Surf Report – 10/23/09

Surf ReportWelcome to a Friday edition of the Surf Report.

.: God :

While on a Spanish trip to Puebla, Mexico, during my college years, I happened to borrow Donald Miller’s Blue Like Jazz from a fellow traveler.  At the time, I remember being at a point in my life where Christianity felt stale to me. Too many many people claiming to have this revolutionary Jesus and yet no one living like Him. I felt alone in a sea of hypocrisy and blandness.  Blue Like Jazz, came along at a time when I needed a breath of fresh air. The book showed me a world in which being a Christian isn’t about legalism but about truly living for God in a real way. I suddenly didn’t feel as alone as I had before.

I am unsure if Miller’s new book will speak to me (or you, dear readers) in the same way. Below you will find the first thirty pages of Donald Miller’s new book, A Million Miles in a Thousand Years.

.: Life :


.: Gaming :

Like the ebb and flow of the tides, gaming seems to come and go in my life with regularity. Lately I’ve been playing the following:

World of Warcraft -I have recently hit level 52 with my druid Night Elf, Arclight (Stormscale server). I am also currently looking for a good casual guild. Any suggestions?

Dragon Quest IV – I am now in the final chapter of the game. This chapter is said to be the longest…and it is so far. No joke.

Dungeon Hunter – Currently on the last boss. Game has been pretty good thus far. Although I am questioning, now that I am at the end of the game, how one justifies spending $8 for a few short hours of gameplay. Gaming on the iDevice is like riding a roller coaster, short and expensive (admission ticket wise).

Wave SplinterThat is it for this weeks Surf Report. Make sure to comment below and have a good week!

Dragon Age: Journeys

Dragon Age Journeys

In a clever attempt at marketing, hype, and product synergy for the upcoming Dragon Age: Origins, EA 2D has created a browser-based tactical RPG by the name of Dragon Age: Journeys. Divided into chapter installments, subtitled The Deep Roads, the free-to-play RPG will serve as an introduction to the world of Dragon Age: Origins. This time killer will be available October 2009.

Dragon Age: Journeys Screen 1The age of the dragon is but a click away.

Dungeon Hunter: Journal II

Dungeon Hunter Title ScreenWelcome to my second journal for iPhone/iPod Touch app Dungeon Hunter. Every once in a blue moon I’ll post an update on my progress through the game. Be sure to check back often!

Dungeon Hunter MapThe town of Thamos quickly gave way to the South Road, and soon I found myself engaging in blade-to-blade negotiations with the bandits that ruled over it. Turns out that the bandits had stolen some cargo belonging to one of the towns inhabitants. Being the awesome guy that I am (or that my character is), I stormed into the Bandit’s Lair and dispatched the villains immediately. After that, I killed creatures in the Thamos Well, explored the Windmill searching for a fairy*, and searched the Catacombs and Cathedral for relics.

Dungeon Hunter Cathedral

*I should note at this point that the fairy subplot was sprung on my quite unexpectedly. I had originally thought that the fairy which had awoken my character in the beginning of the game, Celest, would only serve to function in a Navi sort of role. I was wrong in my assumption. Instead, fairies serve as an Area of Effect (AoE) attack to damage multiple enemies at the same time. In my travels thus far, I have obtained three fairies: 1.) Celest, lightening bolts, 2.) Wetty, ice storm, 3.) Windy, hurricane.

Overall thoughts:

  1. The music is quite good! I actually want to play with headphones.
  2. Catacombs and Cathedral share common art assets (walls, lamps, etc.).
  3. Button control for selecting secondary attacks is not as responsive as it should be (ie attacks are hard to cycle between).
  4. I had to retread the opening level (Catacombs) to obtain an item. While this is a clever reuse of a completed area, I am hoping that this is not something that is repeated throughout the game.
  5. Loading is sometimes long. However, loading is not present once in-game

Join me next time.

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