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
255 articles by Marcus Vasquez
ARC Raiders Machine Types: How to Kill Every ARC Unit (2026)
ARC Raiders machine types guide: Hornet, Wasp, Tick, Firefly, Rocketeer kill strategies with exact weak points, ammo picks, and detection patterns.
· 10 min read
Abiotic Factor Beginner Guide: Tips and First Steps 2026
Abiotic Factor beginner guide: first steps in the Cascade Research Facility, co-op setup for 1-6 players, and the progression milestones that matter most.
· 8 min read
ARC Raiders Riven Tides Guide: Shockwave, Loot, and Secrets
ARC Raiders Riven Tides guide: Shockwave clears the coastal mist, the Panorama Azzurro hotel loot is deceptively light, and room 404 is still a mystery.
· 7 min read
Rune Dice Mage Build: 3 Element Paths and Merge Chains
Rune Dice Mage build guide covering the real merge-chain mechanic, the burn vs freeze decision, and why Gravity is a Rune, not a stacking Relic.
· 12 min read
Windrose Naval Tactics Guide: All 5 Tactics Ranked 2026
Windrose naval tactics guide: the real 5 options (Ambush, No Quarter, Stretch The Supply, Shipshape, Silence the Guns), plus the cannon rotation technique.
· 9 min read
Shapez 2 Blueprints: Save, Share & Import to the Library
Shapez 2 blueprints guide: save factories to the library, copy and paste with blueprint codes, import .spz2bp files, and where to share builds in 2026.
· 9 min read
Kristala Lophi Boss Guide: Parry Timing & How to Win
Kristala Lophi boss guide: why his yellow attacks should be parried not dodged, when to dodge the jump attack, and how to bank mana for spells.
· 8 min read
Romestead Denarius Guide: How to Make Money Fast 2026
Romestead denarius is one currency with Quadrans, not a separate coin. Here is how the tiers mint into each other and how to make money fast.
· 9 min read
ARC Raiders Augments Guide: Best Frames Ranked 2026
ARC Raiders augments guide: Combat, Looting, and Tactical frames explained, the best Mark III picks, and how backpack, weight, and shield trade off.
· 9 min read
Besmirch Baron Trust: 5 Rules for Safer Villager Bonds
Besmirch baron trust: confirmed Early Access systems for food, tithes, NPC requests, nightly danger, and careful planning under the corrupt Baron.
· 10 min read
Rune Dice Relics Guide: Best Builds and Relic Priority 2026
Rune Dice relics guide covering confirmed relic picks, build priority by class, and why some circulating build combos aren't backed by any official source.
· 8 min read
CALX Preview 2026: Moebius Aesthetics, Metroid Bones
CALX preview: True Colors' debut action-adventure delayed to Oct 8. Demo impressions from planet Syro with four AFX weapons and Moebius-inspired visuals.
· 10 min read