Review: Dave the Diver – A Deep Sea Adventure Full of Charm and Surprise
A quirky blend of deep-sea exploration and sushi restaurant management
Available on: PC, Mac, Nintendo Switch, Playstation
Amazon Physical Copies*: Nintendo Switch
Genre: Management, Shop Sim, Narrative
Developer: MINTROCKET
Publisher: MINTROCKET
How Cozy? ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Game Verdict: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ /5
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If you’ve been on the hunt for a game that combines relaxing exploration with addictive management gameplay, Dave the Diver might just be your next favourite. This indie darling has quickly become a standout in the cozy gaming community. It’s part diving adventure, part restaurant sim, and entirely delightful, offering a fresh twist on both genres with way more content than I was initially expecting and plenty to keep you busy.
Story
The setup is simple but surprisingly engaging. Dave, who’s equal parts capable and clueless, finds himself roped into managing a sushi restaurant while exploring the mysterious Blue Hole. The cast of characters you meet along the way are ridiculous in the best way, and I found myself genuinely excited to see what oddball request or strange plot twist would pop up next. There’s a sizeable ongoing story with the characters you meet which was a nice surprise, I thought it’d be wrapped up in 10 hours but I got way into the 30 hour mark. It’s lighthearted and funny but with plenty to unravel throughout the game.
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Gameplay
By day, you’re diving in the ever-changing Blue Hole, catching fish, salvaging resources, and occasionally fending off underwater dangers. By night, you’re back in the sushi restaurant, serving customers, upgrading your menu, and trying to keep up with the dinner rush. The loop is very addictive. It’s relaxing when you want to zone out and explore, but there’s a real thrill in catching a rare fish or serving all customers without any timing out. Honestly, I lost whole evenings without noticing because “just one more dive” turned into five.
Graphics and Visuals
I love good pixel art, and Dave the Diver is really very pretty. The underwater sections are vibrant, detailed, and full of life, and above water, the sushi bar bursts with charm, from the character designs to animations of customers enjoying their meals. It’s colourful, polished, and full of personality.
Longevity
This is one of those games you can easily sink dozens of hours into without it getting boring. The story moves at a nice pace, new mechanics keep getting added just as you’re settling into the rhythm, and the “just one more day” loop is dangerously compelling. Whether you want a quick 30-minute dive or a weekend-long binge, Dave the Diver has plenty to offer.
Conclusion
Dave the Diver is quirky, cozy, and a great blend of the two genres. It’s a game that takes two things you’d never think to put together, scuba diving and sushi bar management and it really works to keep the gameplay fresh. Between the addictive gameplay loop, the eccentric cast, and the charm of Dave himself, it’s one of the best cozy games I’ve played this year.
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