In 2023, Dave the Diver was released to outstanding reviews. It delivered a perfect blend of action-oriented gameplay, where you dive for fish and other ingredients during the day before running a sushi bar in the evening. Its unique charm came from the many different gameplay mechanics that were gradually introduced throughout the adventure.
Although I was not initially convinced by the gameplay footage shown in the trailers, I eventually decided to give it a chance after our chief editor, Danny, spent hours convincing me that I simply had to play it.
I went in feeling skeptical, but that changed within the first hour. By the time I reached the credits, Dave the Diver had become one of my favorite indie games of recent year – you can watch my (Dutch)XBNL review here. Needless to say, I was thrilled when Mintrocket announced a brand-new expansion to extend the already fantastic campaign.
So, I dusted off my diving suit, polished my harpoon, and was ready to dive back into the Blue Hole—only to discover that I was missing some essential equipment for the job…
Dave in the jungle
Dave the Diver: In the Jungle takes place immediately after the events of the main game. Dave and his crew set out to investigate a new Giant Blue Hole discovered deep within the jungle by one of Mr. Bacon’s colleagues. The team is eager to uncover all the secrets this mysterious new diving location has to offer.
Upon arriving at a beautiful tropical beach, they are greeted by Rimbo, a local guide who leads them to their new base of operations: a settlement hidden deep within the jungle. This new hub is beautifully designed and filled with interesting characters, many of whom need your help in one way or another.
At first glance, this expansion seems to offer exactly what you would expect. You spend your days diving for fish and ingredients before managing your newly established restaurant at night. However, before long, everything changes, and I was pleasantly surprised by the new ideas the expansion introduces.
Whereas the main game had you constantly travelling between different locations, this time you are free to explore the settlement at your own pace, talking to its inhabitants—provided they trust you enough. This is where one of the expansion’s new gameplay mechanics comes into play.
To convince people to visit your restaurant, you first have to earn their trust. You do this by completing quests and giving gifts to the various townsfolk you encounter. These gifts can range from a simple fish to items tailored to a specific person’s interests, and can be found while exploring, purchased from local vendors, or collected during your dives.
Unexpected gameplay
The story once again takes place largely within the boundaries of the lake. While it was enjoyable to experience, I could not shake the feeling that I had seen it all before.
What I did not expect, however, was the introduction of an entirely new jungle area. Here, the game shifts its focus to surface exploration and transforms into a turn-based role-playing game, where you battle enemies in strategic, turn-based combat. This was a genuinely welcome surprise and added another layer of variety to the already diverse gameplay that made the original Dave the Diver so enjoyable.
During these sections, you are also introduced to new activities such as fishing, hunting, and several entertaining mini-games. One of my favorites is a bug-battling competition. Throughout the game, you can collect different beetles and use them in an arena that reminded me a little of Pokémon. Each round, you choose whether to attack or defend, with the outcome determined by a rock-paper-scissors system.
It is a surprisingly enjoyable mini-game that had me searching for more beetles and challenging opponents to expand my collection far more than I ever expected.
Real time
Alongside these new additions, the expansion still retains the core Dave the Diver gameplay, albeit with an interesting twist. This time, time no longer pauses between dives. Instead, it progresses continuously in real time.
Whenever you return to the village after an expedition, the day continues to move forward until you decide to head back into the jungle or dive into the depths of the Blue Hole once again. This means you have less time to prepare for your next dive, complete chores around the village, upgrade your equipment, or customize your home base. On the other hand, it also allows you to fit more dives into a single day.
One aspect I always found somewhat tedious in the main game was searching for different weapons, as the system relied heavily on RNG to determine which ones you would find. This time, however, the game introduces a more streamlined weapon system. You begin with a single versatile weapon that can be upgraded along different skill branches, each offering two unique upgrade paths with their own advantages.
This new approach keeps the gameplay moving at a faster pace, making both combat and fishing feel much smoother and more satisfying than before.
Dave the Diver: In the Jungle offers more of what made the original game so enjoyable, while once again finding ways to keep the experience feeling fresh. The new turn-based combat sections are a welcome addition to the already diverse range of gameplay styles, proving once again that Mintrocket knows exactly how to blend different genres into a cohesive and entertaining experience.
The story may not break much new ground, but it remains enjoyable from start to finish thanks to its charming cast of characters, entertaining cameos, and humorous dialogue.
Pro's
- Variety in gameplay
- All in 1 weapon
- moving freely around town
Con's
- Story feels like a rehearsal
