By Olive Bishop
It can be hard to find fun, family friendly video games to play, but I assure you, there’s plenty
out there! I’m a full-time game developer born and raised in North Shields, here to
recommend some games you may not have heard of. Like a good round of Mario Kart, these
should be great for both adults and kids alike.
It’s the month of new beginnings, and that’s certainly what awaits the protagonist of casual
single-player adventure game Dave the Diver. After a call from an old friend, Dave moves to
the Blue Hole to begin a new life, starting up a sushi restaurant with famous sushi chef
Bancho. Diving for ingredients during the day and helping out at the restaurant at night,
Dave the Diver features one of the most delightfully addicting gameplay loops I’ve
experienced in a long time.
With a cast of quirky characters and gorgeous pixel-art graphics, follow Dave as he expands
the restaurant and discovers the mysteries surrounding the Blue Hole. If it’s a relaxing
experience you’re after, you can spend your time diving, farming and managing the
restaurant, with its various themed parties and VIP visits to tackle. If instead you find yourself
engrossed in the mysteries of the Blue Hole, you’re free to power on with uncovering its
secrets, fighting the aquatic boss monsters looming in the depths of the ocean and solving
puzzles to unlock new areas or complete side quests. Either way, you get to enjoy Dave the
Diver’s smile-provoking sense of humour for many, many hours.
Dave the Diver is a game with so much to do that doesn’t pressure you to do anything in
particular. It’s wonderfully balanced to suit all kinds of players, from casual gamers who just
want to take their time with the restaurant, to adventure RPG fans who want to maximise
their play time, with some great commentary about the preservation of ocean and sea life
along the way.
Dave the Diver is available on Nintendo Switch, PS4, PS5, PC and Mac.
