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
Outbound Signal Tower Guide: Blueprints and Progression
Outbound signal tower guide: blueprint offers randomize per player in co-op. How to activate, what to prioritize, and the co-op catch new players miss.
· 10 min read
Lost Castle 2 Guide: Builds, Bosses, and Review 2026
Lost Castle 2 guide hub: review (8.0), all 6 weapon type builds, 12 boss strategies, and the Third Layer Inscription system. Hunter Studio's 1.0 release.
· 12 min read
Fatekeeper Guide: Builds, Archetypes, and EA Review
Fatekeeper guide hub: all 11 articles covering builds, archetypes, skill tree, and Early Access review. Paraglacial's first-person RPG at $9.99 on Steam.
· 13 min read
Tears of Metal: Co-op Hack-and-Slash Roguelike Demo 2026
Tears of Metal is a medieval co-op hack-and-slash roguelike at Steam Next Fest 2026. Reclaim your island with a Scottish battalion in the free demo.
· 4 min read
Romestead Co-op Guide: 1 to 8 Players, Roles, Scaling
Romestead co-op guide: role split for 2-8 players, wave scaling, Blacksmith defense priority, Altar Level 2 teleportation unlock, and god delegation tips.
· 9 min read
ARC Raiders Buried City Guide: Loot Zones & Extractions
ARC Raiders Buried City guide: the four regions, best loot POIs like Library and Grandioso, where ARCs spawn, and how Metro Station extractions work.
· 9 min read
Lost Castle 2 Beginner Guide: Weapons, Build & First Run
Lost Castle 2 beginner guide: pick from 6 weapon types, set Serena's chest odds, mix Alchemy Amulets, and build a survivable solo Tank to start strong.
· 9 min read
Rift Wizard 3: Hardcore Wizard Roguelike Hits EA June 23
Rift Wizard 3 launches in Early Access June 23, 2026. The open build system returns with new spells, artifact synergies, and a planned 1-year EA run.
· 4 min read
Far Far West Fire Spells: All 5 Pyro Spells & Combos
Far Far West Fire spells: all 5 Pyro spells from Fireball to Finger Guns, the Fireball-then-Surcharge order, and the Acid tornado reaction that carries.
· 8 min read
ARC Raiders Vaporizer Guide: Down the Flying Laser ARC
ARC Raiders Vaporizer guide: shoot the rotors to ground it, hit the belly core, break line of sight on the laser, and Wolfpack the instant the shield drops.
· 8 min read
Lost Castle 2 Builds Guide: All 6 Weapon Types at 1.0
Lost Castle 2 builds guide: all 6 weapon types, how Third Layer Inscription Resonance works, and the strongest synergy chains to run at the 1.0 launch.
· 12 min read
Beastro Flavor Guide: How the 5 Tastes Work in Combat
Beastro flavor guide: 5 tastes, how cooking creates your deck, and which flavor pairs enhance or suppress combat. Sour boosts Umami. Bitter cuts it.
· 9 min read