Dredge Reviews
To use fishing terms, Dredge isn't one you'd kiss and throw back. It's the definition of a trophy catch. Its series of elegantly simple systems interplay nicely, blending seamlessly with an eerily stunning eldritch style and a moreish checklist of sea life to catch.
Despite some nasty snags on the line, DREDGE is nevertheless a rare catch.
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.
It's impossible not to get caught in Dredge's clutches: supernatural horror, dry and fascinating narrative and an intoxicating gameplay loop make Black Salt Games' first effort an indie to remember.
Review in Italian | Read full review
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Dredge blends cosmic horror and local fishing economies into a robust but expertly paced adventure that rewards your investment with a strange tale, engaging mechanics and a unique, wonderful vibe.
Dredge is one of those rare treasures: a game unlike anything else that completely captures your attention with its intriguing world and simple yet captivating gameplay. We could keep hunting for rare fish forever, and we only wish there were more secrets for us to uncover; new parts of the world for us to explore. But when our only complaint is “we want more of it”, it’s clear we have something rather special on our hands.
Dredge is a totally innovative and creative take on the survival horror genre and manages to tell a compelling story without long-winded cutscenes or spoon-feeding it. The minor metroidvania elements to its adventuring also give players a lot of freedom to play at their own pace.
Dredge offers a refreshing experience with an interesting mix of ambiance and gameplay.
Dredge has no right to be as good as it is, but it effectively plays to its strengths and mixes solid systems with a strong theme. If you're not into fishing or Lovecraft, Dredge won't be your cup of tea. However, if either even slightly tickles your fancy, I can almost guarantee that you'll have a blast delving into the twisted mysteries of Dredge - and you'll even make a decent buck with mutant fish while you're at it.
It's a delightful mix. It's really fun to fish peacefully during the day and try to escape the monsters at night to reach the nearest harbor. Unfortunately, the sense of tension wears off quickly and once you figure out the monsters, you can easily escape them all. Still, it's fun to try to catch all the fish species, solve the mystery of the islands and reach different endings.
Review in Turkish | Read full review
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 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
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.
DREDGE is both atmospheric and mechanically engaging. The story threads are very personal and, at times, heartbreaking. Even though I didn’t catch all the species featured in the encyclopedia, I had plenty of fun moving around the world, trying to identify the best spots for certain species and mastering mini-games.
DREDGE is the perfect mix of an RPG, fishing, puzzle, and survival game. It combines all these elements with an interesting and creepy story that evokes feelings of horror from an H.P. Lovecraft tale. This is a must-play title, especially if you want something more unique to try out.
DREDGE is a vibrant example of what can be achieved when a great idea is developed with love, passion and expertise beyond available means. The New Zealand team Black Salt Games debuts on the video game scene with a gem of rare beauty, dredged up from the deep sea fraught with unnamable dangers and pitfalls. Halfway between fishing simulator and Lovecraftian horror, DREDGE surprises and disorients with the magnetism of a ludic loop in which progression and sense of wonder constantly accompany the player. It doesn't matter if you are a sea dog or an inexperienced hubby: hoist anchor and venture into the fog.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Dredge will delight fans of cosmic horror and exploration of a strange world. Fans of survival and crafting games will not find what they want, even though the gameplay is based on such mechanics.
Dredge is one of the surprises of the year. Inside a relaxing fishing game, a Lovecraftian story hides in the beautiful debut from Black Salt Games. The game is great for people that are looking for a easygoing game with a little bit of tension and some side quests that work great with the whole mystery.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Dredge is a great mix of moody atmospheric horror storytelling mixed in with fishing and sailing. The DLC that just came out, The Pale Reach, adds a ton more to an already-packed 10-hour base game, adding 11 new fishes/crabs to catch, a new ice-floe-filled landscape, and new dangers. So really, now's a good time as any to go fish.