Puzzle Strategy!

I am a puzzle fiend from way back. It all started with Tetris. Then in high school I downloaded an innocent-looking game called Bejeweled. I played that damn game for HOURS. Many assignments were left to the last minute thanks to Bejeweled!

Then when I got my PSP, one of the first games I bought was Lumines. Described to me as “similar to tetris”, this game had it all: a character you could choose that danced along to the music in the top corner (I chose a cat, of course); level-ups; the ability to see the next blocks and therefore plan your moves; and of course…um, rotating blocks. I can honestly play that game for hours and get a pretty big game up, but I’m not as crazy as these people.

And now the new edition of Puzzle Quest Galactrix has got me excited. I’d never heard of the game before but found it through a banner ad (don’t hate the banner ads – it’s part of my job to produce them!) and after playing a demo, I’m very keen to play it again. It looks like a cross between Bejeweled, with the swapping of jewels to create ‘strings’ of similar colours; and something of a turn-based strategy game, with defensive and attacking moves (done by swapping the jewels and creating certain combinations to attack or defend). A turn-based strategy puzzle game! How awesome!

Video Games bar to hit Brisbane!

I’ve always loved going to the local LAN café for a spot of PC gaming, to enjoy the hype of team gaming and bask in the atmosphere of kindred spirits. The hum of computers. The clicking of mouse buttons and keys. The murmuring between team members. The game posters on the walls and of course, the high sugar, high energy snacks and drinks and small scale peripherals for sale at the counter. The obligatory geek guy/girl with blue hair, piercings and a black WOW shirt selling you hours on computer #24. I love it.

I particularly liked a LAN café at South Brisbane/Woolloongabba called AFK. Unfortunately it no longer exists but it had potential. The computers were set up on nice desks on one side of the room, with lounges for handheld gaming (or lounging) and tables for tabletop gaming and dining. The food was delicious café food and the coffee was great. Most LAN cafes in Brisbane are more internet cafes with vending machine-type food. It was more of a destination for gamers to gather now that we live in the age of home-based gaming, where my PC set up at home is better than what you would get in a café and we have improved broadband speeds (though we could do with a lot better, Mr Rudd!).

But where do the console gamers go to gather? It seems there will soon be an option. Now I’m sure many a gamer has had a drunken night of gaming with their friends – who hasn’t? My last birthday party was exactly that. But having a destination to go out, meet new people and show everyone how good you are at Guitar Hero? Now that I would be up for! Embrace the gaming community Brisbane, we’re here to stay.

Finding Ms Croft

They've announced that Angelina Jolie will not be playing Lara Croft in the next Tomb Raider movie; the role will be re-cast.

I was not all that upset to hear the news. I love Angelina Jolie, possibly because she was Lara Croft however I feel that there could be someone out there better suited to the role.

Personality-wise, I'm thinking Rosario Dawson, however the producers might go for another good choice, Eva Mendes if they have the budget. I think Eidos did a great job with Tomb Raider Legend in choosing Karima Adebibe as the promo model; her look is spot-on. Even Alison Carroll's look for Tomb Raider Underworld is pretty damn close.

The report I heard was that "Angelina Jolie would no longer play Lara Croft in the Tomb Raider movies." Does this mean that there are plans for more? I hope they do a decent job and don't ruin it for us. Sure, the movies aren't Spiderman quality or even future classics but they were a bit of fun for Lara Croft fans.

Yes, I'm a girl and I love Lara Croft, preferably the pixelated version. What girl wouldn't want to be a smart, hot chick who can kick butt?