Fishing has always been my hobby, as far back as I can remember. Even as a child, I remember waiting eagerly for those rare fishing weekends. That’s probably why I got a soft spot for Dredge (maybe, it’s simply because it’s a great game). Either way, I’ve had an amazing time playing Dredge. Developed by Black Salt Games and published by Team17, Dredge takes players on a thrilling adventure as they control a fisherman exploring an open-world archipelago. The game’s Lovecraftian creatures add a unique twist to the traditional fishing game genre, making it an exciting and immersive experience for players. Dredge was released on March 30, 2023, and is available on multiple platforms, including Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.

The Perfect Fishing Sim to Keep You Going All Day

Dredge’s simulation reminds me of all those unspoken fishing rules I’ve learned by heart. It simulates a typical fishing trip so perfectly that you’ll sometimes forget you’re playing a game. The gameplay is engaging and has you working around the clock to keep your sanity. You’ll experience a day-night cycle where your actions, such as fishing, determine the time and the clock’s speed. Dredge also features some exciting mini-games that keep the gameplay fresh. For instance, when an undersea creature approaches, you’ll have to play a short minigame to determine if you catch it. 

If you stay out until night, the system features a panic meter that will start to rise as a warning sign. When the meter becomes very high, you will experience hallucinations that change the reality around your boat. Once you reach a port, you can sell your catch and use the funds to upgrade your boat with things like headlights or a thicker hull. However, your boat has limited space, so you’ll need to choose which gear to take with you. At ports, you can also accept side quests and complete tasks for the island residents to earn rewards. 

Amazing Backstory that Gives You the Chills

Dredge has an amazing plot that is sure to keep players going. When you begin playing the game, you will discover there is more to the fisherman than just fishing. For one thing, he’s a detective and the town’s savior. The game’s plot commences with the fisherman embarking on a journey to Greater Marrow, a coastal town in a far-off archipelago. He went there to take up a job as the local angler. However, he realized that his job was far from normal. He began to experience strange occurrences, especially at night. Sometimes, he encountered an eerie mist, or a rock or a ghost ship could suddenly appear on the waters. He also witnessed some hostile wildlife and sea monsters and had an unshakeable feeling of being watched. 

As he sails around the archipelago over time, he stumbles upon messages in bottles containing diary entries written by a woman named J.J. In her entries, J.J. recounted how she and her husband arrived in the archipelago. Her husband dredged up a mysterious casket from the sea floor and opened it, unleashing a supernatural power. This power was the awakening of a creature from the depths that caused their boat to be destroyed, resulting in the death of J.J. and stranding her husband and the old mayor on a small island. 

As a highly inquisitive person, the Fisherman’s curiosity grew as he uncovered more of J.J.’s diary entries. He realized that the strange happenings he had been experiencing were connected to the supernatural power unleashed by J.J.’s husband. The Fisherman was now in a race against time to find a way to stop the creature and prevent it from causing more destruction. 

It Gets Crazier, Scarier, and Tougher at Night

Dredge offers an extra layer of challenge as the world shifts at night, causing unforeseen obstacles to appear. I accidentally collided with rocks that were not present during the daytime. Therefore, it’s advisable not to rush towards the nearest port during moments of panic without first ensuring a clear path ahead. Upgrading your boat with brighter and bigger lights can help to mitigate this issue. The game’s interplay between these systems adds a strategic element that keeps things engaging, even when progress on the primary quest is slow.

No matter where you are on the map, the Greater Marrow lighthouse is the central landmark and your only chance to escape the sea. However, if you find yourself lost at sea, you must navigate safely to reach it. The stakes are even higher if you are adrift after dark, as there is only one limited method of fast travel. Time in the game only moves when you move your ship or play a fishing minigame, which adds to the constant fear of being caught off guard by a rogue sunset.

Having the Whole Collection of Fish is an Achievement

Every fisherman’s dream is to catch the biggest, the strangest, and the most fish. This goal is no different in Dredge, as you are meant to build a comprehensive collection of no less than 128 fish. You can’t achieve this overnight, so you must complete many quests. However, it’s not compulsory to catch every single fish if you don’t want to. But if you want that sense of accomplishment, you must prepare to put your head in the game. Sometimes, the game requires specific fishing gear specialized for certain environments. These gears aim to catch different fish species, and some only appear at specific times of the day. Certain fish species are necessary to solve puzzles and advance the main story. Therefore, you may need to upgrade your ship’s hull to help you survive long journeys to other zones, often requiring traveling at night.

Conclusion

Dredge is one of those games with a sad ending, no matter what you do. The fisherman will make many decisions throughout the game, but the final decision will either lead to his death or the destruction of the whole town. The plot twists and the supernatural touch is what make this game outstanding. If you love cosmic horror or fishing games, or if you simply love games with a good plot, you should check out Dredge today.