Dave the Diveris an ingenious game about underwater exploration and working in a sushi restaurant.
It’s lovely to chat to you.
We’ve both been playing this game called Dave the Diver over the last few weeks.
That’s very bare bones, but that’s where I’m at.
Tell me: what do you make of it so far?
Chris:It’s so good isn’t it?
From the woosh when you arrive underwater to that sense of panic when things go wrong.
For me, I’m always panicked that I’m not doing enough.
These diving sections give you such a lot of different things to focus on.
They’re little procedural dungeons, really?
And it’s crucial that you upgrade what you’ve got the option to carry.
Have you managed to get to a point where you feel like you’re in control down there?
You said this to me, and I absolutely can’t get it out of my mind.
It’s the most secretly lavish game of all time, right?
Every system is beautifully crafted and delivered and pared back to its simplest version.
And it just runs away in all these directions and seemingly has the time and the energy for everything.
Even from where I am it’s like: let’s make the menu this incredibly detailed smartphone.
Let’s have a green tea-pouring mini-game with playful particle physics!
It’s published and perhaps made by Nexon, right, who are completely huge?
I would love to know how this game came to be!
Matt:Yes, those cutscenes!
All basically mini cinematic masterpieces in their own right!
Oh, and I can’t believe we’ve gone this far without mentioning the sushi.
Chris:Why do you think it all works?
Yet it feels harmonious?
What do you want this city to make?
What are you researching next?
Matt:Why it works is a tough question!
I feel like there’s a Dave the Diver in us all, right?
