Perfect 10: RPGs and Adventure Games

Since I gave Portal 2, a game I very much enjoyed, only 9 out of 10, I've been asked what would qualify a game for a perfect 10 out of 10. I think Portal 2 has the potential to get there in time with the promised post-release free DLC, but meanwhile these are the games I place on that honoured pedestal and against which I compare all the aspiring candidates...

Planescape: Torment (RPG, 1999)

You play as the Nameless One, an immortal being adventuring across planes through the planar hub of Sigil. His amnesia is more than just a convenient plot device - it's an integral part of the whole story (think Memento).

Possessing a quality story, unique setting (for a CRPG) and detailed quirky characters, Torment captures the drama of a good book like no other game I've played. The combat is the antiquated 2nd edition D&D system but it seems incidental to the story anyway, and the harder combats can be avoided with good dialogue choices!

(Available from gog.com)

Baldur's Gate 2 (RPG, 2000)

A more traditional RPG in the D&D setting of the Forgotten Realms, here you are the spawn of the dead god of murder. Initially your struggle is to rescue your fellow Bhaal-spawn, Imoen, your childhood friend who is like a sister to you. But eventually the darkness within you comes to the fore and (with the expansion) will lead you into deadly conflict with all those aspiring to claim your sire's mantle.

The story here is also really good (though you really must have the expansion so that you can see the story through to its conclusion). The 2nd edition D&D system can be quite daunting for those with more modern sensibilities, but if you're willing to embrace the system's crunchiness, you'll find that BG2 combats, particularly the boss battle, can be very rewarding.

(Available from gog.com)

Star Control 2 (Adventure, 1992)

After Earth's defeat to the evil Ur-Quan, you build a new alliance of alien species to free yourselves and eventually face a threat even greater than the Ur-Quan.

This is actually more of a hybrid as it incorporates action elements for space combat, and strategy for building up your fleet and alien Precursor mothership. However, the driving force of the game is really it's adventure elements as you explore the galaxy and interact with the various alien species of the StarCon universe. It definitely doesn't fit comfortably alongside traditional adventure games (or RPGs) and really is its own special thing. Everyone should play this game, with a walkthrough if necessary, if only to enjoy the game's special brand of humour.

(Available from gog.com as part of a Star Control 1 & 2 bundle, or as the open-sourced The Ur-Quan Masters on SourceForge.)

We look at my pick of the strategy and simulation genres next...