Overcoming Thalassophobia: My Journey with Dave the Diver
Launched in 2023, Dave the Diver is an engaging action-adventure game that uniquely melds underwater exploration with restaurant management, garnering widespread acclaim from both critics and players. Despite its charming pixel art and original concept, I held off on purchasing it until late 2024, largely due to my intense thalassophobia—the fear of large bodies of water—and megalophobia—the fear of large objects and beings. However, I resolved to confront my fears, and to my astonishment, the experience was more beneficial than I had anticipated.
Understanding Thalassophobia
Interestingly, I’ve often wondered if my fear of the ocean is more common than I believe. It’s not an irrational fear, in my view; how can anyone look at the vast, dark expanse of the ocean and not feel a sense of insignificance? The ocean’s depths harbor intimidating creatures, from the massive whales that seem congenial yet intimidating, to fish that resemble nightmare spawn inspired by Lovecraft himself. I often find solace in knowing that marine biologists and scuba divers bravely explore these depths, leading me to ponder whether my fears are indeed unusual.
Immersing in Underwater Adventure
My fear manifested vividly when I experienced the 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea attraction at Tokyo DisneySea, where I felt an overwhelming sense of dread. Even a commercial featuring a giant fish made my heart race. Once, a trailer for Subnautica left me so shaken that I had to stop watching. While I recognize how embarrassing this reaction may seem, the choice to dive into Dave the Diver felt like a manageable step. How intimidating could this pixelated undersea world truly be?
Gameplay Experience
In Dave the Diver, players assume the role of a diver who collects fish to support chef Bancho’s sushi restaurant—a premise that intrigued me with its cute art style and seemingly relaxing gameplay loop. However, my initial optimism quickly faded. The moment I ventured into the depths and encountered a massive shark lurking in the shadows, I was ready to ditch the game. The eerie tunnels filled with tube worms and menacing jellyfish became sources of anxiety as the ocean’s vastness loomed behind me.
Finding Comfort in Gameplay
Despite my fears, I soon found that my initial apprehension was unwarranted. The vibrant, pixelated visuals created an approachable atmosphere that made me gradually shed my hesitations. Unlike the extensive and immersive world of Subnautica, the more compact level design of Dave the Diver paired with a third-person perspective lessened my sense of dread. The whimsical art style rendered the marine creatures less intimidating, allowing me to see them from a distance without triggering a panic response.
The Therapeutic Power of Gaming
Interestingly, gaming therapy—a concept gaining momentum since its inception in the 1980s—highlights how different games can assist with various psychological hurdles. While soothing titles like Flower alleviate stress, expansive games, such as Minecraft, are sometimes employed to help children with autism develop social skills. As gaming continues to integrate into mainstream culture, it’s evident that therapists are exploring its potential in therapy.
While it might be an exaggeration to say that Dave the Diver has fundamentally altered my phobia, it has certainly provided me with a constructive distraction. Toss me into the ocean, and I would likely still experience panic. Yet, as I navigate the charmingly pixelated depths of Dave the Diver, I find a sense of comfort that softens my fear. I can now even watch that alarming Fishdom advertisement with a calmer heart. Perhaps, one day in the future, I will be brave enough to tackle Subnautica.
Dave the Diver is available on PS4, PS5, Nintendo Switch, Windows PC, and macOS.
Leave a Reply