[G-STAR]Pilot Report of “DAVE THE DIVER” Edition Aims to Fulfill Sushi Dream with Submarine Exploration – GAME Watch

At the “G-STAR2022” game show held at BEXCO in Busan, South Korea, Nexon held a media demo event and joint interview with the director of the hybrid ocean adventure “DAVE THE DIVER” for Nintendo Switch/PC.

DAVE THE DIVER is a hybrid adventure game set in the mysterious ocean “Blue Hole” where the environment and terrain change every time you dive into it. In addition to experiencing adventure elements such as exploring blue holes, appreciating the beautiful sea, and using equipment such as spears and guns to capture dozens of sea creatures, you can also use captured sea creatures to make sushi. You can also enjoy simulation game-like elements to grow a sushi restaurant while selling. One of the features of this work is the unique graphic expression that merges two-dimensional and three-dimensional points.

The Steam version of this work has been in early access since October 27, but at the media trial held this time around, I got to experience actual gameplay on Nintendo Switch for the first time. Also, in the joint interview, I could hear about this work from Mr. Hwang Jae Ho, Director of “DAVE THE DIVER”, and Mr. Kim Dae Fon, Vice President of Nexon Korea, so I will hand over the contents in this article.

Please note that the game contents that we were able to play were exclusively for test play on the Nintendo Switch version, so the game content may differ from the official version.

Search for ingredients and explore during the day. Run a sushi restaurant at night. A hybrid game with multiple elements

When I caught 6 fish and got back to the boat, it was completely dark and night. Then, the screen switches to that of the restaurant, and Dave, who has taken off his diving suit, is standing in the middle of the counter seat. By day, he buys ingredients from the sea, and by night he runs a restaurant. This seems to be the basic course for this business.

The restaurant is open at night. Customers come one by one

At the restaurant, a clean-shaven, burly-looking figure in sunglasses named “Pancho” appears. This pancho is actually a restaurant chef. Cobra, who appears at the beginning of the game, and Dave, the main character who has a plump body and can’t hate her, can be said to be the attractions of this work.

Itamae “Bancho” at a sushi restaurant. It is clear that the atmosphere is not a free person …

As time passed in the restaurant, customers started to take their seats one by one and start ordering. The contents of the order are displayed with a speech bubble icon, and upon receipt of the sushi order, the sushi chef will automatically prepare the sushi for you. Inside the counter, Dave can only move left and right, and move back and forth between Pancho and customers to handle orders.

It takes a few seconds to complete the sushi, so go for the pancho on your completion time. Immediately hand the received sushi to the customer. Also, in addition to ordering sushi, you may be asked for some drinks such as tea and beer. When Dave goes to a customer who has ordered a drink, tea is automatically poured. Even if the start is automatic, the stop is up to the player, and you have to press the button at the right time.

In addition to sushi, you can also order tea and beer. Pour the right amount and satisfy the customer.

Big orders may come all at once with time. Simple work, but there is a lot to do

The range of motion is limited to a narrow counter and the operation is simple, but if the sushi is not served late or the drinks are not poured properly, customers will not be satisfied and the restaurant will not run well. Anyway, the time has come I rushed and I can’t get enough of it.

In contrast to the very fun and fluid adventure elements in the fantasy sea during the day, this time suddenly begins a real store management simulation, and although it may be confusing at first, it is understandable that this is the flow of one game. Then, when I’m exploring at sea, I think about the restaurant, about the restaurant, I miss exploring at sea, and so on. It can be said that this work is precisely a hybrid game in which completely different elements are naturally matched.

Evaluation is in early access

The release date for this work is not specified at the moment, but early access to the development version has been implemented on Steam from October 27th. In early access, it received high praise from many users, and has become a very topical title both in Korea and abroad, such as keeping it at the top of the sales rankings.

Hwang Jae Ho, the manager of this business, said that he was very happy with this situation, but in fact, he didn’t know that it was rated so highly because he had been focusing on fixing bugs until recently. After listening to the story, I realized for the first time that many users were familiar with the game.

The Switch’s user interface is a little tricky to use. We look forward to adding unique functionality to the Switch version and future system expansion

The content of the Switch version that I was able to experience this time around is almost the same as that of the Steam version. It is said that there is no difference in order, story, etc., except for a slight difference in when production skipped some scenes. However, what I personally care about is the user interface (UI). It might not bother you on the PC version, but on the Switch version I tested this time around, it felt a bit uncomfortable because the letters and buttons were small. It seems that the development side has already received feedback on this matter, and it will be improved in the future for the release of the Switch version.

In addition, in the interview, he commented that he would like to be able to add various functions in the future, such as operation with Joy-Con, which is unique to the Switch version. He also said that he would consider adding multiplayer elements if there were strong user needs.

Early access contents at the current stage are said to be around 8 hours of total playtime, about 57% of the total volume. When the official version including the Switch version is released, it seems that the content will be further improved from here, such as adding and improving functions.

Left / Kim Dae Hoon Right / Hwang Jae Ho