Since its splashy debut, Dave the Diver has evolved from a quirky indie darling into a certified titan of the “cozy-action” genre. Developed by MINTROCKET, the game masterfully balances two seemingly polar opposites: the high-tension, rogue-like thrill of deep-sea exploration and the methodical, rewarding charm of management simulation.
A Masterclass in Gameplay Harmony
You play as Dave, a soft-hearted and endlessly helpful diver who finds himself lured into a business venture by the boisterous Cobra. The premise is simple but intoxicating: dive into the mysterious Blue Hole during the day to hunt for exotic fish, and serve them as high-end sushi at Bancho Sushi by night.
What makes the game truly shine is its relentless sense of progression. Every dive feels purposeful. One moment you are fending off a Great White with a makeshift harpoon; the next, you are meticulously choosing which staff members to hire or which interior decor will attract more VIP customers. The game’s “just one more day” loop is reinforced by a cast of eccentric characters, from the stoic master chef Bancho to the over-the-top anime fan Duff, who crafts your weapons.
Diving into 2026: The “In the Jungle” Expansion
While the game has already seen incredible crossovers—including encounters with Godzilla, the eldritch horrors of Dredge, and even the chaotic world of Like a Dragon—the upcoming “In the Jungle” DLC is set to be the game’s most ambitious expansion to date.
Originally slated for 2025 but now confirmed for early 2026, this DLC moves Dave away from the saltwater of the Blue Hole and into a vibrant, freshwater ecosystem. Here is a deep dive into what you can expect:
- The Village of Utara: For the first time, Dave will explore a walkable, isometric jungle village. Unlike the segmented time blocks of the base game, time in Utara flows in real-time, allowing for a more immersive, Animal Crossing-style experience where you befriend locals and gather land-based resources.
- Freshwater Dangers: Dave will trade sharks for crocodiles, piranhas, and electric eels. These freshwater predators require new tactics and a specialized piece of gear: the Jungle Gun. This modular weapon can transform on the fly between a net gun, shotgun, and sniper rifle.
- The Bancho Grill: Since freshwater fish often require cooking, the sushi bar is taking a backseat to a new restaurant concept. At the Bancho Grill, Dave can move freely around the dining room rather than just along a horizontal counter, adding a new layer of complexity to the service phase.
- New Perspective: The DLC introduces an isometric camera angle for certain sections, giving the exploration a fresh feel that distinguishes it from the 2D side-scrolling of the ocean depths.
With roughly 10 hours of new story content, “In the Jungle” isn’t just a small addition; it’s a massive evolution of the Dave the Diver formula that promises to keep players hooked well into 2026.
