@ArbitraryWater
A lot of people have criticized Planescape Torment's (PT's) combat, and while it was not quite as deep as the other infinty engine titles it was by no means crap and definitely not game-breaking. The main issue with the combat was a lack of abilities and character customization. There are only three classes you can pick for the main character, (fighter, thief, mage) and this limits the tactical options you have. There are also only seven available party members: two fighters (one of which arrives very late game), one fighter/mage, one thief, one priest, one mage, and one bard/ranged attacker dude. This pales in comparison to the Baldur's Gate and Icewind Dale games which gave you far more character classes to pick from and thus a wider range of tactics.
In the end however, I think the combat is deep enough to be interesting. Also, the game is oldschool in that there is no level scale built into enemies. People used to playing games like Oblivion or Fallout 3 may be surprised to find that they actually need to level their character before taking on a boss. In the long run this makes the combat much much better by forcing players to maximize every resource they have on tougher fights.
Even though PT is my favorite game I'm not sure it can be called among the most significant games of all time because in the end it did not introduce anything particularly unique to its genre besides its quality. It's formula for success was simple. Infinity engine rpg + Outstanding authorship = Win. No one has matched the level of authorship that went into that game, probably because the vast majority of video game developers know they don't have the writing skills to create something of that caliber. It's just so much more cerebral and involving than the average fair. In this sense, I sort of see the game as an anomoly.
On the other hand, PT might have more potential for a blockbuster next-gen remake than any other rpg franchise out there. However they would have to stick very close to the original source material or risk screwing up the one thing that made it so good. The main reason I think PT could be recieved well as a remake is that many rpg players these days don't care too much about deeper tactical combat in their games. Fable II, Fallout 3, Oblivion, and even Mass Effect all featured relatively shallow combat systems and still did very well with audiences. What mainstream rpg players really want is an interesting story and setting. PT coincendently might have the most interesting story and setting ever made into a game. Maybe it will be one of the most significant games of all time, just not right now.
Edit: After thinking for a few minutes about why PT has garnered so much negative cricism, (or at least claims that it is overrated) I realize it might be because so many people read spoilers about it and the game loses its mystery. On this site alone you can read a full synopsis of the game's major plot points. Half the enjoyment in the game comes from moments like when you first bring Morte before the Pillar of Skulls, or when you realize who the last prostitute is in the brothel of Intellectual Lusts, or when you learn that Trias' true name is Trias the Betrayer. If someone reads a strategy guide and figures out how to get to Pharod without aimlessly searching the Hive looking for tips as to his location, you are missing out on an important part of the game. Furthermore, PT can only be appreciated by a curious person who enjoys reading.
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