Planescape: Torment - Retrospective @ The Brainy Gamer

A piece called Don't Trust the Skull at The Brainy Gamer sees the titular player (a college professor, apparently) replaying Planescape: Torment (and another even older called A Mind Forever Voyaging) with an eye on narrative and the aim of comparing the quality of the narrative, characters and emotion with modern samples - namely Mass Effect and Bioshock. Interesting idea, although the result isn't as deep as I'd like. The link above is the conclusion with the idea starting here and then two PS:T game diaries as he moves along (Day 1, Day 5). Spoiler alert, obviously; here's a sample:

The genius of Avellone's narrative construction is the way he ensures an advancing plot while offering complexity and resonance to the player who is willing to explore beyond the main quest and ruminate on how all this fits together. Other games have done this--subplots and side-quests are nothing new--but these rarely matter very much. Such activities often extend the game, giving the player more to do, but adding little real thematic substance. PST unfailingly utilizes such optional activities to add color, nuance, and complexity to the story and characters. Ultimately, the Nameless One will come to know himself--the central quest of the narrative--only by coming to know others. Getting acquainted with sharp-tongued Annah, for example, isn't necessary at all. But oh what you will miss if you don't!