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
FeatureArie Moonprayer
ARIE Moonprayer Launch 2026: Guide Spirits to the Moon
Arie Moonprayer: full Steam release from Phantom Works. This feature covers Diallo, the Diqin, tide-driven exploration, and its anime world in 2026.
By Zara Chen7 min read
ReviewThe Last Winter Knight
The Last Winter Knight Review: A Gothic Ghost Story
The Last Winter Knight review: ENDYSIS's gothic visual novel where you play a ghost knight in an abandoned castle. Released May 11. Melancholy done right.
By Zara Chen8 min read
FeatureGambonanza
Gambonanza vs Balatro: Which Roguelike Is Worth It?
Gambonanza vs Balatro compared on mechanics, replayability, and price: chess spatial puzzles vs poker hand-building. Which wins for your playstyle in 2026.
By Zara Chen10 min read
FeatureEarly Access
Best Early Access Games Worth Buying Right Now: Oct 2026
Early access games worth buying, revisited: six picks including Windrose and Subnautica 2, updated with dated Steam review data instead of launch hype.
By Zara Chen19 min read
FeatureBattlestar Galactica
Battlestar Galactica Scattered Hopes: Launch Analysis
Battlestar Galactica Scattered Hopes launched May 11 on PC. Alt Shift and Dotemu adapt the BSG TV license as a tactical roguelite fleet survival game.
By Zara Chen8 min read
Complete guideDie in the Dungeon
Die in the Dungeon Guide: 4 Frogs, Builds & 59 Achievements
Die in the Dungeon guide: 59 achievements, Bridge Tiles, Cicandela, and v5.1.1 hotfix tips for new players. Updated for the current release.
By Zara Chen17 min read
Complete guideAll Hail the Orb
All Hail the Orb Guide: 6 Steps, Alchemy & Endings
All Hail the Orb guide: automation priorities, alchemy, Obelisk stages, hidden achievements, endings, playtime, and the latest post-story hotfix status.
By Zara Chen13 min read
FeatureBesmirch
Besmirch Early Access: FAITH-Inspired Farming Horror
besmirch early access: farming horror where you tend crops by day and survive pixel-art nightmares at night. Steam price: $7.49 sale from $9.99.
By Zara Chen8 min read
FeatureFarever
Farever Early Access: Shiro Games' New Co-op RPG Launches
Farever Early Access launched May 6, 2026 at $19.99. Four classes, co-op action RPG, and September's Heroic Mode update. What's in the build.
By Zara Chen8 min read
GuideFar Far West
Far Far West Spells Guide: All 30 Spells & Combos 2026
Far far west spells guide: all 30 spells across 6 schools (Frost added August 2026), unlock levels, cooldowns, cast delays, and cross-school combos.
By Zara Chen13 min read
NewsAmberspire
Amberspire Launches: Dice City Builder by Bithell Games
Amberspire is out now on Steam: Lunar Division's dice city builder drops you on an alien moon to build, manage factions, and survive the ecology.
By Zara Chen4 min read
FeatureMixtape
Mixtape Launch May 7: Annapurna's '90s Memory Adventure
Mixtape launch: Annapurna's stop-motion '90s memory adventure from the Artful Escape team launched May 7 with day-one Xbox Game Pass support.
By Zara Chen8 min read