Dave the Diver is one of those games that is hard to describe in one sentence. It is a diving game, a fishing game, a restaurant management game, an adventure with a mysterious story and a collection of strange, funny mini-games. Somehow, it all works together brilliantly.
We played Dave the Diver on PC and Switch, and it quickly became one of our favourite games of recent years.
The setup
Dave is a laid-back, slightly chubby diver who is convinced by his friend Cobra to help run a sushi restaurant near the Blue Hole, a mysterious ocean area whose environment changes every day. By day, Dave dives to catch fish and collect ingredients. By night, he helps serve customers at the restaurant, Bancho Sushi.
Diving
Diving is relaxing and rewarding. The Blue Hole is full of colourful fish, coral and hidden areas. You use a harpoon gun and other weapons to catch fish, but you must also manage your oxygen, which doubles as your health. Larger creatures can be dangerous, and boss fights against sea monsters add excitement.
As you progress, you upgrade your diving suit, oxygen tank, weapons and tools, allowing you to dive deeper and stay longer. The Blue Hole changes each day, so every dive feels a little different. Deeper layers hide new species, strange ruins and secrets.
Running the restaurant
At night, you manage Bancho Sushi. You choose which dishes to serve based on the fish you caught, set prices and hire staff. During service, you serve dishes and drinks to customers quickly, and keep them happy. Special customers and events add variety.
Earnings from the restaurant let you upgrade equipment, improve recipes and expand the restaurant. This creates a satisfying loop: better diving means better ingredients, which means more money and better upgrades.
Mini-games and surprises
Dave the Diver constantly introduces new mini-games and activities. There are fish farms, photography challenges, rhythm games, card collecting, farming and more. Some are brilliant and memorable, while others overstay their welcome. The constant variety keeps the game feeling fresh, even dozens of hours in.
Characters and humour
The cast is wonderful. Bancho, the quiet sushi master, has dramatic cooking cutscenes inspired by anime. Cobra is a lovable schemer, and other characters bring humour and heart. Cutscenes are full of slapstick comedy and over-the-top animations that made us laugh out loud.
Story
Beneath the light-hearted surface, there is a mystery involving the Blue Hole and an ancient civilisation. The story gradually reveals more, adding motivation to dive deeper and explore further.
Art and music
The game uses beautiful pixel art combined with 3D environments. The ocean feels vibrant and alive, and the restaurant is cosy and full of detail. The soundtrack is relaxing during dives and energetic during service.
Length and pacing
The main story takes around 25 to 35 hours, with more time for side activities. Pacing slows in the middle, when new mini-games pile up and the main story moves slowly. Some players may find the restaurant routine repetitive after many days.
Tips for new players
- Upgrade your oxygen tank early
- Focus on catching fish used in popular dishes
- Hire staff to improve restaurant efficiency
- Explore deeper layers when your equipment allows
- Do side quests for useful upgrades and rewards
Who is it for?
Dave the Diver is perfect for players who enjoy relaxing games with variety, humour and light management elements. It is also great for players who like discovering secrets and surprises.
Frequently asked questions
Is Dave the Diver hard? Not really. Some boss fights and mini-games require skill, but most of the game is relaxed.
How long is it? Around 25 to 35 hours for the main story.
Is it suitable for kids? Mostly yes, though there is some cartoonish violence and mild humour.
Why it stands out
Many games combine genres, but few do it with this much charm. Dave the Diver feels like a passion project packed with ideas, humour and love for games. Every few hours, it surprises you with something new, from a sudden mini-game to an unexpected story twist.
Comparing it to other cosy games
Cosy games like Stardew Valley focus on calm routines and long-term goals. Dave the Diver shares that relaxing loop but adds more action, story and wacky humour. If you enjoy farming or life simulation games but want something with a little more excitement and silliness, it is an excellent choice.
Food lovers will smile
For Malaysians who love sushi and Japanese food, the restaurant side is extra fun. Bancho’s over-the-top cooking scenes, recipes and customer reactions are delightful, and it might make you hungry. We recommend not playing on an empty stomach.
Platforms and performance
Dave the Diver runs smoothly on most PCs and plays very well on Switch, where its relaxing dives are perfect for handheld sessions. PlayStation versions are also available. The game is light enough to run on modest laptops, which makes it accessible to many players.
Our experience
We started each session telling ourselves we would just do one dive and one dinner service. Two hours later, we were still going, chasing a rare fish for a new recipe or trying a new mini-game. That gentle, rewarding loop is exactly why Dave the Diver works so well.
A good game for couples and families
Although Dave the Diver is single-player, it is a fun game to share. One person can play while others watch the funny cutscenes and suggest which fish to catch or which dishes to serve. The humour appeals to many ages, and the relaxed pace makes it ideal for evenings at home.
Is it worth full price?
Yes. Given its length, variety and polish, Dave the Diver offers excellent value, and it often appears in seasonal sales.
Verdict
Dave the Diver is a delightful, creative and surprisingly deep game. Its mix of diving, restaurant management and constant surprises makes it a joy to play. Some mini-games and pacing issues hold it back slightly, but it remains one of the most charming games you can play.
