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
Fields of Mistria Review: 12 Marriage Candidates, 1.0
Fields of Mistria review: 1.0 launched Aug 5, 2026 with marriage, children, and weddings. What actually shipped, verified fact by fact against patch notes.
· 10 min read
Mina the Hollower Complete Guide: 60 Trinkets, 2 Endings
Mina the Hollower complete guide: every article on Yacht Club's gothic action-adventure in one hub, from all 60 trinkets to the secret Blameless ending.
· 14 min read
ARC Raiders Workshop Upgrade Items: All 6 Stations (2026)
ARC Raiders workshop upgrade items: 7 stations, 40+ materials confirmed. Full Level 1-3 costs by station, priority order, and what an Expedition wipes.
· 14 min read
Best Base-Building and Colony Sim Games in 2026: 8 Picks
Best base-building and colony sim games in 2026: Timberborn and Going Medieval lead 8 picks, from proven co-op hits to one reverse city-builder wildcard.
· 11 min read
Mina the Hollower Trinkets Guide: All 60 Locations (2026)
Mina the Hollower trinkets: all 60 confirmed and verified, with effects, locations, and the Trinket Bag order that unlocks all 6 equip slots fastest.
· 20 min read
Timberborn Beginner Guide: Dams, Wheels, and Drought Tips
Timberborn beginner guide: yes, water is the hardest system to learn. How dams, water wheels, irrigation, and drought cycles work, with confirmed numbers.
· 14 min read
ALL WILL FALL Review: Still Worth It in August 2026
ALL WILL FALL review: still Mostly Positive at 1,300+ ratings, but a June regression lingers. What changed since launch, and who should buy it now.
· 9 min read
StarRupture Review: Very Positive, But Bases Still Freeze
StarRupture review: still Very Positive seven months in, but big bases trigger multi-second rail freezes. What Update 1 fixed, and what it did not.
· 11 min read
Sons of the Forest Weapons Guide: All 21 Confirmed
Sons of the forest weapons guide: all 21 confirmed melee and ranged weapons listed by name, sourced from the game's own wiki, not a rounded estimate.
· 8 min read
Risk of Rain 2 Survivors Guide: All 18 Characters Ranked
Risk of Rain 2 survivors guide: all 18 playable characters confirmed, including the Alloyed Collective DLC additions, with unlock notes and playstyles.
· 10 min read
Dinoblade Bosses and Abilities: What's Confirmed So Far
Dinoblade bosses and abilities guide: the 4 confirmed named bosses, Alpha Roar and other skills, and Boss Rush mode, with the roster gaps flagged honestly.
· 8 min read
Palworld Best Pals: 1.0 Data-Backed Tier Picks (2026)
Palworld best pals after 1.0: a data-backed overall and combat shortlist, verified against the 287-Pal roster and current Partner Skill changes.
· 11 min read