A quirky crossover fulfilled
Dave the Diver: Ichiban’s Holiday brings Ichiban Kasuga from the Yakuza: Like a Dragon game into the whimsical world of Dave the Diver. This expansion introduces new arcade gameplay elements and characters, offering a new narrative followed by a twist in gameplay via the introduction of a side-scrolling section.
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Dave the Diver: Ichiban’s Holiday also includes new mini games for players to enjoy, as well as unique collabs from other games. There are also new staff to be acquired, along with powerful new dishes that beg to be learned. For those looking for more Dave the Diver content, this is for you.
Mini-games and new recipes
Dave the Diver: Ichiban’s Holiday offers a brief narrative where Ichiban and his bartender friend visit the Blue Hole, leading to a confrontation with pirates. Players engage in a diving mission as Ichiban, using melee combat to protect Dave, followed by a side-scrolling beat-'em-up segment featuring Ichiban, Cobra, and a surprise guest. While the concept is intriguing, the execution falls short, with stiff controls and easily exploitable combat mechanics.
Additional content includes a karaoke mini-game where Ichiban performs "Judgement," new sushi bar staff with high stats, and powerful new dishes. These additions, while enhancing the main game, are considered by some to be overpowered and disrupt the game's balance. The new staff members and dishes introduced are notably powerful, with some staff boasting stats as high as 999. However, it can undermine the progression of the base game.
The DLC retains the charming pixel art style of the base game, with new character sprites and animations for Ichiban and other crossover elements. The karaoke mini-game adds a musical flair, though it is brief and lacks depth. Overall, the visual and audio additions are consistent with the game's aesthetic but do not significantly enhance the experience. However, the mini-games can be clunky at times.
A fun but unbalanced dive into crossover waters
Dave the Diver: Ichiban’s Holiday brings a quirky and entertaining crossover that expands the original game with new mechanics, mini-games, and powerful additions. While fans of both series will enjoy the novelty and humor, balance issues and underwhelming execution in combat and mini-games may limit long-term appeal. It’s a delightful side adventure — but one that slightly disrupts the main game’s charm and pacing.
