DREDGE
" Atmospheric adventure RPG with unique fishing-horror fusion but abrupt endings "
DREDGE Review
DREDGE is an atmospheric indie game that masterfully blends fishing simulation, exploration RPG elements, and cosmic horror, creating a unique experience that evolves from peaceful to unsettling. Players start with simple fishing and boat management, gradually uncovering a dark, Lovecraftian world filled with eerie creatures and mysterious islands. The gameplay loop of fishing, upgrading, and exploring is addictive, with a satisfying balance of routine and tension.
The game excels in its art style, sound design, and mood-setting, using a day-night cycle to shift from cozy to ominous. While the story is minimalistic and often cryptic, it encourages imagination and discovery through environmental storytelling. DLCs add meaningful content and progression, though some players note that the story endings can feel abrupt or anticlimactic. Overall, DREDGE offers a compelling mix of chill gameplay and creeping dread, appealing to fans of both fishing and horror genres.
Highlights
Players praise DREDGE for its unique blend of relaxing fishing mechanics with Lovecraftian horror elements, creating a compelling atmosphere that shifts from cozy to eerie.
The game's stylized art style and immersive sound design effectively convey the mood, enhancing the tension during nighttime exploration.
Gameplay features like boat upgrading, varied fishing minigames, and exploration of mysterious islands are highly engaging.
The story and world-building, though minimalistic, are appreciated for encouraging player imagination and discovery.
DLCs are considered valuable additions that enrich the experience without overshadowing the base game.
Criticisms
Some players find the late-game and endings anticlimactic or abrupt, which can diminish the overall narrative impact.
Several reviews mention that after initial hours, the horror elements and scares may become repetitive or less effective.
The game's fishing minigame can feel grindy or shallow to some, with limited meaningful time pressure or resource management.
Menu controls, especially with controllers, are reported as clunky or stiff.
Price is considered high relative to content length by some, and DLC requirements for achievements have caused frustration.
Replayability is noted as limited after completing the main story.
Pros
- • Unique fusion of fishing and cosmic horror creates a fresh gameplay experience.
- • Stylized art and atmospheric sound design enhance immersion and tension.
- • Engaging fishing minigames with varied mechanics keep gameplay interesting.
- • Satisfying boat upgrading system adds meaningful progression and strategy.
- • Minimalistic storytelling encourages imagination and environmental exploration.
- • Day-night cycle effectively shifts mood from peaceful to unsettling.
- • DLCs provide valuable content and enrich the game without overshadowing base.
Cons
- • Endings feel abrupt and anticlimactic, reducing narrative satisfaction.
- • Horror elements can become repetitive and lose impact over time.
- • Fishing mechanics sometimes feel grindy and lack meaningful challenge.
- • Menu and inventory controls can be clunky, especially with controllers.
- • Price perceived as high relative to content length and replayability.
- • Achievements tied to DLC frustrate some players expecting base game only.
- • Limited replay value after completing main story and achievements.
Rating Criteria
About This Game
OUT NOW: THE IRON RIG DLC
The Iron Rig is the second official expansion for DREDGE - a cosmic horror fishing adventure with a sinister undercurrent. This content adds a new constructable destination with its own story, items and adversities that can be experienced at any stage in your playthrough
About the Game
Captain your fishing trawler to explore a collection of remote isles, and their surrounding depths, to see what lies below. Sell your catch to the locals and complete quests to learn more about each area’s troubled past. Outfit your boat with better equipment to trawl deep-sea trenches and navigate to far-off lands, but keep an eye on the time. You might not like what finds you in the dark...
Explore the Islands & Discover their Secrets
Starting from your new home in the remote archipelago, ‘The Marrows’, take to the water and scour the depths for curious collectables and over 125 deep sea denizens. Explore each area while completing quests and visiting neighbouring island regions – each with their own unique opportunities, inhabitants, and secrets.
Dredge the Depths
Someone wants you to dig up the past, but can you trust them and will it ever be enough?
Beware the Fog
Danger is everywhere, so watch for sharp rocks and shallow reefs, though the biggest threats of all lurk within the fog that cloaks the night-time seas...
Game Features:
- Unravel a Mystery: Captain your fishing trawler across a collection of remote islands, each with its own inhabitants to meet, wildlife to discover, and stories to unearth.
- Dredge the Depths: Scour the sea for hidden treasures and complete quests to gain access to strange new abilities
- Study Your Craft: Research special equipment and upgrade your boat’s capabilities to gain access to rare fish and valuable deep-sea curios.
- Fish to Survive: Sell your discoveries to the locals to learn more about each area, and upgrade your boat to reach even more secluded locations.
- Fight the Unfathomable: Strengthen your mind and use your abilities to survive trips out on the water after dark.
5/5 – Bloody Disgusting
“…one of the tightest indie creations I've played in a long time.”
4.5/5 – Gamesradar
“a fantastically twisted fishing horror full of charm”
89/100 – PC Gamer
DREDGE is a single-player fishing adventure with a sinister undercurrent. Sell your catch, upgrade your boat, and dredge the depths for long-buried secrets. Explore a mysterious archipelago and discover why some things are best left forgotten.