A brand-new Steam game called Sea Sniffers takes cues from Pokemon and Dave the Diver, creating what looks like a perfect crossover between the two. Steam is filled with creature-collecting indie games inspired by Pokemon, but few have attempted to bring that formula to an aquatic setting with such a cozy atmosphere, and Sea Sniffers could be one of the first to explore the concept.
In Dave the Diver, players work a two-shift routine: In the morning, they scuba dive to hunt fish and search for treasures, while at night, they run Bancho Sushi, preparing meals with the fish they have caught. Sea Sniffers follows a similar premise, tasking players with catching various types of fish across an expansive ocean. However, its Pokemon-inspired twist comes from its approach to creature collecting, which sets it apart from Dave the Diver.
Sea Sniffers Is a Non-Violent Fishing Game With a Pokedex-Like Feature
- Genre: Creature Collector, Cozy, Metroidvania
- Developer: Blastmode
- Platforms: PC
Announced through a short trailer on September 10, Sea Sniffers is an upcoming Steam game centered around fishing in a cozy pixel art setting. The game features more than 100 creatures, including a wide variety of unique fish. Much like in Pokemon games, players will have access to a Pokedex-inspired animal compendium where they can register the fish they catch. Notably, Sea Sniffers appears to have none of the weapons featured in Dave the Diver, with its fishing mechanics seemingly designed to be non-violent for the most part.
Sea Sniffers Gameplay Features
- Single-player
- Underwater areas to explore freely
- Upgradable fishing tools and boats
- A Pokedex-style fish compendium
- Over 100 collectible fish variants and mythical sea creatures
- Treasure-hunting side quests
- Hand-crafted maps
Sea Sniffers Comes with Comical Combat
Lite combat will still play a significant role in Sea Sniffers, as players may occasionally be forced into fistfights with fish. However, the fighting animations are distinctly cartoony, and the defeated fish do not appear to die but are instead simply knocked out. Interestingly, collecting fish in Sea Sniffers will also grant players new abilities and upgrades, similar to how charms work in Dave the Diver.
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Image via Blastmode -
Image via Blastmode -
Image via Blastmode
Unlike games like Dave the Diver, where the animals players catch are typically used to prepare meals, Sea Sniffers puts them to use for research. Players take on the role of Kiwi and their pet seal, Momi, who work for a research facility called Lumira Labs. Their primary goal is to collect as many unknown sea species as possible so they can be studied. However, there appears to be more to the story, as the developer has teased that strange creatures are lurking in the waters of Sea Sniffers.
Sea Sniffers Release Date
Developer Blastmode plans to release Sea Sniffers on Steam sometime in 2027. At the time of writing, Steam appears to be the game’s only confirmed platform, though Blastmode could bring it to consoles in the future. Sea Sniffers will be Blastmode’s second official release, following Mighty Goose, a co-op run-and-gun game. Mighty Goose has already received incredibly positive reviews on Steam, making it a potential game for those waiting for Sea Sniffers to arrive.
- Released
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June 28, 2023
- ESRB
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Everyone 10+ / Mild Blood, Mild Language, Mild Suggestive Themes, Mild Violence, Simulated Gambling, Use of Alcohol
- Developer(s)
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Mintrocket
- Publisher(s)
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Mintrocket