SpecialtyCoffeeDad's recent activity
-
Comment on Haka interrupts vote on New Zealand Treaty Principles Bill in ~society
-
Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
SpecialtyCoffeeDad LinkI got on to talking to my kids about PSX and PS2 era demo discs, and they were pretty impressed with the concept. I remembered seeing Next Fest ads on Steam recently, so we scrolled through to see...I got on to talking to my kids about PSX and PS2 era demo discs, and they were pretty impressed with the concept. I remembered seeing Next Fest ads on Steam recently, so we scrolled through to see if any interesting kid friendly games were still available.
We found Popucom.
Popucom is a cooperative 3D puzzle platformer with match-3 inspired mechanics, alongside other gizmos which give each level a unique twist.
My 7 and 8 year old played it together, while I watched and filled in for the 7 year old when they struggled with the controls.
It's joyful little game so far. Defeating enemies by shooting colour blobs at them is incredibly safisfying.
It makes a really good kid-parent co-op experience if you can accept your kids are going to take a bit longer to grapple with some of the mechanics. Be warned there are some difficulty spikes too, but we worked through them, and had some hard earned high fives afterwards.
There are some mechanics in the game that are a bit trying. There's a device which sends out a cat in a flying machine that can lift things up, and having to coordinate the kids to carry one object together, and not fly in opposing directions, was unduely challenging.
There's also some design choices I hope they iron out. Each player can swap between 2 colours, and will need to change colours to solve certain puzzles. The colours changed between each level, and were sometimes hard to distinguish between -- like light blue and teal. I have to assume they want you to be able to tell the colours apart, and they don't want you to have your character repeatedly get eviscerated by lazers because you weren't sure if they were red or orange.
But on the whole, I'm keen for more, and will definitely be purchasing the full game when it's available. It looks like the demo is still available on Steam until 5 November.
-
Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
SpecialtyCoffeeDad Link ParentThe first palace boss did something like this. They didn't throw out the mechanics as such, but they introduced some ad hoc mechanics, and it didn't sit well with me. I couldn't remember if this...There are however 2 boss battles in memory that throw out all the mechanics the game has taught you and were immensely frustrating and nearly drove me to quit.
The first palace boss did something like this. They didn't throw out the mechanics as such, but they introduced some ad hoc mechanics, and it didn't sit well with me. I couldn't remember if this was something they did throughout the game, so didn't comment on it.
It irks me when games have an established pattern of gameplay, but they veer away from it for boss fights. Boss fights should be a test of the skills you've learned through the game, not some completely unrelated challenge.
Points to SMTV for committing to its core mechanics, while still having challenging bosses.
-
Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
SpecialtyCoffeeDad LinkI recently finished Shin Megami Tensei V Vengeance, and am now moving on to Persona 5 Royal. I'd played the original release of Persona 5 a few years ago, but decided to pick it up in a recent...I recently finished Shin Megami Tensei V Vengeance, and am now moving on to Persona 5 Royal. I'd played the original release of Persona 5 a few years ago, but decided to pick it up in a recent Steam sale, and keep going with this SMT kick I'm evidently now on.
I like both of these games for their own reasons, but it's hard not to compare them, especially playing them side by side. I'm probably going to jump around between them as I just stream-of-conscious my thoughts out.
I played SMTV through twice -- once to experience the original story, and once to experience the new story. The original wasn't received that well, so they introduced a new storyline for the re-release. I figured I'd appreciate the changes more being more familiar with the original but, I think I would have enjoyed the experience a bit more skipping the original story.
The biggest issue with the original story line is that the human characters have almost no personality. They expanded on characters, and made them a lot more interesting, as well as introducing some new ones, which generally worked well.
Being a bit time poor, I decided to do new game plus and carry over my abilities and demons, and steamrolled through the game the second time. I feel like I robbed myself a bit of experiencing the new bosses, though, and it probably messed with the pacing a bit.
I really enjoyed the level of strategy required in the game. If you don't know the games, it's a bit like Pokémon. You fight demons, and can recruit them to your team, then fuse then into more powerful demons.
It's similar in Persona, but there are a lot more metagame elements to juggle. SMTV is much more focussed on combat, and I feel like there's more depth of strategy. It feels like there's more levers you need to play with to succeed, and the sense of achievement even for beating story bosses is much higher for me.
And while the new story is somewhat more fleshed out, it still doesn't feel like it gets in the way at all. You're battling and recruiting demons within 30 minutes.
By comparison the start of P5R really drags out, as it slowly trots out its various mechanics over the course of hours.
But once it gets going, it is really fun. Balancing your social connections, developing your personality stats, and exploring the metaverse and palaces sounds like it could be tedious, but the way it all fits together is incredibly satisfying.
And the stylised world of P5R is a lot easier on the eyes than SMTV. SMTV has some great demon designs, but the world feels a bit bland and repetitive at times. I like in principle that it's a more open world, but exploring is difficult because parts of the world just look a bit samey. The small, distinct sections of P5R are a lot more memorable. And the visual style is stunning, and gives it a timeless charm.
-
Comment on International Talk Like A Pirate Day 2024 in ~talk
SpecialtyCoffeeDad LinkBeing in a timezone where you're roughly a day ahead of most English speaking countries, you would think, should be pretty cool. We're basically living in the future. But pretty regularly I only...Being in a timezone where you're roughly a day ahead of most English speaking countries, you would think, should be pretty cool. We're basically living in the future.
But pretty regularly I only find out about things like this after they've sailed me by.
I could be making my kids giggle with my, I think, pretty good pirate voice. But instead I'm seething knowing I can't in good faith talk like a pirate. That ship has sailed, and now pirate adjacent idioms are the only way I can float my boat.
My message to the rest of you: Don't squander this opportunity. The view from the future if you do is pretty grim.
-
Comment on The new Māori Queen: Kuini Nga wai hono i te po, 27, to succeed her father Kiingi Tuheitia as Māori monarch in ~news
SpecialtyCoffeeDad LinkThis article about the Kuini is a good read if you're interested in little insight into Māori culture and language. It's an interview with a Māori community leader and academic, who shared his...This article about the Kuini is a good read if you're interested in little insight into Māori culture and language. It's an interview with a Māori community leader and academic, who shared his optimism about Nga wai hono i te po as the new Kuini.
https://e-tangata.co.nz/comment-and-analysis/nga-wai-hono-i-te-po-is-the-right-woman-for-the-job/
I watched her coronation, and it was really very beautiful to see. I look forward to seeing how she grows into her role, and grows the role into herself.
I'll just clarify, the position doesn't hold any constitutional power. It's also not necessarily recognised by all Māoridom. But it's still a position with a lot of mana -- strength and dignity -- and influence.
The Kiingitanga -- the Māori monarch movement -- is very vocal politically. They've been in the spotlight recently calling for unity among Māori to stand against the anti-Māori policies of the current right-wing Government.
The New Zealand left loves a strong young female voice, so the coronation of Nga wai hono i te po will no doubt be a massive signal boost for Kiingitanga. We're all just waiting now to see what she does with it.
-
Comment on A coffee insider explains how celebrity coffee brands really work in ~food
SpecialtyCoffeeDad Link ParentAh, sorry team. I really thought it was the same guy for some reason. Well, he does a good job I think, and could certainly carry the mantle.Ah, sorry team. I really thought it was the same guy for some reason. Well, he does a good job I think, and could certainly carry the mantle.
-
Comment on A coffee insider explains how celebrity coffee brands really work in ~food
SpecialtyCoffeeDad Link ParentHe started a new channel https://youtube.com/@hoffmanncomethHe started a new channel
-
Comment on Let's build a playlist! in ~music
SpecialtyCoffeeDad Link ParentFull Moon Full Life came on, and I was briefly dismissive when I realised it was from Persona 3 Reload, but quickly realised it actually freakin' rules. I played P3P a few years back, and am...Full Moon Full Life came on, and I was briefly dismissive when I realised it was from Persona 3 Reload, but quickly realised it actually freakin' rules. I played P3P a few years back, and am currently playing through SMTV, and while I'm enjoying it, the music has nothing on the Persona games.
-
Comment on Let's build a playlist! in ~music
SpecialtyCoffeeDad LinkGrandaddy - The group who couldn't say Tall Dwarfs - Nothing's going to happen Connan Mockasin - I'm the man, that will find you Ginger Root - Loretta Joy Division - Dead Souls- Grandaddy - The group who couldn't say
- Tall Dwarfs - Nothing's going to happen
- Connan Mockasin - I'm the man, that will find you
- Ginger Root - Loretta
- Joy Division - Dead Souls
-
Comment on Why Donald Glover is saying goodbye to Childish Gambino in ~music
SpecialtyCoffeeDad LinkThanks for sharing, and for clarifying there's a bit more to it than the clickbaity title. His album 'Because the Internet' occupies that nostalgic space he alluded to for me -- thinking of those...Thanks for sharing, and for clarifying there's a bit more to it than the clickbaity title.
His album 'Because the Internet' occupies that nostalgic space he alluded to for me -- thinking of those songs makes me remember how it felt to hang out with my now-wife circa 2013.
I haven't really paid much attention to him since then -- if I'm being honest it's probably just the hipster in me feeling like he got too popular. But reading this article reminds me what a charming dude he is. Will give the album a crack.
-
Comment on Donald Trump whisked off stage in Pennsylvania after apparent gunshots rang through the crowd in ~news
SpecialtyCoffeeDad Link ParentThat photo may have just won him the presidency. It's so iconic it makes me feel ill. An incredibly powerful photo of one of the worst people I could possibly imagine. I really hope no one else...That photo may have just won him the presidency. It's so iconic it makes me feel ill. An incredibly powerful photo of one of the worst people I could possibly imagine.
I really hope no one else was hurt. But in a lot of ways, I have a strong suspicion this is going to hurt America.
-
Comment on What is your favorite Final Fantasy game? in ~games
SpecialtyCoffeeDad LinkMy answer is constantly changing, but today I'm going to say Final Fantasy IX. It's an inherently nostalgic game -- a competent love letter to the playfulness of the NES and SNES era games,...My answer is constantly changing, but today I'm going to say Final Fantasy IX. It's an inherently nostalgic game -- a competent love letter to the playfulness of the NES and SNES era games, nestled in an era when the series was heading in a more self-serious direction -- and since my appreciation of the series mostly rests on nostalgia, this feels like the right choice.
I like that the characters were generally a bit more lighthearted. Zidane is maybe not my favourite protagonist, but his upbeat attitude was a worthwhile change of pace after the broodiness Cloud and Squall. There are plenty of memorable supporting characters -- particular shout out to Vivi and Steiner -- and Zidane fits in his setting.
I also appreciate that the characters are unique in terms of their abilities. In the games where any character can access any spell or ability, the party selection kinda just becomes about who had the Limit Break that does the most damage. In this game, there's some overlap with some characters, but each one has their role and some unique -- but not game breaking -- abilities.
And the music is, as always, amazing. Ukulele de Chocobo and Vamo Alla' Flamenco are the best Chocobo songs.
-
Comment on Does anyone have any advice for new dads? in ~life.men
SpecialtyCoffeeDad LinkEvery child is different and every parent is different. The playbook for any family is just whatever works for the particular individuals involved. With that in mind, what I say now may miss the...Every child is different and every parent is different. The playbook for any family is just whatever works for the particular individuals involved.
With that in mind, what I say now may miss the mark for you and your wife, but this is what comes to mind for me.
Be a equal parent. I don't know what the dynamic in your family will be, but please don't treat baby like an extension of your wife. Even early on, take responsibility for what you can. Here's some random things you can probably do:
- If the baby is primarily breastfed, you can still be the one to burp them (which you can do while cuddling and swaying with them -- excellent).
- If you use formula, you get to bottle feed baby. Many will say breast is best, but the truth is that fed is best, and now you get to help, which is actually kinda cool.
- You can change nappies.
- You can bathe and shower with baby. Skin on skin in warm relaxing water.
- You can cuddle baby and make whale noises to calm them down. Babies love deep voices, and you've probably got an advantage over your wife in that department.
- If baby isn't settling, you can pop them in a stroller and go for a walk. Motion quickly calms babies and puts them to sleep.
- You can plan activities that you can do as a family -- or even you and baby. Feeling like you're trapped at home with baby can be maddening.
- Read to your baby before bed at night. It might feel a bit silly, but when they start doing a bit more than eating, pooping and sleeping, bedtime can start being a bit more of a battle. If you've got a little routine already, they'll recognise the cues and transition more easily to night-night mode.
Also -- and this may go without saying -- but if you are working, and your wife is staying home with the baby, don't assume your job is any less demanding than hers. Be prepared to come home and work even harder than you were during the day.
And for my final bit of advice, watch Bluey. There's some excellent parenting tips in that show.
-
Comment on Happy Matariki! in ~life
SpecialtyCoffeeDad Link ParentLove the Spinoff, personally. It's a good mix of pop culture articles and lefty political snark.Love the Spinoff, personally. It's a good mix of pop culture articles and lefty political snark.
-
Comment on Happy Matariki! in ~life
SpecialtyCoffeeDad LinkMānawatia a Matariki! The holiday marks when the star cluster Matariki (aka the Pleiades, the Seven Sisters or Subaru) becomes visible in the early morning sky, which happens around the time of...Mānawatia a Matariki!
The holiday marks when the star cluster Matariki (aka the Pleiades, the Seven Sisters or Subaru) becomes visible in the early morning sky, which happens around the time of the winter solstice.
It only became a public holiday in NZ a few years ago. It's great we've finally got a holiday which celebrates a Māori tradition. Other than that, the only vaguely related one I can think of is Waitangi day, which marks the signing of Te Tiriti o Waitangi (the Treaty of Waitangi) -- an agreement between Māori and the Crown. But because of how much white New Zealanders past and present have disregarded their obligations, it's maybe not as much of a cause for celebration as it could be.
Otherwise, we mostly celebrate northern hemisphere holidays, which doesn't make a lot of sense, since we experience seasons at the opposite time. We celebrate Christmas in summer when winter is so baked into every part of the traditions and imagery of that holdiay.
So here's to doing more to recognise what makes our country unique!
-
Comment on Taskmaster NZ Series 3, Episode 1 - 'F*** golf.' | Full episode in ~tv
SpecialtyCoffeeDad Link ParentMy favourite was season 2. Guy Montgomery and David Correos were particularly memorable contestants.My favourite was season 2. Guy Montgomery and David Correos were particularly memorable contestants.
-
Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
SpecialtyCoffeeDad LinkShin Megami Tensei V Vengeance My first SMT game was Nocturne. My main experience of JRPGs to that point was Final Fantasy, which I was a massive fan of. But that game was a revelation to me. I...Shin Megami Tensei V Vengeance
My first SMT game was Nocturne. My main experience of JRPGs to that point was Final Fantasy, which I was a massive fan of. But that game was a revelation to me. I felt like there was so much more thought put into the battle system, like how it encouraged strategic use of spells, and you couldn't rely on brute force to get you through.
I've since played Personas 3 through 5, which I appreciate, but to me feel a bit overstuffed with all the social connection stuff. I know a lot of people love those games for that stuff, and fair enough. I just want to fight and recruit demons though.
I'm still pretty early in the game, but I'm pretty happy with it so far. I'm stoked with how quickly it you get into the meat of the game. And the battle mechanics seem sufficiently deep without being overwhelming in their complexity (I recently tried playing Disgaea 5 and was thrown off by what felt like a massive tutorial dump at the start of the game).
I do have some issues. While I'm mostly into the visual style, it noticeably lacks the visual flair of, say, Persona 5. Comparitively, the visuals here feel a bit washed out.
I'm also slightly concerned about the amount of samey sandy landscapes I've been navigating so far. It can feel a bit difficult to keep track of where I have and haven't explored, since most areas I've been to look more or less the same, which makes the treasure hunting parts more difficult than they maybe should be.
Still, I'm excited to keep going. Will try post updated feelings as I go.
-
Comment on Taskmaster NZ Series 3, Episode 1 - 'F*** golf.' | Full episode in ~tv
SpecialtyCoffeeDad LinkOn the strength of the buzz in these threads, I ended up watching every season of Taskmaster NZ. I think this was the weaker of the 4 -- the cast didn't gel as well for me. Still, just want to say...On the strength of the buzz in these threads, I ended up watching every season of Taskmaster NZ. I think this was the weaker of the 4 -- the cast didn't gel as well for me.
Still, just want to say thanks for sharing these. It's opened me up to a lot more NZ comedians, after not really paying attention to NZ comedy for some time. I even ventured out to some comedy shows during the comedy festival over here. Guy Montgomery and Guy Williams were both great to see in person.
-
Comment on Looking for some recommendations in ~comics
SpecialtyCoffeeDad LinkBea Wolf by Zach Weinersmith (of SMBC fame) and Boulet is an absolute delight. It retells parts of the story of Beowulf, but with troublemaking, sugar-guzzling children battling a monster that...Bea Wolf by Zach Weinersmith (of SMBC fame) and Boulet is an absolute delight. It retells parts of the story of Beowulf, but with troublemaking, sugar-guzzling children battling a monster that wants to turn them into boring adults.
It's something of a children's book, but so inventive that I think it's appropriate for any age. It uses poetric devices like kennings and a sort of alliterative verse, paired with excellent black-and-white art. It's a total triumph of vision and execution.
I'd clarify that she didn't do this during a speech. Debate had concluded on the first reading, and each party was announcing which way their party was voting. Each other party had announced their votes, having all voted as expected, then instead of announcing their votes, Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke of Te Pāti Māori (the Māori Party, a political party which focuses on Māori issues) initiated a haka.
This briefly stalled the vote, but the vote was started again and passed before long.
It was pure theatrics. And it was almost definitely orchestrated in advance -- the public gallery was packed out with Te Pāti Māori supporters, who added their voices to the haka. Even the perfect tearing of the paper suggests she probably folded and weakened the paper in advance. But it's clearly cut through. I'm still seeing Hana-Rawhiti all over my feed on other social media sites.
There's been a lot of protest about the bill. There's a hikoi (literally walk, but this is more like a convoy with stops to demonstrate along the way) coming down the North Island to Wellington, which will arrive on Tuesday.
Actually, another great barb from the debate was a co-leader of Te Pāti Māori, Rawiri Waititi (guy with the face tattoos and cowboy hat) telling the sponsor of the bill he will "see you next Tuesday" as he concluded his speech. But I digress.
People have been protesting a lot of this government's actions, but this looks to be the biggest protest so far.
In fact, the Government has stated that this Bill won't pass. As part of a coalition agreement with the sponsor's party, the other coalition parties agreed to support it to first reading, but it needs to go through 3 readings to pass. The leaders of the other parties have said outright they won't support it past this point.
I think what upsets people is that it's inviting debate on something that shouldn't be debated. The Treaty was signed between the Crown and Māori, and then Māori almost immediately cheated out of their rights per the Treaty.
Now a representative of the Crown thinks the best solution is to reinterpret the meaning of that Treaty, so it's about equal rights for everyone, instead of protecting specific rights of Māori. Meanwhile, Māori have undeniably poorer outcomes than other population groups in New Zealand. And many distrust the system, which is understandable given the generations of injustice they've experienced through the system. The Treaty remains an important tool to help fix things for Māori, and this Bill would neuter that ability.
So it won't pass, but the Government is still platforming the debate around it. Some New Zealanders will see something they like in the Bill -- the sponsor frames it as equal rights for all and no special rights based on race. It's an instinctive appealing notion.
Green Party co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick had a good line during the debate: "When you're accustomed to privilege, equality feels like oppression." I think that illustrates why the Bill might still find public support. Some people -- and this is not a uniquely New Zealand problem -- don't realise how privileged they are, and that that privilege comes at the expense of other groups. So when you try to course correct, and try to combat the systemic problems that have come from people's unconscious (or possibly conscious) bias, people get upset. And there's no easy way to explain it without coming across as a bit harsh.
So the Bill will fail, but the debate will likely continue, with just that bit more legitimacy because a bill made it past its first reading.
But a simple act of defiance like doing a haka in Parliament is proving a great rallying tool for the Bill's detractors. Everybody loves a bit of theatre. Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke ripping that bill in 2 is instantly iconic -- she'll be on protest signs and t-shirts for years to come.