Info about DAVE THE DIVER: Official game description: V 1.0 Out Now! ============== DISCORD ======= About the Game ============== **・An adventure, RPG, management hybrid** ----------------------------------------- Explore and unravel the mysteries in the depths of the Blue Hole by day and run a successful exotic sushi restaurant by night. It’s easy to get hooked on the satisfying gameplay loop! **・Casual combat and gathering gameplay with rogue-like elements** ------------------------------------------------------------------ Dive into the ever-changing Blue Hole and use a harpoon and other weapons to catch fish and various creatures. Upgrade and forge equipment with collected resources and sushi restaurant profits to prepare for the dangers that lurk in the unknown. Running out of oxygen means leaving collected items and fish behind! **・Eccentric characters with a lighthearted narrative** ------------------------------------------------------- Quirky but lovable characters and a story full of in-jokes, spoofs, and other humorous scenes provide an approachable and enjoyable gameplay experience. **・A beautiful sea environment with attractive 2D/3D Art** ---------------------------------------------------------- A combination of pixel and 3D graphics provides a stunning art style that showcases breathtaking underwater scenery. This oceanic adventure is set in the real marine environment of a Blue Hole filled with over 200 kinds of sea creatures. **・Ample additional content to complement the main gameplay loop** ------------------------------------------------------------------ Minigames, side quests, and multiple storylines provide many hours of entertainment and varied gameplay. Release date: 28 Jun, 2023 Categories: Single-player Story, Exploration, Resource Management, Management Simulation, Roguelike, Fishing Simulation, Real-time Combat, Crafting - Hardware Profile: No data Feature extractions: - Community Price: No data - Playtime Metrics: No data - Time-to-fun: No data - Player Archetypes: No data Below are summaries of things people say about the game per category. Each point is assigned a weight that represents how often it is mentioned across all reviews. What players like: - Blends exploration, management, progression (weight 0.95): The game masterfully blends underwater exploration, resource management, and restaurant management into a cohesive and addicting experience. Success in each area fuels progress in the others, creating an engaging and fresh gameplay experience. Players can enjoy fishing, upgrading equipment, exploring new areas, discovering new fish, managing a restaurant, and farming, all while progressing through a compelling storyline. - Charming art, immersive world (weight 0.9): The game features a charming and unique art style, combining pixel art with modern effects to create a visually appealing and immersive world. The graphics are colorful and detailed, with fluid animations and attention to detail, especially in underwater scenes. The music is also a highlight, with relaxing and lively tracks that adapt to the game's environments, enhancing the overall atmosphere. - Addictive gameplay, constant progression (weight 0.81): The game offers a compelling and addictive gameplay loop with constant progression, new content, and mechanics introduced at a manageable pace. This keeps players engaged for dozens of hours, with a well-balanced difficulty curve suitable for both casual and strategic players. The game is easy to learn but hard to master, with a rewarding progression system that encourages exploration and improvement of skills and equipment. - Humorous story, quirky characters (weight 0.79): The game features a lighthearted and humorous story with quirky and memorable characters. The narrative is full of surprises and unexpected twists, with witty dialogues and engaging side quests. The characters are well-developed and endearing, adding depth and personality to the game. - Engaging diving, ocean exploration (weight 0.17): Diving offers new discoveries, fish to catch, and secrets to uncover, with constant motivation to improve diving gear to explore deeper and capture rare marine life. The underwater sections are relaxing yet exciting, with each dive bringing new surprises and a sense of adventure. The game effectively captures both the beauty and danger of the sea, with a vast and deep ocean filled with things to uncover. - Engaging initial gameplay experience (weight 0.06): The initial hours of the game are highly engaging and enjoyable, with players finding themselves quickly engrossed in the gameplay. The core concept of the game is cool and the early game is rich and very fun. - Active development, frequent updates (weight 0.06): The developers are actively updating the game with new content, features, and bug fixes, ensuring a fresh and enjoyable experience. The game receives free DLC updates and is constantly evolving, with new content appearing until the end. - Endearing protagonist, relatable character (weight 0.06): The protagonist, Dave, is an unexpectedly endearing character whose "regular guy" vibe contrasts perfectly with the eccentric world. The game features a great cast of characters, with Dave being snarky and self-aware. - Highly addictive, exceeds expectations (weight 0.05): The game is highly addictive and enjoyable, prompting players to purchase it multiple times across different platforms. The game exceeded expectations, even for players who typically dislike pixel games. - Polished, well-balanced game design (weight 0.04): The game is highly polished and well-balanced, with excellent game design and a high cost-performance ratio. The game is mostly bug-free and offers a phenomenal quality of life, with mechanics that address any bothersome aspects of the gameplay. Common complaints: - Repetitive, grindy gameplay loop (weight 0.42): The game becomes repetitive and grindy, especially in the late game. This is due to repetitive tasks, unskippable cutscenes, and the need to revisit old areas. Many reviewers expressed burnout and frustration with the game's length and lack of meaningful progression. - Poorly designed boss fights (weight 0.35): Boss fights are often poorly designed, gimmicky, and frustrating. They can be too easy or too difficult, and often rely on specific strategies or loadouts. Some reviewers also noted issues with the camera and controls during boss encounters. - Clunky controls, awkward mechanics (weight 0.33): The game suffers from clunky controls and awkward mechanics, especially in combat and aiming. Limited shooting angles, animation locks, and unresponsive controls lead to frustrating player experiences. Some reviewers also noted a lack of control remapping options. - Overwhelming amount of content (weight 0.31): The game is overwhelming due to the sheer amount of content, systems, and mechanics. This includes too many mini-games, confusing quests, and a lack of clear guidance. The game also suffers from poor economic balance and a lack of depth in business management. - Slow movement, tedious exploration (weight 0.28): The player character's slow movement speed makes exploration and combat tedious. The inability to upgrade movement speed further exacerbates this issue. This makes dodging attacks and managing tasks across different areas of the map frustrating. - Technical issues, time pressure (weight 0.26): The game suffers from long loading screens, unskippable cutscenes, and a lack of save options. This can lead to frustration and lost progress. Some reviewers also noted time pressure and a short main storyline. - Steep learning curve (weight 0.25): The game can be initially overwhelming due to the amount of information and tutorials. The game's tutorial is not comprehensive, leading to accidental discovery of many techniques. The controls also require some time to get used to. - Illogical crafting system (weight 0.21): The equipment crafting system is illogical and lacks depth. There is little incentive to upgrade most of the guns, besides the harpoon gun. The absence of secondary weapons is also frustrating. - Poorly designed mini-games (weight 0.04): Many mini-games are poorly designed, unenjoyable, and lack clear explanations. Some feel like unfinished afterthoughts or are simply pointless. The excessive number of mini-games makes the game feel unfocused. - Poor balance, disrupted flow (weight 0.04): The balance between diving and restaurant sections feels off, disrupting the flow of the game. Diving can feel too long and the restaurant aspect could be more fleshed out. The limited variation in exploration areas also makes diving feel repetitive. - Quest difficulty, RNG reliance (weight 0.03): Quests can be difficult to complete due to random map generation and low spawn rates for specific fish. The game mechanics also reward picking as many of a few valuable kinds of fish as possible and ignoring the rest. The amount of things to do can be overwhelming. - Tedious, frustrating boss fights (weight 0.02): Some boss fights are tedious and frustrating due to slow swimming speed, constant knockback, and large hitboxes. The game also includes puzzles that don't fit the genre. Some reviewers also noted issues with inconsistent hit detection. - Unenjoyable late-game fishing (weight 0.02): Late-game fishing is not enjoyable due to the need to revisit old regions for limited-edition fish. New fish and items are introduced too slowly, leading to burnout from fishing before all species are revealed. The QTE feature during fishing clashes with the game's chill-out vibe. - Long dives, severe penalties (weight 0.02): Maxed-out equipment makes dives very long, intensifying the grind. The length of dives becomes longer, and navigating from point A to point B can take a significant amount of time. Running out of O2 underwater results in severe penalties. Gameplay feedback: - Diving and sushi restaurant management (weight 0.41): The core gameplay loop revolves around diving during the day to catch fish and gather resources, which are then used to manage and operate a sushi restaurant at night. Players take on the role of Dave, a diver, and engage in various activities such as exploring the ocean, battling marine life, and uncovering secrets. The restaurant management aspect involves preparing dishes, serving customers, hiring staff, and upgrading the establishment. - Varied activities and systems (weight 0.34): The game features a variety of additional activities and systems beyond the core diving and restaurant management, including mini-games, farming, fishing, puzzles, and side quests. These elements add depth and variety to the gameplay experience, offering players different ways to engage with the game world. - Roguelite elements and storyline (weight 0.28): The game incorporates roguelite elements, such as procedurally generated environments and randomized item drops, to create a unique and unpredictable experience each time players dive. The game also features a storyline involving underwater civilizations and mysteries, adding depth and intrigue to the gameplay. - Constant content and mechanic introduction (weight 0.06): The game introduces new content and mechanics at a steady pace, keeping the experience fresh and engaging for players. However, some reviewers felt that the game's design philosophy prioritized adding more content over refining existing mechanics. - Simple and intuitive combat (weight 0.04): The game features simple combat mechanics with easily telegraphed enemy attacks, making it accessible to a wide range of players. Puzzles and boss fights are also generally straightforward and not overly complicated. - Post-game content and chef battles (weight 0.02): The game offers a post-game option to continue increasing stock and upgrading recipes. The game includes chef battles where players acquire ingredients and cook. - Day/night cycle affects gameplay (weight 0.02): The game features a day/night cycle that affects gameplay, with night dives offering the chance to catch nocturnal species but also posing greater risks. Failing dives can result in losing collected ingredients, adding a layer of challenge and consequence to the gameplay. - Missions and boss fights (weight 0.01): Missions often feature boss fights with difficulty spikes and interesting gimmicks. Story scenes trigger objectives, often fetch quests. Performance notes: - Runs well on Steam Deck/PC (weight 0.04): The game is well-optimized for the Steam Deck, offering smooth performance and long battery life. It also runs well on a range of PC configurations, including older and lower-end systems, making it accessible to a wide audience. - Good performance, occasional minor bugs (weight 0.04): The game generally runs well with few bugs, and frequent updates address any issues. It performs well on a variety of hardware, including low-end PCs and the Steam Deck, though some players have reported minor technical issues like UI glitches or frame rate drops. Most players do not encounter any bugs. - Specific technical issues reported (weight 0.02): Several specific technical issues were reported, including the harpoon passing through fish, animations blocking button presses, odd audio mixing during a boss fight, crashes in the hot spring area, and a black screen issue after a seahorse race. These issues detract from the overall experience. - Smooth gameplay at 60 FPS (weight 0.01): The game is capped at 60 FPS, providing a fluid and smooth gameplay experience. Reviewers did not experience lag, and animations were smooth. - Distinctive, high-quality pixel art (weight 0.01): The game features a distinctive high-definition pixel art style, blending 2D and 3D elements for underwater exploration. While visually appealing, the 3D ocean rendering may impact battery life on handheld devices like the Steam Deck. - Good controller support/feedback (weight 0.01): The game supports both Xbox and PS5 controllers, with reviewers reporting no input issues when using an Xbox controller. The game's vibration and impact feedback were also praised. - Good sound/music, no voice acting (weight 0.01): The game features well-done sound and music, enhancing the overall experience. However, there is no voice acting in the game. Recommendations: - Highly recommended, worth full price (weight 0.65): The game is overwhelmingly recommended by reviewers, often described as a must-play, a masterpiece, and one of the best indie games available. Reviewers highlight its high entertainment value, replayability, and the fact that it is well worth its full price. - Great for casual play (weight 0.59): The game is praised for its casual gameplay, making it suitable for short sessions and players looking to relax. It's often recommended for those with limited time or those seeking a less intense gaming experience. - Innovative genre combination (weight 0.59): Reviewers appreciate the game's unique mix of genres, often comparing it favorably to other titles like Stardew Valley, Dredge, and Recettear. This blend of exploration, adventure, and management creates a surprising and engaging experience. - Pacing, difficulty issues exist (weight 0.05): Some reviewers express disappointment with certain aspects of the game, such as difficulty spikes, pacing issues, and a lack of focus. These reviewers often suggest improvements to address these shortcomings, but some are review bombing due to frustration. - Anticipation for future content (weight 0.04): Many reviewers express excitement for future DLC and sequels, indicating a strong desire for more content. They are eager to see how the game expands and evolves, showing satisfaction with the base game and a willingness to invest further. - Play at your own pace (weight 0.02): Reviewers advise players to take their time, explore thoroughly, and not rush through the main story. They suggest focusing on understanding each section and upgrading equipment to fully enjoy the game. - Gamepad recommended, platform issues (weight 0.02): Some reviewers recommend using a gamepad for a better experience, while others express disappointment about the game not being available on Xbox or encountering issues like save loss. These points highlight platform-specific experiences and control preferences. - Limited post-story replayability (weight 0.01): Some reviewers feel that the game lacks replayability beyond achievement hunting and suggest adding more gameplay options after completing the main storyline to extend the experience. - Weak campaign, strong simulation (weight 0.01): Some reviewers feel that the main campaign and combat system are weak, but the fishing/shop simulation aspects are strong. They recommend the game for those seeking a cute experience but not for those wanting a long-term game. - Allocate significant playtime (weight 0.01): Reviewers warn about the game's addictive nature and suggest allocating significant free time for play sessions, as they tend to last at least an hour. - Avoid perfectionism, over-encumbrance (weight 0.01): Reviewers advise against being a perfectionist and trying to catch everything, as it can lead to over-encumbrance and make the game feel like a chore. They recommend focusing on enjoying the collection content without getting bogged down in completionism. - Good Nexon game, free content (weight 0.01): Some reviewers recommend the game as a way to change perceptions of Nexon and highlight the free crossover content as a positive aspect. - Appeals to fishing game fans (weight 0.01): The game is recommended for players who enjoy fishing mechanics in games like Fortnite and Dredge, as well as those who have fond memories of Fishing Joy. - Buy standard edition only (weight 0.01): Some reviewers recommend purchasing only the standard edition of the game, implying that the bonus content or special editions may not be worth the extra cost. Other player notes: - Genre-bending, diverse gameplay (weight 0.05): The game combines multiple genres, including RPG, management sim, life sim, farming sim, and action elements. This blend of mechanics keeps the gameplay fresh and engaging, offering a diverse experience with many unique minigames and activities. - Free DLC, crossover content (weight 0.03): The game includes free DLCs with additional content, including crossover content from other games and collaborations. The availability of free DLC enhances the game's value and provides ongoing content for players. - Accessible, reasonably priced content (weight 0.03): The game is easy to understand with excellent progression, making it suitable for a wide audience. It offers a reasonable price for the amount of content provided, with an overarching sense of escalating challenges. - Unique sushi-themed gameplay loop (weight 0.02): The game revolves around Dave, a diver, helping a sushi chef create the best sushi using ingredients from the Blue Hole. The gameplay alternates between underwater exploration and sushi bar management, creating a unique and engaging loop. - Satirical pop culture references (weight 0.02): The game contains numerous references to other media and pop culture, often satirical and purposeful. These meta elements and comedic moments add to the game's overall charm and humor. - Varied collection, progression systems (weight 0.01): The game features a variety of collection systems, including a Pokedex-like fish collection, keychains with buffs, and rare fish hunts. It also includes elements like farming sim, seahorse-racing, and weapon crafting, adding depth and variety to the gameplay. - Phone interface, mini-games (weight 0.01): Dave's phone serves as an interface for many systems within the game. Dave's phone is filled with funny spam emails, mini-games, and fish trading cards. - Workable game size (weight 0.01): The game size is workable and average game time. - Developed by Nexon subsidiary (weight 0.01): The game is developed by Mintrocket, a subsidiary of Nexon, known for MapleStory and First Descendant. This context provides insight into the game's development background and resources. - Creative, unusual elements (weight 0.01): The game isn't afraid to break the laws of reality for the sake of fun. The game is creative and unusual, with elements not seen together before. - Chill, relaxing soundtrack (weight 0.01): The soundtrack is chill and relaxing, fitting the ambient tunes for fishing. The game's music is good for game music, but not something to be played outside of the game. - Earthquake mystery story (weight 0.01): The game explores the mystery of recent and violent earthquakes. The story is about finding the reason for earthquakes and fixing it. - Single-player, text only (weight 0.01): The game is single-player only. The game features text in Portuguese from Brazil, but no voice acting. Emotions: No emotions}