Ever since its debut back in 2023, Dave the Diver has become an indie darling. And why not? You get a number of different activities within the adventure, including hunting underwater and serving up wonderful dishes to customers. It’s still a hit after all this time, benefitting from guest DLC including Drudge and…yes, Godzilla. And now it’s got its biggest expansion yet with In the Jungle, which is an absolute must buy.
It may just seem like average add-on content, but In the Jungle is so, so, soooooo much more. You’re basically introduced to a new village, with a variety of challenges that come with it. But there’s also new play techniques introduced, including turn-based combat (surprisingly fun) and Stardew Valley-style exploration with people to talk to.
That said, the team at Mintrocket still keeps everything breezy. The expansion works just as smoothly as the original Dave the Diver does; and there’s a lot to do, from exploring new recipes to taking on dangerous sea and jungle life. And it’s just as humorous and delightful as the core game, with nice visual touches and a groovy island vibe.
Honestly, In the Jungle is a wonderful little summer getaway, and a must-buy for Dave the Diver fans. And even if you’ve never heard of the game, this kind of content will easily hook you in. Nothing wrong with a good diving life.
Dave the Diver: In the Jungle Introduces Some Star Tropics
Say goodbye to the Blue Hole in In the Jungle, and instead get washed ashore in Utara. This neat little village introduces a whole new ecosystem akin to a tropical island of sorts, but with its fair share of dangers and excitement. Hey, that’s just the way Dave likes it.
Like the core game, In the Jungle is all about management. That’s not to say you’ll be bored, though. You’ll pick up resources and then hit the water in your scuba suit, hunting down all sorts of underwater life. This time around, however, instead of setting up sushi shop, the ever-talented Bancho will instead concoct some great new recipes for Dave to put together. Busy? Yep. But fun? Absolutely. It’s so much fun to discover new things and play around with them.
But the game is deceptive. See, it only says there’s about ten hours’ worth of gameplay here. Hogwash! Instead, you’ll probably invest at least 20 as you take on dangerous new sea life and explore the jungle – and here’s where the new gameplay styles come in.
Along with food management and underwater hunting, there’s also clever turn-based combat that’s fun to dip into. A lot of good strategy here, even if you’re not a hardcore RPG fan. Plus there’s others, including a music mini-game, a Stardew Valley-style exploration of the island and its people, and even a Duck Hunt clone. It all comes together without missing a beat.
Honestly, I spent a great deal of time here and I’m still making discoveries as I go deeper into the waters. And then the surface has plenty of content as well. In the Jungle is so jam-packed that I’m shocked it isn’t considered a sequel. But it goes to show that, once one eventually comes out, Mintrocket could easily pack it with a lot of goodness.
A Simple Kind of Dave the Diver With In the Jungle
You’d think with In the Jungle, Mintrocket would make an excuse to spruce up the in-game visuals to show off lush tropics. But, surprise, it’s just as smooth and beautiful as the core adventure, mixing in nicely.
I love the look of Utara as a whole, with miles of terrain to cover. And its waters are gorgeous, even as you dive deeper and discover all sorts of menace beneath the surface. The new restaurant is a trip as well (good ol’ Bancho!) and the pixelated design of the whole thing is a beaut.
And the sound! It’s still following the blueprint of the original game, but that’s fine. The sound effects still hit the spot and the music will have you feeling every bit of the island escapades. The only thing missing is “Margaritaville,” but, hey, you can always blast that on a CD player. (Or an MP3 player if that’s more convenient.)
Hop In the Jungle With Some Old Friends
The original Dave the Diver remains unmatched in its indie quality, and continues to stand out in a game market struggling with bad decisions. (Yes, talking to you, Sony.) But In the Jungle expands it in all the right ways, with new gameplay, new adventure and lots of yummy new food to prepare. And all for an incredibly meager $10.
If you haven’t experienced the original game yet, you won’t find a better time. (Plus it’s coming physical on PlayStation 5and Switch 2 with everything on cart – day one, baby!) But if you have, you owe it to yourself to get this little piece of paradise. You’ll thank me later – and Bancho, of course.
GAMERHUB RATING: 5 (out of 5) JOYSTICKS
Thanks to Mintrocket for providing us with a review code! Dave the Diver is available now for Nintendo Switch, Xbox,PlayStation and PC/Steam/Steam Deck!
Check out our review of the original Dave the Diver here!
