gsreview" />
| GSpy = 90/100<ref name="spyreview" />
| IGN = 9.2/10<ref name="ign" />
| PCGUS = 93%<ref name="pcg review">{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/PCGamerMarch2000/page/n87/mode/2up |title=Planescape: Torment |first=Michael |last=Wolf |magazine=[[PC Gamer|PC Gamer US]] |publisher=[[Future US|Imagine Media]] |volume=7 |issue=3 |date=March 2000 |pages=82–83 |location=Brisbane, California |issn=1080-4471 |access-date=February 11, 2020}}</ref>
| PCZone = 8.7/10<ref name="PCZone">{{cite magazine|url=http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=3297 |title=Planescape: Torment |year=2000|magazine=[[PC Zone]] |access-date=May 1, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070127154213/http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=3297 |archive-date=January 27, 2007 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
| rev1 = ''incite PC Gaming''
| rev1Score = 4/5<ref name="incite">{{cite journal |journal=Incite PC Gaming |first1=Darren |last1=Gladstone |first2=Nikki |last2=Douglas |date=March 2000 |pages=110–112 |title=Ungrateful Dead: A Long, Strange Tip Through the Afterlife in ''Planescape: Torment'' }}</ref>
| rev2 = ''[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]]''
| rev2Score = {{rating|5|5}}<ref name="nextgen">{{cite journal |journal=[[Next Generation Magazine|NextGen]] |first=Michael |last=Wolf |date=March 2000 |pages=92–93 |title=''Planescape: Torment'': Scarred and dead but still kickin' butt }}</ref>
| award1Pub = ''[[Computer Gaming World]]''
| award1 = RPG of the Year (1999)<ref name="cgw" />
| award2Pub = [[GameSpot]]
| award2 = RPG of the Year (1999)<ref name="gsyear" />
| award3Pub = IGN [[Vault Network]]
| award3 = Game of the Year (1999)<ref name="awards" />
| award4Pub = [[Eurogamer]]
| award4 = Best Male Lead Character (2000)<ref name="eurogamerawards">{{cite web|author=Gestalt |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/gg2000_2 |title=Gaming Globes 2000 results |website=[[Eurogamer]] |date=April 5, 2000 |access-date=June 1, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120926132953/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/gg2000_2 |archive-date=September 26, 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| award5Pub = [[PC Gamer US]]
| award5 = Game of the Month (2000)<ref name="pcg review" />
| award6Pub = [[GameSpy]]
| award6 = Hall of Fame (2004)<ref name="spyhall" />
| award7Pub = [[GameSpot]]
| award7 = Greatest Games of All Time (2005)<ref name="gsaward" />
| award8Pub = [[Gamasutra]]
| award8 = Quantum Leap Award (2006)<ref name="Quantum RPG 8" />
| award9Pub = [[IGN]]
| award9 = 71st in the Top 100 Games of All Time (2007)<ref name="ign100" />
| award10Pub = [[PC Gamer]]
| award10 = 9th in the Top 100 Games of All Time (2008)<ref name="pcg100" />
| award11Pub = ''[[Game Informer]]''
| award11 = 188th in the Top 200 Games of All Time (2009)<ref name="gi_best">{{cite magazine|title=The Top 200 Games of All Time|pages=44–79|issue=200|date=December 2009|magazine=[[Game Informer]]|issn=1067-6392|oclc=27315596}}</ref>
| award12Pub = [[Bit-tech]]
| award12 = 30 PC Games to Play Before You Die (2009)<ref name="Bit-tech" />
| award13Pub = ''[[PC Gamer]]''
| award13 = Best RPG of All Time (2015)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pcgamer.com/the-best-rpgs-of-all-time-1/ |title=The best RPGs of all time |last1=Banks |first1=Cory |last2=Johnson |first2=Leif |date=December 18, 2015 |website=PC Gamer |publisher=Future US |access-date=December 20, 2015 |archive-date=November 27, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161127163957/http://www.pcgamer.com/the-best-rpgs-of-all-time-1/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
}}

''Planescape: Torment'' received widespread critical acclaim upon its release.<ref name="metacritic">{{cite web|url=http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/pc/planescapetorment?q=planescape |title=''Planescape: Torment'' (pc: 1999) Reviews |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |access-date=June 30, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090527051751/http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/pc/planescapetorment?q=planescape |archive-date=May 27, 2009 |url-status=live }}</ref> [[GameSpot]]'s reviewer said that "It's clearly the best traditional computer role-playing game of the year",<ref name="gsreview" /> a comment which the website would later expand to "one of the greatest ever".<ref name="gsaward">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/features/6135401/ |title=The Greatest Games of All Time: ''Planescape: Torment'' |first=Andrew |last=Park |website=[[GameSpot]] |date=October 10, 2005 |access-date=February 27, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091118071755/http://www.gamespot.com/features/6135401/ |archive-date=November 18, 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Allen Rausch, writing for [[GameSpy]]'s 2004 retrospective "A History of D&D Video Games", commented that [[Black Isle Studios]] "went ''way'' over the top for this one, crafting an utterly unique experience that has yet to be equaled by any RPG since".<ref name="rauschIV">{{cite web | last=Rausch | first=Allen | date=August 18, 2004 | url=http://pc.gamespy.com/articles/540/540115p4.html | title=A History of ''D&D'' Video Games – Part IV | publisher=Game Spy | access-date=November 17, 2012 | archive-date=February 8, 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130208010810/http://pc.gamespy.com/articles/540/540115p4.html | url-status=live }}</ref> The gameplay was often compared to ''[[Baldur's Gate (video game)|Baldur's Gate]]'', another Interplay game that used the same engine as ''Planescape: Torment.''<ref name="grevolution">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/pc/planescape_torment |title=''Planescape: Torment'' video game review for the PC |first=Duke |last=Ferris |publisher=[[Game Revolution]] |access-date=February 27, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120905112528/http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/pc/planescape-torment |archive-date=September 5, 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="allgame" /><ref>{{cite book |first1=Diane |last1=Carr |first2=David |last2=Buckingham |first3=Andre |last3=Burn |first4=Gareth |last4=Schott |title=Computer Games: Text, Narrative and Play |date=April 2006 |publisher=[[Polity]] |isbn=978-0-7456-3400-5 |page=59 |chapter=5: Space, Navigation, and Affect }}</ref> Robert Mayer of [[Computer Games Magazine]] commented that it was "one dark and interesting game. There's lots of macabre humor, some rather deviant sexual references, and enough weirdness to send the devotees of Tolkienesque fantasy running for their copies of ''The Hobbit''."<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.cdmag.com/articles/025/007/torment_qt.html|title=Planescape: Torment Quick Take|date=May 24, 2003|access-date=January 4, 2018|url-status=bot: unknown|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030524194557/http://www.cdmag.com/articles/025/007/torment_qt.html|archive-date=May 24, 2003}}</ref> Kieron Gillen of [[PC Gamer (UK edition)|PC Gamer UK]] commented that "''Planescape: Torment'' is attempting to be iconoclastic in the most stereotyped of genres. We're cheering it on."<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.pcgamer.co.uk/games/gamefile_preview_page.asp?item_id=2110|title=Welcome to PC Gamer - The World's Best-Selling PC Games Magazine ...|newspaper=Pcgamer|date=August 4, 2002|access-date=January 4, 2018|url-status=bot: unknown|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020804172925/http://www.pcgamer.co.uk/games/gamefile_preview_page.asp?item_id=2110|archive-date=August 4, 2002}}</ref>

The game's premise and writing were warmly received;<ref name="spyreview" /> a review in ''[[The New York Times]]'' noted "The game's level of detail and its emotional impact have prompted some players to cast about for literary peers."<ref name="NYT" />  Reviewers were pleased with the ability to shape their character's journey as they wished.<ref name="grevolution" /> In 2005, GameSpot stated "''Planescape: Torment'' has quite possibly the best implementation of role-playing an evil character ever to appear in a computer or video game to date".<ref name="gsaward" /> The heavily tattooed, egocentric, and potentially selfish Nameless One was welcomed as a change of pace from the conventional RPG hero, who was considered a predictable do-gooder.<ref name="gsreview" /><ref name="gsaward" /> Reviewers also approved of the protagonist's ability to gain new powers by "remembering" past lives.<ref name="gsreview" /><ref name="ign">{{cite web|url=http://pc.ign.com/articles/159/159939p1.html |title=''Planescape: Torment'' Review |date=December 17, 1999 |website=IGN |access-date=February 27, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090227042213/http://pc.ign.com/articles/159/159939p1.html |archive-date=February 27, 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The dark and diversified representation of the ''D&D'' setting of Planescape was lauded as a fresh departure from the traditional high fantasy of computer role-playing games.<ref name="gamepro" /><ref name="ign" /> A review in ''[[Next Generation Magazine|Next Generation]]'' praised the game, saying that "''Torment'' offers the best RPG gameplay anyone can find on store shelves, hands down."<ref name="nextgen" /> Uros Jojic of ''Actiontrip'' commented that "''Planescape: Torment'' proves that it is possible to make an inventive, fun and refreshing game in this "sea of clones". Creating a computer edition of Planescape system is another triumph for Black Isle Studios."<ref>{{cite web|url =http://www.actiontrip.com/reviews/planescape-torment.phtml|title =Planscape: Torment|author =Uros Jojic|date =January 21, 2000|website =Actiontrip|url-status =usurped|archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20150905165600/http://www.actiontrip.com/reviews/planescape-torment.phtml|archive-date =September 5, 2015}}</ref> In a March 2000 article for ''Game Studies'', Diane Carr called the game's setting "a freak show, a long story, a zoo, and a cabinet of talkative curiosities" and described the creatures and monsters in the game as "grotesque rather than scary".<ref name="gamestudies" />  Cindy Yans of [[Computer Games Magazine]] describes the setting as "a world where knowledge and thoughts wield more power than the sword. Belief has the ability to reshape worlds, kill and resurrect powers and change the laws of physics."<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://www.cdmag.com/articles/014/052/planescape_preview.html|title=Planescape Torment Preview|date=August 6, 2003|access-date=January 4, 2018|url-status=bot: unknown|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030806200948/http://www.cdmag.com/articles/014/052/planescape_preview.html|archive-date=August 6, 2003}}</ref> Cindy Vanous of Computer Games Magazine notes that "''Planescape'''s bestiary features legions of the unknown, and its landscape is an ever-changing tapestry of the bizarre."<ref name=":0" /> ''Planescape: Torment'' is the first video game to be set in the Planescape universe.<ref name="pcg scoop">{{cite journal |first=Michael |last=Wolf |date=November 1998 |title= Scoop!: ''Planescape: Torment'' |journal=[[PC Gamer|PC Gamer US]] |volume=5 |issue=11 |pages=60–61  |location=Brisbane, California |issn= 1080-4471}}</ref>

{{blockquote|[''Planescape Torment''{{'s}}] limits are elusive. ... Even small choices have multiple and unpredictable results, leading players to incidents, to confrontations or to nothing much. The game resists resolution or even comprehension. A rambling text like ''Planescape Torment'' bounces when you try and nail it down, it resists totalisation. It has its moments of  "rush" and of confrontation, but it wants to be savoured, wandered through, in the company of armed companions.|Diane Carr<ref name="gamestudies" />}}

The technical aspects of the game were also praised. Although by the time of its release in late 1999, ''Planescape: Torment's'' default 640x480 resolution was not considered particularly advanced,<ref name="euro">{{cite web|url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/torment |title=''Planescape: Torment'' Review |first=Rob |last=Purchese |date=January 15, 2000 |website=[[Eurogamer]] |access-date=February 27, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090723064031/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/torment |archive-date=July 23, 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref> reviewers were pleased with the art design and color of the environments.<ref name="gamepro" /><ref name="ign" /> The game's sound and music were described as "well above the norm" and "superb",<ref name="spyreview2">{{cite web|url=http://archive.gamespy.com/legacy/reviews/torment_b.shtm |title=''Planescape: Torment'' Review (page 2) |first=Joost |last=Loijens |date=January 22, 2000 |publisher=[[GameSpy]] |access-date=February 27, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090713201345/http://archive.gamespy.com/legacy/reviews/torment_b.shtm |archive-date=July 13, 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref> and one reviewer stated that his only complaint about the music was that "there wasn't enough of it".<ref name="euro" /> Another reviewer said that ''Planescape: Torment'' had "just about the best sound" they had heard in a video game.<ref name="grevolution" /> [[GamePro]] stated, "... the characters talk with the talent of real professional voice actors during crucial bits of dialog".<ref name="gamepro" /> The game's graphics were moderately well received, with ''incite PC Gaming'' saying that "[the graphics] can be a little lackluster, although some of the spell effects certainly look very good",<ref name="incite" /> a statement echoed in ''NextGen'' which stated that "mind-blowing spell effects ... will remind you of a two-dimensional ''Final Fantasy'' game."<ref name="nextgen" />

The game's interface received positive remarks. The US edition of ''[[PC Gamer]]'' commented on the [[automap]], which automatically marked important locations and allowed the user to add custom notes, and on the journal, which separated completed quests from unfinished quests.<ref name="pcg review" /> ''PC Gamer'' also praised the fine-tuning of the Infinity Engine, such as the use of a [[Pie menu|radial menu]], which allowed the player to stay focused on the game instead of managing multiple screens and "messing with windows and buttons".<ref name="pcg review" />

{{blockquote|... we were swept away by ''Planescape: Torment''. It wasn't the effective engine, demented characters, or lavish lands that won us. It was the rich storyline. This tale is more a reflection of your true self than any game ever made.|Darren Gladstone and Nikki Douglas<ref name="incite" />}}

Criticism of the game was minimal and problems were generally described as minor,<ref name="gsreview" /><ref name="grevolution" /> but included complaints about long load times on computers of the day,<ref name="grevolution" /> or the game slowing down during combat.<ref name="incite" /> [[Software bug|Bugs]] were responsible for slowing down the game when a high level of graphical assets were on-screen at the same time, but it was reported that a fix was released that solved the problem.<ref name="spyreview" /><ref name="allgame" /> [[Allgame]]'s Derek Williams considered the game's combat simplistic (with a comparison to ''[[Diablo (video game)|Diablo]])'', which made the game too easy.<ref name="allgame" />  The most negative major review came from ''Eurogamer'', who gave the game seven out of ten (and later increased it to eight when the game was patched).<ref name="euro" /> Their reviewer expressed distaste at the immortality of the player character, saying that it made the lives of characters "cheap and meaningless",<ref name="euro" /> although other reviews welcomed this aspect, saying it was "implemented perfectly" and did not make the game easier.<ref name="gsreview" /><ref name="ign" /><ref name="allgame" /> ''Eurogamer'' also disapproved of the amount of experience that was awarded for certain dialogues later in the game.<ref name="euro" /> However, other reviews cited this as one of the main things that elevated ''Planescape: Torment'' above the standard RPG format.<ref name="gsreview" /><ref name="spyreview" /><ref name="pcg100">{{cite web|url=http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=194593 |title=PC Gamer's Top 100 |date=August 5, 2008 |work=[[PC Gamer]] |publisher=Computer and Video Games |page=4 of 4 |access-date=February 27, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090227043739/http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=194593 |archive-date=February 27, 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Some reviewers also criticized the game's [[pathfinding]] [[artificial intelligence|AI]] as being "less than impressive".<ref name="nextgen" />

===Awards===
''Planescape: Torment'' is commonly cited to as one of the [[greatest video games of all time]]<ref name="gsaward" /><ref name="spyhall">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespy.com/articles/540/540546p1.html |title=GameSpy Hall of Fame (''Planescape: Torment'') |first=Allen |last=Rausch |date=August 19, 2004 |publisher=[[GameSpy]] |access-date=February 27, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090416020620/http://www.gamespy.com/articles/540/540546p1.html |archive-date=April 16, 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="ign100">{{cite web|url=http://top100.ign.com/2007/ign_top_game_71.html |title=IGN Top 100 Games 2007 – 71 ''Planescape: Torment'' |date=November 19, 2007 |website=IGN |access-date=February 27, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090218131449/http://top100.ign.com/2007/ign_top_game_71.html |archive-date=February 18, 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="pcg100" /><ref name=Empire2009/><ref name=GamingBolt/><ref name=GI2009/><ref name=HG101/><ref name=Polygon/> and has attracted a [[cult following]].<ref name="escapist" /><ref name="Gama Adams">{{cite web|first=Ernest W. |last=Adams |author-link=Ernest W. Adams |title=The Designer's Notebook: Ten Years of Great Games |url=http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/2377/the_designers_notebook_ten_years_.php?page=1 |website=[[Gamasutra]] |page=1 |date=November 26, 2007 |access-date=May 15, 2009 |quote=''Planescape'' now has a cult following ...|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090512192302/http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/2377/the_designers_notebook_ten_years_.php?page=1 |archive-date=May 12, 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="Gama Barton">{{cite web|first=Matt |last=Barton |title=The History of Computer Role-Playing Games Part III: The Platinum and Modern Ages (1994–2004) |url=http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/1571/the_history_of_computer_.php?page=10 |website=[[Gamasutra]] |page=10 |date=April 11, 2007 |access-date=May 15, 2009 |quote=Black Isle wasted no time, and in November 1999 released the cult classic ''Planescape: Torment''. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090510022154/http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/1571/the_history_of_computer_.php?page=10 |archive-date=May 10, 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref> It was given several Editor's Choice awards,<ref name="gsreview" /><ref name="ign" /><ref name="firingsquad">{{cite web|url=http://www.firingsquad.com/games/torment/ |title=''Planescape: Torment'' Review |first=Jakub |last=Wojnarowicz |date=January 25, 2000 |publisher=Firing Squad |access-date=February 27, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091127085631/http://firingsquad.com/games/torment/ |archive-date=November 27, 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref> was named RPG of the Year for 1999 by both GameSpot and ''[[Computer Gaming World]]'',<ref name="cgw">{{cite magazine |magazine=[[Computer Gaming World]] |volume=186 |date=January 2000|title=Planescape: Torment}}</ref><ref name="gsyear">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/features/1999/p3_05a.html |title=GameSpot Features Archive |website=[[GameSpot]] |access-date=February 27, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090527201714/http://www.gamespot.com/features/1999/p3_05a.html |archive-date=May 27, 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref> and won the [[Vault Network]]'s Game of the Year for 1999.<ref name="awards">{{cite web|url=http://planescape.outshine.com/official.planescape-torment.org/awards.html |title=''Planescape: Torment'' Awards (Mirror of the official ''Planescape: Torment'' website) |access-date=February 27, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090708014704/http://planescape.outshine.com/official.planescape-torment.org/awards.html |archive-date=July 8, 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref> ''[[PC Gamer|PC Gamer US]]'' named ''Planescape: Torment'' "Game of the Month" in their March 2000 issue (the issue in which the game's review appeared).<ref name="pcg review" /> The magazine also nominated ''Torment'' for its 1999 "Best Roleplaying Game" award, which ultimately went to ''[[System Shock 2]]''.<ref name="pcgamerusawards1999">{{cite magazine |date=March 2000 | title=The Sixth Annual ''PC Gamer'' Awards | volume=7 | number=3 | pages=46, 47, 49, 50, 54–56, 60, 62 | magazine=[[PC Gamer US]] |author=<!--Not stated--> }}</ref> At the [[3rd Annual Interactive Achievement Awards]], ''Planescape: Torment'' was named as a finalist by the [[Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences]] for "Computer [[D.I.C.E. Award for Adventure Game of the Year|Adventure]]/[[D.I.C.E. Award for Role-Playing Game of the Year|Role-Playing]] Game of the Year" and "[[D.I.C.E. Award for Outstanding Achievement in Story|Outstanding Achievement in Character or Story Development]]".<ref name="AIAS_PC">{{cite web |title=Third Interactive Achievement Awards - Personal Computer |url=http://www.interactive.org/iaa/finalists_pc.html |website=Interactive.org |publisher=Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences |access-date=28 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20001011204415/http://www.interactive.org/iaa/finalists_pc.html |archive-date=October 11, 2000}}</ref><ref name="AIAS_Craft">{{cite web |title=Third Interactive Achievement Awards: Craft Award |url=http://www.interactive.org/iaa/finalists_craft.html |website=Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences |access-date=11 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20001011155820/http://www.interactive.org/iaa/finalists_craft.html |archive-date=October 11, 2000}}</ref>

In 2006, ''[[The A.V. Club]]'' included ''Planescape: Torment'' in their list of "11 of Video Gaming's Strangest Moments", due to the game's use of death as a means to advance the plot.<ref name="AV" /> In 2006, [[Gamasutra]] polled [[video game industry]] professionals with the question: "Which role playing game over the entire history of the genre do you think has made the biggest 'quantum leap', and why?".<ref name="Quantum RPG 1">{{cite web|title=The Gamasutra Quantum Leap Awards: Role-Playing Games |url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/the-gamasutra-quantum-leap-awards-role-playing-games |website=[[Gamasutra]] |page=1 |date=October 6, 2006 |access-date=June 1, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090812104029/http://www.gamasutra.com/features/20061006/quantum_01.shtml |archive-date=August 12, 2009 |url-status=live }}</ref> ''Planescape: Torment'' was ranked second overall after ''[[Fallout (video game)|Fallout]]'', earning it a "Quantum Leap Award".<ref name="Quantum RPG 8">{{cite web|title=The Gamasutra Quantum Leap Awards: Role-Playing Games |url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/the-gamasutra-quantum-leap-awards-role-playing-games |website=[[Gamasutra]] |page=8 |date=October 6, 2006 |access-date=June 1, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090330223232/http://www.gamasutra.com/features/20061006/quantum_08.shtml |archive-date=March 30, 2009 |url-status=live }}</ref> The game also received an honorable mention for the same awards in the "Storytelling" category.<ref name="Quantum Story 1">{{cite web|title=The Gamasutra Quantum Leap Awards: Storytelling |url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/the-gamasutra-quantum-leap-awards-storytelling |website=[[Gamasutra]] |page=3 |date=November 3, 2006 |access-date=June 1, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090207092321/http://www.gamasutra.com/features/20061103/quantum_03.shtml |archive-date=February 7, 2009 |url-status=live }}</ref> In December 2008, ''IGN'' praised the game as having "some of the best writing and characterization seen in gaming".<ref name="ign2008">{{cite web | url=https://uk.ign.com/articles/2008/12/04/the-wednesday-10-franchises-we-want-resurrected | title=The Wednesday 10: Franchises We Want Resurrected | website=IGN | date=December 3, 2008 | access-date=April 20, 2011 | author=IGN PC Team | archive-date=January 18, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160118021124/http://uk.ign.com/articles/2008/12/04/the-wednesday-10-franchises-we-want-resurrected | url-status=live }}</ref> In 2009, [[Bit-tech]] included ''Planescape: Torment'' on their list of "30 PC Games to Play Before You Die".<ref name="Bit-tech">{{cite web|first=Joe |last=Martin |title=30 PC Games to Play Before You Die |url=http://www.bit-tech.net/gaming/pc/2009/04/20/30-pc-games-to-play-before-you-die/1 |publisher=[[Bit-tech]] |date=April 20, 2009 |access-date=June 1, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090423045541/http://www.bit-tech.net/gaming/pc/2009/04/20/30-pc-games-to-play-before-you-die/1 |archive-date=April 23, 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Avellone was awarded Eurogamer's "Gaming Globe" award for Best Designer in 2000 for his work on ''Planescape: Torment'', and The Nameless One was considered to be the Best Male Lead Character.<ref name="eurogamerawards" />

''IGN'' ranked ''Planescape: Torment'' second on their list of "The Top 11 Dungeons & Dragons Games of All Time" in 2014.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2014/02/05/the-top-11-dungeons-dragons-games-of-all-time|title=The Top 11 Dungeons & Dragons Games of All-Time|last=Johnson|first=Leif|date=February 5, 2014|website=IGN|language=en-US|access-date=December 18, 2017|archive-date=September 2, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190902005437/https://www.ign.com/articles/2014/02/05/the-top-11-dungeons-dragons-games-of-all-time|url-status=live}}</ref> Ian Williams of ''[[Paste (magazine)|Paste]]'' rated the game #1 on his list of "The 10 Greatest Dungeons and Dragons Videogames" in 2015.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2015/04/the-10-greatest-dungeons-and-dragons-videogames.html|title=The 10 Greatest Dungeons and Dragons Videogames|work=Paste|access-date=December 18, 2017|language=en|archive-date=September 14, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160914052047/https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2015/04/the-10-greatest-dungeons-and-dragons-videogames.html|url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[PC Gamer]]'' included ''Torment'' on their best RPGs on PC list.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.pcgamer.com/best-rpgs-of-all-time/4/ | title=The best RPGs of all time | date=October 15, 2017 | work=[[PC Gamer]] | access-date=May 28, 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180124030134/http://www.pcgamer.com/best-rpgs-of-all-time/4/ | archive-date=January 24, 2018 | url-status=dead | df=mdy-all }}</ref> It was placed at No. 13 on ''Game Informer''{{'s}} "Top 100 RPGs Of All Time" list,<ref>{{cite magazine | url=https://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2018/01/01/the-top-100-rpgs-of-all-time.aspx?PostPageIndex=6 | title=The Top 100 RPGs Of All Time | date=January 1, 2018 | magazine=[[Game Informer]] | access-date=May 28, 2018 | archive-date=May 28, 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180528215454/http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2018/01/01/the-top-100-rpgs-of-all-time.aspx?PostPageIndex=6 | url-status=live }}</ref> and was included among [[PCGamesN]]'s "best RPGs on PC" as well.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/15-best-rpgs-pc | title=The best RPGs on PC | work=[[PCGamesN]] | access-date=May 28, 2018 | archive-date=June 14, 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180614122340/https://www.pcgamesn.com/15-best-rpgs-pc | url-status=live }}</ref>

===Sales===
In the United States, ''Planescape: Torment'' sold 73,000 copies by March 2000,<ref name="desslocksales2">{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010203124200/http://desslock.gamespot.com/archives/200005/20000511.html |url=http://desslock.gamespot.com:80/archives/200005/20000511.html |title=Desslock's Ramblings – RPG Sales Figures |author=Desslock |date=May 11, 2000 |work=[[GameSpot]] |archive-date=February 3, 2001 |url-status=dead }}</ref> a figure that Desslock of ''[[Computer Gaming World]]'' regarded as substandard.<ref name="desslocksales">{{cite magazine |title=RPG Sales; The Wizards at Wal-Mart | author=Desslock |issue=193 |date=August 2000 |pages=134 |magazine=[[Computer Gaming World]] }}</ref> Comparing the game's commercial performance to that of ''[[Ultima IX: Ascension]]'', Desslock remarked that "most of ''Torment''{{'s}} sales have been in the year 2000, while ''Ascension''{{'s}} sales were predominantly in 1999, even though ''Ascension'' was released later in 1999 than ''Torment''." He attributed ''Torment''{{'s}} relative sales growth in its second year to positive reviews and [[word of mouth]].<ref name=desslocksales2 />

In the United Kingdom, ''Torment'' appeared at No. 3 on [[Chart-Track]]'s weekly computer game sales list for the January 9–15, 2000 period.<ref name="charttrack1">{{cite web | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050206153259/http://www.cdmag.com/articles/025/174/chart_trak_jan22.html | url=http://www.cdmag.com:80/articles/025/174/chart_trak_jan22.html | title=''Championship Manager: Season 99/00'' Tops U.K. Retail Charts | date=January 26, 2000 | author=Fudge, James | archive-date=February 6, 2005 | work=[[Computer Games Magazine]] | url-status=dead }}</ref> The game remained in the Chart-Track weekly top 5 for another two weeks,<ref name=charttrack1 /><ref name="charttrack2">{{cite web | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050209073738/http://www.cdmag.com/articles/026/009/chart_trak_jan29.html | url=http://www.cdmag.com:80/articles/026/009/chart_trak_jan29.html | title=''Championship Manager: Season 99/00'' still on top of U.K. Retail Charts | author=Fudge, James | date=February 3, 2000 | archive-date=February 9, 2005 | work=[[Computer Games Magazine]] | url-status=dead }}</ref> and secured a third-place debut on the firm's monthly top 10. Richie Shoemaker of ''[[PC Zone]]'' noted at the time, "January saw only one new release make an impact: the bizarre role-player from Black Isle Studios, ''Planescape: Torment''."<ref name="ctjan2000">{{cite journal | title=Charts; The ChartTrack Top 10 | author=Shoemaker, Richie | issue=87 | date=March 2000 | journal=[[PC Zone]] }}</ref> In the German market, the game sold 50,000 units by mid-2000, after debuting at No. 6 on the charts in January. It proceeded to claim positions 12, 30 and 53 from February through April. According to ''[[PC Player (German magazine)|PC Player]]'', Virgin Interactive was "only slightly disappointed" by its commercial performance in the region; writer Udo Hoffman noted that the game by nature was tailored to "a more mature and therefore smaller target group."<ref name="nach">{{cite journal | author=Hoffman, Udo | title=NachSpiel | journal=[[PC Player (German magazine)|PC Player]] | date=July 2000 | pages=26, 27 }}</ref>

Ernest Adams of [[Gamasutra]] later described ''Torment''{{'s}} overall performance as a "commercial disappointment".<ref name="Gama Adams" /> According to Chris Avellone, the game was not a major monetary success, but was ultimately profitable.<ref name="RPGWatch1" /> In 2017, Brian Fargo estimated the game's lifetime retail sales as roughly 400,000 units.<ref name="400k">{{cite web | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170720173213/http://www.rpgcodex.net/content.php?id=10604 | url=http://www.rpgcodex.net/content.php?id=10604 | title=RPG Codex Report: A Codexian Visit to inXile Entertainment | date=April 13, 2017 | archive-date=July 20, 2017 | work=RPG Codex | url-status=live }}</ref>

== Legacy ==
The game was re-released on DVD in 2009,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2009/10/27/planescape-torment-re-release/|title=Qualified Yays: Planescape Re-Release?|website=[[Rock Paper Shotgun]]|last=Gillen|first=Kieron|date=October 27, 2009|access-date=October 13, 2012|archive-date=May 12, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130512183200/http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2009/10/27/planescape-torment-re-release/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamersnexus.net/news/256-planescape-resurfaces|title=Planescape Resurfaces?|last=Burke|first=Steve|date=December 12, 2009|publisher=Gamer's Nexus|access-date=October 13, 2012|archive-date=June 11, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100611062104/http://www.gamersnexus.net/news/256-planescape-resurfaces|url-status=live}}</ref> and for purchase on [[GOG.com]] on September 28, 2010.<ref name="GOG">{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130629195403/http://www.gog.com/gamecard/planescape_torment|url= http://www.gog.com/gamecard/planescape_torment |title=Planescape: Torment on GOG.com |archive-date=June 29, 2013|access-date=April 12, 2017 }}</ref><ref name="tormentgog">{{cite web|url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/103831-Planescape-Torment-Comes-to-GOG|website=escapistmagazine.com|title=Planescape: Torment Comes to GOG|date=September 28, 2010|access-date=April 12, 2017|archive-date=August 23, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190823030543/http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/103831-Planescape-Torment-Comes-to-GOG|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="GOG-P:TRelease">{{cite web |url=http://www.gog.com/news/new_release_planescape_torment_1 |title=New release: Planescape: Torment |access-date=March 24, 2013 |archive-date=January 18, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160118020953/http://www.gog.com/news/new_release_planescape_torment_1 |url-status=live }}</ref> Following the announcement of ''[[Baldur's Gate: Enhanced Edition]]'', [[Beamdog]]'s [[Overhaul Games]] announced their intention to make overhauls of more games set in the ''Dungeons & Dragons'' universes, at first naming only ''Planescape: Torment''. They said that such a release would depend on the success of ''Baldur's Gate: Enhanced Edition''.<ref>{{cite news|last=Usher|first=William|title=Overhaul Games Want To Do A PlaneScape: Torment HD Remake|url=https://www.cinemablend.com/games/Overhaul-Games-Want-Do-PlaneScape-Torment-HD-Remake-40797.html|newspaper=Gaming Blend|date=March 25, 2012|access-date=March 24, 2013|archive-date=April 16, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130416022701/http://www.cinemablend.com/games/Overhaul-Games-Want-Do-PlaneScape-Torment-HD-Remake-40797.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In November 2012, ''Penny Arcade Report'' wrote that [[Brian Fargo]], the head of [[inXile Entertainment]], had acquired the rights to ''Torment''.<ref>{{cite news|last=Meer|first=Alec|title=Pleasure Without Planescape: A New Torment?|url=http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2012/12/03/pleasure-without-planescape-a-new-torment/|access-date=March 25, 2013|website=[[Rock Paper Shotgun]]|date=December 3, 2012|archive-date=December 6, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121206010137/http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2012/12/03/pleasure-without-planescape-a-new-torment/|url-status=live}}</ref> In January 2013, Brian Fargo announced that the [[spiritual successor]], titled ''[[Torment: Tides of Numenera]]'', was in production and would be set in the [[Numenera]] universe created by [[Monte Cook]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Meer|first=Alec|title=Post-Planescape: Fargo Reveals The Future Of Torment|url=http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2013/01/09/planescape-torment-sequel/#more-137374|access-date=March 25, 2013|website=[[Rock Paper Shotgun]]|date=January 9, 2013|archive-date=January 12, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130112003026/http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2013/01/09/planescape-torment-sequel/#more-137374|url-status=live}}</ref> The game's design was led by [[Colin McComb]], who helped design both the ''Planescape'' setting and ''Torment'', and was released in February 2017.<ref name="McComb"/><ref>{{cite web |last1=Hafer |first1=T.J. |title=Torment: Tides of Numenera interview with Colin McComb and Patrick Rothfuss |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/torment-tides-of-numenera-interview-with-colin-mccomb-and-patrick-rothfuss/ |website=PC Gamer |date=April 4, 2013 |access-date=June 30, 2018 |archive-date=January 11, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180111013734/http://www.pcgamer.com/torment-tides-of-numenera-interview-with-colin-mccomb-and-patrick-rothfuss/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Purchese |first1=Robert |title=The making of Torment: Tides of Numenera |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2017-03-14-the-making-of-torment-tides-of-numenera |website=Eurogamer |date=March 16, 2017 |access-date=June 30, 2018}}</ref> A sequel, titled ''Planescape: Unraveled'', was under development by Beamdog following the completion of ''[[Baldur's Gate: Siege of Dragonspear]]''. The project was designed by [[David Gaider]], with Avellone serving in a consulting capacity. However, it was ultimately cancelled in 2016.<ref name="PCGamer-Unraveled">{{cite web |last1=Wolens |first1=Joshua |title=One of the best RPG narratives ever told could have gotten a sequel from Dragon Age's creator if a single publisher had the good taste to throw money at it |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/games/rpg/one-of-the-best-rpg-narratives-ever-told-could-have-gotten-a-sequel-from-dragon-ages-creator-if-a-single-publisher-had-the-good-taste-to-throw-money-at-it/ |website=[[PC Gamer]] |publisher=[[Future plc]] |access-date=April 15, 2025 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250415121541/https://www.pcgamer.com/games/rpg/one-of-the-best-rpg-narratives-ever-told-could-have-gotten-a-sequel-from-dragon-ages-creator-if-a-single-publisher-had-the-good-taste-to-throw-money-at-it/ |archive-date=April 15, 2025 |date=April 15, 2025 |url-status=live}}</ref>

===''Enhanced Edition''===
{{Video game reviews
| MC = PC: 85/100<ref name="metacriticenhanced">{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/planescape-torment-enhanced-edition/critic-reviews/?platform=pc |title=Planescape: Torment - Enhanced Edition for PC Reviews |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |access-date=June 23, 2017 |archive-date=June 15, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170615061708/http://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/planescape-torment---enhanced-edition |url-status=live }}</ref>
| GStar = 85/100<ref name="gamestar">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamestar.de/artikel/planescape_torment_enhanced_edition,3312409.html |title=Planescape: Torment – Enhanced Edition im Test - Die Legende (wiederbe)lebt |publisher=[[Gameplanet]] |language=DE |date=April 7, 2017 |access-date=June 23, 2017 |archive-date=June 9, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170609045221/http://www.gamestar.de/artikel/planescape_torment_enhanced_edition,3312409.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
| HCG = {{rating|4.5|5}}<ref name="hardcoregamer">{{cite web |url=http://www.hardcoregamer.com/2017/05/03/review-planescape-torment-enhanced-edition/256221/ |title=Review: Planescape: Torment: Enhanced Edition |publisher=Hardcore Gamer |date=May 3, 2017 |access-date=June 23, 2017 |archive-date=July 7, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170707143046/http://www.hardcoregamer.com/2017/05/03/review-planescape-torment-enhanced-edition/256221/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
| TA = {{rating|5|5}}<ref>{{cite web |url=https://toucharcade.com/2017/04/18/planescape-torment-review/ |title='Planescape: Torment' Review – What Can Change the Nature of an App? |last=Fretz |first=Andrew |date=April 18, 2017 |website=[[TouchArcade]] |access-date=October 15, 2018 |archive-date=November 11, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181111201138/https://toucharcade.com/2017/04/18/planescape-torment-review/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
| rev1 = [[Gameplanet]]
| rev1Score = 9/10<ref name="gameplanet">{{cite web |url=http://www.gameplanet.com.au/pc/reviews/g58f5975670337/Planescape-Torment-Enhanced-Edition-review/ |title=Planescape: Torment Enhanced Edition review |publisher=[[Gameplanet]] |date=April 18, 2017 |access-date=June 23, 2017 |archive-date=June 28, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170628012258/http://www.gameplanet.com.au/pc/reviews/g58f5975670337/Planescape-Torment-Enhanced-Edition-review/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
}}

''Planescape: Torment: Enhanced Edition'', an upgraded version of the game, was created by [[Beamdog]] and released on April 11, 2017.<ref name="tormentee">{{cite news|url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/03/29/planescape-torment-enhanced-edition-review/|date=March 29, 2017|title=Planescape: Torment Enhanced Edition – an elegant remastering, with a few exceptions|website=[[Rock Paper Shotgun]]|access-date=April 12, 2017|archive-date=December 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201230141424/https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2017/03/29/planescape-torment-enhanced-edition-review/|url-status=live}}</ref> It was announced in March 2017 for Windows, [[macOS]], and [[Linux]] PCs, as well as for [[iOS]] and [[Android (operating system)|Android]] devices. It features similar improvements that Beamdog has done for the other enhanced editions. Avellone provided assistance by helping to curate the improvements to the game.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://venturebeat.com/2017/03/28/planescape-torment-gets-an-enhanced-edition-from-the-remaster-masters-at-beamdog/ | title = Planescape: Torment gets an Enhanced Edition from the remaster masters at Beamdog | first = Jason | last = Wilson | date = March 28, 2017 | access-date = March 28, 2017 | work = [[VentureBeat]] | archive-date = March 28, 2017 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170328111233/https://venturebeat.com/2017/03/28/planescape-torment-gets-an-enhanced-edition-from-the-remaster-masters-at-beamdog/ | url-status = live }}</ref> Beamdog had access to the original source code and design documents for the game, and through that were able to recover and include some content that was dropped from the original release, using Avellone's assistance to flesh out parts that were incomplete or missing. They otherwise did not significantly change the game, with the studio's CEO Trent Oster saying that making larger improvements to their work would have been comparable to "basically going in and repainting the smile on the Mona Lisa here".<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.pcgamesn.com/planescape-torment/planescape-torment-enhanced-edition-steam | title = Inside Planescape: Torment Enhanced Edition and "repainting the smile on the Mona Lisa" | first = Jeremy | last = Peel | date = March 28, 2017 | access-date = March 29, 2017 | work = [[PCGamesN]] | archive-date = March 29, 2017 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170329001930/https://www.pcgamesn.com//planescape-torment/planescape-torment-enhanced-edition-steam | url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.engadget.com/2017/03/28/planescape-torment-enhanced-edition/ | title = 'Planescape: Torment' remaster arrives on April 11th | first = Jon | last = Fingas | date = March 28, 2017 | access-date = March 28, 2017 | work = [[Engadget]] | archive-date = March 29, 2017 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170329022335/https://www.engadget.com/2017/03/28/planescape-torment-enhanced-edition/ | url-status = live }}</ref> Skybound Games, a division of [[Skybound Entertainment]], released Beamdog's remastered version to [[Nintendo Switch]], [[PlayStation 4]], and [[Xbox One]] on October 15, 2019.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://venturebeat.com/2019/02/07/walking-dead-creator-skybound-games-will-publish-beamdogs-classic-rpgs-to-consoles/ | title = Walking Dead creator Skybound Games will publish Beamdog's classic RPGs to consoles | first = Dean | last = Takahashi | date = February 7, 2019 | access-date = February 7, 2019 | work = [[Venture Beat]] | archive-date = December 5, 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20201205001318/https://venturebeat.com/2019/02/07/walking-dead-creator-skybound-games-will-publish-beamdogs-classic-rpgs-to-consoles/ | url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.engadget.com/2019/05/31/bioware-baldurs-gate-neverwinter-nights-console-release-date/ | title = Six Bioware classics are coming to consoles this fall | first = AJ | last = Dellinger | date = May 31, 2019 | access-date = May 31, 2019 | work = [[Engadget]] | archive-date = May 31, 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190531193112/https://www.engadget.com/2019/05/31/bioware-baldurs-gate-neverwinter-nights-console-release-date/ | url-status = live }}</ref>

{{clear}}

==References==
{{Notelist}}
{{reflist|refs=
<ref name=Empire2009>{{cite web|title=The 100 Greatest Games Of All Time|year=2009|url=https://www.empireonline.com/100greatestgames/|work=[[Empire (magazine)|Empire]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110515221956/http://www.empireonline.com/100greatestgames/|archive-date=May 15, 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref>
<ref name=GamingBolt>{{cite web|url=http://gamingbolt.com/top-100-greatest-video-games-ever-made |title=Top 100 greatest video games ever made |website=gamingbolt.com |publisher=GamingBolt |date=April 19, 2013 |access-date=December 30, 2014|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141026161536/http://gamingbolt.com/top-100-greatest-video-games-ever-made |archive-date=October 26, 2014 }}</ref>
<ref name=GI2009>{{cite magazine|last1=Cork|first1=Jeff|title=Game Informer's Top 100 Games Of All Time (Circa Issue 100)|url=https://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2009/11/16/game-informer-s-top-100-games-of-all-time-circa-issue-100.aspx|magazine=Game Informer|access-date=October 27, 2017|date=November 16, 2009|archive-date=May 3, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190503013613/https://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2009/11/16/game-informer-s-top-100-games-of-all-time-circa-issue-100.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref>
<ref name=HG101>{{cite web|title=HG101 Presents: The 200 Best Video Games of All Time|url=http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/books/hg101-presents-the-200-best-video-games-of-all-time/|website=hardcoregaming101.net|access-date=October 28, 2017|date=December 5, 2015|archive-date=October 29, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171029065018/http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/books/hg101-presents-the-200-best-video-games-of-all-time/|url-status=live}}</ref>
<ref name=Polygon>{{cite web|author=<!--Not stated-->|title=The 500 Best Video Games of All Time|url=https://www.polygon.com/features/2017/11/27/16158276/polygon-500-best-games-of-all-time-500-401|website=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon.com]]|access-date=December 1, 2017|date=November 27, 2017|archive-date=March 3, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180303210843/https://www.polygon.com/features/2017/11/27/16158276/polygon-500-best-games-of-all-time-500-401|url-status=live}}</ref>
}}

==Further reading==
*{{cite magazine|title=Planescape goes PC|last=Fannon|first=Sean Patrick|author-link=Sean Patrick Fannon|issue=52|magazine=[[InQuest Gamer]]|page=26|publisher=[[Wizard Entertainment]]|date=August 1999}}
*{{cite magazine|title=Painscape|last=Moscatello|first=Rick|magazine=[[The Duelist (magazine)|The Duelist]]|issue=32|publisher=[[Wizards of the Coast]]|page=88|date=November 1998}}
*{{Cite book |last=Torner |first=Evan |editor-last1=Payne|editor-first1= Matthew Thomas|editor-last2=Huntemann|editor-first2= Nina B.|url=https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.18574/nyu/9781479830404.003.0010/html|chapter=Planescape: Torment: Immersion |title=How to Play Video Games|date=2019 |publisher=New York University Press |isbn=978-1-4798-3040-4 |pages=52–58 |doi=10.18574/nyu/9781479830404.003.0010}}

==External links==
{{Wikiquote}}
* [http://planescape.com/ Official website]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/19991117131005/http://planescape-torment.com/ Official website (archived)]
* {{moby game|id=/planescape-torment|name=''Planescape: Torment''}}
* {{IMDb title|id=0187405|title=Planescape: Torment}}

{{Portal bar|1990s|Dungeons & Dragons|Speculative fiction|Video games}}
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{{Torment series}}
{{Black Isle Studios games}}
{{Dungeons & Dragons video games}}
{{featured article}}
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