Dave the Diver In the Jungle Review: Worth It? (2026)

Updated 2026-10-15: rebuilt from Steam reviews and MINTROCKET's patch notes. We added the Reception box with the Metacritic score, the 7/7 in-game achievement app, the 8/6 Spirits content and the Subnautica 2 DLC news, replaced the earlier explanation of the score gap (which leaned on Switch stability) with what negative reviews actually say, and removed a line implying we had played a specific patch.

Is Dave the Diver In the Jungle worth it? (quick answer)

Yes for fans who liked the base game's side activities, at $9.99 list (often 20% off in sales). The players who vote it down mostly loved the original and dislike the new direction, so read the complaints below and decide which camp you're in.

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Dave the Diver In the Jungle current status: October 2026

The DLC Steam page rates it Mostly Positive, while the base game sits at Overwhelmingly Positive. Metacritic critics are kinder, with a score in the mid-80s. It released June 18, 2026 and requires the base game.

Post-launch support has been steady. A run of hotfixes in late June fixed progression and spawn bugs, the 7/3 hotfix let you skip minigames after one failed attempt, the 7/7 patch added an in-game achievement app and a new Cobra skill, and the 8/6 patch added the village Spirits, a Giant Wild Boar rematch and three new Setah Forest monsters. On October 8, MINTROCKET announced a separate DAVE THE DIVER x Subnautica 2 DLC for early 2027.

Key Takeaways

• Developer and publisher: MINTROCKET.
• Price: $9.99 list on Steam; it was $7.99 during the October sales. The base game is required.
• Released: June 18, 2026.
• Content: Utara village and a freshwater lake, seven story chapters plus an epilogue, the new Bancho Grill restaurant, and boss fights including Sulong, the Giant Goby, the Sarcastic Fringehead and the Black Caiman.
• Length: MINTROCKET promises over 10 hours; players report 25 hours or more.
• Achievements: none on Steam; an in-game Jungle Achievements app since 7/7.

Overview: what MINTROCKET shipped

In the Jungle sends Dave and his crew to the village of Utara to "investigate a mysterious phenomenon," per the store page, with a freshwater lake to dive and a new restaurant, Bancho Grill, to run. The story runs seven chapters and an epilogue (our walkthrough lists every mission), with bosses such as Sulong, the Sarcastic Fringehead and the Black Caiman.

The dive half of the loop carries over from the base game; the new lake adds a freshwater ecosystem and its own hazards.

Fans call it closer to a sequel than an add-on. "10€ is an absolute steal, this is much closer to a sequel than a DLC," says one, counting "about 25-30 hours of new content" for completionists and "Tons of new minigames" (Steam review). Another simply says "this is basically dave the diver 2" (Steam review), and a third liked the story enough to say "its storyline hits harder than the main's storyline" (Steam review).

The restaurant minigames return; in the jungle, Bancho runs a grill instead of the sushi bar, with a new menu covered in our Bancho Grill recipes guide.

Where the lower Steam score comes from

The negative reviews are mostly from people who loved the base game and dislike specific design changes. Four come up again and again:

• The village clock. Time runs in real time while you're in the village. "I really have no idea why anyone thinks that this is a great idea," says one of the most upvoted negative reviews (Steam review). Even positive reviews flag it: one recommends the DLC "because it is polished" but calls the "active time system" an "unnecessary addition" (Steam review). Others push back: "Time does not pass in the water or in the jungle," and "there is no penalty for playing slowly" (Steam review).
• Crossovers. "Six out of nine new staff members are from collaborations," says one player, who ran into Om Nom from Cut the Rope and Mita from MiSide in a single in-game night (Steam review).
• Minigames over diving. "All I wanted was more Dave the Diver. And I got everything BUT that," opens a review that lists an "undercooked turn based game," a gift-based relationship system and beetle battles (Steam review).
• English text. The most upvoted negative review says "The English AI translations are extremely noticeable" (Steam review).

GODEEPER: If you're chasing every boss the DLC has to offer, our Giant Goby guide covers the first major Murau Temple fight in detail. Dave the Diver Giant Goby Boss Guide: Murau Temple →

Achievements were an early complaint too. "Please add steam achievements for the dlc," asks a launch-day review, pointing out that "If you skip to start the dlc you cannot earn achievements from the base game" (Steam review). MINTROCKET's answer was the 7/7 in-game Jungle Achievements app rather than Steam achievements; our achievements breakdown covers how it works.

Verdict

In the Jungle is a lot of game for the price, and almost nobody disputes that; the argument is about what kind of game it became. Fans call it "basically dave the diver 2" (Steam review). Even a player who left a thumbs up writes that "the second half really dragged, it was overloaded with cameos and mini games, and the core game loop was neglected," and adds "I don't recommend buying it" (Steam review).

Who it suits: Dave the Diver fans who enjoyed the base game's minigames, cameos and story beats, players who like Stardew-style village routines, and anyone who wants another 25-plus hours in this world at a DLC price.

Who should wait: players who only want more diving and sushi nights, anyone who dislikes timers in a cozy game, players tired of crossover characters, and achievement hunters who need Steam achievements. If that's you, wait for a deep sale or skip it; the Subnautica 2 DLC due in early 2027 may be closer to what you want.

GODEEPER: Want the full breakdown of everything the DLC adds before you dive in? Our complete guide hub covers every system, chapter, and unlock. Dave the Diver In the Jungle Guide: Complete Hub (2026) →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Dave the Diver In the Jungle DLC worth it? For fans of the base game who enjoyed its side activities, yes: critics rate it highly and players call it sequel-sized. If you only want more diving and restaurant nights, read the negative reviews first; the village clock, crossovers and minigames are the common complaints.

Why does the Jungle DLC have a lower review score than the base game? Steam rates DLC separately. The negative reviews mostly object to design changes rather than bugs: a real-time clock in the village, many crossover characters, a lot of minigames, less time diving, and English text that players call machine-like.

Does the Jungle DLC have achievements? Not on Steam. The 7/7 patch added a Jungle Achievements app on Dave's in-game smartphone that tracks DLC progress and rewards a house decoration, but there are still no Steam achievements for the pack.

How long is Dave the Diver In the Jungle? MINTROCKET promises over 10 hours of new story and gameplay. Players report much more: one says over 25 hours, a completionist puts it at 25 to 30, and another took 40 hours to play it through.

Do I need to finish the base game before playing In the Jungle? MINTROCKET recommends it. The DLC starts once you've cleared the main story ending; a provided save lets you skip straight to it, but you then cannot earn the base game's Steam achievements on that save.

Related Reading

• Dave the Diver In the Jungle Complete Guide: the full hub for chapters, systems, and unlocks.
• Dave the Diver In the Jungle Staff Guide: how the expanded restaurant roster, crossover staff included, fits into Bancho Grill.
• Dave the Diver In the Jungle Achievements Guide: the in-game achievement app and why there are no Steam achievements.
• Dave the Diver In the Jungle Walkthrough: every chapter and mission in order.

References

• DAVE THE DIVER on Steam: base game store page, appid 1868140.
• DAVE THE DIVER - In the Jungle Content Pack on Steam: DLC store page, description, price and user reviews.
• DAVE THE DIVER: In the Jungle on Metacritic: critic reviews.
• DLC launch announcement: how to start the DLC and the provided ending save.
• 7/7 patch notes: in-game achievement system and new Cobra skill.
• 8/6 patch notes: village Spirits, Giant Wild Boar rematch and new Setah Forest monsters.
• DAVE THE DIVER - In the Jungle DLC Launch Trailer: official trailer, MINTROCKET YouTube channel.