DREDGE

Dredge is a delightfully dark game that gives you a well-sized world with danger lurking at every corner, and a satisfying fishing mechanic that doesn't get tired.

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Dredge is a fishing horror exploration game where you captain a trawler to discover the secrets of remote islands and their depths. Sell your catch to unlock upgrades, complete quests to uncover each area's past, and avoid the horrors that lurk in the darkness. The Pale Reach DLC adds an additional frozen biome with new challenges and story to explore.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Reviews

96%

Audience ScoreBased on 21,383 reviews

story2,500 positive mentions

grinding469 negative mentions

story
6,115 mentions
41 % positive mentions
57 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The story of "Dredge" is a captivating blend of cosmic horror and fishing simulation, drawing players into a mysterious world filled with unsettling lore and intriguing characters. While the main narrative is relatively short and straightforward, lasting around 10-15 hours, it effectively unfolds through environmental storytelling and side quests, encouraging exploration and engagement with the game's eerie atmosphere. Many players appreciate the subtlety of the storytelling, though some express a desire for deeper character development and more complex plotlines, particularly in the latter stages of the game.
- “The main story of the game was a true adventure that kept me more hooked than a fish on a line!”
- “A beautifully crafted adventure story.”
- “The story, upgrade loop, and immersion are all stellar examples of indie gaming.”
- “The main story feels flat, with less interactions than I would've expected.”
- “The story is pretty boring as well, and there is zero voice acting or narration in this game.”
- “The story is very simple, but it works.”
gameplay
3,690 mentions
49 % positive mentions
47 % neutral mentions
4 % negative mentions
The gameplay in "Dredge" is characterized by a simple yet engaging loop that revolves around fishing, upgrading your boat, and exploring various environments. Players appreciate the mix of relaxing mechanics with moments of tension, particularly during nighttime when eldritch horrors emerge, adding a layer of urgency to the otherwise chill experience. While the mechanics are generally well-received, some players note that the gameplay can become repetitive over time, and the overall depth may feel limited, especially as the game progresses.
- “The gameplay loop is engaging and doesn't get repetitive.”
- “The blend of fishing mechanics and exploration is surprisingly addictive, and the upgrade system for your boat adds depth as you unlock better gear to explore the more dangerous parts of the sea.”
- “The fishing mechanics are surprisingly engaging, and as you sell your catch and upgrade your boat, the game subtly builds a sense of paranoia that adds to its unsettling atmosphere.”
- “Its gameplay mechanics are simplistic to the point of being archaic, offering a repetitive and shallow experience.”
- “The gameplay loop can feel a touch repetitive after a long play session.”
- “The gameplay is simple, the objectives are clear, and the progression is quite linear.”
graphics
1,921 mentions
65 % positive mentions
34 % neutral mentions
1 % negative mentions
The graphics of "Dredge" have been widely praised for their unique and charming art style, which effectively blends a cozy aesthetic with eerie, Lovecraftian themes. Players appreciate the beautiful, low-poly visuals and the attention to detail in character and fish designs, creating an immersive atmosphere that enhances the gameplay experience. Overall, the art style and graphics contribute significantly to the game's appeal, making it a standout title in the indie gaming scene.
- “The unique art style and mysterious/spooky atmosphere immediately drew me in.”
- “The atmosphere and ambiance of the game are impeccable and the art style is charming as well.”
- “The art style is gorgeous, the writing is fun, and the characters are delightful.”
- “Graphics are a lot worse than on the screenshots.”
- “The graphics lend themselves poorly to the theme of the game.”
- “The graphics are simple, effective, and fit the mood.”
atmosphere
1,826 mentions
71 % positive mentions
29 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The atmosphere in *Dredge* is widely praised for its unique blend of cozy fishing gameplay and unsettling, Lovecraftian horror elements. Players appreciate the game's ability to create a haunting ambiance, particularly at night, where the tension and sense of dread are palpable, complemented by beautiful visuals and an engaging soundtrack. Overall, the game's atmosphere is considered its strongest feature, drawing players into a mysterious world filled with secrets and eerie encounters.
- “Dredge is a dark and atmospheric fishing adventure that takes you into eerie waters filled with secrets.”
- “The atmosphere and ambiance of the game are impeccable and the art style is charming as well.”
- “Dredge captures the atmosphere of how we are just small machinations in the eyes of ancient beings... love it.”
- “The atmosphere feels very lazy and empty.”
- “The atmosphere is spooky, the themes are eldritch, just a fun game.”
- “The atmosphere is heavy and brooding, even on clear sunny days near the beach, there is always something that creates dread.”
music
1,035 mentions
65 % positive mentions
34 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The music in "Dredge" has been widely praised for its ability to create an immersive atmosphere that balances tranquility with tension, enhancing the game's Lovecraftian themes. Players appreciate the haunting and beautiful soundtrack, which complements the visuals and gameplay, although some noted that certain tracks can become repetitive over time. Overall, the combination of evocative music and sound design significantly contributes to the game's engaging and eerie experience.
- “The game’s art style and moody soundtrack create an immersive experience, and the subtle storytelling pulls you deeper into the unsettling world.”
- “The music and art are great, as well as the game being both calming and unnerving at the same time throughout most of the game.”
- “The music, the atmosphere, the building dread of eldritch beings, and yes even the fishing is all so well done and enjoyable.”
- “The music is fitting, a slow, melancholy mix with an undertone of creepy that makes you wonder (at least the first few times) if you're triggering an event flag, or if it just kicks on at random.”
- “The music, like a lot of modern game music, does the job but isn't particularly memorable or hummable, dissipating from your mind like morning dew about 3 seconds after hitting 'exit.'”
- “My one complaint is that after a while, some of the songs become repetitive (especially if you're stuck in one section of the map for a while completing a quest or story progression).”
grinding
505 mentions
3 % positive mentions
5 % neutral mentions
93 % negative mentions
The reviews indicate that the grinding aspect of the game is a mixed bag; while some players find it engaging and enjoyable, particularly in the context of fishing and upgrading, others feel it becomes tedious and repetitive, especially towards the end. Many appreciate the balance between grinding and exploration, noting that the gameplay loop remains satisfying, but a significant number of players express frustration with the grind required for 100% completion or specific achievements. Overall, the game is described as having a charming atmosphere that can make grinding feel less burdensome, though it may still lead to moments of boredom or frustration for completionists.
- “Spent a lot of time fishing and delivering fish, but the world is small enough that it feels just right and not tedious.”
- “Not grindy like other games; it can be fairly entertaining and awesome to explore.”
- “The grind for 100% completion is there, but it's not tedious.”
- “Too grindy for a single player game.”
- “I ended up playing double the time it takes to beat this short game because I was joylessly grinding achievements and getting caught in fishing loops where I'd just fish because I didn't know what else to do at the time.”
- “The gameplay loop is simplistic and gets tedious really fast.”
replayability
215 mentions
17 % positive mentions
57 % neutral mentions
27 % negative mentions
Overall, the game exhibits low replayability, with many players noting that once the main story is completed, there is little incentive to return. While some enjoy the initial experience and find value in achievement hunting or exploring different strategies, the consensus is that the game is short (around 10-15 hours) and lacks substantial content for multiple playthroughs. Despite its charm and engaging mechanics, many recommend waiting for a sale due to its limited replay value.
- “Although collecting all the fish in the game takes a while, the DLCs in the game are playable both early game and late game (after the main story).”
- “The main story was a tad short (don't rush the main story on the first playthrough), but the replayability is so high, I don't even view that negatively.”
- “Despite being relatively short, Dredge offers plenty of replay value, with multiple endings and secrets to uncover.”
- “Replayability is not really good but it is such a fun game.”
- “There is no replay value, no swim and chill value.”
- “The game is fun but not worth the price at the moment as there doesn't seem to be as much content and replayability as I'd hoped.”
humor
89 mentions
99 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
1 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely praised, with players highlighting its quirky fish designs, absurd scenarios, and clever writing that blends comedy with elements of horror. Many reviews mention the game's ability to evoke laughter through unexpected moments and funny character interactions, making it an enjoyable experience that balances humor with gameplay challenges. Overall, the game is described as a hilariously entertaining adventure that keeps players engaged with its lighthearted yet eerie atmosphere.
- “It's a perfect blend of humor, challenge, and quirky adventures.”
- “The ending made me laugh in real life with how absurd and random it felt.”
- “I discovered this game off a dangerously funny video, and I'm quite glad of it.”
- “It can be frustrating... or funny.”
emotional
62 mentions
98 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
2 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is characterized by a blend of heartwarming moments and profound themes, often juxtaposed with horror elements. Players report feeling deeply connected to the characters and story, with many experiencing tears during pivotal moments, while others note that certain narrative choices may undermine emotional impact. Overall, the game successfully evokes a range of emotions, from nostalgia and warmth to sadness and existential dread, making it a unique experience in the fishing genre.
- “The soundtrack is not merely background noise; it's an integral part of the game that enhances the emotional impact, making every moment memorable.”
- “It's an immersive, emotional rollercoaster that pushes the boundaries of what games can achieve.”
- “When the collector says to the fisherman, 'we have to dredge up the past,' I cried for hours.”
stability
40 mentions
60 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
40 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's stability is highly praised, with many users reporting smooth gameplay and minimal to no bugs or glitches across various platforms, including Steam Deck and laptops. While a few players experienced crashes or minor visual glitches, the majority found the game to be polished and well-optimized, providing a refreshing experience in contrast to more buggy titles. The consensus is that the game runs great and is largely free of technical issues.
- “The game is polished, almost bug free, very well balanced and just an overall positive experience.”
- “This is the first game that I've played in a while that was actually in a completed state and not buggy.”
- “Lovely graphics, smooth gameplay, fun satisfying game loop, clear goals and clear explanations of how to achieve them, and absolutely bug free, which is wild.”
- “If I close this game, my computer freezes and then crashes. I don't know why this game is the only solution to the crashes.”
- “This game is fun but unfortunately way too buggy and crash-prone to be played.”
- “One final note - I played primarily on Steam Deck, the game is fully compatible and runs great, barring a couple of crashes I encountered.”
optimization
33 mentions
39 % positive mentions
52 % neutral mentions
9 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's optimization is highly praised, with many players reporting smooth performance even on older hardware, such as integrated GPUs and the Steam Deck. While some minor performance issues and bugs were noted, the majority of users experienced flawless gameplay, stable frame rates, and a well-designed user interface, contributing to an enjoyable gaming experience. The game's optimization is considered a standout feature, reflecting the developers' care and attention to detail.
- “Find a complete, well optimized, fun, charming, well thought out game introduced by a dev team that actually cared about their product!”
- “I'm playing on a Steam Deck at 60fps and not even worrying about the battery; very well optimized game.”
- “Plays extremely well on deck, is super quick to install because of less than half a GB of space requirement, can easily run on even the cheapest and oldest rigs and runs smoothly, effortlessly, and flawlessly stable; 13.4 hours to finish the main story (without trying for full completion), and not a single crash, hang, stutter, or freeze.”
- “On the technical side, Dredge suffers from occasional performance issues and bugs.”
- “The game feels optimized for a demo, but the whole game doesn't hold up to that standard.”
- “Once you learn the mechanics of the game, it loses a lot of the sense of dread, to the point that maxing out your ship's performance and getting the power-ups detracts a lot from the actual thrill of the game, specifically at night.”
character development
28 mentions
57 % positive mentions
32 % neutral mentions
11 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is praised for its depth and authenticity, creating strong connections between players and characters. While many reviews highlight the impressive character designs and engaging dialogue, some players express a desire for more intricate storylines and deeper lore to enhance the overall experience. Overall, the character development is seen as a strong point, though there are calls for further expansion in certain areas.
- “Strong narrative, deep character development, details and plot twists that make you reconsider what you knew about the story.”
- “The character development is nothing short of extraordinary, as each persona is imbued with depth, nuance, and a sense of authenticity that forges a profound connection between the player and the virtual realm.”
- “You must fend for yourself by scavenging what you can out of the fear-inducing open waters, and face multiple challenges, learn the cursed secrets of the islands, complete with interesting character development, satisfying side quests, beautiful exploration, and unique abilities taken to a level not seen in other titles in this genre.”
- “I would have liked to see more story and character development, with some deeper lore and storylines for certain characters to really make the most of the Lovecraftian theme.”
- “Further character development and a more cohesive narrative structure would greatly enhance the player's engagement with the game.”
- “There is no character development.”
monetization
13 mentions
8 % positive mentions
15 % neutral mentions
77 % negative mentions
Reviews indicate a strong sentiment that the game's monetization strategy leans heavily towards being a cash grab, with many feeling that the pricing and DLC offerings do not justify their costs. While some appreciate the absence of intrusive microtransactions and ads, others criticize the game for its perceived exploitation of players through unnecessary DLCs. Overall, the monetization approach has left a mixed impression, with some players feeling disheartened by the trend of expensive, incomplete offerings in the gaming market.
- “It has all the charm of a mobile game (grind, buy better stuff, grind better stuff) without the in-game purchases and ads, and it also has a fun, inspiring, and dark twisted story behind it all.”
- “Is it a tad too expensive for what it is and turning into a massive DLC cash grab?”
- “Also the fact that one of the DLCs is just a key to open a workshop for two items seems very much like a cash grab.”
- “By comparison, this game feels like a soulless cash grab with polished, stylized graphics released for three times more than it warrants.”