One more dive. One more upgrade. Then, inevitably, another dive. Shelldiver turns a simple underwater collecting expedition into a surprisingly compulsive incremental adventure, with a turtle entrepreneur, jellyfish to harvest and an ocean full of resources worth chasing.
Coloured Static Press hands-on review. Developed and published by Gagonfe. Released on PC via Steam on 16 November 2025.
A little shop with a very big ocean
Every expedition begins with a straightforward goal: explore underwater biomes, gather jellyfish and valuable materials, then head back to the surface. Different environments offer different resources, creating a reason to venture farther rather than simply repeating the first profitable route.
Back at the shop, the jellyfish haul becomes money to reinvest in weapons, abilities and perks. The expanding upgrade tree gives each trip a purpose. Even a modest expedition can move you closer to the next improvement, and that improvement makes the next expedition feel more rewarding.
The pleasure of getting stronger
Shelldiver is most effective when its small upgrades begin to compound. Collection becomes faster and less laborious, the turtle grows more capable, and previously demanding tasks become easier to manage. There is always another material to gather, upgrade to buy or area to unlock.
That increasing power has a trade-off. With enough improvements, the actual collecting can become fairly hands-off. Anyone who wants constant high-pressure action may find the later rhythm a little passive. But for an incremental game, that shift is also part of the appeal: you can feel the progress you’ve earned.
Remember to breathe
Even as the harvesting becomes easier, oxygen remains a practical limit. Push too far underwater and you risk staying beyond the point where another trip to the surface would be wiser. That simple constraint adds a useful consideration to an otherwise relaxing cycle of gathering and upgrading.
Verdict
A surprisingly addictive underwater adventure. Shelldiver understands the appeal of gradual progression. Its rewarding cycle of collecting jellyfish, selling your haul and improving your abilities makes it hard to resist another dive. The gameplay can grow passive as upgrades accumulate, but that rarely undermines the satisfaction of seeing your little underwater business grow.
Editorial note: Vanessa’s supplied written verdict did not assign a numerical score, so Coloured Static Press is publishing this as an unscored hands-on review rather than inventing one. Original written impressions were supplied to the publication. Illustrations here are official game screenshots from the Steam listing.