Like a beautiful and unusual fish that suddenly rises to the surface, Dave the diver is an unexpected surprise. Combining two core systems working together, it’s a game that excels as both an exploration experience and a management sim, and does it in an intuitive and easy-to-learn way. True triumph, however, lies in its focus on new things at every turn, with a near-constant supply of twists, activities, and ways to engage with the game, resulting in a joyful and accessible adventure that’s hard to put down can.
Dave is a scuba diver who is called into a strange blue hole in the sea, teeming with all kinds of marine life. There to help catch seafood for a local sushi restaurant and its eccentric but skilled chef, he soon becomes as deeply involved in running the business as he is in his ocean explorations. As these underwater investigations move further and further from the surface, new fantastical elements come into play, from sea creatures to prehistoric creatures, leaving players in the dark in terms of both story and gameplay.
The underwater dives are uncomplicated but beautiful. They use a pixel art aesthetic to showcase a considerable variety of underwater creatures and an ever-changing landscape of cliffs, chasms and tunnels. Armed with guns, harpoons, nets and more, Dave must snag the tastiest morsels to bring back to the restaurant while also monitoring his air tank, avoiding enemy species and gathering extra supplies. The simple aiming and shooting is fun, and the incremental gear upgrades provide a rewarding sense of progression. But finding new sights and places is what makes the fun.
Back afloat, Dave is confronted with his duties behind the sushi counter amidst an unlikely cast of characters, many of whom make it clear that people are often more and better than meets the eye. Setting menu items, hiring and training staff, and serving drinks make way for more activities, like running a farm and fish farm, participating in reality food competitions, and escaping pirate boats to protect ancient relics – mostly with an attached mini-game or interactive component.
The continuous overlay of these small but worthwhile systems transforms Dave the Diver into something extraordinary. Switching between diving action and sushi restaurant management is engaging but could become routine if other new ideas weren’t constantly pouring in to keep things fresh. Taking wildlife photos, stopping invasive fish species, building new weapons, cataloging discovered creatures all help to advance the adventure while remaining forgiving enough that the player never feels overwhelmed.
Dave is a charming hero, affable and guileless, but capable, kind, and willing to help his friends. As the story got edgier, the bosses got bigger and more unbelievable, and the story got sillier, the down-to-earth and likeable main character made me smile. Some late game activities, including some stealth and light beam puzzles, don’t quite hit the mark, but by this point the investment is already high and it’s easy to progress to the end.
You might be wondering if a sushi restaurant management sim with underwater diving is your thing, but that would miss the point. Dave the Diver is a unique and unforgettable vacation away from all expectations, and the very fact that you don’t normally play games like this is what makes it so satisfying.
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