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
Murim Survival Builds Guide: Best Archetypes (2026)
Murim Survival builds: use mastery, active-skill and curios synergies, equipment, and run-specific choices to plan a 1.0 build for Ascension runs.
· 11 min read
Farever Review 2026: Good Bones, Rough Early Access
Farever review: Shiro Games' co-op RPG recovered to Mostly Positive after v0.1.3. Here's what the underlying game does well and what's still rough.
· 9 min read
MARINE.EXE Beginner Guide: 6 Classes, Builds & Setup
MARINE.EXE beginner guide covers party setup, Standard vs Elite mode, Protocols, and the Starter Quest chain: $6.99 desktop RPG from Exopoint Initiative.
· 9 min read
Deep Rock Galactic Rogue Core Guide: All 5 Classes 2026
Deep Rock Galactic Rogue Core guide: all 5 Reclaimer classes, roguelite upgrade loop, co-op builds, EA roadmap, and how it compares to the original DRG.
· 15 min read
Die in the Dungeon Relics: All Types, Triggers, and Effects
Die in the Dungeon relics guide: all 5 trigger categories, how each fires, which characters benefit, and how to read any relic you haven't seen before.
· 11 min read
Subnautica 2 Oxygen Guide: Dive Planning and Survival
Subnautica 2 oxygen management explained: tank upgrade path, when to turn back, depth zones, Tadpole air supply, base placement, and co-op oxygen rules.
· 10 min read
Deep Rock Galactic Rogue Core Co-op Team Guide 2026
Deep Rock Galactic Rogue Core co-op guide: best team comps, Falconer revive mechanic, Spotter crit math, and Enhancement deck strategy for 4 players.
· 9 min read
All Hail the Orb Unlock Tier List: All 9 Discoveries Ranked
All hail the orb unlock tier list: the nine Alchemy discoveries ranked by payoff, the Library route, and the current post-story timing for each upgrade.
· 8 min read
LegionBound Endbringer Guide: When to Fight and How to Win
LegionBound Endbringer guide: Adventure Mode's scaling final boss, when to confront it, the best counter-builds, and why timing changes everything.
· 9 min read
All Hail the Orb Automation: Max Cultist Efficiency Guide
All Hail the Orb automation guide: optimal cultist distribution by stage, idle session checklist, stamina cycle management, and knowledge bottleneck fixes.
· 11 min read
Subnautica 2 Resources: Biome Farming Guide for Early Access
Subnautica 2 resources: fractional harvests, biome rarity, and the scan-first fabrication pipeline most players get backwards in Early Access.
· 10 min read
Murim Survival Endgame Guide: Surviving Ascension Mode
Murim Survival endgame guide: Ascension unlocks, official systems, and reliable preparation without undocumented meta claims in the current 2026 build.
· 8 min read