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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
roguelikesstrategysimulationgame-economyindie gamesmid-tier games
108 articles by Marcus Vasquez
Guides
Deep Rock Galactic Rogue Core Guide: All 5 Classes 2026
Deep Rock Galactic Rogue Core: 5 Reclaimers, roguelite loop, $29.99 EA 2026. Hub for all class guides, builds, co-op tips, and how it compares to DRG.
· 15 min read
Guides
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
Guides
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
Guide
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
Guides
All Hail the Orb Unlock Tier List: All 9 Discoveries Ranked
All hail the orb unlock tier list — every alchemy discovery ranked by impact, which are trap picks, and the two-unlock core that carries most runs.
· 7 min read
Guides
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
Guides
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
Guides
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
Guide
Murim Survival Endgame Guide: Surviving Ascension Mode
Murim Survival endgame is Ascension mode: enemy density rises, stagger recovery speeds up, and most builds break. Here's what each archetype needs.
· 8 min read
Guides
Subnautica 2 Biomes Guide: All 6 Zones Ranked (2026)
Subnautica 2 biomes mapped by depth, threat level, and purpose — all 6 EA launch zones ranked with Leviathan locations and exploration order.
· 11 min read
Guides
All Hail the Orb Alchemy Recipes: Complete List of All 9
All Hail the Orb alchemy recipes: complete list of all 9 discoveries, exact effects, unlock conditions, and priority order for the Grand Opus achievement.
· 10 min read
Guide
Crimson Desert Gear Refinement: Upgrade Guide 2026
Crimson Desert gear refinement guide: tiers 0-10, material costs per tier, and how the patch 1.06 Extraction mechanic recovers your investment.
· 12 min read