UPDATE: How’s the Console Version?
Fear not, console owners — Dave the Diver is just as enjoyable on the Nintendo Switch as it is the PC. You’re still able to balance out the numerous duties over the course of your adventure, and the game feels right at home both on the big screen and in handheld mode. Don’t you dare miss out on this underwater beauty.
ORIGINAL REVIEW
It’s funny how a game can catch you off guard nowadays. Usually, when you see a trailer, you get a pretty good idea of what to expect from the final release.
But not with Dave the Diver. This is not only one of the most surprising releases of 2023, but also one of the most delightful – and dare we say, engulfing.
Its mixture of deep sea exploration and management is really something, with a mix that comes together surprisingly well, thanks to the likability of the main character. Not to mention its unmatchable graphic style and its neat inclusion of puzzles.
It may not hook you at first, but give it time – Dave the Diver is well worth reeling in to your game collection.
Two Great Experiences In One
So Dave the Diver is split into two halves. The first half involves exploring the depths of the Blue Hole, a beautiful area filled to the brim with all kinds of aquatic life. You’re out to catch a good deal of fish, using your spearfishing techniques to bring them all in. From there, the second half of the game settles in, where you manage a sushi restaurant, keeping your helpful chef Bancho at bay while entertaining your guests.
Now, just the diving would be enough of a game in itself. That’s because the developers at Mintrocket have made it such a joy. The exploration is really cool, and being able to catch exotic fish and collect resources is a lot of fun as well. Plus the way it seamlessly integrates other types of gameplay – puzzle solving and stealth – is genuinely shocking. Like, I didn’t think the developers would actually be able to pull it off, but here we are, exploring new areas and looking for even more surprises so many hours in.
There is stuff that needs to be managed, like oxygen supply and making sure you pick up whatever’s demanded of you, so it can be a little challenging at first. But, eventually, the experience settles in and the real enjoyment begins. Stick with it.
The restaurant side of things isn’t boring either. Bancho keeps you on your toes with his list of ingredients, and interesting things can happen at any time – like an unexpected cook-off. It’s wonderful in its own right, and really compels you to dig deeper once the diving part of the game kicks off again, in which you can actually pick up new weapons along the way. Ever go hunting for fish with a samurai sword? You will now.
Not to mention the nearly endless secrets and other missions you’ll find here, which help Dave grow as a character. He’s definitely not the perfect type, but he is caring; and the depth of which Dave the Diver goes is remarkable. Not bad at all for a $20 effort.
You just have to play it for yourself, because the experience presented here is beyond words.
The Presentation is Far From Abyss-mal
Mintrocket also packs Dave the Diver with a charming presentation. The audio is soothing and really makes you hear out every enjoyable experience you take on; and the soundtrack is worth a listen as well.
But the thing that will truly, ahem, hook you here is the visual style. Its pixel art presentation, coupled with fine detail put into an imaginative, visitable world, is excellent. For an indie game, this game looks so simple and yet packs on so much. You’ll be hard pressed to find a better looking game of this type this year.
Jump Right In
Wow. And wow again. Dave the Diver caught us in its net with its enjoyable types of gameplay, as well as its immersive world and its continuous challenges. Not to mention the enjoyable boss battles and the sheer pleasure of being in the company of Dave and his crew. You’ll find lots to do, even after the main quest is over.
It may take a little bit to settle into, but Dave the Diver will have you hitting the ocean more than you could’ve ever expected. There’s nothing fishy here, just absolute indie gaming joy. (And don’t worry, Switch owners, you’ll get your turn soon enough.)
