Yes, we’re finally posting a review for Dave the Diver. Took long enough, right? But, to be fair, this hit indie game just made its debut on the Xbox platforms, complete with all its respective DLC. (Including, yes, the return of the mighty Godzilla, long may he reign.) But does the game still hold up after all this time? I’d say that’s a big yes, Ghost Rider.
The big attraction here is the variety of gameplay. The deep diving and attacking of fish is already varied and fun enough. But on top of that, there’s leveling up galore in the sushi restaurant. You’ll earn new recipes, level up your gear, dive even deeper than ever before, attain new weapons and so on. It’s nearly endless, like the very ocean that Dave dives into. And it all plays without fault.
On top of that, the presentation is a real charmer. The indie-style visuals are a treat, painting a fun little island world that you won’t mind jumping into. Likewise, the garbled dialogue and soothing soundtrack will keep you returning for more – even if you aren’t necessarily a fan of sushi.
There’s no reason why you should miss out on Dave the Diver. It’s incredible fun, reasonably priced, and packed with content, especially with its accompanying (and mostly free) DLC. Do yourself a favor and dive in. There’s no better time than now.
Dave the Diver Sure Has a Lot To Do Here
Man, Dave has it knocked. The guy is already doing enough diving into the waters of the Blue Hole and collecting fish. But he also needs to work alongside others to earn some great upgrades to his gear, allowing him to go even further into the Blue. On top of that, he has to help run a sushi restaurant on the side – and efficiently at that.
It sounds like a lot to do. But the developers at Mintrocket pack Dave the Diver with so much charm that you won’t mind in the least. Every aspect of the gameplay just clicks here.
The diving for fish and using a variety of weapons – including guns! – is a blast. It’s easy to aim and collect most of these creatures, though some do put up a challenge. And you can also find goods to turn around and improve your gear, including a bigger oxygen tank. Just be careful what you run into. You run out of air, and you pretty much have to start over again.
Then there’s the sushi restaurant side of things, which is also incredibly in-depth. You’ll take care of customers, manage goods and even earn new recipes, which in turn can help turn around even more business. This opens up even more upgrades through your chums, a collective batch of dudes with the right amount of sparking personality.
There are times when the game throws a lot at you, but Mintrocket makes it fun to play throughout. You’ll overcome challenges and get rewarded for your efforts, and go even deeper with nothing but a headlamp to light the way.
And once you’re done with the main game, the extra DLC goes the extra mile too. Godzilla is here. GODZILLA! Then there’s the Yakuza paid DLC, along with the Dredge add-on. And who knows, we might see even more down the road. That’s Dave’s appeal for you.
But What About Dave’s Presentation?
I think Dave the Diver is the smoothest it’s ever been on the Xbox platform. The game runs without a hitch with a smooth frame rate, and the detail is staggering. The indie visuals are easy to spot, but they work their way into this universe without flaw. On top of that, the characters are charmers, and the variety of fish is staggering. Did I also mention the sweet lighting effects?
Also, the audio is just about perfect. The garbled dialogue is charming in its own way; and the soundtrack soothes with each new beat that plays. It’s almost like you’re in paradise, despite the heavy workload you’re taking on. Dave the Diveris very appealing, and it’s not hard to see why.
Time To Dive Into the Big Blue
Honestly, you should have Dave the Diver for your given platform of choice. The Xbox got a sweet port in its own right, and holds up beautifully. But even if you have something else, this is a must-own. There’s hours’ worth of content that will keep you occupied, along with a real game winner of a presentation. Plus the DLC just adds to the fun. Did I mention Godzilla?
This is easily one of the best indie games out there. And now, it’s one of the Xbox games out there. Grab your mask and hit the water.
GAMERHUB RATING: 5 (out of 5) JOYSTICKS
Many thanks to Mintrocket for providing us a review code! Dave the Diver is available now for Xbox, along with PlayStation, Nintendo Switch and PC/Steam!
Need more just about perfect gaming wackiness? Check out my glowing review of Captain Wayne: Vacation Desperation!
