Though Torment is graphically competent, the unique horrors and cosmic oddity of the place would be lost without these extra bits of observational writing.
To some, this might sound either dull or impenetrably complex, but Torment’s unique “Effort” system kept it from being either for me.
Each of the many skill checks is associated with one of three base stats: strength, speed, and intellect.
This is a part of the RPG heritage that modern games have largely forgotten (or at very least simplified into practical irrelevance), but Torment: Tides of Numenara makes it feel both vital and approachable.