Dave, who felt like a friendly neighbor, has returned in a DLC featuring new characters, a new setting, and new gameplay. Surprisingly, just like the base game, this DLC is packed with an incredible amount of content, making its $9 price tag feel like a steal.
The game is, quite simply, endless once again. Unlike the base game, which revolved around the sea and the sushi restaurant with endless minigames, Dave’s dive into the jungle requires him to travel between villages, build trust with residents, dive into lakes, and explore dense forests to discover ancient temples.
That’s not all. You’ll need to catch insects, compete against village locals in block-stacking games, and shoot birds. And, of course, you must continue to help our chef, Bancho, run the restaurant.
Dave’s to-do list is never-ending. But this time, every day brings something different. While diving and restaurant management remain the core, the things Dave can—and must—do are incredibly diverse and colorful.
New, but Familiar
The reason the base game of DAVE THE DIVER was so fun was its perfect blend of tycoon, diving, and adventure elements. What tied these main components together was the cast of quirky characters and the perfectly timed B-grade humor. The minigames sprinkled throughout like confetti also played a huge role.
However, 'In the Jungle' changes all of that. It’s not just swapping chocolate for strawberry; it’s a complete overhaul of everything except the core diving and restaurant management. It’s as if you kept the bread but replaced a salt bread roll with a donut overflowing with whipped cream.
For starters, the basic flow of the game has changed entirely. Unlike the base game, where you followed set elements in a set way, the main focus of this DLC is real-time exploration, where you can zip around the village on a red scooter. The camera perspective has also shifted from side-view to top-down, except when diving.
Yet, the game still feels familiar. It is undeniably new, but it still delivers that unmistakable DAVE THE DIVER experience.
This is because it retains the core flow and mechanics of diving. Unlike the village, the underwater sections maintain the side-view perspective, where you upgrade your equipment, complete quests, and venture deeper and deeper. As you descend and progress, you encounter increasingly terrifying and threatening 'special' creatures.
Because this diving framework remains intact, you never feel alienated by the changes. You might think, 'Oh, they added something new,' but it never feels awkward.
Of course, diving itself has changed quite a bit—or rather, it has been upgraded. The biggest addition is the Jungle Gun. Unlike the base game, where you prayed for a good weapon drop every time you dove, this DLC introduces the Jungle Gun to reduce that volatility.
Created by our genius developer Muna, the Jungle Gun allows you to upgrade weapons in the way you want, following your preferred upgrade tree. You can even reset your upgrades at will, making it possible to choose the right weapon for the situation or your playstyle. You could say the stability of diving itself has greatly increased.
However, what I liked even more than the Jungle Gun was how the upgrade elements connect, clearly conveying that 'the diving continues' despite everything else being new. All the diving elements we worked hard to upgrade in the base game carry over.
It might seem like a small detail, but it isn't. Because the existing systems are linked, we can fully enjoy the new elements added in the DLC. You can focus your hard-earned money entirely on the new content: decorating your home and restaurant, and upgrading the Jungle Gun.
You don't need to reinvest time into elements you've already mastered; the game is designed so you can fully enjoy the diverse content of this DLC. The volume of the game is filled exactly as much as it needs to be.
I can't believe they managed to pack 'this much' content in again
Just like the base game, this DLC is absolutely packed with content. Not every element is entirely novel or unseen—they are certainly familiar—but it is truly astonishing that all this variety is included in a story DLC at such an affordable price.
MINTROCKET has filled this DLC with content that feels distinct from the base game. While diving and restaurant management are recurring, everything else is fresh. They’ve added new characters, a new shop, a new map, and even new collectibles and housing features.
The gameplay in 'In the Jungle' also differs from the base game. By adopting real-time exploration, the 'home' base for each day is now Utara Village rather than the boat. This has made the list of things to do much more diverse: diving, collecting, quests, crafting, and jungle exploration are all options.
The quest elements have been significantly strengthened. The path is so clear that you don't need to look elsewhere; just following the quests themselves makes the game feel full and satisfying.
Unlike the base game, where quests were triggered automatically based on progress, the options for quests have increased. While there are still forced quests, there are so many others that you can choose which ones to pursue yourself.
The affinity system for villagers follows a similar flow to the quests. While the initial encounters are unlocked based on game progress, which villager you prioritize building affinity with is entirely up to your 'preference.'
Since you won't have customers in the restaurant without building affinity, you do need to socialize with various residents. However, you have the freedom to choose how you build that affinity—whether through gifts or serving their favorite dishes at the restaurant.
While the game follows a general 'flow,' there are many choices hidden beneath the surface. As with the base game, the pace of the game can be chosen and adjusted by the player.
This is possible because the DLC's content is so diverse. Although the structure is linear, it's up to you how you spend your time to progress. Whether you spend your day in the village, go diving, collect materials, catch insects, or go fishing—it's all up to the player.
Moreover, the vast amount of content in 'In the Jungle' is very low-pressure. Aside from the main quest line and core systems, everything else remains a 'choice.' Insect collecting, shooting, and fishing are all just options. There is nothing you must do. You can simply take your time and enjoy what you like at your own pace.
However, unlike the base game, which had various content under the large umbrella of diving and sushi restaurant management, this DLC has a wider classification of content, such as adventure elements and socializing with residents. Consequently, the weight of the traditional diving and restaurant management feels slightly reduced as new content opens up.
Into the Jungle with Dave
Among the many new features, the most unexpected part of this DLC is the 'In the Jungle' segment itself.
About midway through the game, Dave, along with the reliable Cobra and his friends, heads 'into the jungle' like Indiana Jones.
A jungle filled with threatening wildlife, new collectibles, and temples hidden with puzzles—this is another 'kick' that this DLC offers.
The game introduces yet another twist here. Unlike the combat during diving, the battles that unfold in the jungle are turn-based. When you sneak up and attack monsters, the screen shifts to a combat interface that is absolutely brimming with the nostalgic charm of classic JRPGs.
The basic gameplay is similar to old-school turn-based games. You set your actions for each turn via attack and defense commands and earn EXP upon victory. During this process, pressing buttons at the right time provides additional effects for your attacks and defenses.
What makes this jungle adventure special isn't just the gameplay style. It’s surprising because a system we never expected to play in DAVE THE DIVER suddenly appears—and not at the beginning, but in the middle of the game.
DAVE THE DIVER has always been good at pacing its new content. Just when you get used to the existing elements and wonder if that's all there is, something new appears. And just as you get used to that, something else pops up. I think the jungle adventure is a case where this characteristic is applied even more dramatically through a brand-new system.
In the Jungle' is a DLC that offers a lot for its price. MINTROCKET has filled it with new minigames, collecting, diving, management, adventure, and an affinity system. Yet, it never feels cluttered, as content is introduced by the right characters at the right time.
That’s not all. As if the content wasn't enough, they added new systems. They introduced real-time exploration with Utara Village as a base, and just when you get used to that, they slip in jungle adventures and turn-based combat.
The biggest features of DAVE THE DIVER—the B-grade humor and strong character personalities—are still here. The new characters have their own distinct codes, and the charm of existing characters like Dave, Bancho, and Cobra remains. Dave, in particular, looks great in his new exploration gear and conveys an even warmer, more generous 'heart.'
Many things have been created or changed in 'In the Jungle,' but I think it’s Dave who makes it feel unmistakably like DAVE THE DIVER. The charm of Dave—who seems cautious but bravely steps up for those around him—feels even warmer and deeper as you play, progress through the story, and head toward the end.
It may be a lush green jungle rather than the deep blue of the Blue Hole, but the signature features and strengths of DAVE THE DIVER remain unchanged. A jungle adventure with Dave is still as accessible, relaxing, and fun as ever.
- Another content-packed experience
- An adventure experience beyond just diving
- Well-paced introduction of new content
- Diving upgraded with the Jungle Gun
- Numerous light content pieces that may be hit-or-miss
- A simple early game before content opens up
- Overall reduction in diving and restaurant portions
Review Platform: PC (Review Build, Launch Build)
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