Torment: Tides of Numenera update details alignment system, backers to vote on combat soon

inXile will torment fans and supporters of Torment: Tides of Numenera no longer; thanks to a recent update on the game's Kickstarter page, all can now view the detailed explanations of the RPG's alignment system, and those who backed the game can voice their opinion on how they'd like to see combat handled.

Numenera handles alignment via "tides." Tides are basically like invisible astrological signs: They are not something most inhabitants know about, nor are they something people strive for. Instead, they represent a person's legacy and the driving force behind their actions. The blue tide represents wisdom, the red tide represents passion, the indigo tide represents justice, the gold tide represents charity and sacrifice, and the silver tide represents power. The bleach Tide represents clean clothes.

While tides were given a basic explanation on the game's main Kickstarter page, the update helps further explain their nature and role in the game. For example, "if your Dominant Tide(s) match those of an NPC, it can have varying effects," the update reads. "You might be able to understand their motivations and manipulate them better. They may like you more (or less) without knowing why. The difficulty of certain dialogue tasks may decrease (or increase). Most of this is done behind the scenes, but certain skills and abilities can reveal some of this information."

Combat will play a big role in Torment: Tides of Numenera, and inXile has presented two options for how it will play out in the game: real-time with pausing or turn-based. Backers have been encouraged to voice their thoughts on both systems, with an official vote coming soon.