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Zara Chen
Critical Theorist & Features Writer
Zara Chen approaches games with the comparative rigour of a film critic: every mechanic has a lineage, every genre convention has a history worth interrogating. With a background in film criticism and a decade covering games for print and digital outlets, she specialises in metroidvanias, RPGs, and design-history deep-dives. Zara's writing is dense, argumentative, and structurally precise — she challenges obvious interpretations, argues both sides before picking one, and delivers single-sentence verdicts after paragraphs of careful setup.
- Background in film criticism
- 10 years games coverage
- Genre theory and design history specialist
metroidvaniarpgdesign-historygenre-theoryfeatures
68 articles by Zara Chen
Feature
Paralives Price: $39.99 EA, No DLC, All Updates Free
Paralives price is $39.99 for Early Access on Steam. No paid DLC ever: all updates through 1.0 included. Here's the full value breakdown vs The Sims 4.
· 6 min read
Guide
NetHack 5.0.0 Guide: Tips for New and Returning Players
NetHack 5.0.0 guide for new and returning players: what the built-in tutorial covers, how color health indicators work, and what changed from 3.6.x.
· 8 min read
Feature
Paralives Early Access Review: Is It Worth $39.99 in 2026?
Paralives Early Access: worth it for life-sim fans wanting a Sims alternative, not for those expecting a complete game. Day-one content and who should wait.
· 7 min read
Guide
Sunderfolk Beginner Guide: Best Classes and Party Tips
Sunderfolk beginner guide covering all 7 classes including Vanguard, the best 2-4 player party compositions, and first-run tips for the co-op tactical RPG.
· 9 min read
Pillar
Gambonanza Complete Guide: Chess Roguelike Tips 2026
Gambonanza complete guide — Crumble Mode, three winning build archetypes, Gambit tiers, Piece Wheels, and how it compares to Balatro. All in one place.
· 13 min read
Guides
Far Far West Character Guide: All Builds Explained
Far far west character guide: no classes, three archetypes, five spell schools, and how Joker cards define your run. Best build for Hard or Nightmare.
· 9 min read
Guides
DRG Rogue Core vs Deep Rock Galactic: What Actually Changed
DRG Rogue Core vs Deep Rock Galactic: extraction loop gone, 5 new classes, roguelite meta-progression. What carries over and what Ghost Ship rebuilt.
· 10 min read
Guide
Deep Rock Galactic Rogue Core Beginner Guide: 2026
Deep Rock Galactic Rogue Core beginner guide: which class to pick first, how Expenite upgrades work, and what to do in your first 5 runs. Updated May 2026.
· 8 min read
Pillar
LegionBound Guide 2026: All Modes, Classes and Builds
LegionBound guide 2026: 30 classes across 3 synergy loops, Ascension timing, Battle Mode vs Adventure Mode breakdown, skill tree, and Endbringer strategy.
· 14 min read
Guide
All Hail the Orb Walkthrough: Every Guide by Stage
All Hail the Orb walkthrough organized by progression stage: from first cultist to Grand Opus, with links to every specialist guide on GameBrief.
· 11 min read
Feature
Deep Rock Galactic Rogue Core: Complete Pre-Launch Guide
Deep Rock Galactic Rogue Core launches May 20: every confirmed mechanic before EA. All 5 classes, the upgrade economy, and what Ghost Ship changed.
· 7 min read
Feature
Best Indie Games Under $20 2026: 7 Top Budget Picks
Seven best indie games under $20 2026 reviewed: from $6.99 roguelites to $16.99 platformers. All launched in 2026, all tested before listing.
· 9 min read