I'm thinking of giving this game a try:

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How is it, really? Will I like it?

To answer that last question, I'm going to list the cRPG's I've played, and the order in which I liked them:

Baldur's Gate I
Baldur's Gate II
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
Icewind Dale II
Icewind Dale I
BG: Throne of Bhaal

What do I need to know about this game before installing? What patches do I need? Anything else I should install?

TIA

 

I have pretty much used only platter's fixpack and the official patches you should be fine with them.

As for how you'll like the game. Torment is different from the ones above. The combat is certainly worse than in the other infinity engine games and probably easier. The story, the atmosphere, the characters and the dialogue however are miles above any of the above. The interface is also probably somewhat worse. Torment takes time to get into and it takes time until the plot really digs in and after that point there was not return for me. The gameplay will probably feel somewhat worse than in all of the above.

I'm of course a die hard Torment fan who sees the game as the best thing ever produced by the gaming industry mostly because of the depth of the game. However there are also many who feel that the dialogue is excessive and gameplay mechanics lacking. So I suppose it all boils down to what you are looking for in a game and how much are you willing to sacrifice gameplay elements for plot, dialogue, characters and atmosphere. If you dislike long dialogues (and I do mean long) you'll probably find it difficult to get into the game.

 

It's very different from all the games you've listed but I think you will like it. Besides it should figure on your resume.

I've started it less than a week ago and it was rather easy to get into the story. The gaming aspects are not bad but they are not stellar either (I love the multiclassing part though). I ran into some annoying problems with graphics and spellcasting but playing at higher resolutions or in windowed mode help.

At times it feels more like reading a book rather than playing a CRPG. It's definitely a different experience and I can understand why it has achieved such a cult status.

 

Patch > Platter Fixpack > Platter Fixpack Beta.

That's it?

 

If you're a bit more ambitious at modding, then you could try to get some more alterations in. Here's something I said in another thread about the topic:

 

If you're going for fixpack + restoration pack, you may want to go with Qwinn's mods that Loreseeker linked to in this thread. They're more up to date and are compatible with each other, whereas Platter's fixpack and the Restoration Pack can have some issues if put together (some of the fixes won't work).

 

I just want a clean running game without bugs (or with as few as possible).

I don't need any additional stuff thrown in.

What should I install?

 

In this case just use Qwinn's Fixpack and nothing else. This one fixes only bugs and doesn't introduce anything. It has all the same fixes as Platter's but also a few additional ones, which is why I'd go with it.

The MaxHP mod is also a good one to use.

Candlestick Quest doesn't so much introduce new stuff as reactivate a quest that already exists in the game files. Personally I'd recommend you only use the Fixpack this time around, and install extra content and restoration mods on a future playthrough if you do one.

 

The first time through I only did the patch. I had no problems.

 

the MaxHP mod is not really necessary though since the game is not all that hard and can very well be played through without the need to throw max hitpoints at each level up.

 

Thanks guys.

I gained a level in the Mortuary, and so did Morte! I have exited and I just saved the game for the night.