Dave the Diver is a tricky 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 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, although 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 previous 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 pal Dave being roped in to serve the shoppers in addition to catch the meals.
It doesn’t finish there. It appears Dave’s popularity precedes him. He receives a number of calls from varied events in search of help with all issues sea-related. Whether or not it’s a health care provider looking for historic artifacts to show the existence of an historic civilization or a professor in search of sure marine life for her research, everybody needs a bit of Dave.
For sure, there are two distinct sides to the Dive-the-Diver coin, each of which work collectively seamlessly to create an interesting expertise. Through 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 evening rolls in, you’re off to the restaurant for the opposite half of the sport. Regardless that the gameplay is totally completely different, each components mesh collectively in a means 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. Which means that assaults from aquatic creatures deplete your air provide. In case you run out, you lose all however one of many goodies you’ve caught. Having one meter retains issues easy by way of monitoring, but additionally means you need 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 possibly can’t keep away from this scary-looking meat eater eternally. However while you first method, you may be mauled. It’s scary, nevertheless it teaches a priceless 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 method, 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. Gadgets like weapons permit you to grow to be considerably braver as you navigate the depths of this underwater realm.
Treasure chests are dotted concerning the place, too. These include varied objects to gather, together with weapon blueprints. Extra importantly, they often present air that tops up your tank. You’ll additionally discover escape pods that permit you to attain the floor shortly, helpful in the event you’re trapped removed from the floor and operating low on air.
Whereas it may be annoying to collect every thing 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 following day. However the restaurant facet of issues is equally gratifying.
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 components, resembling selecting menu objects, upgrading the decor, and serving clients. 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 have to efficiently serve your clients every evening to create a thriving enterprise.
Dave can transfer from left to proper to method clients as they sit on the bar. The orders are robotically taken, so it’s largely a matter of retrieving the meals from the chef and delivering it. Sometimes, clients can even order drinks, and Dave’s accountable for pouring these. It should be completed good, nevertheless it’s simple 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, completed by holding down the related button. What makes issues barely extra difficult is the time factor. The shoppers will be impatient, and so they begin getting indignant in the event you take too lengthy. Late orders imply much less cash and a foul popularity, so well timed supply is vital.
Graphically, Dave the Diver sports activities a colourful aesthetic that mixes a cartoony fashion 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 properly, with synth pop beats that sound just like the composer has taken cues from the late ‘80s. It’s stress-free and really cool.
Total, Dave the Diver is a improbable title that efficiently combines two very completely different genres into one. The deep-sea diving is motion packed and stuffed with exploration. The restaurant-sim facet is put collectively in a means that’s difficult with out being overwhelming. I extremely advocate this title!