ElDirector Torment: Tides of Numenera Review

Torment: Tides of Numenera is an experience well worth living for role-playing game lovers. It’s not only a wonderful introduction to the world created by Monte Cook, but also food for the imagination, for reflection, and for creative inspiration. It’s no longer just about its strong setting or the curiosity its strange scenarios awaken in the inquisitive player, but also about the suggestiveness of its stories. Even when they fall into certain clichés (and not all of them do, and only in terms of background), they still end up conveying something meaningful — an idea, a problem, or a reflection to take with you. Beneath it all, the main storyline leads us down a path that constantly challenges us to define who we are as the "Last Castoff", inviting us to take part in a nuanced exploration of identity — one that embraces inconsistency, transformation, and multiplicity through the game’s Tides system. The gameplay is simple, but engaging, especially when it comes to skill checks. Managing your Effort points to avoid sleeping and letting the story advance without you makes every attempt feel like a gamble — particularly early on, when replenishing items are harder to find. The game’s Achilles' heel is definitely combat. If there are too many enemies on screen, it becomes tedious, with enemies wasting leftover movement wandering aimlessly. There's also a notorious bug in a side quest that may force you to redo what is probably one of the longest battles in the game. It's clear the focus was on delivering a strong narrative with meaningful consequences, rather than on the “Crises” (as the combat encounters are called). Honestly, I think that’s the right call. Combat is a very secondary part of the experience — I had maybe 10 fights in over 30 hours. They’re mostly avoidable and often feel anecdotal. At least half of the battles I encountered could have been skipped (or at least felt that way). If you’re someone who enjoys this niche of games — where story and decisions matter, where ideas are provocative, and the setting is rich and immersive — this is an absolute must-play. But PLEASE: don’t compare it to Planescape: Torment, nor expect it to be the same. It’s a spiritual successor, not a direct one. They don’t share the same universe. This is not a sequel. Judge it on its own merits, not through nostalgia. If you’re looking to relive your first time in Planescape, this isn’t the place. Take it as something new.