Buy this game if:

✅ You're interested into sea-related topics and animals (i.e. fishes, sushi and marine mammals);
✅ You can withstand some (optimized I'd add) grinding and repetitiveness, as you'll have to dive each day to gather resources;
✅ Titles such as Stardew Valley, Forager are up your alley and of your taste;

Don't buy this game if:

❌ you't like games based upon grinding and gathering resources, along with progression tied and geared towards main story's progression;
❌ you don't fancy games where movement speed is reduced (you'll dive underwater and swim into the ocean);
❌ you don't like minigames, quick-time events and light humour;


Verdict: 8

Time required to finish the main game: 20 hours
Time required to complete it at 100%: 32-35 hours (depending on luck and managing resources optimally)




https://steamoss.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3400492935


NOTE: Dave the Diver is a "indie" gem but takes some time to get used to the game's mechanics and maps...but it's worth it!


1- What will you do for the next 25-30 hours:

You'll play as Dave a funny and overweight diver who will dive everyday to get resources and food with a old friend (retired military) for their newly opened sushi restaurant, which you will have to manage...as to serve as a waiter as well!
The money gained from your restaurant can be used to upgrade your diving gear and to improve your restaurant, your staff and your side activites and investments which will help you reduce the grinding for the latest stages of the game.


2- Optimized game design and clever game mechanics:

Some examples:

a) during the fishing activities you will see many kinds of sea creatures to catch or defeat - along with a good variety of them - lucklily you won't be forced (except for few instaces) to repeat the same QTE or button mashing to get them;
b) It's possible to find consumables during the dives, to make diving easier and more enjoyable;
c) the more you'll progress into the game, the more shortcuts and fast travel devices you'll be able to get to avoid unnecessary grinding or backtracking;
d) Up to some extent, it's possible to automate the sushi restaurant management, which is full of side quests and side characters lore as well;



https://steamoss.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3400493320



3- The tone of the game really helps setting the mood and the gaming rythm efficently:

Every character isn't immune to sarcasm, irony or "roasting" from anyone...and i've loved it, although some subjects might seem heavy to be talked about...the storytelling made it really enjoyable! Every protagonist has their own story, their own flaws and demons to fight against..but most importantly, each one of them
as several animated cutscenes - which are really well made and animated, never making you feel that side missions or main story missions are thrown at you without a real purpose.



https://steamoss.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3400493604




Thanks for reading and for bearing up with me, leave a comment below if you have any questions or observations, have an amazing day/night, feel free to follow my other reviews at: https://steamoss.com/steamstore/curator/32344423/

Dave the Diver is an absolutely fantastic game. Very chill (Even more chill than I expected it to be, except during certain things like boss fights of course) and it played very nicely on controller. It's got a surprising amount of story and content. It has some nice minigames as well, including the Steam game Balatro.

I enjoyed exploring, yes it did get repetitive and it is a bit of a grind if you want to go for completionism or 100%ing the achievements, but I personally really enjoyed it. It added enough new things where it didnt get too boring for being long grinds. New places to explore, etc. Very good, very enjoyable, very much recommended!

Expect it to take like 35-45 hours if going for the achievements. But to me it was a very enjoyable grind!

Relaxing and addictive and cozy. Drip feeds you new mechanics just slowly enough that you're never overwhelmed but fast enough that you're always getting something new.