Intro
Upon perusing Steam recently, you may have noted a new game popping up titled “Dave the Diver”. Winner of the Steam “Sit Back and Relax Award” of 2023 Dave The Diver was released by Mint Rocket (part of Nexon Korea Corporation) back in June 2023 as a casual indie title that takes the cozy tropical aesthetic to another level. In this game you play as the titular character Dave as he is recruited by his friend Cobra to help obtain fish for a seaside sushi restaurant.
Dive your way through delicious adventures as Dave searches for the tasty treasures within the depths of what is known as “The Blue Hole”. Double as an adventurous diver by day and a sushi restraint manager by night on your quest to make Bancho’s Sushi the next biggest seaside tourist attraction. However, be wary as you explore The Blue Hole as there are secrets yet to be uncovered and not everyone is keen on you discovering what may be below the water’s surface.
As always these Should You Plays are here to help you decide whether a game is right for you or not. If this game sounds fun consider giving it a look. With that let’s move into the article and see whether you should play Dave the Diver.
Story
This game is one that you can tell from the start was lovingly crafted by the developers. As stated above the story begins with Dave agreeing to his friend Cobra’s business proposition to support a small seaside sushi restaurant through catching fish in the ever-changing depths of what is known as The Blue Hole. Bancho, a passionate man of few words, is the chef of Bancho’s sushi who is on a quest to become the best at his craft. However, on the restaurant’s opening day the area suffers from a massive earthquake leaving the restaurant in bad shape.
As you move through the story you discover dangerous sea creatures, militant ocean protectors, and academics with a particular interest in The Blue Hole’s constantly changing landscape. At first glance this game appears to not have much behind its rather specific title. However, the story is jam packed with characters, adventures, out of the box experiences, and fun gameplay. It’s easy to see why this game has won the award that it has because the game has something for everyone. The story is vibrant and broad as you meet new merchants to help you in your quest.
Meet various customers with intriguing backgrounds, and a diverse cast of other characters who add to the story’s interesting development. This game’s story is very entertaining and will excite you as well as warm your heart. This story is a wholesome one and with little emotional damage. Players looking for a story that is more rigorous and emotionally charged will want to look elsewhere. The game’s story is relaxed and fun in a way that is meant to calm you down. Not wind you up. And yes, I can tell you from experience that this is a great game to unwind with a plate of sushi and a glass of wine.
Gameplay
By day you explore the ocean catching all kinds of rare and exotic fish for Bancho to turn into delicious works of art. By night you manage the restaurant as you serve food and drinks to your hungry customers. Cobra teaches you how to catch fish with your harpoon and to use your gun for even BIGGER prey. The harpooning mechanic is simple yet surprisingly addicting and as you adventure on you can find various kinds of ingredients or supplies within the ocean’s depths.
With every chapter in the game the makeup of The Blue Hole changes, keeping the player from feeling bored with one layout when diving into the same ocean all the time. Keep an eye on your oxygen tank as it acts as your health bar. Once you run out of oxygen you must be rescued by Cobra and returned to the surface.
Time management in this game is also important as you can only dive two (and later three times) a day before you must go help Bancho with the restaurant. Using your diving time wisely to catch fish, complete quests, and explore the ocean is important as the further you progress in the game the more you will have to do.
It’s also a good idea to factor in your equipment as you will need to upgrade to get through the challenges that you and Dave will have to face during the storyline. If this game does one thing right, it’s that the gameplay as it almost never becomes stale. The developers utilized every tool in their arsenal to keep gameplay interesting, making the game hard to put down. This includes rhythm games, boat driving, boss fights, escort quests, and many other forms of gaming to shake things up.
Dave the Diver becomes more involved the further you move into the story so bare that in mind when making your decision as some players may be looking for gameplay that is a bit more monotonous. Whatever your taste this gameplay has something for you and is a fun game to unwind with as you move throughout the game.
Who Should Play Dave the Diver?
- Players who are looking for a fun and varied storyline with an interesting cast of characters.
- People who enjoy a more linear form of gameplay.
- Players who like a beachy vibe to their gaming experience.
- Players who are looking for a casual and addicting gaming experience.
- People who like sushi.
Who Maybe Should Reconsider?
- Players who prefer more streamlined gaming experience.
- People with a fear of the ocean.
- People who are at a point in their lives where they are REALLY trying to focus their time on something important (Seriously, this game can be VERY addictive and hard to put down).
Conclusion
Dave the Diver is a fun action-packed game that somehow still retains its standing as a casual cozy gaming experience. The varied gameplay and interesting cast of characters creates an experience that refuses to become boring. This being the case keep in mind that this aspect could become overwhelming for some gamers as the game will increase the quests that you will be asked to complete, you will need to still manage the restaurant, and the addition of various activities to juggle.
Keep this in mind that while the game play is interesting it could become too much for some gamers who like to keep things simple. Another aspect to keep in mind is that certain tasks can be quite difficult depending on your gameplay experience.
Dave The Diver does assume that you have prior experience playing other video games and the game play could become difficult for those with less gaming experience. The boss fights especially could prove to become a frustrating challenge depending on how experienced you are.
However, Dave the Diver does not expect you to have Dark Souls level combat training to be able to fight anything in this game so don’t expect any sort of high-level fighting. On the flip side of that, if you’re looking for a fun casual game that will give you experience in many different forms of gameplay (and we’re talking MANY) then consider giving Dave the Diver a try.
Dave the Diver is an exciting experience that Mint Rocket has gone to great lengths to put their heart and soul into. This game is a wholesome and fun experience that takes scuba diving and sushi to a whole other level. As always with any game it’s important to know your play style and what you prefer in an enjoyable gaming experience. However, if you’re looking for a game that is jam packed with fun and excitement that will allow you to traverse the ocean from your home then consider checking out Dave The Diver.
Decided take the plunge on this cozy seaside adventure? Check out the links below for where to buy Dave the Diver.
Nintendo eshop (Switch): Buy.
Amazon (Nintendo Switch): Buy
Humble Bundle (PC): Buy
Steam (PC): Buy.
