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
Voidling Bound Gene Splice Guide: When and What to Splice
Voidling Bound gene splice guide: when it unlocks, 5 Polychrome Mutagen cost, best donor species, and the irreversible mistake most players make first.
· 8 min read
Dark Scrolls Dungeon Guide: All Floors and Zones 2026
Dark Scrolls dungeon guide: how floors progress, enemy types by zone, Shoppe timing between stages, and survival tips for later zones with all 9 heroes.
· 10 min read
Frog Sqwad Advanced Guide: Scoring, Combos & Extraction
Frog Sqwad advanced guide: tongue combo chains, Megafrog timing, and quota math for squads ready to move past the basics and hit consistent high runs.
· 10 min read
Valheim Deep North Biome Guide: Enemies and Gear 2026
Valheim deep north biome confirmed enemies, gear tiers, and dungeons. How to enter safely with Mistlands gear, resist frostbite, and prep for September 9.
· 10 min read
Alabaster Dawn Skill Tree: Best Builds and Tips 2026
Alabaster Dawn skill tree guide for all 8 weapons and 4 elements. Covers mastery tiers, 3 recommended build paths, and which skills to prioritize first.
· 10 min read
Dark Scrolls Best Builds: All 9 Heroes Ranked 2026
Dark Scrolls best builds guide: 9 heroes ranked for solo and co-op. Grizz, Pigeon, Biscuit, Nezumi, Emerys with Shoppe synergies and trinket picks.
· 11 min read
Fatekeeper Archetypes Guide: 5 Build Paths Explained
Fatekeeper archetypes guide: all 5 playstyle paths in Early Access (Pyroclast, Frost Reaper, Wind Dancer, Blood Knight, Alchemist) with skill nodes.
· 11 min read
Subnautica 2 Co-op Tips: Advanced Squad Strategies
Subnautica 2 co-op tips for advanced players: biomod role builds, relay outpost networks, biome coordination, and 4-player Leviathan tactics.
· 9 min read
Voidling Bound Builds: Top Gene Combos and Splices 2026
Voidling Bound builds guide: top-tier Nimiod, Plasma roster, and Cyber splice setups. Attribute allocation, splicing costs, and Abyss run strategies.
· 9 min read
Romestead Trading Post: Logistics and Routes Guide 2026
Romestead trading post unlocks via the University. Here is how to set up routes, avoid the batch-size jam bug, and automate goods between settlements.
· 9 min read
Tabletop Tavern Tips: 9 Ways to Win More Runs 2026
Tabletop Tavern tips for new players: how the morale system decides battles, which factions suit beginners, and why auto-resolve loses runs you should win.
· 9 min read
Tainted Grail Review: Dark Arthurian RPG Worth Playing?
Tainted Grail review: Very Positive with over 31,000 Steam reviews. A dark Arthurian open-world RPG that's genuinely strong through Act 2, weaker in Act 3.
· 9 min read