DAVETHE DIVER GUIDE

In the Jungle Review: Is It Worth It?

A substantial post-game expansion with a new freshwater loop, a livelier home base, excellent variety, and some uneven late-game progression.

Updated July 25, 2026 · 5 min read

Quick answer

Yes for players who want more Dave, with one important caveat

In the Jungle is worth it for players who enjoyed the base game's constant genre-switching, restaurant optimization, character comedy, and collection loop. Utara feels more like a place Dave lives in than a temporary mission map.

The caveat is that the DLC resets several systems and spreads attention across diving, village relationships, farming, turn-based encounters, minigames, and Bancho Grill. Players who only want uninterrupted diving may find the pacing less focused.

Best for
Base-game fans
Core story
About 10 hours
Completion
20+ hours
Multiplayer
No
Steam Deck
Verified at review

What In the Jungle does well

  • Utara Village provides a walkable hub with relationships, quests, shops and housing.
  • The freshwater lake changes enemy behavior, ingredients and capture priorities.
  • Jungle Gun mode switching makes combat preparation faster and more tactical.
  • Bancho Grill replaces sushi with cooked dishes and a more open service floor.
  • The expansion keeps the base game's surprise minigames and animated comedy.

Where the DLC is weaker

The sheer number of one-off systems can dilute the diving-and-restaurant rhythm. Several players also report that late-game recipe resources and final weapon materials remain slow to farm after the story is complete.

  • Some large fish are unusually durable before Jungle Gun upgrades.
  • The post-game lacks a convenient fish-farm loop for freshwater ingredients.
  • Collectible tracking for lizards is less clear than the insect app.
  • Some restaurant and weapon rewards arrive after their strongest practical use.

Who should buy it

PlayerRecommendation
Finished and loved the base gameStrong recommendation
Mostly enjoys restaurant planningRecommended for Grill and staff systems
Only wants open-ended divingWait if minigames interrupt your preferred loop
Has not finished the storyFinish the base game first
CompletionistExpect substantially more than the advertised core-story time

FAQ

DLC Review questions

Is In the Jungle a small side quest?

No. It adds a new hub, freshwater region, restaurant, gear loop, relationship system, story and many minigames.

Does the DLC feel like DAVE THE DIVER?

Yes, especially if the series' constant mechanical surprises are part of the appeal. It is less suitable for players who want only the original dive-and-sushi loop.

Sources and verification

This guide was checked against current game information and player reports on July 25, 2026. PC Gamer review · Player completion discussion