Dave the Diver Reviews

Dave the Diver is ranked in the 98th percentile of games scored on OpenCritic.
Aug 14, 2023

Wholesome, harmonious and completely unwilling to settle, this is one of the most generous games in years.

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10 / 10.0
Jul 1, 2023

Dave the Diver from Mint Rocket is something to behold. The game features exploration, collection, side quests, an RPG backbone, and a restaurant simulator, all of which are beautifully balanced and connected. This is by far one of the better games of 2023 and shouldn’t be overlooked.

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10 / 10.0
Jul 6, 2023

A charming, fantastic mashup of genres that delivers on all fronts. Dave the Diver is funny, cozy, fascinating to explore, with a solid cast and even more amazing cinematics. It treats its world as a tangible place other than a “place to gather resources”. Its management aspects don’t overdo anything but are just enough to keep you invested. Easily one of the best games of 2023 so far.

Review in Portuguese | Read full review

Jul 14, 2023

Like the ocean itself, there’s so much depth to DAVE THE DIVER , as there’s more that’s hidden beneath the surface. The stunning graphics, mesmerizing sound design, and well-crafted gameplay combine to create an unforgettable experience. Whether you’re a fan of exploration games or simply have a love for ocean games, this is sure to captivate you for dozens of hours. Prepare to have your expectations blown out of the water, as it constantly introduces new and exciting things right up until the end. DAVE THE DIVER is a treasure of a find, so take the plunge on what is one of the best games you’ll play this year.

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9.5 / 10.0
Jun 28, 2023

Whether you're diving into the depths or managing a sushi restaurant, Dave the Diver is full of ideas and engaging from start to finish.

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9.5 / 10.0
Jul 13, 2023

A game you won’t be disappointed you played and something absolutely worth your time.

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9.5 / 10.0
Jul 14, 2023

Dave the Diver is a magical, mesmerizing, unforgettable gem. Mintrocket’s debut game isn’t just one of the best indie games of the year—it’s also quickly become one of my favorite games of the last decade. Its world is beautiful, tantalizing, and surprisingly dangerous. Dave and the cast are well-written and meticulously animated. The sushi makes me hungry every time I play. Dave the Diver more than delivers on its promise as a fun maritime adventure and role-playing game. Part salt-water exploration game, part sushi restaurant management sim, the game becomes so much more than the ocean blue aesthetic that initially meets the eye.

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9.3 / 10.0
Jul 11, 2023

In essence, Dave the Diver is not like anything that players would imagine based on their first glance at this RPG. Its story is simply intriguing and engrossing, both parts of its gameplay formula complement each other greatly with fun and depth, and the many different surprises always manage to astound, usually in a good way. Despite the rare bugs and the lack of challenge in some of its bosses and puzzles, this is one deep-sea dive and sushi restaurant that should have droves of players lining up to taste its goodness.

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4.6 / 5.0
Aug 30, 2023

Dave The Diver is a true indie gem. The story acts as the glue that holds things together while most of the weight of the game is on the shoulders of gameplay mechanics that are gradually added, new areas that are unlocked in each chapter of the story, and new weapons and equipment that can be found in boxes scattered in the Blue Hole. This game is a simple delight like a cup of coffee in the morning or an ice cream in the summer heat; its true value is felt only when you taste it yourself.

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91 / 100
Jul 12, 2023

Charming, deep, and constantly surprising, Dave the Diver is packed with activities and full of heart.

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Travis Northup
Top Critic
9 / 10.0
Jun 26, 2023

Dave The Diver is an aquatic adventure RPG that’s wholesome, wonderfully complex, and delightfully hard to put down.

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9 / 10
Jul 14, 2023

Dave the Diver combines two excellent gameplay elements, but still feels like more than the sum of its parts. Deep sea diving and sushi restaurant management are equally enjoyable and complex, making for a supremely addicting gameplay loop. Not only is it the surprise hit of the summer, but it’s one we’ll be having a discussion about when it’s time to look back on 2023’s best games.

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4.5 / 5.0
Jul 3, 2023

With so many elements of Dave the Diver, I feel like I’ve only scratched the surface since many other concepts bring even more to the table, including a fully functional phone, fish farming, and fun minigames. But, if you want to experience it in its entirety, you’ll have to swim your way to Steam to get this absolute gem of a game. I know I’m already hooked in, and it’s quickly become one of the best titles I’ve played this year.

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9 / 10.0
Jun 26, 2023

Dave The Diver will end up being one of those fundamental titles that people talk about in the same breath as Stardew Valley, where it achieves on nearly every front.

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9 / 10.0
Jun 29, 2023

Dave the Diver is a gorgeous underwater experience that centers around the beauty and mystery found in the depths of the sea. It's packed full of mechanics, some better than others, but its central dives truly shine.

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9 / 10
Jul 10, 2023

Dave the Diver is a small surprise of the gaming year so far. With a coherent and complex overall package and a lot of creative ideas and attention to detail, the indie title does a lot right and will probably earn a top position on the permanent favorites list of many players.

Review in German | Read full review

4.5 / 5.0
Jun 27, 2023

Dave the Diver was crafted by video game visionaries with a pure love of fun. I have never seen a game jampack so much into one seemingly tiny title and somehow make it all work with the clarity of something smaller in scope. Dave the Diver doesn’t just deserve your attention, it demands it, and if you’ve been waiting for your sign to dive into this addicting game, I’m telling you now it’s time to take the plunge.

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Pure Dead Gaming
DeadbeatpunK
9 / 10.0
Jul 14, 2023

DAVE THE DIVER begins off pleasantly and lays out new mechanics at a steady pace. The joy never dwindles and it’s a pleasure to play through. Whether you’ve settled in for a long or short session of play, you will get a sense of achievement thanks to the structure of the day and night cycles. I played this primarily on Steam Deck and it feels right at home there. An incredibly endearing adventure and one of the easiest game recommendations of the year.

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9 / 10
Jun 28, 2023

Dave the Diver is endearing and lively, a feel-good game to its core, with just enough lore and mystery to keep nudging you along.

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9 / 10.0
Jul 22, 2023

Dave the Diver is a delightfully delicious game packed full of charm. It’s a title that doubles up as both an adventure sim and a restaurant tycoon, and harmoniously blends both beats together to create one of the best symphonies of 2023. This is an an absolute must-play.

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