Paolo Garelli
We begin this review by thanking Edizioni Aristea for having allowed us to begin a wonderful journey with the gamebook Verso la Terrasanta.
What matters is the route of the journey and not the arrival
In my opinion, Thomas Stearns Eliot’s words perfectly represent this gamebook. The journey is the central theme of a compelling story at a crossroads in which from the first pages we will find ourselves faced with a difficult choice. Verso la Terrasanta is written by the skilled hands of Matteo Cresci who, after making us fall in love with Egypt with Dopo Tutankhamon, is back with this new title full of historical insights and a solid setting to fall in love with.
If you can’t resist embarking on this adventure any longer, know that you can purchase Verso la Terrasanta on the Edizioni Aristea website at a cost of €19. Also remember that with the code NDU5 you can get a 5% discount!
A First Look at Verso la Terrasanta
It is undeniable that the author is particularly keen to make the reader identify with the historical period in which he set his stories. Attention and consideration leave you speechless, given that in the last pages, we find not only reading advice to improve our experience but also a vocabulary of the terms used and the list of historical figures present in the gamebook. Finally, just so we don’t miss anything, the author is keen to explain the different quotes, also giving us a little insight.
We find ourselves in our hands a high-level product composed of 525 paragraphs that guide us through the kingdoms overlooking the Mediterranean. The narrative is extremely fluid and the attention to detail helps the reader to identify with the protagonist.
To complete everything, there are a good number of valuable black and white illustrations created by Fabio Porfidia, to which are added two colour maps that help us better understand our protagonist’s journey.
Some Hints on the Plot
Verso la Terrasanta is set in the period of the Crusades and more specifically on the eve of the third, also known as the Crusade of the Kings. We are on the eve of King Richard’s departure and our protagonist is impatient to reach Marseille to embark for the Holy Land. A difficult journey, which starts from the first pages in the worst way possible. I won’t go into detail to avoid spoilers, but after a few pages, we find ourselves at a crossroads that I must admit put me in serious difficulty. As I said at the beginning of the review, Verso la Terrasanta tells of a journey and we will decide the path we will take.
Our story will develop through ramifications that will take us around Europe and perhaps we will never even get to the Holy Land. We will be masters of our choices which will not only prove to be a different way of reaching the ending, but a real alternative history. You therefore understand that within the gamebook several endings will make you want to face the gamebook several times.
Review of the Rules of Verso la Terrasanta
This gamebook has a really simple ruleset; it is based on the use of keywords that will unlock any crossroads and tests related to the characteristics. Let’s look at the latter in detail:
- Strength represents the protagonist’s muscles and his ability to resist prolonged marches.
- Charisma, on the other hand, indicates charm, essential to impress King Richard or the common people we will meet during the adventure.
- Courage is linked to risk propensity and we could therefore identify it with determination.
When creating the character we will have a score to divide between the three characteristics. The game system is based on the roll of two six-sided dice; the sum of the results must remain below the value of the relevant characteristic to complete the tests. Added to this are a hit point system and even a system for managing resources (food and water); these elements add further worry during the journey.
Conclusions of the Review
I can say without any doubt that Verso la Terrasanta is a truly interesting gamebook; it is among the best I have ever come across in terms of in-depth analysis and immersion. The attention to detail, the simplicity of the regulation and a solid and flowing narrative are all points in favour of this little masterpiece that I recommend everyone to have in their library.
And now gather your equipment, the Holy Land awaits you!
