"A uniquely memorable experience"

When I first got this game, I had already read some fairly good reviews, so I was expecting a wonderful game. This game delivered in every sense, living up to its reputation.

I have played many RPG’s, but this one stands out as one of the most memorable. For starters, the plot and premise is unlike any I have encountered. Truly unique plots are rare these days, so I was very pleasantly surprised at this game’s storyline. Though there were some clichés, and the final fight boiled down to a typical RPG (save the world, etc.), the process and premise was so unique that it still felt totally fresh. I mean, in how many RPG’s have you ever played, you literally cannot die? The game definitely sets up this aspect of the plot very well, impressing even a very jaded RPG player (me).

The role playing elements of this game were also done very well. The engine used in this game is similar to that used in Baldur’s Gate, but the character attributes, skills and development are significantly different. Therefore, this game did not feel like a mere rehash of Baldur’s Gate with another plot and different world. The way the characters develop is so drastically different that indeed it seems like a totally different game that just happened to use a similar engine as Baldur’s Gate.

Gameplay was also near perfect. The combat system is similar to that of Baldur’s Gate, with the pause-and-issue-commands in real time situation. However, spells were done very nicely, with some of the more powerful spells receiving separate CG sequences similar to Final Fantasy. This system works very well, and it seems that the axiom “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” was applied here. While there wasn’t much innovation, this in no way detracts from the game… using an already perfectly established system appropriately should not be frowned upon.

Quests were generally done well in this game, though one small gripe I had with certain quests was that they seemed to be basic item delivery. These made the game feel tedious at points, but since these quests were not the main quests in the game, and served to reveal some interesting and juicy aspects of the world of Sigil, they did not detract too badly from the overall gameplay. Overall, the quests were enjoyable and innovative, moving the storyline along at a good pace.

Speaking of the storyline, I consider Planescape to have the best storyline of any PC RPG I’ve ever played. The story is magnificent, deep, and moving. It truly touched me, made me feel for the characters and their plights, and made me think. This is not your typical pseudo-philosophical rehash; there are truly valuable insights to be gained. Questions are raised, mysteries are revealed, and all is eventually answered satisfactorily. The story alone is worth the purchase of this game.

Graphics and sound were done nicely in this game. Overall, the graphics were very polished, giving this game a very enjoyable, coherent feel. The characters are well animated, and cities are very stylish and well themed. Sound is also a big plus in this game, with some very beautiful pieces. Though a lot of the music was merely sounds and rather boring, occasionally, a wonderful piece astounded me. In this way, the dark and magical atmosphere is perfectly established.

I had a difficult time deciding whether this game merited a perfect 10/10, or a still excellent 9/10. In truth, this game is not a very innovative RPG in terms of gameplay or engine. Even the graphics, while they work very well together, do not truly astound or bring about a new level of greatness. This game does not establish a new benchmark for RPG’s. Rather, this game is a very well made RPG using already existing elements.

However, in the end, I gave this game a 10, because of the excellent story, and the coherence and style of the other elements. This game truly merits all the praise it received, and it is one of my most highly recommended RPG’s. It is a truly wonderful experience.

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 01/20/04