Damiano Gerli, Author at Turn Based Lovers

Child of Light – An Elegant Fairy Tale

ByDamiano Gerli May 20, 2022May 20, 2022

Announced in 2013, Ubisoft’s Child of Light seemed to be a rare, for the time, example of a Western RPG inspired by Japanese classics. Its style was influenced by both Studio Ghibli movies and the work of Yoshitaka Amano; its mechanics – by games like Vagrant Story and Final Fantasy. Developed by an average-sized team at Ubisoft Montreal, it got a surprisingly solid release. Although, for some reason, the developers made neither a sequel nor any similar-styled project after. But, what was so special about the game and did it ever connect with its audience? Let us journey through its enchanted world – and see before us the answers unfold.

Brigandine The Legend of Runersia – Pc Version – Review

ByDamiano Gerli May 12, 2022May 12, 2022

We all know how time slows down when we do something boring – but goes by way too fast when we do something fun. In Brigandine The Legend of Runersia (which I’ll shorten to Brigandine) time moves in seasons – and passes by very quickly. Must be because we have our hands full – moving troops, summoning monsters and managing so many armies… But let’s take a step back and go in order.

Oaken – Preview

ByDamiano Gerli May 12, 2022May 12, 2022

There are many terrifying monsters in the world of games, aren’t there? Whether demons or Lovecraftian abominations, we certainly have to deal with plenty of terrifying creatures. So it’s a welcome change of pace playing Oaken, which just came out in Early Access. Instead of scary monsters, as we voyage deep into the Great Oak’s branches, we’ll meet spirits and plants.

Aquamarine – Review

ByDamiano Gerli May 11, 2022May 11, 2022

Who doesn’t like a nice, relaxing indie game? Actually, let me double down on that, who doesn’t love a nice relaxing game with a charming hand-drawn aesthetic? I, for one, would definitely need more of those kinds of titles. But, if they come with the kaleidoscope of issues and feelings of frustration that Aquamarine made me drown in – well – in that case I just might be better off relaxing with a nice long bath…

10 Turns Interview with the Developers of The Iron Oath

ByDamiano Gerli May 9, 2022May 9, 2022

Chris Wingard and Nik Mueller – developers of The Iron Oath – have been working in the industry for quite some years now, but do not really have a list of games they have previously worked on professionally. Indeed, the turn-based strategy game is actually their first. So, let us go and ask them how was the experience and what happened with their 2017 Kickstarter.

Starflight – The Forgotten Influencer

ByDamiano Gerli May 9, 2022May 9, 2022

They often say that media pioneers get the blame for everything that went wrong years later – yet no gratitude for their original achievements. It is, of course, mostly a stereotype. Still, it does seem to apply, in a way, to this particular project: strategic space simulation Starflight. Its influence on cosmic exploration games was massive; while its open-world nature has reached far beyond this genre. Even Mass Effect director Casey Hudson has cited it as a huge influence on the space RPG series. So, what happened? And why was this game so influential?

RESEARCH and DESTROY – Review

ByDamiano Gerli May 2, 2022May 2, 2022

Gather round ghouls and zombettes – tonight I will recount the tale of how the human race went extinct and we, the supernatural beings, were finally allowed to live (well…) in peace. The story of how the humans began disregarding science, believing ignorance and arrogance to lead to happiness. HA! The poor souls didn’t know what was in store for them; we came back and drove them extinct. Today, you can be safe in the knowledge that there is not a single human in sig… – Say what? You saw a human? WHERE?

Chrono Trigger – Take me away, I don’t mind

ByDamiano Gerli April 26, 2022April 27, 2022

It’s 1992. Aboard a plane there are Yuji Horii (Dragon Quest), Hironobu Sakaguchi (Final Fantasy) and Akira Toriyama (Dragon Ball). No, it’s not the intro to some dated joke – but – if it were, the punchline would be Chrono Trigger. Indeed, the uber-classic Squaresoft JRPG was initially thought of by a true dream team of the genre, while on a trip to the United States. Originally, the idea was to release it on the ill-fated Super Nintendo CD-ROM add-on. In the end, however, it came out on an ordinary SNES cartridge, quickly becoming a legend on that platform. Now, 27 years later, is it still worthy of the moniker “cult classic”? Does it stand the test of time?

The Iron Oath – Preview

ByDamiano Gerli April 18, 2022April 18, 2022

Curious Panda, previously a mobile exclusive developer, have taken a new turn in their work. Their latest project – The Iron Oath, is a PC game. Published by Humble Games, the project truly feels like a work of passion, perfected for years. In this turn-based tactical RPG, the player will lead a mercenary band in their adventures across the realm of Caelum. Fighting battles and completing missions – will they be able to survive and prosper by their bloody craft?

Mechajammer Review

ByDamiano Gerli March 30, 2022March 30, 2022

Most people will tell you writing reviews isn’t hard work at all; that it’s a cushy job. Just play the game, write down what you think and there you go, done. Sometimes, though, things aren’t as simple. Sometimes one really has to sit back and try – try hard – to be as objective as possible towards a game, despite its issues. That’s the case with the latest release from the husband-and-wife studio Whalenought, modeled after their previous and quite interesting CRPG throwback Serpent in the Staglands. So, what’s the problem with Mechajammer?