Dave the Diver is a casual adventure game that combines deep-sea exploration, fishing, and sushi restaurant management. The game was developed and published by Mintrocket, a subsidiary of Nexon, and was released for macOS and Windows on June 28, 2023. Since then, the game has sold over 3 million copies and received overwhelmingly positive reviews from players and critics alike.
The idea for Dave the Diver came from a real-life pub owner on Jeju Island, who is a diver by day and a pub manager by night. The developers were fascinated by his lifestyle and decided to create a game based on it. They also added some fantastical elements inspired by the manga Blue Hole, which features a mysterious underwater portal that leads to a prehistoric world.
The game follows Dave, a hard-working diver who is persuaded by his friend to run a sushi restaurant and supply it with fresh fish. Dave dives into the ever-changing Blue Hole, where he encounters various sea creatures, resources, and secrets. He can use a harpoon and other weapons to catch fish and fight against giant underwater monsters. He can also upgrade and craft his equipment with the materials he collects and the profits he makes from the restaurant
A Balance of Management, Action-Adventure, and Role-Playing
Dave the Diver is a game that offers a balance of management, action-adventure, and role-playing elements. The game has a day and night cycle, where Dave can dive twice a day, once in the morning and once in the afternoon. Later in the game, he can also dive at night, which adds more challenge and variety
At night, Dave manages his sushi restaurant, where he can cook recipes, attract customers, decorate the place, hire staff, and more. He can also use an in-game app called “Cooksta” to track his popularity and rating and unlock further upgrades. The restaurant management mode is influenced by games like Diner Dash and Cooking Mama
The game also features a lighthearted story and quirky characters, who give Dave quests and favors to complete. The quests involve exploration, research, or finding rare items in the Blue Hole. Dave can also use his cell phone to contact buyers for the items he finds. The game has a humorous tone and references to pop culture and other games
A Stunning Art Style and a Rich Underwater World
Dave the Diver has a stunning art style that combines pixel and 3D graphics. The game has a colorful and vibrant underwater world that showcases the beauty and diversity of marine life. The game features over 200 kinds of sea creatures, some of which are based on real species and some of which are fictional or prehistoric. The game also has a dynamic weather system and a procedurally generated map that changes every day, making each dive a unique experience
The game also has a number of minigames and additional content that complement the main gameplay loop. Some of the minigames include a rhythm game and a Tamagotchi-style app. The game also has multiple storylines and endings, depending on the player’s choices and actions. The game has a lot of replay value and content to explore
A Critical and Commercial Success
Dave the Diver has been a critical and commercial success since its release. The game has sold over 3 million copies in six months and has received overwhelmingly positive reviews from players and critics alike. The game has an average score of 9.5 out of 10 on Steam and a Metacritic score of 92 out of 100
The game has been praised for its addictive and satisfying gameplay, its charming and funny story and characters, its beautiful and immersive graphics, and its rich and varied content. The game has also been nominated for several awards, including the Steam Awards, the Golden Joystick Awards, and the Game Developers Choice Awards
The game has also received several updates and improvements since its release, including accessibility options, quality-of-life features, and bug fixes. The game also received a free DLC in December 2023, which added content from Dredge, another game by Mintrocket. The DLC added new fish, items, quests, and a crossover storyline
Dave the Diver is a casual adventure game that has captivated millions of players with its unique and enjoyable gameplay, its humorous and heartwarming story, and its stunning and diverse underwater world. The game is available for macOS, Windows, and Nintendo Switch
