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. 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
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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
  7. Banz5555
    Aug 30, 2023
    9
    Very fun and relaxing. Nice characters, nice soundtrack. Love the pixel graphics.
  8. 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.
  9. 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
  10. cerejabru
    Aug 24, 2023
    9
    Jogo gostosinho demais! Posso ficar o dia todo jogando, as missões são super divertidas e os BOSS são desafiadores!
  11. Netero
    Aug 24, 2023
    10
    Zelda + Metroid + Eco the Dolphin = Dave the Diver = GOTY 2023 !
    Super fun game with A LOT of new ideas
  12. brummieben
    Aug 15, 2023
    9
    A wonderful gameplay loop and beautiful pixel art graphics. One of the best games of 2023 for sure.
  13. Tacco1306
    Aug 13, 2023
    8
    Its a nice summer-game with a nice story. After 14 hours i had enough because of the mermaids.
  14. 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
  15. 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
  16. 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.
  17. 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
  18. ruanphilippe
    Aug 9, 2023
    10
    Jogo incrivelmente viciante e relaxante, joguinho de pesca com fazendinha e restaurante.
  19. 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.
  20. 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.
  21. 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
  22. 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 !
  23. 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
  24. 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
  25. 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.
  26. 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.
  27. Eisbeutel
    Jul 23, 2023
    10
    one of the most varied genre mixes I played in recent years. most recommended!
  28. 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.
  29. 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.
  30. 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.
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Awards & Rankings

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

Critic Reviews

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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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