Zara Chen
Genre & Design History Desk
Zara Chen is GameBrief's byline for comparisons and genre analysis: metroidvanias, RPGs and the design lineage behind them. The desk puts each mechanic next to the games it descends from, challenges the obvious reading, and ends on a one-line verdict. Claims about earlier games come from sourced release and design records. Dates, numbers and quotes are traced to a source before anything publishes.
- Metroidvanias and RPGs
- Comparisons and design history
- Sources listed per article
170 articles by Zara Chen
FeatureSteam Next Fest
Steam Next Fest October 2026: Dates, Times and 15 Demos
Steam Next Fest October 2026 starts October 19 at 10am PDT. Start and end times in five time zones, the demos already live and 15 games worth a try.
By Zara Chen7 min read
FeatureSteam Next Fest
Steam Next Fest Co-op Demos: 5 to Play in October 2026
Steam Next Fest co-op demos for October 2026: five games to try with friends, with demo dates, player caps and which ones keep your progress at launch.
By Zara Chen7 min read
GuideRisk of Rain 2
Risk of Rain 2 Simulacrum Guide: Waves and Rewards
Risk of Rain 2 Simulacrum guide: how the waves, Void Fog, boss rewards, environments, DLC access, and wave 50 Void Fiend challenge work now.
By Zara Chen10 min read
GuideARC Raiders
ARC Raiders Camera: How to Get It and Where Photos Go
ARC Raiders camera after Frozen Trail 2.0: how to buy, craft or find the Basic and Advanced Camera, which quests need photos, and where your pictures save.
By Zara Chen9 min read
Complete guideActive Matter
Active Matter Guide: PvE Only, Pay to Win and Editions
Active Matter guide for new operatives: paid, not pay to win, and fully playable PvE. Which edition to buy, how Isolated Raids work, and what's next.
By Zara Chen14 min read
NewsValor Mortis
Valor Mortis price, PC specs, PS5 and Xbox availability
Valor Mortis price starts at $39.99 on Steam, with Deluxe at $59.99. See PS5 and Xbox availability, final PC specs, Steam Deck status and review count.
By Zara Chen5 min read
GuideDinoblade
Dinoblade Builds Guide: Health, Strength, and Stats (2026)
Dinoblade builds guide: what Health, Strength, Resonance and Stamina do, how Boss SP and the Soul Arts tree work, and three builds to start from.
By Zara Chen10 min read
GuideRisk of Rain 2
Risk of Rain 2 Eclipse Guide: All 8 Modifiers Explained
Risk of Rain 2 Eclipse guide: all 8 cumulative modifiers, multiplayer rules, survivor picks, artifact restrictions, and a practical path to Eclipse 8.
By Zara Chen10 min read
Complete guideValor Mortis
Valor Mortis Guide: Release Date, Price, and Basics
Valor Mortis guide: released October 13 at $39.99, with PS5 and Xbox offers, final PC specs, Steam Deck status, Deluxe contents, and demo history.
By Zara Chen18 min read
GuideARC Raiders
ARC Raiders Anvil After 2.0: Rarity, Splitter, Bantam
ARC Raiders Anvil after Frozen Trail 2.0: rarity moved to Blue, Splitter mod retired, two Amplified paths, and how the new Bantam revolver compares.
By Zara Chen11 min read
GuideDinoblade
Dinoblade Parry Guide: Deflect, Dodge, and Red Attacks
Dinoblade parry guide: read red glints, deflect normal attacks, dodge safely, and build a repeatable combat rhythm without invented frame data.
By Zara Chen9 min read
FeatureDenshattack!
Denshattack Soundtrack: 81 Tracks, Composers, and DLC
Denshattack Soundtrack - 81 tracks, Tee Lopes, guest composers, streaming links, and the official Steam DLC explained for fans building an OST playlist.
By Zara Chen9 min read