Poll: Planescape Torment v. Arcanum of Steamworks

[vasiD]

Now that Halloween is over, and I've cleared all the Horror games I stuff between parties and school at this time of year, I'm looking for an old school RPG to play and it's come down to two classics, neither of which I have touched, but both of which I own (GOG.com <333). Really this is a question of which first and why.

Planescape Torment or Arcanum of Steamworks?

Once you've chosen, you'll have to pass a CH roll to persuade me.

 

[The Madman]

Planescape: Torment has inarguably the better story, which is among the best in the gaming industry in terms of intricacies and substance. It also boasts an extremely memorable cast of characters with some fantastically well written dialogue and emotional depth, again some of the best in the industry. So if it's a narrative experience you're after Planescape: Torment is the one you want.

It's not without flaws however. The combat, which mercifully there isn't much of, is pretty mediocre at absolute best and well over 90% of the game takes place via dialogue, so you'd better enjoy reading. It's also quite a long and unforgiving game at times which is why a lot of people tend to have trouble getting into, though I always encourage them to keep trying.

So brilliant narrative experience, probably one of the best in the gaming industry, but it's also more of an interactive book than an actual game. Visuals are alright though once the widescreen mod is added and the soundtrack, mmm, great soundtrack!

Arcanum is a different sort of beast entirely by comparisson, and not without it's own comparable strengths and weakness. In terms of narrative the actual story isn't nearly as good as that of Planescape and the game has relatively few memorable characters HOWEVER Arcanum makes up for much of this by being one of the better games out there for player interactions. What do I mean by that? What you play and how you play them can make a pretty big difference in the game, ensuring no two playthrough are quite alike.

So it's not as complex or emotional as Planescape, but it is more malleable and interactive. Gameplay is... meh. Not terrible, not great. It's more Diabloish than anything and it doesn't do that terribly well, but still its serviceable. Can't say the gameplay ever really made me want to stop playing, but it was never the driving force to continue either. Same with visuals; not terrible, not great.

Again, neat soundtrack though.

Both games actually have really unique and fantastic setting, but while Planescape's is a ton of fun to explore and probably sticks with you longer, Arcanum's does have the advantage of letting you explore more of their world and letting you try more things. Can't think of any other game out there save maybe Fallout 2 that gives you quite as many options with character creation and play. You really can do and be just about anything in Arcanums setting, from a monocled elven wizard to a Dwarven mechanist to a crazed prostitute with a flamethrower... probably one of my most unique rpg characters to date. Helluva lot of fun though!

 

[Frission]

Depends, do you have a backlog of games? If so then get Planescape. If not then get Arcanum. It has more replay value.

 

[vasiD]

Planescape: Torment has inarguably the better story, which is among the best in the gaming industry in terms of intricacies and substance. It also boasts an extremely memorable cast of characters with some fantastically well written dialogue and emotional depth, again some of the best in the industry. So if it's a narrative experience you're after Planescape: Torment is the one you want.

It's not without flaws however. The combat, which mercifully there isn't much of, is pretty mediocre at absolute best and well over 90% of the game takes place via dialogue, so you'd better enjoy reading. It's also quite a long and unforgiving game at times which is why a lot of people tend to have trouble getting into, though I always encourage them to keep trying.

So brilliant narrative experience, probably one of the best in the gaming industry, but it's also more of an interactive book than an actual game. Visuals are alright though once the widescreen mod is added and the soundtrack, mmm, great soundtrack!

Arcanum is a different sort of beast entirely by comparisson, and not without it's own comparable strengths and weakness. In terms of narrative the actual story isn't nearly as good as that of Planescape and the game has relatively few memorable characters HOWEVER Arcanum makes up for much of this by being one of the better games out there for player interactions. What do I mean by that? What you play and how you play them can make a pretty big difference in the game, ensuring no two playthrough are quite alike.

So it's not as complex or emotional as Planescape, but it is more malleable and interactive. Gameplay is... meh. Not terrible, not great. It's more Diabloish than anything and it doesn't do that terribly well, but still its serviceable. Can't say the gameplay ever really made me want to stop playing, but it was never the driving force to continue either. Same with visuals; not terrible, not great.

Again, neat soundtrack though.

Both games actually have really unique and fantastic setting, but while Planescape's is a ton of fun to explore and probably sticks with you longer, Arcanum's does have the advantage of letting you explore more of their world and letting you try more things. Can't think of any other game out there save maybe Fallout 2 that gives you quite as many options with character creation and play. You really can do and be just about anything in Arcanums setting, from a monocled elven wizard to a Dwarven mechanist to a crazed prostitute with a flamethrower... probably one of my most unique rpg characters to date. Helluva lot of fun though!

Nice, thanks for the in depth post, I think you've swayed me on Arcanum (though Planescape will follow it as I do love reading a well written story) if only so I can beat it and make another character (something I LOVE doing in the only other Troika game I've played).

Weird, I figured a threat pitting these two CRPG titian would garner more interest... I've still got a lot going on up until the weekend (and even then really), so I'll give people until then to sway me, otherwise I'm calling it for Arcanum.

VOTES BE DAMNED! THIS MAN PASSED THE CH ROLL!

 

[R3dF41c0n]

My vote is for Arcanum because I'm currently playing through it. I haven't played Planescape yet but its on my short list.

 

[DarkhoIlow]

I haven't had the chance to play Planescape Torment,but if I would try now my graphical tolerance won't let me unfortunately.

I did play Arcanum back in the day and loved every waking hour within it.

 

[charge52]

Nice, thanks for the in depth post, I think you've swayed me on Arcanum (though Planescape will follow it as I do love reading a well written story) if only so I can beat it and make another character (something I LOVE doing in the only other Troika game I've played).

Weird, I figured a threat pitting these two CRPG titian would garner more interest... I've still got a lot going on up until the weekend (and even then really), so I'll give people until then to sway me, otherwise I'm calling it for Arcanum.

VOTES BE DAMNED! THIS MAN PASSED THE CH ROLL!

If you do get Arcanum(Highly recommended, for all the reasons listed) then here are a few hints.(so you don't fuck yourself)
1) Download a community patch, it's buggy, so just to be safe make sure it's got the best patch.(Terra Arcanum seems to be the best)
2) Use multiple save slots. Even with a community patch it may still bug, and some bugs can fuck you right up if you only have one save slot for a character. Best practice would be to just use a new slot every time you save.
3)Magic and Tech skills don't work together, don't make a Hybrid of them.
4)It's not junk, take it. If you don't think it's worth anything and you need the space fine, but take everything, you never know when it will be useful.

That's all I can think of, trust me, you will love Arcanum, especially if you like replaying.

 

[DayDark]

I voted for arcanum, argueably planescape seem to have the most detailed story, but I would say that arcanum is much more of a actual game, and perhaps a bit more tranditional roleplaying experience? I have yet to complete either one, but from my experience with the two, you have a bit more control over who you want your character to be in arcanum, while planescape is more about finding out who your character actually is, as a person.

I guess to some up my experience:

planescape: story > traditional roleplay

arcanum: story < traditional roleplay

 

[Denamic]

Torment.
Arcanum is no doubt the better game in terms of gameplay, having a much less infuriating interface and better combat. It even looks better. But Torment has so much better writing. The world and your place in it is much better fleshed out, and it draws you in something fierce. Its cast of characters is also vastly superior. Virgil is probably the best character in Arcanum, and he doesn't hold a candle to any of the characters in Torment.

I love both games, but Torment holds a special place in my heart-cavity, not because of nostalgia, but because I love za warudo.

"If there is anything I have learned in my travels across the Planes, it is that many things may change the nature of a man. Whether regret, or love, or revenge or fear - whatever you believe can change the nature of a man, can. I've seen belief move cities, make men stave off death, and turn an evil hag's heart half-circle. This entire Fortress has been constructed from belief. Belief damned a woman, whose heart clung to the hope that another loved her when he did not. Once, it made a man seek immortality and achieve it. And it has made a posturing spirit think it is something more than a part of me."
- The Nameless One

Fuck yes.

 

[vasiD]

Nice, thanks for the in depth post, I think you've swayed me on Arcanum (though Planescape will follow it as I do love reading a well written story) if only so I can beat it and make another character (something I LOVE doing in the only other Troika game I've played).

Weird, I figured a threat pitting these two CRPG titian would garner more interest... I've still got a lot going on up until the weekend (and even then really), so I'll give people until then to sway me, otherwise I'm calling it for Arcanum.

VOTES BE DAMNED! THIS MAN PASSED THE CH ROLL!

If you do get Arcanum(Highly recommended, for all the reasons listed) then here are a few hints.(so you don't fuck yourself)
1) Download a community patch, it's buggy, so just to be safe make sure it's got the best patch.(Terra Arcanum seems to be the best)
2) Use multiple save slots. Even with a community patch it may still bug, and some bugs can fuck you right up if you only have one save slot for a character. Best practice would be to just use a new slot every time you save.
3)Magic and Tech skills don't work together, don't make a Hybrid of them.
4)It's not junk, take it. If you don't think it's worth anything and you need the space fine, but take everything, you never know when it will be useful.

That's all I can think of, trust me, you will love Arcanum, especially if you like replaying.

Thanks for the advice.. I'm weird in how I play RPGs in that I'll usually only keep a few save slots (best not to look too far back I feel, lest you spoil your RP), so that might have doomed me to frustration. Now I'll know better.

 

[BeeGeenie]

Mmmm... Torment. Dat setting. Dat plot. Dat music/ambient sound. Dat... er... Dose Characters.

Although Arcanum sounds intriguing. I'll have to give it a look.

 

[vasiD]

Torment.
Arcanum is no doubt the better game in terms of gameplay, having a much less infuriating interface and better combat. It even looks better. But Torment has so much better writing. The world and your place in it is much better fleshed out, and it draws you in something fierce. Its cast of characters is also vastly superior. Virgil is probably the best character in Arcanum, and he doesn't hold a candle to any of the characters in Torment.

I love both games, but Torment holds a special place in my heart-cavity, not because of nostalgia, but because I love za warudo.

"If there is anything I have learned in my travels across the Planes, it is that many things may change the nature of a man. Whether regret, or love, or revenge or fear - whatever you believe can change the nature of a man, can. I've seen belief move cities, make men stave off death, and turn an evil hag's heart half-circle. This entire Fortress has been constructed from belief. Belief damned a woman, whose heart clung to the hope that another loved her when he did not. Once, it made a man seek immortality and achieve it. And it has made a posturing spirit think it is something more than a part of me."
- The Nameless One

Fuck yes.

That writing is epic, and I've already played about the first hour or so (had to try it out, but I had bought a few other games at the same time and for some reason they took my eye. Possibly a graphics thing as I was still weaning myself off of Skyrim, still maybe not as I've been a long time Fallout 2 fan) and it sucked me in like a triple-cunted-hooker...

Solid CH roll right here, and I'm back to being torn about it.

 

[charge52]

Nice, thanks for the in depth post, I think you've swayed me on Arcanum (though Planescape will follow it as I do love reading a well written story) if only so I can beat it and make another character (something I LOVE doing in the only other Troika game I've played).

Weird, I figured a threat pitting these two CRPG titian would garner more interest... I've still got a lot going on up until the weekend (and even then really), so I'll give people until then to sway me, otherwise I'm calling it for Arcanum.

VOTES BE DAMNED! THIS MAN PASSED THE CH ROLL!

If you do get Arcanum(Highly recommended, for all the reasons listed) then here are a few hints.(so you don't fuck yourself)
1) Download a community patch, it's buggy, so just to be safe make sure it's got the best patch.(Terra Arcanum seems to be the best)
2) Use multiple save slots. Even with a community patch it may still bug, and some bugs can fuck you right up if you only have one save slot for a character. Best practice would be to just use a new slot every time you save.
3)Magic and Tech skills don't work together, don't make a Hybrid of them.
4)It's not junk, take it. If you don't think it's worth anything and you need the space fine, but take everything, you never know when it will be useful.

That's all I can think of, trust me, you will love Arcanum, especially if you like replaying.

Thanks for the advice.. I'm weird in how I play RPGs in that I'll usually only keep a few save slots (best not to look too far back I feel, lest you spoil your RP), so that might have doomed me to frustration. Now I'll know better.

I used to do the same as you, then Arcanum decided it was time for me to learn. Thankfully I fucked up early on, I had to get into a basement, and I didn't have enough pickpocket skill, so I decided to stealthily murder the guy, no witnesses. Of course a bug caused my NPC ally, a noble chap, to report me to the guards. My poor poor little half elf, his stolen enchanted dagger and chest plate meant nothing when faced against the entire city watch.

Have fun in the delightfully cruel world of Arcanum!

 

[charge52]

That writing is epic, and I've already played about the first hour or so (had to try it out, but I had bought a few other games at the same time and for some reason they took my eye. Possibly a graphics thing as I was still weaning myself off of Skyrim, still maybe not as I've been a long time Fallout 2 fan) and it sucked me in like a triple-cunted-hooker...

Solid CH roll right here, and I'm back to being torn about it.

Let us end this indecision now, tell me lad, what kind of CRPG would you like to play, give me what kind of stuff you would like to see in it(all of it please, no matter how silly), and let us see which game suits you best!

 

[vasiD]

That writing is epic, and I've already played about the first hour or so (had to try it out, but I had bought a few other games at the same time and for some reason they took my eye. Possibly a graphics thing as I was still weaning myself off of Skyrim, still maybe not as I've been a long time Fallout 2 fan) and it sucked me in like a triple-cunted-hooker...

Solid CH roll right here, and I'm back to being torn about it.

Let us end this indecision now, tell me lad, what kind of CRPG would you like to play, give me what kind of stuff you would like to see in it(all of it please, no matter how silly), and let us see which game suits you best!

Interesting, that's a good way to decide this. I'm detecting a special dialogue choice due to your high INT.

Hmm, it's a good question...

The thing is I sort of know what both of these games contain (at least, on the surface) and I could go for either. On one hand a dark exploration into the realm of death shrouded in mysteries for me to unfold sounds awesome... That said, Steampunk is my second favorite genre of fiction (behind Cyberpunk... Oh Shadowrun Returns... come out already!).

I suppose what I'm really looking for is an absurdly fun adventure where I can really get my role play on, craft an interesting character and send them into an interesting world to both fuck it up and save it while interacting with interesting characters and defeating hate-inspiring rivals.

Also, and this may be slightly random... but you said no matter how silly: I've always wanted a game where I could fly around the world in a zeppelin terrorizing the local government for the good of the people... A steam/cyberpunk 1984 meets Robin Hood if you will...

 

[veloper]

Planescape.
Arcanum may have so much more in the way of character creation and C&C, but the combat is more annoying there than the weak encounters found in Planescape.
Planescape gets more points for the setting and the characters and the plot and the theme. You should still try both though.

 

[IFS]

I've played both, and I have to say while they are both good planescape is by far the better. The writing and story as well as the characters and setting are all fantastically well done. Arcanum presents an interesting fantasy world, but its setting is not nearly as interesting as planescape. For combat both games can be said to be somewhat lackluster (of course combat is avoidable in both) but I personally preferred planescapes combat to Arcanum's, Arcanum is also the buggier of the two, I have had at least two playthroughs ended because my game got a bug that prevented me from progressing in Arcanum. For speech, Arcanum has a variety of interesting options, but nothing compared to what planescape presents, with dialogue options affected by almost every stat (charisma, int, and wisdom present better persuasive choices, dex might let you use subtle ations like poison or pickpoket, strength might let you snap someones neck or threaten them etc). As for replay value there are more builds to try in Arcanum, but I'd say planescape is just as good in that there are tons of different ways to play your character, if not as many builds.

Final verdict, planescape is better in my opinion, but both are great games.

 

[charge52]

That writing is epic, and I've already played about the first hour or so (had to try it out, but I had bought a few other games at the same time and for some reason they took my eye. Possibly a graphics thing as I was still weaning myself off of Skyrim, still maybe not as I've been a long time Fallout 2 fan) and it sucked me in like a triple-cunted-hooker...

Solid CH roll right here, and I'm back to being torn about it.

Let us end this indecision now, tell me lad, what kind of CRPG would you like to play, give me what kind of stuff you would like to see in it(all of it please, no matter how silly), and let us see which game suits you best!

Interesting, that's a good way to decide this. I'm detecting a special dialogue choice due to your high INT.

Hmm, it's a good question...

The thing is I sort of know what both of these games contain (at least, on the surface) and I could go for either. On one hand a dark exploration into the realm of death shrouded in mysteries for me to unfold sounds awesome... That said, Steampunk is my second favorite genre of fiction (behind Cyberpunk... Oh Shadowrun Returns... come out already!).

I suppose what I'm really looking for is an absurdly fun adventure where I can really get my role play on, craft an interesting character and send them into an interesting world to both fuck it up and save it while interacting with interesting characters and defeat hate-inspiring rivals.

Also, and this may be slightly random... but you said no matter how silly: I've always wanted a game where I could fly around the world in a zeppelin terrorizing the local government for the good of the people... A steam/cyberpunk 1984 meets Robin Hood if you will...

What can I say, I decided to roll a Mage.

Hmmm, while I haven't finished both of them(about 80% of the way through Planescape), I would say Arcanum might be more your style. While you do get a great deal of control over what the Nameless one acts like, he will always be the same guy, which limits roleplay to something he could believably do(for example, in Planescape you can't see how characters would have reacted to you had you been an Elf or Dwarf). The characters in Planescape may be better written but both have a lot of interesting characters, and some people can genuinely be a friend or enemy based on your choices. Oh, and if you so feel, you can become a god and kill everyone you meet. You can't really do the main story doing that(unless you plan the murders accordingly), but you can still do it.

Yes... I can see it now, a Half Elf with an Elephant gun, shooting guards and helping the poor. I have seen my next playthrough, and it is glorious

 

[vasiD]

What can I say, I decided to roll a Mage.

Hmmm, while I haven't finished both of them(about 80% of the way through Planescape), I would say Arcanum might be more your style. While you do get a great deal of control over what the Nameless one acts like, he will always be the same guy, which limits roleplay to something he could believably do(for example, in Planescape you can't see how characters would have reacted to you had you been an Elf or Dwarf). The characters in Planescape may be better written but both have a lot of interesting characters, and some people can genuinely be a friend or enemy based on your choices. Oh, and if you so feel, you can become a god and kill everyone you meet. You can't really do the main story doing that(unless you plan the murders accordingly), but you can still do it.

Yes... I can see it now, a Half Elf with an Elephant gun, shooting guards and helping the poor. I have seen my next playthrough, and it is glorious

Okay, that sounds pretty awesome. I do think I will go with Arcanum (however I can tell everyone that I'll be beating Torment directly after it). I mean... become a god and kill everyone? That's another one of my favorite RP concepts (Skyrim I added in a mod to allow me to kill everyone and make vampires out those who wouldn't turn, making my world something akin to that of Legacy of Kain Soul Reaver).

Plus I can add another layer to my Robin Hood by making him an elf fighting against racism (through of course secret night murders).

Damn but I love a good CRPG, so excited to start this one. And by the time I've finished these two I'm betting Shadowrun Returns will be out, from there I should have enough top-down glory to tide me over until Project Eternity.