Dave the Diver is a troublesome sport to explain. Half restaurant sim, half fishing journey, it’s all types of distinctive. Throw in some fascinating characters, witty dialogue, a thriller to unravel, and there’s just one factor it’s essential to know: you’re in for a superb time with this one.
There’s a lot to say about this sport; the place do I start? The story is intriguing, regardless that it’s easy at its core. Dave is a deep-sea diver by commerce. He receives a name whereas on trip to assist out his outdated buddy with a brand new sushi enterprise. It appears the native diving spots are plentiful with fish, and Dave’s skills are wanted to reel them in.
In the meantime, an accident on the new sushi bar prevents it from opening, and the group wants funds to make some repairs. Cue our good friend Dave being roped in to serve the shoppers in addition to catch the meals.
It doesn’t finish there. It appears Dave’s fame precedes him. He receives a number of calls from numerous events in search of help with all issues sea-related. Whether or not it’s a physician looking for historic artifacts to show the existence of an historical civilization or a professor in search of sure marine life for her research, everybody desires a bit of Dave.
Evidently, there are two distinct sides to the Dive-the-Diver coin, each of which work collectively seamlessly to create an enticing expertise. Throughout the day, you enterprise out to sea in your boat and dive into the deep blue to catch fish and hunt for treasure. You are able to do two dives per day. As soon as night time rolls in, you’re off to the restaurant for the opposite half of the sport. Though the gameplay is totally totally different, each parts mesh collectively in a approach that doesn’t break the stream.
Diving is carried out from a facet view. Dave’s tank solely has a lot air, which additionally serves as a life meter. Because of this assaults from aquatic creatures deplete your air provide. For those who run out, you lose all however one of many goodies you’ve caught. Having one meter retains issues easy when it comes to monitoring, but additionally means it’s important to watch out how far you journey and the way recklessly you work together with sea life.
For instance, there are massive sharks. There’s a quest to retrieve shark meat for a specific buyer, so you’ll be able to’t keep away from this scary-looking meat eater ceaselessly. However once you first strategy, you’ll be mauled. It’s scary, but it surely teaches a worthwhile lesson: don’t go in unprepared.
To this finish, you’re outfitted with a harpoon. Most fish will be caught with one strike, although they have an inclination to maneuver away from you as you strategy, so there’s additionally a component of sneaking up on them. Harder fish require stronger weapons, and these will be collected and constructed as you progress. Objects like weapons will let you grow to be considerably braver as you navigate the depths of this underwater realm.
Treasure chests are dotted concerning the place, too. These include numerous gadgets to gather, together with weapon blueprints. Extra importantly, they generally present air that tops up your tank. You’ll additionally discover escape pods that will let you attain the floor shortly, useful if you happen to’re trapped removed from the floor and working low on air.
Whereas it may be anxious to assemble all the things you discover in a single session, the deep-sea adventuring a part of Dave the Diver is tremendous enjoyable. The one draw back is that it feels prefer it’s over too shortly, and I discovered myself hanging out to return again for extra the subsequent day. However the restaurant facet of issues is equally pleasing.
I’m not a lot for simulation video games, so I initially felt not sure concerning the restaurant part. Your time within the restaurant includes a number of parts, reminiscent of selecting menu gadgets, upgrading the decor, and serving prospects. It’s enjoyable to make use of your catches of the day to curate the menu, and it’s easy to do. You additionally improve as you progress, opening extra choices and slots. You actually can flip your restaurant into one thing wonderful. You’ll must efficiently serve your prospects every night time to create a thriving enterprise.
Dave can transfer from left to proper to strategy prospects as they sit on the bar. The orders are mechanically taken, so it’s principally a matter of retrieving the meals from the chef and delivering it. Often, prospects can even order drinks, and Dave’s answerable for pouring these. It should be accomplished good, but it surely’s straightforward sufficient to attain an ideal each time. Then there’s a cleansing side to wipe down the bar as soon as the shopper leaves. Once more, this can be a easy endeavor, achieved by holding down the related button. What makes issues barely extra sophisticated is the time component. The shoppers will be impatient, they usually begin getting indignant if you happen to take too lengthy. Late orders imply much less cash and a nasty fame, so well timed supply is vital.
Graphically, Dave the Diver sports activities a colourful aesthetic that mixes a cartoony type with a retro edge. Sprites purposefully seem barely pixelated, giving them a neat look. The music can be very good, notably whereas diving. It verges on retro as effectively, with synth pop beats that sound just like the composer has taken cues from the late ‘80s. It’s enjoyable and really cool.
General, Dave the Diver is a implausible title that efficiently combines two very totally different genres into one. The deep-sea diving is motion packed and filled with exploration. The restaurant-sim facet is put collectively in a approach that’s difficult with out being overwhelming. I extremely suggest this title!