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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
LegionBound Synergy Guide: All 30 Classes & Groups (2026)
LegionBound synergy explained — all 30 classes across 3 circular groups, what synergy subclasses do, and which clusters to build first in 2026.
· 12 min read
Guide
Windrose Bosses: Loot Tables, Weak Spots & Named Attacks
Windrose bosses full breakdown: Richards, Israel Hands, High Priestess, Ghost Captain. Weak spots, named attacks, and loot tables for all biomes.
· 16 min read
Guide
Kristala Endgame Guide: What to Do After the Story
Beat Elder Satine and hit 'To be continued'? Kristala endgame means 6 clans, 50 achievements, and 60-80 hours of replayability: here's where to start.
· 10 min read
Guides
Far Far West Boss Guide: All Five Bosses and Strategies
Far far west boss guide: all five encounters with phase breakdowns, best spells per boss, and the infinite wave rule most players learn too late.
· 11 min read
Guide
Legionbound Tips: Best Builds and Synergies for Beginners
Legionbound tips for the indie autobattler: how Ascensions work, synergy clusters to stack, row positioning, and skill tree priorities to unlock.
· 7 min read
Guide
Kristala Best Weapons Guide 2026: All Three Weapon Types
Kristala best weapons guide 2026: greatsword, sword & shield, and claws compared. Forge upgrade path, Mezuzot costs, and which weapon fits your build.
· 10 min read
Guides
ARC Raiders Crafting Guide: Workbenches, Recipes, Materials
ARC raiders crafting guide: workbench recipes, the Ferro stack, how to level vendor relationships, and which materials to hoard for the next session.
· 11 min read
Feature
Alabaster Dawn Early Access: CrossCode Fans Need to Know
Alabaster Dawn early access opens May 7: Radical Fish cuts CrossCode's puzzle dungeons, adds a hint companion, and delivers 10 hours at launch.
· 8 min read
Guides
Die in the Dungeon Relics Guide: Best Picks and Synergies
Die in the dungeon relics: how to evaluate all 142, which categories to prioritize by character, and the synergy patterns that dominate late floors.
· 14 min read
Guide
SimplePlanes 2 Guide: First Build, NACA Wings, Multiplayer
SimplePlanes 2 guide for beginners: first build tips, how NACA wings work, multiplayer setup, and whether mobile is coming. PC-only Early Access.
· 7 min read
Review
Gambonanza Review: Chess Balatro or Something Better?
Gambonanza review — capture every piece on the board or lose the run. Blukulélé's 150-gambit chess roguelike earns the Chess Balatro tag, with caveats.
· 8 min read
Guides
All Hail the Orb Alchemy Guide: 9 Discoveries Ranked
All Hail the Orb alchemy unlocks at Obelisk stage 3. Nine discoveries, one Library grind. Crystal Conduit, Speedy Transit, and Grand Opus covered.
· 17 min read