Editing Planescape: Torment (section)

==Reception==
{{Video game reviews
| MC = 91/100<ref name="metacritic" />
| Allgame = {{rating|4.5|5}}<ref name="allgame">{{cite web |url=http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=19285&tab=review |title=''Planescape: Torment'' Review |first=Derek |last=Williams |publisher=[[Allgame]] |access-date=February 27, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141114155333/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=19285&tab=review |archive-date=November 14, 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
| EuroG = 7/10<ref name="euro" /><br />8/10 (after patch)
| GamePro = {{rating|4.5|5}}<ref name="gamepro">{{cite magazine|url=http://www.gamepro.com/article/reviews/3948/planescape-torment/ |title=Review: ''Planescape: Torment'' |first=Jay |last=Turner |date=November 24, 2000 |magazine=[[GamePro]] |access-date=February 27, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090818045914/http://www.gamepro.com/article/reviews/3948/planescape-torment |archive-date=August 18, 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
| GameRev = A−<ref name="grevolution" />
| GSpot = 9.0/10<ref name="gsreview" />
| GSpy = 90/100<ref name="spyreview" />
| IGN = 9.2/10<ref name="ign" />
| PCGUS = 93%<ref name="pcg review">{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/PCGamerMarch2000/page/n87/mode/2up |title=Planescape: Torment |first=Michael |last=Wolf |magazine=[[PC Gamer|PC Gamer US]] |publisher=[[Future US|Imagine Media]] |volume=7 |issue=3 |date=March 2000 |pages=82–83 |location=Brisbane, California |issn=1080-4471 |access-date=February 11, 2020}}</ref>
| PCZone = 8.7/10<ref name="PCZone">{{cite magazine|url=http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=3297 |title=Planescape: Torment |year=2000|magazine=[[PC Zone]] |access-date=May 1, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070127154213/http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=3297 |archive-date=January 27, 2007 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
| rev1 = ''incite PC Gaming''
| rev1Score = 4/5<ref name="incite">{{cite journal |journal=Incite PC Gaming |first1=Darren |last1=Gladstone |first2=Nikki |last2=Douglas |date=March 2000 |pages=110–112 |title=Ungrateful Dead: A Long, Strange Tip Through the Afterlife in ''Planescape: Torment'' }}</ref>
| rev2 = ''[[Next Generation (magazine)|Next Generation]]''
| rev2Score = {{rating|5|5}}<ref name="nextgen">{{cite journal |journal=[[Next Generation Magazine|NextGen]] |first=Michael |last=Wolf |date=March 2000 |pages=92–93 |title=''Planescape: Torment'': Scarred and dead but still kickin' butt }}</ref>
| award1Pub = ''[[Computer Gaming World]]''
| award1 = RPG of the Year (1999)<ref name="cgw" />
| award2Pub = [[GameSpot]]
| award2 = RPG of the Year (1999)<ref name="gsyear" />
| award3Pub = IGN [[Vault Network]]
| award3 = Game of the Year (1999)<ref name="awards" />
| award4Pub = [[Eurogamer]]
| award4 = Best Male Lead Character (2000)<ref name="eurogamerawards">{{cite web|author=Gestalt |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/gg2000_2 |title=Gaming Globes 2000 results |website=[[Eurogamer]] |date=April 5, 2000 |access-date=June 1, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120926132953/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/gg2000_2 |archive-date=September 26, 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| award5Pub = [[PC Gamer US]]
| award5 = Game of the Month (2000)<ref name="pcg review" />
| award6Pub = [[GameSpy]]
| award6 = Hall of Fame (2004)<ref name="spyhall" />
| award7Pub = [[GameSpot]]
| award7 = Greatest Games of All Time (2005)<ref name="gsaward" />
| award8Pub = [[Gamasutra]]
| award8 = Quantum Leap Award (2006)<ref name="Quantum RPG 8" />
| award9Pub = [[IGN]]
| award9 = 71st in the Top 100 Games of All Time (2007)<ref name="ign100" />
| award10Pub = [[PC Gamer]]
| award10 = 9th in the Top 100 Games of All Time (2008)<ref name="pcg100" />
| award11Pub = ''[[Game Informer]]''
| award11 = 188th in the Top 200 Games of All Time (2009)<ref name="gi_best">{{cite magazine|title=The Top 200 Games of All Time|pages=44–79|issue=200|date=December 2009|magazine=[[Game Informer]]|issn=1067-6392|oclc=27315596}}</ref>
| award12Pub = [[Bit-tech]]
| award12 = 30 PC Games to Play Before You Die (2009)<ref name="Bit-tech" />
| award13Pub = ''[[PC Gamer]]''
| award13 = Best RPG of All Time (2015)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pcgamer.com/the-best-rpgs-of-all-time-1/ |title=The best RPGs of all time |last1=Banks |first1=Cory |last2=Johnson |first2=Leif |date=December 18, 2015 |website=PC Gamer |publisher=Future US |access-date=December 20, 2015 |archive-date=November 27, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161127163957/http://www.pcgamer.com/the-best-rpgs-of-all-time-1/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
}}

''Planescape: Torment'' received widespread critical acclaim upon its release.<ref name="metacritic">{{cite web|url=http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/pc/planescapetorment?q=planescape |title=''Planescape: Torment'' (pc: 1999) Reviews |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |access-date=June 30, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090527051751/http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/pc/planescapetorment?q=planescape |archive-date=May 27, 2009 |url-status=live }}</ref> [[GameSpot]]'s reviewer said that "It's clearly the best traditional computer role-playing game of the year",<ref name="gsreview" /> a comment which the website would later expand to "one of the greatest ever".<ref name="gsaward">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/features/6135401/ |title=The Greatest Games of All Time: ''Planescape: Torment'' |first=Andrew |last=Park |website=[[GameSpot]] |date=October 10, 2005 |access-date=February 27, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091118071755/http://www.gamespot.com/features/6135401/ |archive-date=November 18, 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Allen Rausch, writing for [[GameSpy]]'s 2004 retrospective "A History of D&D Video Games", commented that [[Black Isle Studios]] "went ''way'' over the top for this one, crafting an utterly unique experience that has yet to be equaled by any RPG since".<ref name="rauschIV">{{cite web | last=Rausch | first=Allen | date=August 18, 2004 | url=http://pc.gamespy.com/articles/540/540115p4.html | title=A History of ''D&D'' Video Games – Part IV | publisher=Game Spy | access-date=November 17, 2012 | archive-date=February 8, 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130208010810/http://pc.gamespy.com/articles/540/540115p4.html | url-status=live }}</ref> The gameplay was often compared to ''[[Baldur's Gate (video game)|Baldur's Gate]]'', another Interplay game that used the same engine as ''Planescape: Torment.''<ref name="grevolution">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/pc/planescape_torment |title=''Planescape: Torment'' video game review for the PC |first=Duke |last=Ferris |publisher=[[Game Revolution]] |access-date=February 27, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120905112528/http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/pc/planescape-torment |archive-date=September 5, 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="allgame" /><ref>{{cite book |first1=Diane |last1=Carr |first2=David |last2=Buckingham |first3=Andre |last3=Burn |first4=Gareth |last4=Schott |title=Computer Games: Text, Narrative and Play |date=April 2006 |publisher=[[Polity]] |isbn=978-0-7456-3400-5 |page=59 |chapter=5: Space, Navigation, and Affect }}</ref> Robert Mayer of [[Computer Games Magazine]] commented that it was "one dark and interesting game. There's lots of macabre humor, some rather deviant sexual references, and enough weirdness to send the devotees of Tolkienesque fantasy running for their copies of ''The Hobbit''."<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.cdmag.com/articles/025/007/torment_qt.html|title=Planescape: Torment Quick Take|date=May 24, 2003|access-date=January 4, 2018|url-status=bot: unknown|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030524194557/http://www.cdmag.com/articles/025/007/torment_qt.html|archive-date=May 24, 2003}}</ref> Kieron Gillen of [[PC Gamer (UK edition)|PC Gamer UK]] commented that "''Planescape: Torment'' is attempting to be iconoclastic in the most stereotyped of genres. We're cheering it on."<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.pcgamer.co.uk/games/gamefile_preview_page.asp?item_id=2110|title=Welcome to PC Gamer - The World's Best-Selling PC Games Magazine ...|newspaper=Pcgamer|date=August 4, 2002|access-date=January 4, 2018|url-status=bot: unknown|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020804172925/http://www.pcgamer.co.uk/games/gamefile_preview_page.asp?item_id=2110|archive-date=August 4, 2002}}</ref>

The game's premise and writing were warmly received;<ref name="spyreview" /> a review in ''[[The New York Times]]'' noted "The game's level of detail and its emotional impact have prompted some players to cast about for literary peers."<ref name="NYT" />  Reviewers were pleased with the ability to shape their character's journey as they wished.<ref name="grevolution" /> In 2005, GameSpot stated "''Planescape: Torment'' has quite possibly the best implementation of role-playing an evil character ever to appear in a computer or video game to date".<ref name="gsaward" /> The heavily tattooed, egocentric, and potentially selfish Nameless One was welcomed as a change of pace from the conventional RPG hero, who was considered a predictable do-gooder.<ref name="gsreview" /><ref name="gsaward" /> Reviewers also approved of the protagonist's ability to gain new powers by "remembering" past lives.<ref name="gsreview" /><ref name="ign">{{cite web|url=http://pc.ign.com/articles/159/159939p1.html |title=''Planescape: Torment'' Review |date=December 17, 1999 |website=IGN |access-date=February 27, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090227042213/http://pc.ign.com/articles/159/159939p1.html |archive-date=February 27, 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The dark and diversified representation of the ''D&D'' setting of Planescape was lauded as a fresh departure from the traditional high fantasy of computer role-playing games.<ref name="gamepro" /><ref name="ign" /> A review in ''[[Next Generation Magazine|Next Generation]]'' praised the game, saying that "''Torment'' offers the best RPG gameplay anyone can find on store shelves, hands down."<ref name="nextgen" /> Uros Jojic of ''Actiontrip'' commented that "''Planescape: Torment'' proves that it is possible to make an inventive, fun and refreshing game in this "sea of clones". Creating a computer edition of Planescape system is another triumph for Black Isle Studios."<ref>{{cite web|url =http://www.actiontrip.com/reviews/planescape-torment.phtml|title =Planscape: Torment|author =Uros Jojic|date =January 21, 2000|website =Actiontrip|url-status =usurped|archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20150905165600/http://www.actiontrip.com/reviews/planescape-torment.phtml|archive-date =September 5, 2015}}</ref> In a March 2000 article for ''Game Studies'', Diane Carr called the game's setting "a freak show, a long story, a zoo, and a cabinet of talkative curiosities" and described the creatures and monsters in the game as "grotesque rather than scary".<ref name="gamestudies" />  Cindy Yans of [[Computer Games Magazine]] describes the setting as "a world where knowledge and thoughts wield more power than the sword. Belief has the ability to reshape worlds, kill and resurrect powers and change the laws of physics."<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://www.cdmag.com/articles/014/052/planescape_preview.html|title=Planescape Torment Preview|date=August 6, 2003|access-date=January 4, 2018|url-status=bot: unknown|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030806200948/http://www.cdmag.com/articles/014/052/planescape_preview.html|archive-date=August 6, 2003}}</ref> Cindy Vanous of Computer Games Magazine notes that "''Planescape'''s bestiary features legions of the unknown, and its landscape is an ever-changing tapestry of the bizarre."<ref name=":0" /> ''Planescape: Torment'' is the first video game to be set in the Planescape universe.<ref name="pcg scoop">{{cite journal |first=Michael |last=Wolf |date=November 1998 |title= Scoop!: ''Planescape: Torment'' |journal=[[PC Gamer|PC Gamer US]] |volume=5 |issue=11 |pages=60–61  |location=Brisbane, California |issn= 1080-4471}}</ref>

{{blockquote|[''Planescape Torment''{{'s}}] limits are elusive. ... Even small choices have multiple and unpredictable results, leading players to incidents, to confrontations or to nothing much. The game resists resolution or even comprehension. A rambling text like ''Planescape Torment'' bounces when you try and nail it down, it resists totalisation. It has its moments of  "rush" and of confrontation, but it wants to be savoured, wandered through, in the company of armed companions.|Diane Carr<ref name="gamestudies" />}}

The technical aspects of the game were also praised. Although by the time of its release in late 1999, ''Planescape: Torment's'' default 640x480 resolution was not considered particularly advanced,<ref name="euro">{{cite web|url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/torment |title=''Planescape: Torment'' Review |first=Rob |last=Purchese |date=January 15, 2000 |website=[[Eurogamer]] |access-date=February 27, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090723064031/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/torment |archive-date=July 23, 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref> reviewers were pleased with the art design and color of the environments.<ref name="gamepro" /><ref name="ign" /> The game's sound and music were described as "well above the norm" and "superb",<ref name="spyreview2">{{cite web|url=http://archive.gamespy.com/legacy/reviews/torment_b.shtm |title=''Planescape: Torment'' Review (page 2) |first=Joost |last=Loijens |date=January 22, 2000 |publisher=[[GameSpy]] |access-date=February 27, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090713201345/http://archive.gamespy.com/legacy/reviews/torment_b.shtm |archive-date=July 13, 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref> and one reviewer stated that his only complaint about the music was that "there wasn't enough of it".<ref name="euro" /> Another reviewer said that ''Planescape: Torment'' had "just about the best sound" they had heard in a video game.<ref name="grevolution" /> [[GamePro]] stated, "... the characters talk with the talent of real professional voice actors during crucial bits of dialog".<ref name="gamepro" /> The game's graphics were moderately well received, with ''incite PC Gaming'' saying that "[the graphics] can be a little lackluster, although some of the spell effects certainly look very good",<ref name="incite" /> a statement echoed in ''NextGen'' which stated that "mind-blowing spell effects ... will remind you of a two-dimensional ''Final Fantasy'' game."<ref name="nextgen" />

The game's interface received positive remarks. The US edition of ''[[PC Gamer]]'' commented on the [[automap]], which automatically marked important locations and allowed the user to add custom notes, and on the journal, which separated completed quests from unfinished quests.<ref name="pcg review" /> ''PC Gamer'' also praised the fine-tuning of the Infinity Engine, such as the use of a [[Pie menu|radial menu]], which allowed the player to stay focused on the game instead of managing multiple screens and "messing with windows and buttons".<ref name="pcg review" />

{{blockquote|... we were swept away by ''Planescape: Torment''. It wasn't the effective engine, demented characters, or lavish lands that won us. It was the rich storyline. This tale is more a reflection of your true self than any game ever made.|Darren Gladstone and Nikki Douglas<ref name="incite" />}}

Criticism of the game was minimal and problems were generally described as minor,<ref name="gsreview" /><ref name="grevolution" /> but included complaints about long load times on computers of the day,<ref name="grevolution" /> or the game slowing down during combat.<ref name="incite" /> [[Software bug|Bugs]] were responsible for slowing down the game when a high level of graphical assets were on-screen at the same time, but it was reported that a fix was released that solved the problem.<ref name="spyreview" /><ref name="allgame" /> [[Allgame]]'s Derek Williams considered the game's combat simplistic (with a comparison to ''[[Diablo (video game)|Diablo]])'', which made the game too easy.<ref name="allgame" />  The most negative major review came from ''Eurogamer'', who gave the game seven out of ten (and later increased it to eight when the game was patched).<ref name="euro" /> Their reviewer expressed distaste at the immortality of the player character, saying that it made the lives of characters "cheap and meaningless",<ref name="euro" /> although other reviews welcomed this aspect, saying it was "implemented perfectly" and did not make the game easier.<ref name="gsreview" /><ref name="ign" /><ref name="allgame" /> ''Eurogamer'' also disapproved of the amount of experience that was awarded for certain dialogues later in the game.<ref name="euro" /> However, other reviews cited this as one of the main things that elevated ''Planescape: Torment'' above the standard RPG format.<ref name="gsreview" /><ref name="spyreview" /><ref name="pcg100">{{cite web|url=http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=194593 |title=PC Gamer's Top 100 |date=August 5, 2008 |work=[[PC Gamer]] |publisher=Computer and Video Games |page=4 of 4 |access-date=February 27, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090227043739/http://www.computerandvideogames.com/article.php?id=194593 |archive-date=February 27, 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Some reviewers also criticized the game's [[pathfinding]] [[artificial intelligence|AI]] as being "less than impressive".<ref name="nextgen" />

===Awards===
''Planescape: Torment'' is commonly cited to as one of the [[greatest video games of all time]]<ref name="gsaward" /><ref name="spyhall">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespy.com/articles/540/540546p1.html |title=GameSpy Hall of Fame (''Planescape: Torment'') |first=Allen |last=Rausch |date=August 19, 2004 |publisher=[[GameSpy]] |access-date=February 27, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090416020620/http://www.gamespy.com/articles/540/540546p1.html |archive-date=April 16, 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="ign100">{{cite web|url=http://top100.ign.com/2007/ign_top_game_71.html |title=IGN Top 100 Games 2007 – 71 ''Planescape: Torment'' |date=November 19, 2007 |website=IGN |access-date=February 27, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090218131449/http://top100.ign.com/2007/ign_top_game_71.html |archive-date=February 18, 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="pcg100" /><ref name=Empire2009/><ref name=GamingBolt/><ref name=GI2009/><ref name=HG101/><ref name=Polygon/> and has attracted a [[cult following]].<ref name="escapist" /><ref name="Gama Adams">{{cite web|first=Ernest W. |last=Adams |author-link=Ernest W. Adams |title=The Designer's Notebook: Ten Years of Great Games |url=http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/2377/the_designers_notebook_ten_years_.php?page=1 |website=[[Gamasutra]] |page=1 |date=November 26, 2007 |access-date=May 15, 2009 |quote=''Planescape'' now has a cult following ...|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090512192302/http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/2377/the_designers_notebook_ten_years_.php?page=1 |archive-date=May 12, 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="Gama Barton">{{cite web|first=Matt |last=Barton |title=The History of Computer Role-Playing Games Part III: The Platinum and Modern Ages (1994–2004) |url=http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/1571/the_history_of_computer_.php?page=10 |website=[[Gamasutra]] |page=10 |date=April 11, 2007 |access-date=May 15, 2009 |quote=Black Isle wasted no time, and in November 1999 released the cult classic ''Planescape: Torment''. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090510022154/http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/1571/the_history_of_computer_.php?page=10 |archive-date=May 10, 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref> It was given several Editor's Choice awards,<ref name="gsreview" /><ref name="ign" /><ref name="firingsquad">{{cite web|url=http://www.firingsquad.com/games/torment/ |title=''Planescape: Torment'' Review |first=Jakub |last=Wojnarowicz |date=January 25, 2000 |publisher=Firing Squad |access-date=February 27, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091127085631/http://firingsquad.com/games/torment/ |archive-date=November 27, 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref> was named RPG of the Year for 1999 by both GameSpot and ''[[Computer Gaming World]]'',<ref name="cgw">{{cite magazine |magazine=[[Computer Gaming World]] |volume=186 |date=January 2000|title=Planescape: Torment}}</ref><ref name="gsyear">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/features/1999/p3_05a.html |title=GameSpot Features Archive |website=[[GameSpot]] |access-date=February 27, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090527201714/http://www.gamespot.com/features/1999/p3_05a.html |archive-date=May 27, 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref> and won the [[Vault Network]]'s Game of the Year for 1999.<ref name="awards">{{cite web|url=http://planescape.outshine.com/official.planescape-torment.org/awards.html |title=''Planescape: Torment'' Awards (Mirror of the official ''Planescape: Torment'' website) |access-date=February 27, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090708014704/http://planescape.outshine.com/official.planescape-torment.org/awards.html |archive-date=July 8, 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref> ''[[PC Gamer|PC Gamer US]]'' named ''Planescape: Torment'' "Game of the Month" in their March 2000 issue (the issue in which the game's review appeared).<ref name="pcg review" /> The magazine also nominated ''Torment'' for its 1999 "Best Roleplaying Game" award, which ultimately went to ''[[System Shock 2]]''.<ref name="pcgamerusawards1999">{{cite magazine |date=March 2000 | title=The Sixth Annual ''PC Gamer'' Awards | volume=7 | number=3 | pages=46, 47, 49, 50, 54–56, 60, 62 | magazine=[[PC Gamer US]] |author=<!--Not stated--> }}</ref> At the [[3rd Annual Interactive Achievement Awards]], ''Planescape: Torment'' was named as a finalist by the [[Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences]] for "Computer [[D.I.C.E. Award for Adventure Game of the Year|Adventure]]/[[D.I.C.E. Award for Role-Playing Game of the Year|Role-Playing]] Game of the Year" and "[[D.I.C.E. Award for Outstanding Achievement in Story|Outstanding Achievement in Character or Story Development]]".<ref name="AIAS_PC">{{cite web |title=Third Interactive Achievement Awards - Personal Computer |url=http://www.interactive.org/iaa/finalists_pc.html |website=Interactive.org |publisher=Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences |access-date=28 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20001011204415/http://www.interactive.org/iaa/finalists_pc.html |archive-date=October 11, 2000}}</ref><ref name="AIAS_Craft">{{cite web |title=Third Interactive Achievement Awards: Craft Award |url=http://www.interactive.org/iaa/finalists_craft.html |website=Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences |access-date=11 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20001011155820/http://www.interactive.org/iaa/finalists_craft.html |archive-date=October 11, 2000}}</ref>

In 2006, ''[[The A.V. Club]]'' included ''Planescape: Torment'' in their list of "11 of Video Gaming's Strangest Moments", due to the game's use of death as a means to advance the plot.<ref name="AV" /> In 2006, [[Gamasutra]] polled [[video game industry]] professionals with the question: "Which role playing game over the entire history of the genre do you think has made the biggest 'quantum leap', and why?".<ref name="Quantum RPG 1">{{cite web|title=The Gamasutra Quantum Leap Awards: Role-Playing Games |url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/the-gamasutra-quantum-leap-awards-role-playing-games |website=[[Gamasutra]] |page=1 |date=October 6, 2006 |access-date=June 1, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090812104029/http://www.gamasutra.com/features/20061006/quantum_01.shtml |archive-date=August 12, 2009 |url-status=live }}</ref> ''Planescape: Torment'' was ranked second overall after ''[[Fallout (video game)|Fallout]]'', earning it a "Quantum Leap Award".<ref name="Quantum RPG 8">{{cite web|title=The Gamasutra Quantum Leap Awards: Role-Playing Games |url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/the-gamasutra-quantum-leap-awards-role-playing-games |website=[[Gamasutra]] |page=8 |date=October 6, 2006 |access-date=June 1, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090330223232/http://www.gamasutra.com/features/20061006/quantum_08.shtml |archive-date=March 30, 2009 |url-status=live }}</ref> The game also received an honorable mention for the same awards in the "Storytelling" category.<ref name="Quantum Story 1">{{cite web|title=The Gamasutra Quantum Leap Awards: Storytelling |url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/the-gamasutra-quantum-leap-awards-storytelling |website=[[Gamasutra]] |page=3 |date=November 3, 2006 |access-date=June 1, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090207092321/http://www.gamasutra.com/features/20061103/quantum_03.shtml |archive-date=February 7, 2009 |url-status=live }}</ref> In December 2008, ''IGN'' praised the game as having "some of the best writing and characterization seen in gaming".<ref name="ign2008">{{cite web | url=https://uk.ign.com/articles/2008/12/04/the-wednesday-10-franchises-we-want-resurrected | title=The Wednesday 10: Franchises We Want Resurrected | website=IGN | date=December 3, 2008 | access-date=April 20, 2011 | author=IGN PC Team | archive-date=January 18, 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160118021124/http://uk.ign.com/articles/2008/12/04/the-wednesday-10-franchises-we-want-resurrected | url-status=live }}</ref> In 2009, [[Bit-tech]] included ''Planescape: Torment'' on their list of "30 PC Games to Play Before You Die".<ref name="Bit-tech">{{cite web|first=Joe |last=Martin |title=30 PC Games to Play Before You Die |url=http://www.bit-tech.net/gaming/pc/2009/04/20/30-pc-games-to-play-before-you-die/1 |publisher=[[Bit-tech]] |date=April 20, 2009 |access-date=June 1, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090423045541/http://www.bit-tech.net/gaming/pc/2009/04/20/30-pc-games-to-play-before-you-die/1 |archive-date=April 23, 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Avellone was awarded Eurogamer's "Gaming Globe" award for Best Designer in 2000 for his work on ''Planescape: Torment'', and The Nameless One was considered to be the Best Male Lead Character.<ref name="eurogamerawards" />

''IGN'' ranked ''Planescape: Torment'' second on their list of "The Top 11 Dungeons & Dragons Games of All Time" in 2014.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2014/02/05/the-top-11-dungeons-dragons-games-of-all-time|title=The Top 11 Dungeons & Dragons Games of All-Time|last=Johnson|first=Leif|date=February 5, 2014|website=IGN|language=en-US|access-date=December 18, 2017|archive-date=September 2, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190902005437/https://www.ign.com/articles/2014/02/05/the-top-11-dungeons-dragons-games-of-all-time|url-status=live}}</ref> Ian Williams of ''[[Paste (magazine)|Paste]]'' rated the game #1 on his list of "The 10 Greatest Dungeons and Dragons Videogames" in 2015.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2015/04/the-10-greatest-dungeons-and-dragons-videogames.html|title=The 10 Greatest Dungeons and Dragons Videogames|work=Paste|access-date=December 18, 2017|language=en|archive-date=September 14, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160914052047/https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2015/04/the-10-greatest-dungeons-and-dragons-videogames.html|url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[PC Gamer]]'' included ''Torment'' on their best RPGs on PC list.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.pcgamer.com/best-rpgs-of-all-time/4/ | title=The best RPGs of all time | date=October 15, 2017 | work=[[PC Gamer]] | access-date=May 28, 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180124030134/http://www.pcgamer.com/best-rpgs-of-all-time/4/ | archive-date=January 24, 2018 | url-status=dead | df=mdy-all }}</ref> It was placed at No. 13 on ''Game Informer''{{'s}} "Top 100 RPGs Of All Time" list,<ref>{{cite magazine | url=https://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2018/01/01/the-top-100-rpgs-of-all-time.aspx?PostPageIndex=6 | title=The Top 100 RPGs Of All Time | date=January 1, 2018 | magazine=[[Game Informer]] | access-date=May 28, 2018 | archive-date=May 28, 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180528215454/http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2018/01/01/the-top-100-rpgs-of-all-time.aspx?PostPageIndex=6 | url-status=live }}</ref> and was included among [[PCGamesN]]'s "best RPGs on PC" as well.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/15-best-rpgs-pc | title=The best RPGs on PC | work=[[PCGamesN]] | access-date=May 28, 2018 | archive-date=June 14, 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180614122340/https://www.pcgamesn.com/15-best-rpgs-pc | url-status=live }}</ref>

===Sales===
In the United States, ''Planescape: Torment'' sold 73,000 copies by March 2000,<ref name="desslocksales2">{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010203124200/http://desslock.gamespot.com/archives/200005/20000511.html |url=http://desslock.gamespot.com:80/archives/200005/20000511.html |title=Desslock's Ramblings – RPG Sales Figures |author=Desslock |date=May 11, 2000 |work=[[GameSpot]] |archive-date=February 3, 2001 |url-status=dead }}</ref> a figure that Desslock of ''[[Computer Gaming World]]'' regarded as substandard.<ref name="desslocksales">{{cite magazine |title=RPG Sales; The Wizards at Wal-Mart | author=Desslock |issue=193 |date=August 2000 |pages=134 |magazine=[[Computer Gaming World]] }}</ref> Comparing the game's commercial performance to that of ''[[Ultima IX: Ascension]]'', Desslock remarked that "most of ''Torment''{{'s}} sales have been in the year 2000, while ''Ascension''{{'s}} sales were predominantly in 1999, even though ''Ascension'' was released later in 1999 than ''Torment''." He attributed ''Torment''{{'s}} relative sales growth in its second year to positive reviews and [[word of mouth]].<ref name=desslocksales2 />

In the United Kingdom, ''Torment'' appeared at No. 3 on [[Chart-Track]]'s weekly computer game sales list for the January 9–15, 2000 period.<ref name="charttrack1">{{cite web | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050206153259/http://www.cdmag.com/articles/025/174/chart_trak_jan22.html | url=http://www.cdmag.com:80/articles/025/174/chart_trak_jan22.html | title=''Championship Manager: Season 99/00'' Tops U.K. Retail Charts | date=January 26, 2000 | author=Fudge, James | archive-date=February 6, 2005 | work=[[Computer Games Magazine]] | url-status=dead }}</ref> The game remained in the Chart-Track weekly top 5 for another two weeks,<ref name=charttrack1 /><ref name="charttrack2">{{cite web | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050209073738/http://www.cdmag.com/articles/026/009/chart_trak_jan29.html | url=http://www.cdmag.com:80/articles/026/009/chart_trak_jan29.html | title=''Championship Manager: Season 99/00'' still on top of U.K. Retail Charts | author=Fudge, James | date=February 3, 2000 | archive-date=February 9, 2005 | work=[[Computer Games Magazine]] | url-status=dead }}</ref> and secured a third-place debut on the firm's monthly top 10. Richie Shoemaker of ''[[PC Zone]]'' noted at the time, "January saw only one new release make an impact: the bizarre role-player from Black Isle Studios, ''Planescape: Torment''."<ref name="ctjan2000">{{cite journal | title=Charts; The ChartTrack Top 10 | author=Shoemaker, Richie | issue=87 | date=March 2000 | journal=[[PC Zone]] }}</ref> In the German market, the game sold 50,000 units by mid-2000, after debuting at No. 6 on the charts in January. It proceeded to claim positions 12, 30 and 53 from February through April. According to ''[[PC Player (German magazine)|PC Player]]'', Virgin Interactive was "only slightly disappointed" by its commercial performance in the region; writer Udo Hoffman noted that the game by nature was tailored to "a more mature and therefore smaller target group."<ref name="nach">{{cite journal | author=Hoffman, Udo | title=NachSpiel | journal=[[PC Player (German magazine)|PC Player]] | date=July 2000 | pages=26, 27 }}</ref>

Ernest Adams of [[Gamasutra]] later described ''Torment''{{'s}} overall performance as a "commercial disappointment".<ref name="Gama Adams" /> According to Chris Avellone, the game was not a major monetary success, but was ultimately profitable.<ref name="RPGWatch1" /> In 2017, Brian Fargo estimated the game's lifetime retail sales as roughly 400,000 units.<ref name="400k">{{cite web | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170720173213/http://www.rpgcodex.net/content.php?id=10604 | url=http://www.rpgcodex.net/content.php?id=10604 | title=RPG Codex Report: A Codexian Visit to inXile Entertainment | date=April 13, 2017 | archive-date=July 20, 2017 | work=RPG Codex | url-status=live }}</ref>