Torment: Tides of Numenera was a game I was looking forward to for two reasons. One it is a spiritual successor to Planescape Torment, one of the best games ever made. The other is that it uses the Numenera Tabletop game as its setting, and Numenera is a game I have played often. So I had high hopes for this game. What I got was something a bit more than I expected.
TToN is unlike most RPGs, it is a thinking person’s RPG, more than any other. Whereas games like Fallout require a bit more action, Torment is a different beast altogether. The game is far more philosophical than people may expect. It asks deep questions, but the writing never lectures and it actually feels natural. It also references other parts of the Numenera setting and as a fan, that just made me feel giddy at times.
Torment is a deep game and one you can get lost in for hours. The gameplay does take a while to get used to, but once you do, it feels rewarding. This is designed as a throwback to the classic era of western RPGs as well as bringing in some modern aspects. Overall, I think the two have been blended very well, leading to a quality product.
If I had one complaint it is that I had some control issues. I played this on the PS4 and for some reason, at random times the controls became non responsive. When I say randomly, I truly mean it, as there was no rhyme or reason as to why these control issues happened. It really did get in the way of the game and I hope a patch can fix this soon.
A high point in the game, by contrast, was the audio and visuals. The game has an incredible soundtrack and a great art style as well. The two work together to give you a sense of nostalgia while still being firmly rooted in the modern day. I love it, when a game can accomplish that, and with Torment, it did so with amazing results.
All in all, if not for the control issues I experienced, I would say this is a perfect game. As it is, I will still recommend it, especially since a patch is likely. This is just an awesome experience and one I truly enjoyed.