Dredge: A Spooky Fishing Adventure with a Mysterious Twist
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.
In the wide world of video games, 'Dredge' by Black Salt Games is a special mix of fishing fun and spooky storytelling. This game is perfect for those who love mystery, engaging gameplay, and a bit of eerie storytelling.
'Dredge' is a single-player game that combines fishing adventure with elements of Lovecraftian horror. The gameplay involves fishing, laying crab pots, and dredging for materials, all while solving puzzles and following a story that requires attention to detail. You, as a player, must manage your cargo hold, fitting various items into a limited space, and deal with fish spoilage and potential loss of cargo due to hull damage. Time in the game is tied to your actions, and the danger escalates at night when panic levels increase, attracting otherworldly threats.
Discovering the Ocean Secrets
In 'Dredge,' you become a mariner whose journey starts with a boat crash in Greater Marrow. The game is quick to teach you the basics of boat controls and fishing without dragging you through long tutorials. This means you can jump right into the adventure without any unnecessary explanations.
Fishing Fun
Fishing in 'Dredge' is simple yet enjoyable. Look for disturbed water spots to find potential catches, and each fish type comes with its own fun mini-game. There's a spooky twist with aberrations – corrupted fish with creepy forms that add to the game's eerie vibe.
Dredging and Making Upgrades
Apart from fishing, players also get into dredging, a game where you collect materials for ship upgrades. Upgrades become essential as managing your inventory gets more important. The game cleverly balances the excitement of exploring with the need to upgrade, making progress smooth.
Facing Nighttime Dangers
When night falls in 'Dredge,' danger levels rise. Visibility drops, and panic-inducing situations increase. Bright lights become crucial for navigating and warding off scary creatures. The panic mechanics make nighttime decisions critical, adding an extra layer of suspense.
Captivating Design and Storytelling
'Dredge' stands out with its visually stunning world featuring clean, low-poly designs. The eerie soundtrack complements the immersive atmosphere, setting the stage for a story full of mysteries. The Collector character adds depth to the main questline by involving cursed items.
Island Adventures and Characters
The real charm of the game lies in exploring islands and meeting interesting characters. Split into five main areas, each island chain introduces unique quests and characters. The yellow quests, in particular, stand out by adding depth to the overall story.
A Perfect Mix of Gameplay, Sound, and Graphics
'Dredge' strikes a perfect balance between spooky and relaxing. The well-crafted audio, including seagull cries and water splashing, enhances the immersive experience. The stylized visuals, a mix of low-poly landscapes and detailed characters, add to the game's overall charm.
The Pale Reach DLC
The DLC, 'The Pale Reach,' adds more excitement with an ice-themed biome and extra challenges. 'Dredge' has received excellent reviews, praised for its unique gameplay, captivating design, and engaging storytelling. It's a must-play for fishing fans, story-driven game lovers, and anyone looking for a memorable gaming experience.
Praise for 'Dredge'
In the world of indie games, 'Dredge' shines as a great example of creativity and mixing different game elements. It invites players to enjoy a spooky fishing adventure, where the mysteries of the ocean blend with eerie horrors, making it a standout release in the indie gaming world this year.
'Dredge' scores a solid 8.5 weird fish on Reddometer, and is my Indie Game of the Year for 2023.
Availability
The game is available on multiple gaming platforms, including PC, Xbox Platforms, PlayStation 4/5, and Nintendo Switch.
The Official Blurb
In DREDGE, step into the boots of a down-on-their-luck fisherman and explore a collection of remote islands while scouring the surrounding depths for a variety of fish and valuable, deep-sea curios. Once your trawler is full, sell your spoils while completing quests and unravelling more about each area’s peculiar denizens. Reinforce your vessel, skills, and knowledge to dredge deeper and reach more secluded lands, but keep a close eye on the time. You might not like what finds you in the dark…
Key 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 special abilities to survive trips out on the water after dark
