Dredge Reviews
Dredge is the first indie game of 2023 that will surprise you. The overall simplicity of this game will at first deceive you and afterward, you will appreciate this decision and how everything is synchronized with each other. Maybe the quest designs were too simplistic, but the other aspects of the game, especially the music is so good, that you would eventually forget about it.
Dredge is a fine combination of fishing and adventure, gives you peaceful mind and thrill of an adventure at the same time. It shows a number of aspects to avoid repetitive gameplay that fishing games normally have. Also, it is a must-try game for the fans of Lovecraft.
Review in Korean | Read full review
I've rarely played a game with a more satisfying and simple loop in an intriguing and dubious world I just wish I could've seen more of. Between the cults (yep, this game has got those too) and the sort of unexplained nature of Why This Stretch Of Sea Is Like This™, I think it's actually a world ripe for even more exploration. But even if nothing more should come out of it, Dredge is a wonderful experience in smooth sailing over choppy (maybe even supernaturally charged) waters.
DREDGE offers an addictive fishing loop that pairs well with its surface-level Lovecraftian horror, undone only by a missed opportunity to dive deeper.
Dredge is an unmissable game for fans of Lovecraftian stories and procedural horror experiences. The open world is unique and memorable, the fishing and exploration are fun and intuitive, and the gameplay loop of risking your life and limb for another great catch is surprisingly addicting. Dredge is a light in the fog amongst a saturated genre; we need more dedicated horror fishing sims.
DREDGE is an experience that shimmers amidst the swell of the unknown with a mesmerising light that induces both attraction and chills.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Dredge manages to be both a fantastic fishing game and a horrifying look at what it's like to be alone in the ocean.
Dredge’s enjoyable gameplay loop of fishing, selling, and upgrading all set on an ocean where horrors await beneath the waves and beyond the fog makes for an unforgettable indie experience.
A commendable and adequate Lovecraftian tale worthy of your time.
Dredge reeled me in to the point I sunk hours into it, and even if my patience floundered at times, the net experience was fun to tackle. While its content isn't stuffed to the gills, it’s hard to be crabby with a gameplay loop that had me hooked, and the intriguing horror angle perched on top of a swimmingly good adventure is worth wading into. It doesn’t have to fish for compliments, but since I’m trawling for puns and you’re probably salty about it, I’ll wave goodbye and say that Dredge isn’t crappie. Sea you later!
Enriched lovingly with scenic qualities and bolstered by the delightful day/night contrast to which it excels at evoking a juicily contradictive atmosphere, Dredge may not look like a meaty steamboat-empowered expedition, but when you find yourself supplementing your vessel with new hulls and boosts, as well as interacting with the various personalities sequestered on each of the islands you visit, Dredge may look like shallow waters, but it’ll surprise at how quickly it can submerge you in its depths. No, Dredge did not need the horrors of the nighttime, and banging into suddenly-appearing rocks can prove a hassle, but Dredge is otherwise a splendid offering that’s certainly worth checking out.
Dredge is an extremely fascinating game that has its foundations in simple but addictive ludics and eerie, distressing imagery.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Dredge parses out these moments of rewarding exploration without losing focus on its core conceits of fishing and discovering new creatures. But it also masterfully balances two distinct tones. It comprises the sort of dread and horror that sneaks in, eyes jittery, after too many nights with too little sleep. It’s not a boiling terror and panic, but more of a simmer. There’s enough daylight for something of a reprieve, but it never sticks around for too long. Dredge is the perfect sort of dark yet cozy game. It can be unsettling, yes, but it never swims too far into the abyss.
Dredge promotes a strange fusion of genres and is proof that even outlandish ideas work when the project is well executed. Black Salt Games' debut game is amazing and delivers an experience of extremes – from relaxing fishing to terrifying moments.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Dredge is a remarkable blend of polar opposite genres that benefit greatly when mashed together like this. It’s not the deepest fishing game nor is it the scariest horror game, but it blends these two distinct halves well enough so that it doesn’t rely on one tone or style for too long. And because of this, much like the aberrational fish that plague its sea, Dredge is unique enough to be quite the catch.
Mysteriousness proves tricky to sustain, but Dredge reels it in and mostly keeps it aboard through its run. Bolstered by beautiful music and visuals, the game features engaging episodic quests that promote exploration. With addicting fishing mechanics and the promise of something new on the horizon, the game sails full steam ahead with fish to catch and secrets to uncover. Dredge may have some dings in its hull, but this boat is more than seaworthy.
All in all, DREDGE not only met my expectations, but exceeded them. As of writing, this is now my most favorite fishing game of all time. If you want a game that is relaxing and fun, I highly recommend you give this game a try.
The two sides of the game meld wonderfully together, while the fascinating world and story on offer serve up just enough to pull you along until the end.
Dredge delivers fish and fear in equal measure, providing an atmospheric escape, and a world you'll want to thoroughly rinse for all it's worth.
The constant fear and impending sense of dread make sure you're always uncomfortable, making Dredge a master class in the subtlety of horror. Even though the story never comes out and explains everything that's happening, it does enough to make sure you can put it together, while relying on the journey you've made for yourself to stand tall. All in all, Dredge is one of those near-perfect indie games-it accomplishes everything it sets out to do, keeps the player entertained throughout, and manages to be innovative in an industry filled with games for us to play.