Simple moments in our lives can leave their mark, be they positive memories or unsavoury ones, yet few of us get the chance to take those moments and turn them into a deliciously vivid experience for others. Then again, not all of us are the game director behindDave the Diver.
Journey into the deep with Dave inDave the Diver!
As someone who threw caution to the wind and purchasedDave the Diveron Steam (I’m more of a console gamer), I soon found myself sinking hours into the game as I explored the ocean despite my fear of water in video games. I was enchanted. So when I got the chance to talk to Jaeho Hwang about the game, its creation, inspiration, and where Dave will go next, I was reaching for my scuba gear to dive right back into those sushi-filled waters.
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Subnauticais a game that also filled me with terror, yet I couldn’t leave it alone – it’s such a beautiful game, despite the darkness that lurks if you venture too far down. Fortunately,Dave the Diverisn’t nearly as dark, though those atmospheric moments, like diving at night, definitely set the nerves on edge.
Perhaps the reason so many of us have faced our fears of the sea is due to the pixelated animations of Dave and co; it feels less menacing, even when a giant sea creature is looming ahead of you. For Hwang, though, pixel art was just a natural decision in the creative process. “I think pixel art offers a rich artistic aesthetic and plenty of storytelling potential, from classic JRPGs to recent games likeDead CellsorBroforce.” They added, “The first game I created wasEvil Factory, an action game in the boss-rush format, and it also featured pixel art. Through the experience of creating this game, I learned a lot about the fun of 2D action gameplay, and I wanted to expand on that withDave the Diver.”
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Expand on it the devs certainly did, providing us with a game that refused to tow genre conventions, throwing in cooking, farming, fish breeding, and epic boss fights (I could go on). When asked about finding the right balance when combining all these different elements, Hwang admitted it was “indeed challenging”. “If essential upgrades were needed to defeat bosses, the game would revolve around grinding and levelling up, potentially alienating more casual players.”
“On the other hand, if the game became too skill-based, it could create sudden barriers for players who were used to more casual gameplay. So, we opted for a puzzle-solving approach, like theZeldaseries, where timing is key. While this still requires a certain level of control, players can win with the right weapon and well-timed moves,” they told me. As someone who isn’t the most skilled gamer, despite what I tell myself when I look in the mirror, I was able to navigate the game without rage quitting once. Though, Dave died often, poor thing.
Dave the Divergives us so much to work with, it’s understandable that many of its fans want to see Dave return. When I finished the game and watched the credits roll, I wondered if the mini-game during the credits was hinting at where Dave will be adventuring next – it’s a question I put to Hwang, much to his amusement.
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Where Dave goes from here, if anywhere, is still left as a question mark next to one of 2023’s best games. It’s a GOTY contender as far as I’m concerned, as I’m sure many other players will agree. Beyond that, it’s a delightful adventure that’s reinvigorated my love of sushi so that all I see are sushi rolls when I close my eyes.
Topics:Real Life,Interview,PC,Steam,Nintendo,Nintendo Switch
