Fighting is stupid

[jetpack_monkey]

On Thursday I broke one of my personal rules for continued sanity and got into a heated debate on the Internet. It was pointless and mainly fueled by the fact that all involved parties were/are extremely passionate about the subject of contention (Festivids), but held strikingly different viewpoints on what that entailed.

The reason I don't get into fights on the Internet (or really, arguments at all) is that I spend the next two weeks living in an echo of the debate, considering how I could have responded better or more cuttingly or more kindly or when I could have extricated myself earlier.

To speed the process, I declared a Festivids-free weekend. Both the roommate and the spouse were instructed to gently flick me if I started talking about Festivids and to escalate the response if I didn't relent. Only one flick happened, thankfully.

Instead, I spent the weekend doing some LEGO scale-building experiments, playing through LEGO Dimensions (which is becoming a $$$ suck), and rewatching Grey's Anatomy with jmtorres. Last night, echan and I went to the Pasadena Symphony for Dvorak's "From the New World", which was lovely and fun. It's nice to expand your horizons sometimes.

I am very much looking forward to Festivids and I hope the rest of you are as well.

Comments

[morgandawn]

Very wise, young padawan. Very wise.

[grammarwoman]

Ugh, I'm sorry you got sucked into an argument. I hate conflict myself, so I know how bad the afterwards can be. *HUGS*

So talk to me about Lego Dimensions! We're planning on getting it for our son, the Skylanders graduate, so we at least know that the figures are going to be a money $uck, and I watched some of the play-through with him. The bastards had me at Doctor Who.

[jetpack_monkey]

So, the thing about LEGO Dimensions is that it's kind of insidious. After the first couple of hours, I was like, "Man, I think I wasted my money."

Cut to two weeks later and I'm still playing *every* chance I can get.

Have you played any of the other LEGO games? This is a lot like that, except instead of unlocking new characters and abilities through progress, you do it through buying new character/level/team packs. None of them are required to beat the game, however, but they are required to *complete* the game -- get all of the optional items and complete quests in the adventure worlds (which are like open areas to just run around and do stuff and collect more studs/money).

LEGO's being super-smart about it, too. For instance, there are areas that can only be accessed with anti-ghost powers. Said anti-ghost powers are only available with Ghostbuster Peter Venkmann, who doesn't come out until January. So they're ensuring participation through at least that point.

If you get somewhere in the game you can't access, a little question box will pop up. If you punch it, it'll let you know what powers can be used to access the area and there's an option to see what characters and vehicles have that power. Sometimes it's just a matter of upgrading your existing vehicles.

Absolutely, bar-none, must-purchase figure: Wonder Woman. She does everything Batman does (except stealth, but her invisible jet does stealth), plus she's super-strong, flies, and (this is the best part for being terrible at LEGO combat), she's freakin' invulnerable. Also I hope you love the Wonder Woman theme music.

Somebody did figured out that the best combination of powers for unlocking areas was probably the Benny and Cyborg figures.

Also, I don't know if you've played/have an affinity for the Portal series of games, but if you do, LEGO Dimensions is a treasure trove of new content for the characters that's very in line with the proper games.

There are some ridiculously wonderful mash-up moments and some missed opportunities (*rolls eyes at "The Tri"*).

Also, regarding fun packs vs. level packs: Level packs give you access to another linear level within the related fandom. Said level relies entirely on the abilities of the included character and their vehicles/accessories.

Fun/team packs can still give you extra content, however, as they will unlock "hub worlds" for the related properties. Buying a Ninjago character will give you access to the Ninjago hub, Jurassic World will give you access to Isla Nublar, etc.

Some minor irritations: characters will have unique dialogue that will pop up when a certain other character is in play. They will repeat this unique dialogue once or twice a level and you will grow to hate it. If I have to hear Wildstyle ask Wonder Woman how Superman's doing one more time...

Also, the game's use of the portal pad thingy is not terrible intuitive sometimes, nor are its signals that certain visual cues relate to certain characters. You'll figure it out over time, but it's not super-obvious at first.

[grammarwoman]

I've played pretty much all the Lego games, so this sounds right in my wheelhouse. Thank you for the recommendations on which figures are key! I'm a little :( that they don't/won't have Marvel characters in this, but I guess they're over in their own new Disney system, alas, and hell if I'm getting the Infinity system either.

[jetpack_monkey]

Yeah, I'm a little sad we won't see Marvel or Star Wars (and that LEGO is still trying to make their in-house properties like Ninjago a thing), but what we get is pretty sweet and far-spread.

Here's a run-down of what I have, if you're interested:
Wildstyle (default)
Batman (default)
Gandalf (default)
Batmobile (default)
Wonder Woman (DC Comics)
Cyborg (DC Comics)
Chell (Portal level pack)
Benny (LEGO Movie)
Emmett (LEGO Movie)
Nya (Ninjago)

I'm eyeing a Chima character because there are some collectibles that can only be collected with a Chima character and the Scooby-Doo pack, because Scooby-Doo.

[brokenallbroken]

Excellent post-argument decision making. Dvorak will rescue my mood 90% of the time. So glad he works for you too!

[littleheaven]

Ugh, I do the same. I'm still mulling over an exchange I had with some asshole who abused my husband outside the oncology ward at Auckland hospital shortly before he died. That was five years ago!

I am really looking forward to Festivids, even if Brooklyn Nine Nine (my new fandom) has been disqualified (sob). I have recently been made redundant so I'll have lots of extra time to vid! Yay for silver linings. I'd like to do three this year, if I can find requests that I think I can do justice to.

[jetpack_monkey]

Ugh, that sucks - the redundancy, not the extra vidding time. *hugs*

[littleheaven]

Aw, thanks. It's not so bad. 27 years of continuous service gets me a pretty good payout. I'm going to start my own business as a freelance proofreader and editor, and I plan to add web writing and SEO as well. If it comes off it'll be a dream come true. If not, plenty of time to find a new job.

[sol_se]

I still think about & wince at a couple Internet Conflicts I had years & years ago. So, I feel ya.

<3

[jetpack_monkey]

I am so excited to see you participating in Festivids this year! SQUEE

[sol_se]

Haha, yep yep. Nothing like the threat of failure and disappointment to meet a deadline to make me creative! :D? :D?

Just kidding (sort of). I want my assignment noooooow. *bounces* Glad you're doing it too!