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
ReviewMasters Of Albion
Masters of Albion Review: Still Mixed After Five Months
Masters of Albion review: Mixed on Steam after a rough Early Access launch, then the New Beginnings update. Who should buy the god game now, and who waits.
By Zara Chen12 min read
GuidePalworld
Palworld Fishing Rod Guide: All 6 Tiers Explained (2026)
Palworld fishing rod guide: 6 tiers exist, and 2 skip the tech tree entirely. Exact unlock levels, materials, and bait for every rod, sourced from the wiki.
By Zara Chen13 min read
GuideScrap Mechanic
Scrap Mechanic Beginner Guide: What 1.0 Actually Changed
Scrap Mechanic beginner guide: 1.0 rewrote survival with a voiced story, doubled bots, and a Claygun. Verified against patch 1.0.6, not old wiki pages.
By Zara Chen15 min read
GuideMina the Hollower
Mina the Hollower Secret Ending: All 2 Routes Explained
Mina the Hollower secret ending needs zero blame at Radiant Manor. Yacht Club's own conditions, sorted by location, plus what accepting the offer skips.
By Zara Chen13 min read
GuideRift Wizard 3
Rift Wizard 3 Crafting Guide: All 16 Equipment Sets (2026)
Rift Wizard 3 crafting guide: components track by letter code, not tier. Covers 16 confirmed Equipment Sets, wildcard slots, and the artifacts and gear.
By Zara Chen12 min read
Complete guideSons of the Forest
Sons of the Forest Complete Guide: Bosses, Weapons, Building
Sons of the forest complete guide hub: all 3 bosses, all 21 weapons, the 78-prefab building system, and why the game's been quiet since January 2025.
By Zara Chen9 min read
GuideRisk of Rain 2
Risk of Rain 2 Bosses and the Alloyed Collective DLC
Risk of Rain 2 bosses guide: the confirmed roster, what Alloyed Collective DLC actually added, and why Seekers of the Storm's launch was rocky.
By Zara Chen10 min read
Complete guideDinoblade
Dinoblade Complete Guide: Bosses, Abilities, Review 2026
Dinoblade complete guide hub: the review verdict, confirmed bosses and abilities, and an honest look at what this solo-dev release hasn't documented.
By Zara Chen16 min read
Complete guideMeccha Chameleon
Meccha Chameleon Complete Guide: Modes, Maps, Tips
Meccha Chameleon complete guide hub: painting system, all 4 modes, 19 maps, clones, poses, and the Workshop security scare, all in one place.
By Zara Chen13 min read
Complete guideDenshattack!
Denshattack Complete Guide: Bosses, Tricks, Achievements
Denshattack complete guide hub: all 9 chapter bosses, the trick and combo system, all 39 achievements, and creator skin codes, all in one place.
By Zara Chen8 min read
GuideThe Mermaid Mask
The Mermaid Mask Walkthrough Guide: All 8 Suspects (2026)
The Mermaid Mask walkthrough guide covers all 8 suspects, the Mortuga Submarine's rooms, and 13 early puzzles, without spoiling the final reveal.
By Zara Chen13 min read
Complete guideAlabaster Dawn
Alabaster Dawn Complete Guide: 6 Weapons, Builds & Tips
Alabaster Dawn complete guide hub: current Early Access weapons, builds, dungeon exploration, new player tips, and our review call, updated October 2026.
By Zara Chen13 min read