Marcus Vasquez
Senior Critic & Analyst
Marcus Vasquez spent four years as a game economy analyst before switching to criticism full-time. With 11 years covering indie and mid-tier titles, he brings a data-first lens to reviews — tracking playtime distributions, upgrade path efficiency, and value-per-hour benchmarks that most critics overlook. Based in Austin, Marcus specialises in roguelikes, strategy, and simulation games. His reviews are known for precise numerical claims, dry wit, and an unflinching willingness to say exactly when a game's numbers don't add up.
- 11 years games criticism
- Former game economy analyst
- Roguelike and strategy specialist
194 articles by Marcus Vasquez
Task Bar Hero Tier List: All 6 Classes Ranked 2026
Task Bar Hero tier list: Priest and Ranger top, both free. All 6 class prices, live Mixed review score, and the Steam Market saga most guides skip.
· 9 min read
Dave the Diver In the Jungle Walkthrough: All 7 Chapters
Dave the Diver In the Jungle walkthrough: all 7 chapters, from The Village with Bad Food to Deep Down. Zone unlocks and key quests, chapter by chapter.
· 10 min read
Dave the Diver Giant Goby Boss Guide: Murau Temple
Dave the Diver Giant Goby boss guide covering Murau Temple B2, its 700 HP fight, the High Jump attack, and the best strategy to beat it clean.
· 9 min read
Dave the Diver Sulong Boss Guide: How to Win the Hunt
Dave the Diver Sulong boss guide covering the Vegetation Cave location, attack patterns, weak spots, and the Operation: Sulong Hunt questline in full.
· 9 min read
Slay the Spire 2 Beginner Guide: All 10 Ascension Levels
Slay the Spire 2 beginner guide: Ascension tops out at 10 levels, not 20 like the original. What each modifier does, plus the mistakes new runs die to.
· 11 min read
Ground Branch 1.0: Reviews Dip Right Before Full Launch
Ground Branch 1.0 launches July 16 after 8 years in Early Access, but recent reviews just dropped to Mixed, a detail no launch coverage has flagged.
· 9 min read
Dave the Diver Jungle Fish Guide: 50+ Species by Zone
Dave the Diver jungle fish list, zone by zone. 50+ confirmed species across Upper Utara Lake, Lower Utara Lake, and the Lakebed Sea, sourced and verified.
· 9 min read
Dark Scrolls Unlock Heroes Guide: All 9 Characters
Dark Scrolls unlock heroes: 3 start free (Grizz, Pigeon, Emerys). Biscuit needs the Stage 1 cage. Six more hide in dungeon secrets across the run.
· 8 min read
Slay the Spire 2 Review: What the Steam Score Misses
Slay the Spire 2 review: the deckbuilding is as sharp as ever, but three review-bomb waves buried the Steam score. Here's what's actually true.
· 12 min read
DRG Rogue Core Bio-Boosters and Artifacts Guide 2026
DRG Rogue Core Bio-Boosters and Artifacts guide covering how each system works, how to unlock Artifacts, and why they're not the same as permanent upgrades.
· 9 min read
The Mermaid Mask Review: SFB's Locked-Room Mystery
The Mermaid Mask review: SFB Games returns to Detective Grimoire with a submarine locked-room murder, 3D clue objects, and a Budapest Art Orchestra score.
· 8 min read
Killer Bean Advanced Guide: Combat, Conquest, and Builds
Killer Bean advanced guide: dodge cancel timing, Conquest mode strategy, skill tree beyond Guns Blazing, and which weapon combos work in the late game.
· 8 min read