DAVE THE DIVER

 PC
User Score
7.1

Mixed or average reviews- based on 226 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 143 out of 226
  2. Mixed: 34 out of 226
  3. Negative: 49 out of 226

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  1. tibzoid
    Jul 7, 2023
    6
    It's fine, it just gets dull after a while. This is not an astonishing, amazing, addictive game. They just spliced the '80s coin-op game Tapper onto a simple underwater foraging game. It feels polished but it just bored me after a while. I'm wondering why people gave it such glowing reviews.
  2. Acberger
    Jul 9, 2023
    6
    The game is really fun for a few hours or so, but beyond that, it gets dull very quickly.

    No care was given to balancing the cost/reward benefit of farming and producing certain dishes, so an early and easily farmed recipe ends up being the most profitable. All unique fish always spawn in the same exact locations, so there is no reason to explore any area more than once. The farming    The game is really fun for a few hours or so, but beyond that, it gets dull very quickly.

    No care was given to balancing the cost/reward benefit of farming and producing certain dishes, so an early and easily farmed recipe ends up being the most profitable. All unique fish always spawn in the same exact locations, so there is no reason to explore any area more than once. The farming aspect of the game is half-baked and tedious.

    The game is really fun as you explore deeper into the depths, but there is no reason to continue playing once you reach the end.    … Expand
  3. fr0me
    Jul 12, 2023
    6
    Game starts off very fun, but theres not much progression after getting staff.

    Wish there was more mechanics in the game, and more things to do while working in the restaurant. I feel like just a little bit more complexity would add a lot to this game, because how it is now it becomes very repetitive.
  4. ZeekZeon
    Jul 5, 2023
    10
    One of the best game I played in 2023. Perfect mixture of minigames, adventure and tycoon. Very addictive and characters are very very charming.
  5. Spyan
    Jul 4, 2023
    5
    Reminds me a lot of Dredge : a grindy, merely semi-ok phone game with repetive game loops that will keep you enternained for 3 days before you give up and uninstal. Not much incentive to finish the game. A mish mash of popular mechanics from ten other games that gets old pretty fast. Just like dredge : nothing to write home about and will be forgotten in about a monthg after its release.Reminds me a lot of Dredge : a grindy, merely semi-ok phone game with repetive game loops that will keep you enternained for 3 days before you give up and uninstal. Not much incentive to finish the game. A mish mash of popular mechanics from ten other games that gets old pretty fast. Just like dredge : nothing to write home about and will be forgotten in about a monthg after its release. Thank god it's cheap, but it still might be a little too expensive for what you get. This isn't worth twenty bucks.… Expand
  6. FlameHaze10
    Jul 3, 2023
    10
    Pros:
    - Gameplay
    - Characters
    - Ridiculous Story
    - Artsyle
    - Cutscenes
    - Bancho you beautiful man

    Cons:
    - Lionfishes at night

    Verdict:
    - Dave is good. Be like Dave.
  7. Dag8
    Jul 3, 2023
    10
    I am not a gamer but I fell in love with this game since one my friend became a big fan of it. It was even hard for me to decide to start playing something but once I started it i fell right into it. Played hours and didnt get tired of it. It provides detailed little joy to every chapter. Strongly recommend it to play.
  8. Gofrein
    Jul 1, 2023
    10
    Best game and GOTY 2023. No jokes. This is the real GEM.
    After such a trash games like dibalo4, this is an ambrosia.
  9. Cartoofel
    Jul 2, 2023
    7
    ---{ Graphics }---
    ☐ You forget what reality is
    ☐ Beautiful ✅ Nice ☐ Will do ☐ Bad ☐ Don‘t look too long at it ☐ MS-DOS ---{ Gameplay }--- ☐ Very good ✅ Good ☐ It's just gameplay ☐ Mehh ☐ Watch paint dry instead ☐ Just don't ---{ Audio }--- ☐ Eargasm ☐ Very good ✅ Good ☐ Not too bad ☐ Bad ☐ I'm now deaf ---{ Audience }--- ✅ Kids ✅ Teens ✅ Adults ☐ Grandma    ---{ Graphics }---
    ☐ You forget what reality is
    ☐ Beautiful
    ✅ Nice
    ☐ Will do
    ☐ Bad
    ☐ Don‘t look too long at it
    ☐ MS-DOS

    ---{ Gameplay }---
    ☐ Very good
    ✅ Good
    ☐ It's just gameplay
    ☐ Mehh
    ☐ Watch paint dry instead
    ☐ Just don't

    ---{ Audio }---
    ☐ Eargasm
    ☐ Very good
    ✅ Good
    ☐ Not too bad
    ☐ Bad
    ☐ I'm now deaf

    ---{ Audience }---
    ✅ Kids
    ✅ Teens
    ✅ Adults
    ☐ Grandma

    ---{ PC Requirements }---
    ☐ Check if you can run paint
    ☐ Potato
    ✅ Decent
    ☐ Fast
    ☐ Rich boi
    ☐ Ask NASA if they have a spare computer

    ---{ Difficulty }---
    ☐ Just press 'W'
    ✅ Easy
    ☐ Easy to learn / Hard to master
    ☐ Significant brain usage
    ☐ Difficult
    ☐ Dark Souls

    ---{ Grind }---
    ☐ Nothing to grind
    ☐ Only if u care about leaderboards/ranks
    ✅ Isn't necessary to progress ☐ Average grind level ☐ Much grind ☐ You'll need a second live for grinding ---{ Story }--- ☐ No Story ☐ Some lore ✅ Average ☐ Good ☐ Lovely ☐ It'll replace your life ---{ Game Time }--- ☐ Long enough for a cup of coffee ☐ Short ✅ Average ☐ Long ☐ To infinity and beyond ---{ Price }--- ☐ It's free! ☐ I would pay double ✅ Worth the price ☐ If it's on sale ☐ If u have some spare money left ☐ Not recommended ☐ You could also just burn your money ---{ Bugs }--- ✅ Never heard of ☐ Minor bugs ☐ Can get annoying ☐ Embraced the Bugs ☐ The game itself is a big terrarium for bugs ---{ ? / 10 }--- ☐ 1 ☐ 2 ☐ 3 ☐ 4 ☐ 5 ☐ 6 ✅ 7 ☐ 8 ☐ 9 ☐ 10    … Expand
  10. Luar35
    Jul 4, 2023
    10
    I found the game very fun and with a lot of content and it looks very good.
  11. createje
    Jul 7, 2023
    10
    This game has very good

    The various contents and BGM were so good. I got a little bored in the fish village, but I got over it and went to the next chapter, so I was able to enjoy it again.
  12. markoul
    Jul 11, 2023
    10
    I don't believe anything can surpass Dave the Diver in 2023.

    Truly, the indie GOTY of 2023.
  13. DavidFCorreia
    Jul 3, 2023
    10
    This is one of the best games I ever played. What a incredible journey this is!! For me a real GOTY contender!
  14. Chrizical
    Jul 3, 2023
    9
    a beautiful game one of few where you can tell the publishers had fun making it, so do i playing it
  15. Pancakemaster
    Jul 7, 2023
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. One of the best games i have played in the last few years. Tons of things to do, no rush to complete the story, lots of side quests and story lines. I have been addicted since i got this. cant wait to see what else the devs add to the game.… Expand
  16. TheSHChronicles
    Jul 8, 2023
    9
    Dave the Diver is an exceptional game as it combines addictive gameplay, stunning graphics, and a captivating underwater world that will keep you hooked for hours. The only thing lacking, for me, is a more extensive storyline. But, don't let that stop you from diving in and experiencing the thrilling adventure that this game has to offer!

    Our Full Review:    Dave the Diver is an exceptional game as it combines addictive gameplay, stunning graphics, and a captivating underwater world that will keep you hooked for hours. The only thing lacking, for me, is a more extensive storyline. But, don't let that stop you from diving in and experiencing the thrilling adventure that this game has to offer!

    Our Full Review:
    https://www.theshchronicles.com/post/dave-the-diver    … Expand
  17. Pionator
    Jul 7, 2023
    10
    GOTY indie of the year, en este juego tienes un montón de cosas que hacer y así como vas jugando cada vez te da mas y mas por hacer. El apartado artístico la historia es increíble y muy enriquecedora.
  18. True_Nerd
    Jul 5, 2023
    10
    The main character is very ugly, but that has its own charm. It's fun, so I'm giving it a high score, but please, let's make the character pretty
  19. Spamax
    Jul 6, 2023
    10
    Dave the Diver is a solo RPG and casual adventure game that plunges players into the depths of the ocean, offering a captivating experience of exploration and discovery. With a unique blend of daytime fishing and nighttime sushi restaurant management, the game features a variety of enjoyable mechanics and an intriguing narrative that keeps players immersed for hours on end.

    The story of    Dave the Diver is a solo RPG and casual adventure game that plunges players into the depths of the ocean, offering a captivating experience of exploration and discovery. With a unique blend of daytime fishing and nighttime sushi restaurant management, the game features a variety of enjoyable mechanics and an intriguing narrative that keeps players immersed for hours on end.

    The story of Dave the Diver is a true gem in this genre. Players are invited to join Dave, the charismatic protagonist, and his quirky friends as they uncover the secrets of the mysterious Blue Abyss. The plot is filled with thrilling twists and moments of great emotional impact, keeping players engaged from start to finish. The narrative is skillfully crafted, and each character has their own story and personality, making the journey even more compelling.

    Visually, Dave the Diver is a feast for the eyes. Despite being a 2D game, the graphics and animations are stunning, with intricate details and vibrant colors. The underwater environments are beautifully rendered, conveying a sense of depth and mystery. The visual effects are spectacular, especially during fishing moments and while preparing sushi in the restaurant. The soundtrack perfectly complements the game's atmosphere, immersing players in a complete experience.    … Expand
  20. speedwagonn
    Jul 7, 2023
    9
    This game has very good vibes, it's a very therapeutic game to just relax to. It's not really as tedious as some of the comments are suggesting.
  21. MetacriticOnur
    Jul 7, 2023
    8
    excellent
    [ ek-suh-luhnt ]

    adjective
    possessing outstanding quality or superior merit; remarkably good.
  22. DinboNomad2z2
    Jul 1, 2023
    7
    The game is ascetically beautiful and fun. Would like this trend more from Nexon as they are widely known for being P2W monetization. Would like it to have more clarity as to what information are being collected through this game.
  23. TheW4tchT0wer
    Jul 8, 2023
    3
    I thought it would be fun, but the exposition/mechanic dump in the opening hours really soured my experience. I spent as much time watching cutscenes and having dialogue spewed at me as playing the game, it felt like. The alternating management/action sections sounded interesting in the reviews I watched, but playing them was much slower and more monotonous than I would have anticipated.I thought it would be fun, but the exposition/mechanic dump in the opening hours really soured my experience. I spent as much time watching cutscenes and having dialogue spewed at me as playing the game, it felt like. The alternating management/action sections sounded interesting in the reviews I watched, but playing them was much slower and more monotonous than I would have anticipated. It's definitely the kind of game for which I'm thankful that Steam offers a 2 hour refund window.… Expand
  24. dubesor
    Jul 14, 2023
    9
    A fun, charming and sometimes goofy diving SIM & light arcady restaurant manager.
    I was enjoying this one a lot, there are quite a lot of mechanics unlocking as you progress through the story. Playthrough takes around 30 hours, double this for completionists who want to max everything.
    At the end game it can overstay its welcome since some minigames take way longer than the story to    A fun, charming and sometimes goofy diving SIM & light arcady restaurant manager.
    I was enjoying this one a lot, there are quite a lot of mechanics unlocking as you progress through the story. Playthrough takes around 30 hours, double this for completionists who want to max everything.
    At the end game it can overstay its welcome since some minigames take way longer than the story to complete. There are some missing QoL features for certain locations that I won't mention to keep it spoiler free. Overall it has minor flaws but is a very good game regardless.    … Expand
  25. Neoptolemus0925
    Jul 2, 2023
    10
    NEXON does not have the best reputation, but for this once, they deserve credit for creating the MINTROCKET to support the development team behind this amazing game.
  26. roozbehfocus
    Jul 2, 2023
    10
    just Amazing Game i really enjoying..
    Story...Gameplay..everything is fantastic
  27. dolbung
    Jul 7, 2023
    9
    as a pixel game lover, dave the diver was the best pixel game i've ever seen.

    if you love pixel-and healing game?
    play it!!
  28. Wavew
    Jul 5, 2023
    1
    Un verdadero coñazo. Si recordáis "moonlighter" viene a ser lo mismo pero en aburrido, aquí pasamos de una tiendita heredada a un bar de sushi con un cocinero gilipollas.

    El juego nos lleva por railes privándonos de cualquier decisión, lo que se convierte en una rutina constante de baja, mata, sube, vende. Una decepción que sigo sin entender que tenga tan buenas criticas. A evitar    Un verdadero coñazo. Si recordáis "moonlighter" viene a ser lo mismo pero en aburrido, aquí pasamos de una tiendita heredada a un bar de sushi con un cocinero gilipollas.

    El juego nos lleva por railes privándonos de cualquier decisión, lo que se convierte en una rutina constante de baja, mata, sube, vende.

    Una decepción que sigo sin entender que tenga tan buenas criticas.

    A evitar a toda costa.    … Expand
  29. arianiLeep
    Jul 1, 2023
    10
    Fantastic mixture of management sim and underwater adventure that you never thought you would want. Each elements are not too deep but well balanced. It's the best value you can get with $20.
  30. unisoft
    Jul 4, 2023
    10
    It's the most fun game I've ever played this year.
    I hope to meet this game at the GOTY 2023. really good game.
  31. NoctisLucisFF
    Jul 10, 2023
    4
    Um bom joguinho para passar o tempo e tem que ser levado como um complicado de minigames, pois se vc quiser algo mais profundo eu não recomendo.
  32. MariaSanBar
    Jul 9, 2023
    4
    É um jogo legal e que te prende por um tempo, porém passado isso ele começa a se mostrar repetitivo é um pouco cansativo até seu fim.
  33. Ectomorph
    Jul 19, 2023
    8
    If you want to see the full potential of the game, be patient. The game starts slow and hides many mechanics. To a point where you start questioning yourself, if the current is all the game has to offer. Keep completing quests and the game reveals more and more fun game mechanics for you. This is also my main criticism. Too many mechanics at the beginning can be overwhelming and revealingIf you want to see the full potential of the game, be patient. The game starts slow and hides many mechanics. To a point where you start questioning yourself, if the current is all the game has to offer. Keep completing quests and the game reveals more and more fun game mechanics for you. This is also my main criticism. Too many mechanics at the beginning can be overwhelming and revealing too much too early may also spoil the fun, but the game could do a better job at teasing what lies ahead.… Expand
  34. Netero
    Aug 24, 2023
    10
    Zelda + Metroid + Eco the Dolphin = Dave the Diver = GOTY 2023 !
    Super fun game with A LOT of new ideas
  35. Eisbeutel
    Jul 23, 2023
    10
    one of the most varied genre mixes I played in recent years. most recommended!
  36. Lolchen
    Jul 19, 2023
    10
    Um dos melhores jogos que ja vi , sempre tendo novas mecânicas ao decorrer do jogo muito viciante
  37. Innumerableman
    Aug 2, 2023
    7
    The game revolves around two main gameplay parts: 1. exploring, collecting, and fighting in the sea, and 2. managing and working in a sushi restaurant. The total gameplay loop is 3 parts: morning sea session, afternoon sea session, and sushi restaurant session at night. You collect as many things in your pack (weight limited, but can be upgraded as you progress) as you can in each seaThe game revolves around two main gameplay parts: 1. exploring, collecting, and fighting in the sea, and 2. managing and working in a sushi restaurant. The total gameplay loop is 3 parts: morning sea session, afternoon sea session, and sushi restaurant session at night. You collect as many things in your pack (weight limited, but can be upgraded as you progress) as you can in each sea session, then head back up to the boat to supply your sushi restaurant, or to sell if its non-fish. You can also end the session whenever you want, or if you start to run out of air without a way to replenish it, but for the sake of making money it makes more sense to fill your pack each session.

    hunting regular fish is pretty basic as you aim your harpoon gun manually, and reel them in automatically. some tougher fish require quicktime events that are randomized so you can't memorize if its the QTE based on the right joystick, or series of buttons on the controller. The tougher/bigger fish are more interesting encounters. They will attack you and it requires careful ammo management with a gun, as the harpoon isn't enough, as well as dodgin their lunges at you. There are bosses in the game that vary in difficulty, but overall are pretty good/fun.

    Then there is the sushi restaurant. You try to upgrade your sushi meals based on the fish you catch each day, rarer or bigger fish bring better sale prices, as well as enhancing dishes with salt, oil, etc. that you can find in the sea. You can research new sushi meals as you collect a type of currency based on good performance at the restaurant. Then, you set your menu for the evening and open the restaurant. you run around the sushi bar filling glasses and running plates to customers. As you progress and your restaurant gets more popular, you need to hire waiters and cooks to meet the demand.

    Overall, the sea portions of the game are more relaxing than exciting. I think the most fun part of the game personally is trying to fill the compendium of fish and unlocking all the sushi dishes for your restaurant, as the fighting portion under the sea gets kinda boring after the first few hours. The sushi restaurant is pretty interesting at first, especially as you hire staff and start to make aesthetic changes to your restaurant. However, once you have a full staff they do most of the work for you and the things that you are left to do get very repetitive. The sushi restaurant gameplay loop overall is like a 5 out of 10. The sea portion is probably 7 out of 10

    That would leave the game with an average of 6 out of 10, but the extra point I gave in my score goes to the charm and humor of the characters and story of the game. The game has the same sort of charm going for it that reminded me of Stardew Valley with its characters, and it definitely makes the game more enjoyable to play. I also commend indie games that make charming experiences and tight gameplay type games, even if the gameplay is rather basic or repetitive.

    In summary, its worth your time to play for like an hour a day/night to wind down after playing your ranked try-hard multiplayer games that are more stressful than fun.    … Expand
  38. PhoneTheo
    Aug 8, 2023
    6
    Game starts off very fun, but theres not much progression after getting staff.

    Wish there was more mechanics in the game, and more things to do while working in the restaurant. I feel like just a little bit more complexity would add a lot to this game, because how it is now it becomes very repetitive.
  39. ninhaterv
    Aug 10, 2023
    9
    It is a very interesting game, with many mechanics, it could be better with time to make the sushi and give it more importance but otherwise it is an excellent fun game that even my grandmother would like
  40. Tacco1306
    Aug 13, 2023
    8
    Its a nice summer-game with a nice story. After 14 hours i had enough because of the mermaids.
  41. Vaerik
    Jul 18, 2023
    9
    TLDR: EXCELLENT game. Highly recommended to anyone who enjoys adventure/simulator games with RPG and Rogue-like elements.

    It's impossible to describe how good this game is without spoiling things. So, I'll avoid talking about the innumerable hidden delights and just mention the basic concepts: The Premise: Dave is an adorable oaf of an everyman who loves scuba-diving. His old friend    TLDR: EXCELLENT game. Highly recommended to anyone who enjoys adventure/simulator games with RPG and Rogue-like elements.

    It's impossible to describe how good this game is without spoiling things. So, I'll avoid talking about the innumerable hidden delights and just mention the basic concepts:

    The Premise: Dave is an adorable oaf of an everyman who loves scuba-diving. His old friend Cobra calls him up to help run a new sushi restaurant with Cobra's enigmatic artist of a chef friend, Bancho. Using Cobra's money-sense (and his boat), Bancho's insane cooking abilities, and Dave's affable willingness to dive ever deeper into the Big Blue Hole, you catch fish, sharks, squid, and other assorted sea-life from around the globe in effort to fill Bancho's need to prepare ever-more-wild dishes! Eventually, this venture becomes too big to handle on your own, but it's a good thing you have friends to help you out.

    The Mechanics: You begin with a harpoon and hunt for fish. Later, you get more and more weapons and gadgets, the fish get more and more challenging, and the dives go deeper and deeper. When you emerge from the 'Hole, there's a restaurant to run in the evenings. Managing your profits vs. the tastiness (popularity) of dishes, serving drinks, clearing dishes, and hosting VIPs and special parties! This game just keeps adding more and more new game mechanics as it goes, and it never seems overwhelming--but it does walk that line. It's an amazing feat and the design team should be proud. I cannot recommend this game enough.

    When I'm writing this, the game is priced at $20 US, but it's a steal at twice the price. Highly recommend.    … Expand
  42. troublefete
    Jul 31, 2023
    10
    le meilleur jeu de l''année 2023 pour moi ( en attendant starfield et baldur's gate )
    La boucle de gameplay est parfaite le scénario sympa et les graphismes géniaux
    un must have !
  43. max1c
    Jul 22, 2023
    8
    It's an alright game. It has good gameplay, good music, and good art. The story is beyond terrible though with thousands of lines of worthless text. I also don't appreciate casual racism present in this game.
  44. Nikotoh
    Aug 13, 2023
    9
    Dave The Diver is an underwater gem of game design. Players are treated to a harmonious blend of exploration, collection, side quests, and a restaurant simulator. Each element not only complements the others but also contributes to an infinitely satisfying and addictive gameplay loop. What's even more remarkable is the constant influx of new mechanics and content, ensuring the game feelsDave The Diver is an underwater gem of game design. Players are treated to a harmonious blend of exploration, collection, side quests, and a restaurant simulator. Each element not only complements the others but also contributes to an infinitely satisfying and addictive gameplay loop. What's even more remarkable is the constant influx of new mechanics and content, ensuring the game feels fresh, invigorating, and rewarding from the first splash to the very last dive. It's more than just great; it's a marine masterpiece.… Expand
  45. gingersnap225
    Sep 2, 2023
    8
    Dave the Diver is cute and a game that is definitely worth playing. Very charming. It gives me hope that in a time where AAA games are on the decline that there will once again be the rise of the Indie game. The characters are endearing. The music is relaxing. Fishing is a genuine joy. I will pay close attention to what this studio does in the future,

    BUT. Dave the Diver doesn't    Dave the Diver is cute and a game that is definitely worth playing. Very charming. It gives me hope that in a time where AAA games are on the decline that there will once again be the rise of the Indie game. The characters are endearing. The music is relaxing. Fishing is a genuine joy. I will pay close attention to what this studio does in the future,

    BUT. Dave the Diver doesn't know what it wants to be. It couldn't decide so it picked to be everything. It would be much better game if it picked a couple things and fleshed them out instead of just being mediocre at most things. I wish they had just focused on the fishing / running a sushi restaurant. We could even keep the vegetable and fish farm. Perfect that gameplay loop. I think that could have been a 10/10 game. But instead it tried to do too much and forgot what it's main purpose was. Definitely worth playing, but falls a little short in the end.    … Expand
  46. Maradum
    Jul 31, 2023
    7
    In Dave the Diver you play as Dave – the Diver – who flies out to a deserted Island, meets a restaurant owner and a business man and become the diver for said restaurant. You get a diving suit, a harpoon and its your job to provide fish for the restaurant so the chef can make sushi. You also serve at that restaurant.

    The gamepaly loop itself is super fun: You have 3 segments in the day,    In Dave the Diver you play as Dave – the Diver – who flies out to a deserted Island, meets a restaurant owner and a business man and become the diver for said restaurant. You get a diving suit, a harpoon and its your job to provide fish for the restaurant so the chef can make sushi. You also serve at that restaurant.

    The gamepaly loop itself is super fun: You have 3 segments in the day, 2 for diving, 1 for working at the restaurant. While diving you have your harpoon and different weapons, to catch fish and also fight dangerous fish, like multiple kinds of sharks. In the evening, you assist in the restaurant, you set up the menu, hire co-workers and serve the sushi to the customers. Both these aspects are by far the best in the game, the ocean is fun to explore, the restaurant section is also a fun mini game.

    You can upgrade several things, like the diving suit to dive deeper, or the harpoon to make more damage. You have a weapon shop to upgrade weapons, a pokemon like fish card collection game, a achievement log where you get several smaller tasks you can exchange for points and items. The game also has one main story, which offers a nice and interesting plot. Furthermore, there are many pixel art cutscenes, that are rather short, but super fun to watch.

    Unfortunately, all those small systems are what ultimately diminish the fun for me. Every time you get out of the water, there are more side quests, more side stuff, that just feel like filler that bloats the game, with very little relevance. You also get a fish farm and a farm for rice/vegetables which offers more options – but overall those systems are extremely half baked and not fun at all.Most of the side stuff just ends to be annoying chores.

    Overall, the game would have been much better with a higher focus on diving/restaurant/main story. Instead you get burned out by the side content and side systems here.    … Expand
  47. Banz5555
    Aug 30, 2023
    9
    Very fun and relaxing. Nice characters, nice soundtrack. Love the pixel graphics.
  48. fantasmacanino
    Jul 21, 2023
    6
    When the game is good, it's really good. But at some point, past the 30 hour mark you slowly lose interest. The loop of going catching fish and serving it in the restaurant starts to stretch, way too much starting in chapter 4. Going through a full day can often take you over one hour.
  49. Typiak
    Sep 8, 2023
    5
    First hours feel great but the gameplay is too simple to made the experience intersteting in the long run.
    Most of the characters have little to no evolution during the story, it feels kinda empty.
    However a great mix between 3d et pixel art, really fiiting the "dive" atmosphere and some cool fish design.
  50. binest03459
    Jul 18, 2023
    10
    It evokes the atmosphere with various contents in the progress that can be somewhat monotonous. Many homages and parodies show the sense of developers.
  51. Dudeman15
    Sep 11, 2023
    10
    This is such a great game. First game that I get 100% of achievements.
    The gameplay is awesome. The repetitiveness, for me, was meditative in a way. You just go around and fish and then run the sushi place and then upgrade your gear etc.
    The story is good. The humour is on point. The game unfold everytime you play during the whole story. The music is gucci good. GOTY 2k23 in the    This is such a great game. First game that I get 100% of achievements.
    The gameplay is awesome. The repetitiveness, for me, was meditative in a way. You just go around and fish and then run the sushi place and then upgrade your gear etc.
    The story is good.
    The humour is on point.
    The game unfold everytime you play during the whole story.
    The music is gucci good.

    GOTY 2k23 in the indie categorie for sure.

    Get the damn game.    … Expand
  52. Chensa
    Jul 16, 2023
    10
    What a brilliant game. Everything about it is a pure joy - The beautiful art style, the cutscenes, the goofy characters, the satisfying loop, the depth of the management and combat systems, and of course - the crazy mini-games. It's truly overwhelming to find out how much content this game offers, and everything is well designed, polished and fun. This is a special game made by greatWhat a brilliant game. Everything about it is a pure joy - The beautiful art style, the cutscenes, the goofy characters, the satisfying loop, the depth of the management and combat systems, and of course - the crazy mini-games. It's truly overwhelming to find out how much content this game offers, and everything is well designed, polished and fun. This is a special game made by great developers, looking forward to seeing what they do next.… Expand
  53. royalguy07
    Aug 28, 2023
    7
    Dave the Diver ultimately landed as a game I wish I had loved. The setting, style, and tone were all spot on for me. I loved the characters and vibe they had set up. the restaurant sim was light and fun, the upgrade system clear and rewarding.
    I just did not enjoy the actual main gameplay diving sequences enough, which became stale for me rather quick.
  54. ggscv
    Sep 11, 2023
    4
    Very long and very repetitive. The game is a fun 8/10 at first, but it quickly becomes very repetitive and dull with the story proceeding at a glacial pace. This game could have been great with 70% of the weaker content cut, but as it is, it is not worth buying at all.
  55. shynorah
    Jul 30, 2023
    5
    NEVER LOOK STEAM REVIEWS.
    I made the mistake of buying this game after seeing 95% positive steam reviews.
    And I didn't watch a video before buying to be surprised and discover the game by myself... Big mistake on my part. The game is fully scripted, it never leave you alone EVER. I wanted to manage my restaurant freely, explore on my own. But no, the game constantly interrupts    NEVER LOOK STEAM REVIEWS.
    I made the mistake of buying this game after seeing 95% positive steam reviews.
    And I didn't watch a video before buying to be surprised and discover the game by myself...

    Big mistake on my part.

    The game is fully scripted, it never leave you alone EVER.
    I wanted to manage my restaurant freely, explore on my own.

    But no, the game constantly interrupts you (every day)
    to tell you what to do. It's just annoying.

    Good points :
    - Quality Pixel Art
    - Character cutscenes are classy
    - Good game idea, (diving + sushi restaurant)
    - Good AD

    Negative points :
    - Interrupt every day
    - No freedom
    - Limited map
    - Bad scenario
    - Gameplay not great    … Expand
  56. Fausthor
    Aug 11, 2023
    9
    A very fun indie game that mixes a side-view ocean exploring to gather resources, and a sushi restaurant manager/server experience. As you go deeper into the game, new mechanics are presented to the player that keeps the game feeling fresh. The pixel art of the game is amazing, and the "cinemas" are over the top and hilarious.
  57. janethsiao
    Jul 24, 2023
    10
    I love this game. It provides different patterns of playing. RPG, simulation, strategy, etc. Each time when you almost feel bored with the current routine, it came with a new way of playing surprisingly and it successfully lighted up again my interest in the game. In the end, I finished the game and feel very satisfied.
  58. BagelTCG
    Jul 16, 2023
    8
    Great game, I have played for 12 hours now and really enjoyed it and feel like I got my moneys worth. I plan to continue playing it until completion or I'm bored, which I don't see happening soon. You can tell how much detail and love was put into every aspect of this game.
  59. Cenkko
    Jun 30, 2023
    10
    I like this game. Pixelart amazing, sounds like, very chill game. Dave is so funny. :) Enjoy this game. Turkish review my youtube channel,
    https://youtu.be/VEsnisTaXmE
  60. MarioandLuigi
    Jul 14, 2023
    6
    É um bom joguinho paga passar o tempo, porém tenha em mente que são apenas um compilado de minigames com um história engraçada.
  61. BowSpear
    Jul 15, 2023
    6
    Um jogo divertido e engraçado, que compila diversos minigames com um história engraçada. Porém está bem longe de ser perfeito.
  62. mish123
    Jul 20, 2023
    9
    almost all of the reviews complain about the gameplay loop but its supposed to be like that you go down get some fish go up open the sushi store to get money and upgrade your gear each dive you explore a little more and progress a little bit in the story .
    if you get bored of the gameplay loop there's always the story and the fun bosses.
    the game has really good looking pixel art and fun    almost all of the reviews complain about the gameplay loop but its supposed to be like that you go down get some fish go up open the sushi store to get money and upgrade your gear each dive you explore a little more and progress a little bit in the story .
    if you get bored of the gameplay loop there's always the story and the fun bosses.
    the game has really good looking pixel art and fun animation for certain stuff(researching a new recipe for example).
    the game is fun and addictive and the only thing that's stopping it from a 10/10 is some bugs.
    the game also gets patched regularly so most bugs that I encountered are mostly patched    … Expand
  63. Zephyrghost_
    Jul 22, 2023
    10
    I bought this game as an escape from Blizzard Entertainment's Diablo IV wallet-sucking-mechanics and boy, what a joy it has been. You can tell how much love the devs put into this game compared to all those triple-A companies that keep sucking you dry.
  64. abclikeu
    Jul 27, 2023
    8
    Graphics to match the game. It's pretty fun and well-made. It is not without shortcomings, but it made good use of its strengths.
  65. Micetrap
    Aug 9, 2023
    7
    El juego durante las primeras horas es una maravilla, tiene un arte precioso y la mecánica de pesca submarina y el restaurante de sushi en muy entretenido.
    La única pega que le pongo es que se me hizo un poco tedioso todo el apartado de la historia y los combates contra jefes.
  66. ruanphilippe
    Aug 9, 2023
    10
    Jogo incrivelmente viciante e relaxante, joguinho de pesca com fazendinha e restaurante.
  67. brummieben
    Aug 15, 2023
    9
    A wonderful gameplay loop and beautiful pixel art graphics. One of the best games of 2023 for sure.
  68. Stefold08
    Aug 25, 2023
    8
    if you like the 2D pixel game is a realy nice game but some meccanic it's not really good, but at over is good i give 8
  69. cerejabru
    Aug 24, 2023
    9
    Jogo gostosinho demais! Posso ficar o dia todo jogando, as missões são super divertidas e os BOSS são desafiadores!
  70. Mulflar
    Sep 5, 2023
    9
    I played near yo 50h and ended the history and all the quest. I enjoyed a lot this Game. It has a good balance between be consistent with the game style and add new features to avoid feel boring. The story is not very deep bus has some funny moments. I played it on SteamDeck and was a perfect experience.
  71. pentatonicameno
    Sep 11, 2023
    10
    Amazing game, lots of things to do. Fun for days and weeks.
    I hope there will be more content in the future.

Awards & Rankings

8
#8 Best PC Game of 2023
21
#21 Most Discussed PC Game of 2023

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
90

Universal acclaim - based on 44 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 44 out of 44
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 44
  3. Negative: 0 out of 44
  1. XboxEra
    Nov 20, 2025
    95
    Dave the Diver is an excellent, enormous title that is best left as vague as possible. Go in without looking too deeply into it and be ready for dozens of hours of some of the best that video gaming has to offer.
    Read full review
  2. GameMAG
    Nov 26, 2023
    90
    Dave the Diver is an eventful experience where every new dive is an adventure of its own that always come hand in hand with an unexpected plot developments.
    Read full review
  3. Destructoid
    Sep 26, 2023
    90
    In a world full of fear and uncertainty, Dave the Diver is here to offer a lighthearted story and engaging gameplay. It doesn’t try to follow trends or emulate big AAA titles. It doesn’t have an in-game shop to try to get you to spend more money. It’s simply a silly, fun game about a diver named Dave, and I can’t put it down.
    Read full review
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