He’s an underwater exploration roguelite mixed with a restaurant manager.
One of the best games of 2023 is finally coming to mobile in the United States. Dave the Diver will be available for iOS and Android devices in August, following its release in China earlier this year. This version feels like a port of the entire game, not some sort of simplified mobile experience.
For the uninitiated, Dave the Diver is a bizarre and addictive game that mixes underwater exploration, roguelite mechanics and restaurant management. During the day, players explore an ever-changing underwater world, searching for resources, upgrades, and ingredients for the restaurant.
At night, the gameplay shifts to restaurant management. This includes hiring people, creating new dishes, and of course, running a successful table service. This last piece involves a fun mini-game that’s vaguely reminiscent of the arcade classic. Tapper.
The two aspects of gameplay are linked to each other. Taking down a fearsome shark, which can appear just about anywhere while diving, opens up new menu items and more. There’s also an ongoing story and lots of fun side characters.
The only potential downside here concerns support. Dave the Diver requires extremely precise input, both while diving and when handling a table service. Use a Bluetooth controller for this one.
