How is Planescape?

[DraySkullan]

Hey guys, I've never played in the Planescape setting, although I've played D&D for 15 years probably. I'm more knowledgeable about Forgotten Realms, Basic, and I know some about Dragonlance. So how different is Planescape? I'm wanting to get Torment but if it's all whacky like Dark Sun or Spelljammer I probably wont be able to get into it. Thoughts?

[fable]

Define "whacky."

As for gameplay, it's very similar to BG2, with a heavy dose of characterization. The game can be played with plenty of combat, and with rather more attention paid to conversation and puzzles.

[DraySkullan]

No, I'm not talking about gameplay, more of the setting as a whole. What makes the Planescape setting different from say, Forgotten Realms?

[Andaar Amberfire]

P:T is set in and around Sigil, the City of Doors. Sigil is a semi-normal city (the artwork ranges from typical Athkatla type architecture to very strange) and all manner of creatures walk the streets, such as fiends, humans, githzerai, githyanki, tieflings, etc.

Sigil is not the only place you travel though. As you go thru the game, u travel to many different planes and some of them are quite strange. But trust me, I didn't quite like the atmosphere at first, but after I got used to the gameplay and into the storyline (which is probably the greatest i've ever come across) I realised that the atmosphere becomes very appealing as it is an accessory to the storyline (or something...er...).

Even if you are put of by the atmosphere, I strongly suggest you try this game. It has to be the one of the best games I've ever played...right up there with BG2, Deus Ex and even Pong .

Andaar Amberfire
Lawful Good Cavalier
Servant of Amaunator
Aerie's b*tch

[Spinagon]

Planescape is absolutely the best setting in AD&D history (of course I'm biased). I'm actually obsessed with it. Planescape encompasses all other known settings into one major setting PLUS all the outer and inner planes! Planescape is the "setting behind the scenes" of every other setting. It has the most depth, color, adventure and fun of 'em all. Once you go Planescape...you don't go......uh...UN-Planescape!

[Ravager]

Originally Posted by DraySkullan

No, I'm not talking about gameplay, more of the setting as a whole. What makes the Planescape setting different from say, Forgotten Realms?

Say in BGII when you occasionly face demons, they come from another plane in the multiverse (an evil based one). Planescape operates on these planes.

Faerun (or Forgotten Realms) is just a very small part of the multiverse. In the game you will travel to different planes and have party members that are very different in their beliefs, but unlike in Faerun they come form different planes that are based on that whole alignment.

And I agree, it's a great storyline, even though you play an immortal character

[Vladimir]

The key to enjoying this game is having a mind open. I also did not like the setting at first but the Planescape:Torment novel, if one was ever written, would eclipse The Lord of the Rings in length if not quality. Even though you can't really choose your character the level of freedom in where you can take him is superb. The things I had to get used to was the no armor/swords thing as I'm a Paladin at heart. Just think of it as a very low tech setting. It's cheap as hell now and you're money won't be wasted. Just make sure you get the fixer from the .org.

[CFM]

My all-time favorite setting is Ravenloft.
I'm familiar with the Forgotten Realms setting (only via Bioware games).
I've never done anything directly with the Spelljammer or Dark Sun settings.
Nor Panescape, before recently starting Torment.

I take your description of "whacky" to mean different, unique, or otherwise unlike the typical D&D setting most people think of: the Medieval Ages, with varying doses of monsters and magic, such as Tolkien's Middle Earth. From what I've seen, the Forgotten Realms would certainly be the most "un-whacky".

I'm two-thirds of the way thru Torment, my only exposure to the Planescape setting. So my thoughts, for what it's worth:

I too prefer the "un-whacky" settings. I've never been a fan of Spelljammer, Dark Sun, or any of the other "whacky" settings. But Planescape is an interesting mix of *all* the settings. Unfamiliar yet somehow very familiar, because, as previous posts have mentioned, Sigil ties all the settings together. In various places, Torment seems to be referencing a certain setting, but I can only guess because I'm only familiar with a few. And that is what I find interesting: because Sigil ties all the settings together, the history of the *Planescape* setting is the vast rich histories of *all* the settings.

With that said... Planscape is a nice setting to visit, but I'm not sure I'd want to live there, so to speak, as my favorite setting. But I will leave you with this: the story is ABSOLUTELY AMAZING. You may or may not be into Planescape-, but you should definitely play it once for the -Torment.

[Vladimir]

Originally Posted by CFM

the story is ABSOLUTELY AMAZING. You may or may not be into Planescape-, but you should definitely play it once for the -Torment.

That just had to be said twice.