Just like a vast ocean, the game Dave The Diver offers a beautiful and captivating world for players to explore. This retro indie RPG surprises players with its hilarious premise and irresistible gameplay elements. Dave The Diver manages to exceed expectations with its engaging story, complex characters, and a surprising depth to its gameplay.
The story of Dave The Diver revolves around a group of coworkers turned friends who open a sushi bar near the mystical Blue Hole. As the protagonist, Dave, a rotund SCUBA diver who runs the sushi shop, players embark on an endearing and silly adventure. The story unfolds into something more substantial, with characters that have surprising depth.
The game features numerous memorable cutscenes that bring the characters to life. From Bancho’s fish-traumatizing knife-sharpening skills to Duff’s elegant diving into a swimming pool to test a new weapon, these scenes are both amusing and enjoyable.
In addition to the RPG elements, Dave The Diver also incorporates a restaurant-management simulation aspect. Players will split their time diving into the Blue Hole to hunt for fish and supplies, battle underwater creatures, and complete quests. They will also manage the sushi shop by crafting recipes, cooking, hiring and training employees, and satisfying the fussy clientele. This combination of gameplay elements adds depth and variety to the overall experience.
When diving into the Blue Hole, players must strategically capture fish and other sea life while navigating dangerous waters. Using weapons like harpoons, guns, and nets, players can choose between capturing fish alive for better resources or resorting to more brutal methods. This choice adds an element of strategy and creativity to the game.
The game also offers boss battles and simple puzzle-solving sections, which provide a break from spearfishing. While these sections lack significant challenge, they offer novelty and interesting plot developments.
Throughout the game, players can upgrade their gear, improve combat effectiveness, and expand their inventory space. This progression system encourages players to continue playing and exploring the game’s world.
An important aspect players must manage in their exploration is their oxygen tank, which serves as a life bar and carry load limiter. Players must carefully balance their oxygen levels while collecting fish and treasures. This adds an element of risk and challenge to the gameplay.
Dave The Diver offers a captivating loop of exploration and progression that is hard to walk away from. From its engaging story and complex characters to its addictive gameplay, this retro indie RPG proves that it can stand alongside bigger-budget games as one of the best games to play.