The latest trailer for Torment: Tides of Numenera, watchable at the foot of this post, addresses a little discussed feature of the upcoming title; combat.
Tides of Numenera, which launches on February 28th for PS4, Xbox One, and PC (from early access), has received a decent amount of coverage here; we’ve featured maybe half-a-dozen trailers for the title, showing off the world, the classes, and more recently the variety of options in missions. However, one thing has been massively lacking considering the nature of the game, and that thing is combat.
The latest trailer does well to alleviate that shortage, we get reiteration on the role that single-shot technological remnants -Cyphers- can play in the game, filling a role of ‘super-magic,’ albeit with their own dangers. There’s also confirmation of party size, which can increase up to four, but with extra allies available as creatures you can summon.
Most importantly we get a fleeting look at the stats that drive interactions -and subsequently combat- which come as three core abilities, as well as the specialising which applies passive attack and defensive bonuses to the character.
The main reason I enjoyed the first Torment game -as well as Arcanum, and Alpha Protocol, to name a few- is that you were often given ample chance to talk, or work, around a surprising amount of encounters within the game. To see that the order that you target enemies impacts if enemies will flee, and also the fact that you can break off from conversation at a mid-point to parlay, is extremely promising.
Torment: Tides of Numenera launches on Xbox One, PS4 & PC on the 28th of February.
