Recent reviews by SharkBait

Dave the Diver Review: A Surprise Under the Surface

At first glance, Dave the Diver appears to be a charming, pixel-art fishing game where your only job is to swim around collecting fish and treasures. You play as the affable Dave, who embarks on daily dives to fulfill sushi-restaurant orders. While that alone would be fun enough—hunting fish with spears and gadgets, collecting resources, and upgrading your gear—this game is so much more than it seems on the surface. Prepare for a quirky, story-driven adventure filled with surprisingly deep plotlines, colorful characters, and gameplay systems that extend far beyond a simple fishing simulator.

Once you dive in (pun intended), you’ll discover layers of complexity that transcend the typical “catch fish, sell fish” formula. The ocean itself is teeming with mysterious underwater ecosystems and hidden secrets waiting to be uncovered. Characters you meet—fellow fishers, researchers, and suspiciously shady businessmen—provide side quests and story beats that unravel Dave’s world piece by piece. There’s even a sushi-restaurant management side that has you perfecting recipes, hiring staff, and juggling budgets. The interplay between these elements creates a loop that is both addicting and oddly relaxing.

Yet what truly sets Dave the Diver apart is how unexpectedly deep its narrative can get. The game balances humor and lighthearted moments with genuine intrigue, making you care about Dave and his ever-expanding circle of oddball acquaintances. Unfolding conspiracy plots and bizarre sea creatures bring a sense of scale and wonder that contrast delightfully with Dave’s initially mundane job. It’s hard not to be impressed when a simple “fishing and diving” title suddenly thrusts you into an underwater detective story, complete with ancient ruins and futuristic submarines.

On top of all this, Dave the Diver has some of the most ridiculously fun mini-games, especially the Sea People's favorite: Jimmy's Game. This is a lightweight in-game version of Balato, which is a stupidly addictive poker rogue-like game that shouldn't be this fun. Yes, you read that right. Poker and rogue-like. Once you unlock access to this mini-game, the only thing that keeps you playing the main game is that it is still so good. That said, it doesn't change the fact that I have spent hours playing rounds of a game within a game.

If you’re on the fence about Dave the Diver, don’t let the unassuming premise fool you. This game has heart, humor, and depth (in every sense of the word) that will keep you hooked dive after dive. Whether you’re upgrading your harpoon to tackle elusive sea life or unraveling the secrets of a sunken civilization, there’s always a reason to plunge back beneath the waves. It’s a testament to how indie titles can surprise and delight, proving that even the simplest setups can hide unforgettable, sprawling stories.

Challenging but well-balanced in terms of having a progression that isn't always soul-crushing.

This is a rogue-like that has you getting just a little better every time you are defeated so that you can ultimately beat the boss. This keeps me coming back because I have hope that I will eventually win, even after losing dozens of times in a row.