Dave the Diver (Nintendo Switch)
Official GBAtemp Review
Product Information:
- Release Date (NA): October 26, 2023
- Release Date (EU): October 26, 2023
- Publisher: Mintrocket
- Developer: Mintrocket
- Genres: Adventure RPG, management sim
- Also For: Computer
Game Features:
In Dave the Diver, we are given control of the titular Dave, a retired diver, who has been brought back to his past profession by a former, business-savvy colleague. The latter, having opened a new sushi restaurant in Blue Hole, enticed Dave to put his diving suit back on at the prospect of feasting on delicious sushi.
But little did Dave know that he would have to not only bring the restaurant’s catch during the day but also help run the restaurant at night. Our marine diver is up to the task at the promise of Chef Bancho’s sushi; so off he goes on new marine adventures in Blue Hole, which itself packs its own mysteries to uncover.
Over- and under-water adventure in a lighthearted plot
From the outset, Dave the Diver clearly shows that it does not take itself too seriously with an over-the-top premise. While it does touch upon contemporary topics such as the human impact on marine life, it does so with an overall lighthearted tone with humorous conversations and even intense anime-styled cutscenes. This gives the title an original presentation and a fresh feeling amidst recent titles that tend to take a more gloomy and dark tone.
The art style mixes pixel and 3D graphics that flirts with nostalgia while fleshing out its universe with details. The accompanying soundtrack also adds to the ambiance, especially when diving, and helps make for a memorable experience.
Dive, manage, explore in a hybrid gameplay loop
Initially, I thought that Dave the Diver’s gameplay would focus on underwater exploration and fishing. But I was wrong, very very wrong… and that was for the best!
While the game does involve such elements, it gets you to spend as much time above the water level than under it. Dave can dive twice during the day and once in the evening, catching diverse marine life with his harpoon as well as ingredients found underwater; and these will help make up the restaurant’s menu. In the evening, you will help run the restaurant by serving customers while Chef Bancho prepares their orders.
For the most part, the game follows this loop of day-time fishing and night-time restaurant management. This might sound like it gets tiring, and it does on occasion, but Dave the Diver sprinkles these events with diverse encounters, missions, mini-games and further mixes up its hybrid gameplay.
For instance, managing the restaurant involves mini-games such as pouring the right amount of beverage and grinding wasabi. With the money earned from sales and ratings from customers, you’ll also get to redesign the interior and upgrade the restaurant to hire more staff to help run the establishment more efficiently. As you progress, you’ll also have access to other areas and activities such as fish farming; and there are even more genres that are added to the mix such as a visual novel-style segment.
Reel in! It’s also an RPG with roguelite elements
Underwater trips take more of an RPG aspect. Every time Dave dives, the underwater environment is different as it is procedurally generated, adding some roguelite elements. As you venture into the depths, you’ll encounter diverse marine life which you can hunt with your harpoon and reel in with an approachable button-mashing mechanic. You’ll need to keep an eye on your oxygen metre, which depletes over time and also when applying a boost. The metre can be refilled with items you find underwater while exploring. You’ll also find quick escape, speed boosting items and temporary equipment upgrades to assist in your exploration.
To provide further assistance, you are able to use earnings from the restaurant’s sales to craft new gear and permanently upgrade diving equipment and weapons once you’ve resurfaced. This will allow you to, for example, dive deeper, expand your oxygen tank and better defend yourself. Indeed, some marine life will be hostile and it will take more than a harpoon to catch them. And as you dive deeper, you will make more hostile encounters from marine fauna to pirates to boss fights as you uncover the secrets of the Blue Hole and take on side quests from NPCs.
During Dave’s deep sea expeditions, you will also have to strike a balance between resurfacing with the items you have and willing to dive further to fish more. You see, hostile marine life will deplete your oxygen level if they hit you and if the level goes down to zero, you’ll be brought back to the surface but will only be able to carry up one item from your collection. This means losing some considerable progress, especially if you carried some quest items while underwater and you’ll need to dive again. You’ll often not get to do everything at once, so you’ll need additional dives which might take more time to progress the story but might be the safest option.
An overall enjoyable marine adventure
However, it does take some time to be able to experience the various elements which make the game more interesting. New abilities and over-the-top genre mixes take a few chapters before being accessible and it feels like the pacing might have been improved. This is especially the case as the gameplay loop of diving, fishing/fetching quest items and managing the restaurant occasionally feels repetitive. Despite the slow-burn aspect, the story keeps the intrigue going with new information gained and quests to pursue.
My main gripe is that there’s a clear lack of directions for certain missions. Some do have a pointer for your destination, but most don’t and it can be easy to lose your bearing while underwater. If you're just exploring and need to get back to the surface before your oxygen tank runs out, it can be stressful to find your way back in time.
Overall, the experience is an enjoyable one that makes Dave the Diver one of this year’s most original games. There’s a surprising amount of genres mixed to various extent and I am glad that I was wrong in thinking it would be a game focused on underwater exploration and fishing. Do try it out if you’re looking for something fresh to dive into.
DAVE THE DIVER - Launch Trailer - Nintendo Switch
Verdict
- Fun and enjoyable mix of genres
- Lighthearted tone
- Memorable soundtrack and 2D/3D blend of graphics
- Lack of directions for certain missions
- Slow burn aspect
