Serving guests in the sushi restaurant at night and diving for fish throughout the day, both in wonderful vintage 2D. Does this seem like a mobile free-to-play game with an energy-based system? Indeed, I had come across a few Android apps that satisfied the criteria, but none of them had a very strong effect. But in this case, the presumption of plain simplicity would be entirely inaccurate. When you begin to peel back the layers of Dave the Diver's onion-like structure, you'll discover a series of enlightening discoveries under the surface, which at first glance could seem like just another interactive ad serving platform.

You're Dave, a gregarious, overweight man who finds it difficult to say no to everyone. Cobra, your longtime "friend" and entrepreneur wants you for his newest business venture. He had discovered the dreaded "Blue Hole," an area of ocean real estate that is always shifting and rearranging itself. Numerous marine species, including those that may support the neighboring sushi restaurant, can be found in the hole. By spearfishing and diving throughout the day, you will get supplies for the restaurant that is open at night. There, you'll grind wasabi, offer beverages, serve food made by renowned sushi chef Bancho, and sweat a lot.

Fantastic fusion of many gaming concepts and systems

It is the habit of Dave the Diver to surprise you every time. To begin, just give yourself enough space to get used to the fundamentals of diving, employing harpoons and other underwater weaponry, and controlling oxygen. The first restaurant tasks are simple: you have to serve the few visitors you will have with entry-level cuisine and pour green tea. However, you'll quickly learn about Dave the Diver's working theory, which is that advancement is driven to entirely unanticipated heights by interlocking systems that push and pull on one another. or more accurately, depths.

You'll have to go further since that's where the more profitable species reside. For that, you'll need an upgraded diving suit, oxygen tanks, more deadly weaponry, and greater cargo room. Naturally, upgrading equipment is expensive, so you'll have to employ and educate staff to run the restaurant and provide more unusual dishes. In the game, you may recruit additional personnel and take advantage of other perks via a tiered advancement system through gourmet scene renown on an Instagram-like social network. However, popularity is based on likes and other factors, which means you have to go further into the deep blue sea and take more chances.

The game sometimes overuses the new systems. Your sushi restaurant's branch office is a complete waste of resources, with its own manager, employees, and demands for space. Sometimes the game strives too hard to please, in an attempt to satiate the apparent need for the new items. Fortunately, you can often disregard some of such systems—like branch offices—without risk.

A paranormal tale is added

The major narrative will be revealed to you by Dave the Diver just as you are getting used to your everyday routine. The legendary aquatic creatures inhabit the depths of the Blue Hole ecosystem, but abnormal earthquakes are threatening their environment. Dave will help them in any way possible, restoring the lost trust between those people who live in the depths and the rest of humanity. Not only is the plot endearing and surprising, but it also functions as another intellectual motivator. You will quickly be introduced to underwater puzzle solving in the game, which will test your ability to solve problems under pressure as the oxygen clock counts down. You may buy exclusive materials for top-tier weapon upgrades using the money you earn from working for Sea People. And that's obviously not everything.

On the surface, you should anticipate a never-ending parade of surprises, such as unexpected introductions of new mechanical systems. Every now and then, culinary superstars will test your sushi chef, making you scurry for certain ingredients and take part in a series of mini-games related to cooking. If you farm the resources by yourself, it will eventually grow boring, but before you lose all motivation, the game will toss fish and vegetable farms at you. It's soothing to take a vacation from diving to sort the fish and mollusks in the farming ponds and sow seeds in the classic Farmville style. You may complete the material chain for top-tiered meals by obtaining the marine vegetation farm by persistently pursuing marine People side quests.

Verano Azul

Dave the Diver deserves recognition for its utterly carefree demeanor. While other studios would have used this as an occasion to preach the mantra of environmentalists, the lads at MINTROCKET decided without sticking your nose in traffic or shoving soup in your face. A certain segment of the Twitterati may find the game offensive since they believe that a charming, naturalistic game should be politically progressive by nature. Rather, in true punk manner, Dave the Diver tells a wholesome, mystical tale of people in need while embracing commerce and hunting. Evidently, this strange combination was well-liked. Since its release, Dave the Diver has sold over a million copies, making it the largest unexpected success of 2023.

It is indeed deserving of all the accolades. Dave the Diver is flawless mechanically and sometimes rejuvenates intellectually. It gives a ton of fun for a comparatively modest price, including an extensive campaign with numerous twists and turns, and optional collection activities. It functions well on Steam Deck, which making it the ideal travel companion for the whole family. I had listened to it through in its whole while at a seaside resort in Tunisia, substituting diving and catering sessions for afternoon naps. Without a doubt, time well spent.