Dave the Diver [Review]
By: Mithrandiel
Geeks, I’ve been facing a real conundrum the last few days: I could either work on writing the review for Dave the Diver, or I could play it. When I tell you it is taking every ounce of my willpower at this very moment not to close this window and jump back into that game…you can begin to understand how good the game is.
Dave the Diver is a single player adventure RPG by Mintrocket Games that follows our titular hero on a unique business venture. After getting a call from an old colleague named Cobra, Dave is invited to utilize his scuba diving skills to help provide unique and delicious ingredients for a new sushi restaurant. Joined by a passionate chef named Bancho, the trio embark on creating a popular (and profitable) business, comfortably built alongside a beautiful, and mysterious, section of ocean called the Blue Hole.
It doesn’t take long for strange things to begin occurring, and you are quickly introduced to a number of supporting characters that bring the broader story to life: whether it’s the no-nonsense business manager or a demanding grad student, an eccentric professor or an intimidating social activist, Dave the Diver checks off many of the boxes for archetypal characters that are great fun.
Gameplay is divided into two main components, split across three time periods: in the morning and afternoon time-blocks, you control Dave as he explores the Blue Hole. Collecting fish and other sea-based wildlife, while also tackling a number of different tasks given by any one of the numerous characters in the game.
Dave starts off with a simple harpoon gun, but different harpoon tips can be found underwater in weapon caches. Early on a single strike will land you the fish, but as the game progresses, using additional weapons like underwater rifles or a melee weapon will be required to weaken the target first.
You like fishing games? Oh, Dave the Diver is a fishing game alright.
Each harpoon tip captures fish differently - for example the standard harpoon requires rapidly pressing “A” (or “X” if you’re using a PS5 controller like I am) to reel the fish in. The shock tip requires moving the joystick back and forth rapidly, while the poison tip requires rapidly rotating the joystick in a circle. These nuances in gameplay keep things fresh from one dive to the next.
The real star of the diving gameplay is the environment itself. Each time you dive in things are just slightly different - you might encounter a different kind of fish in the shallows, or a new trophy to pursue in the depths. It’s an inviting world that reveals just as many questions as it does answers with each new dive.
At night, Dave heads back to the restaurant and helps in business operations. Early on you’re the front-of-house expert: pouring tea and dishing out Bancho’s signature sushi dishes. You can research new dishes based on freshly-caught fish, re-design your restaurant, and hire on/train additional staff. As you produce more happy customers, you’ll attract likes and follows on an in-game app called “Cooksta”, which unlocks upgrade slots for the restaurant.
The occasional VIP will grace your kitchen, often challenging Bancho to provide a dish worthy of their palate - a challenge which Bancho is all-too-often happy to accept. By balancing the popularity and look of your restaurant, serving VIPs and striving for the best rating possible on Cooksta, the restaurant management simulator aspect of Dave the Diver smartly complements the expansive and addictive adventuring component.
The opening hours of Dave the Diver throw characters and game systems at you fast and furious, and you manage many of them using your in-game smartphone.
Whether you’re interested in upgrading your diving equipment or weapons, checking in on the popularity of your store, following up on quests or tracking the various sea-life that you’ve seen and caught, everything you need is right there.
The aesthetic of Dave the Diver is a familiar retro blend, featuring pixelated sprites that offer a surprising amount of depth. Despite the “gibberish” voice acting approach, the energetic animations go a long way in characterizing the cast members. A simple but effective soundtrack similar to an aquatic version of lofi beats complements your long dives into the deep, with a more upbeat track for the restaurant management at night.
For some reason, playing Dave the Diver gave me a sense of nostalgia - it provides a unique escape similar to that of Animal Crossing: New Horizons when it arrived in March of 2020. Of course, with the pandemic just beginning, Animal Crossing became a pop-culture phenomenon and escape for millions. Now, we’re far away from those days of lockdown, but Dave the Diver sure picked a hell of a year to come out. It’s arguably one of the best years in gaming, with flagship titles from huge properties like Diablo IV, Tears of the Kingdom and Final Fantasy XVI. Many of the biggest outlets in gaming likely had their top 5 already mostly locked in by February, so for this indie title to come out of left field and command such strong reviews, it reminded me of how Animal Crossing went from a beloved, but niche, Nintendo property to a more universal experience for those battling loneliness and uncertainty.
Overall, Dave the Diver is the glimmering pearl amidst a treasure trove of summer hits: a supremely fun and charming game that is sure to entertain for hours upon hours. You can find it on Steam!
