Planescape: Torment
Shares rank 21 of 33 role-playing games by recommenders
Recommended for its story and writing, which many consider among the best in video games. Combat is the common caveat, as critics find it less engaging than the story.
Recommended for its story and writing, which many consider among the best in video games. Combat is the common caveat, as critics find it less engaging than the story.
8 people gave an opinion
- recommend it
- 6
- criticize it
- 2
- approval share
- 75%
Recommended in 4 of 13 months
- November 2025: not recommended
- December 2025: recommended
- January 2026: not recommended
- February 2026: not recommended
- March 2026: not recommended
- April 2026: recommended
- May 2026: recommended
- June 2026: not recommended
- July 2026: not recommended
- August 2026: not recommended
- September 2026: recommended
- October 2026: not recommended
- November 2026: not recommended (month in progress)
Why it doesn’t carry the badge
- 6 people recommend itNeeds 10 or more, not met.
- 3 recommenders for every criticNeeds 2 to 1 or better, met.
- Recommended in 4 of 13 monthsNeeds 4 or more, met.
The same three rules apply to every product, and the badge can’t be bought. How the badge works
What people say about it
The reasons people give, with the number of comments that give each one. Open a reason to read what they said.
Why people recommend it
Each mark is one comment
Story and plot praised as best
“had one of the best plots ever in video games”
Comment from 2 Dec 2025 in “Fallout 2's Chris Avellone describes his game design philosophy” Lives up to its reputation
“it's got the rep for a reason. Although it's been nigh 30 years I can't bring myself to spoil it. It's a good 'un.”
Comment from 27 May 2026 in “The Melancholy of Slaying Monsters” Similar feel to Disco Elysium
“For similar feels, check out Disco Elysium”
Comment from 21 Sep 2026 in “Grim Fandango Puzzle Document (1996) [pdf]”
What people warn about
Each mark is one comment
Combat is less engaging
“skip the newer Torment form inXile”
Comment from 10 Apr 2026 in “Ask HN: Any Interesting Niche Hobbies?” Skip the inXile version
“skip the newer Torment form inXile”
Comment from 10 Apr 2026 in “Ask HN: Any Interesting Niche Hobbies?”
Other role-playing games people recommend
The four most recommended other role-playing games, with the same counts for each, so you can compare like for like. The tick on each bar marks the 2 to 1 line the badge needs.
| Product | Recommend | Criticize | Approval | Months | Owned | Badge |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baldur's Gate 3 | 71 | 11 | 87% | 11 | — | Approved |
| Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 | 58 | 10 | 85% | 11 | — | Approved |
| Ultima VII Revisited | 24 | 7 | 77% | 7 | — | Approved |
| Disco Elysium | 23 | 1 | 96% | 8 | — | Approved |
| Planescape: TormentThis page | 6 | 2 | 75% | 4 | — | — |
What people said
6 of the 8 comments that mention it, newest first. Each links to the original comment.
“For similar feels, check out Disco Elysium”
“it's got the rep for a reason. Although it's been nigh 30 years I can't bring myself to spoil it. It's a good 'un.”
“Planescape: Torment 20 years after it was new.”
“if you like the story aspect, combat is less engaging in this one”
“skip the newer Torment form inXile”
“had one of the best plots ever in video games”
Counts come from 1,795,640 Hacker News comments, November 2025 to November 2026. How we count. Report a mistake.