Dredge
- Platform:
- Release: Mar 2023
- Developer: Black Salt Games
- Publisher: Team17
- Composer: David Mason
- Genres: simulation - fishing - horror
- Other platforms:
January 31, 2025
Fish and uncover the terrors of the deep.
A very relaxing experience, even with the lurking night terrors.
A game I have thoroughly enjoyed, to the point of completing it—including all side missions—without feeling forced.
With such a shifting atmosphere—friendly by day and hostile in the darkness of night—Dredge offers an experience that oscillates between a cozy game and a Lovecraftian adventure. It’s surprising how, despite being based on a repetitive core mechanic like “pick-up and deliver,” the game remains so engaging, making you eager to uncover its secrets.
What I liked the most
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The game hooks you from the moment you make your first upgrade to the boat. You won’t want to stop improving your lights, hull, rods, and—especially in my case—the engines.
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The great variety of available fish and their corresponding aberrations.
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The magical encounters with certain animals that appear in specific locations and moments, meant purely for the player’s enjoyment without the possibility of catching them.
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The atmosphere is outstanding: the combination of music, setting, and smooth animations creates a fully immersive experience.
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The ports, our own personal “save room” in this game.
What didn’t win me over
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The boat’s initial speed feels too low, making the start of the game a bit slow.
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Having to carry items in the cargo hold to complete some missions feels unnecessary. In my opinion, once an item has been discovered, it should be enough to have it stored at any port.
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I would have loved if using the spyglass allowed us to mark objectives upon spotting them, keeping them recorded on the map.
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The lack of more variety in mini-games while fishing.
