Dredge

About Dredge

Black Salt Games released Dredge in March 2023 through publisher Team17. This title sits comfortably within the adventure, RPG, and simulator genres across PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, PC, Mac, Android, and iOS platforms. You captain a small fishing trawler named The Marrows through a remote archipelago teeming with strange creatures and locals who harbor dark secrets. The game blends resource management with exploration as you scour the ocean floor for relics and fish to sell. It launched on March 30th and quickly gained traction for its eerie atmosphere and unique mechanics that push standard fishing sims into something far more unsettling.

Gameplay

Your day starts by checking your fuel and supplies before heading out to hunt over 125 different deep sea denizens. You cast nets, use dredges to pull up ancient artifacts, and manage your inventory space carefully since every item takes room on the boat. Selling your catch at local shops lets you buy better gear, repair your vessel, or upgrade the engine to reach deeper waters faster. Between fishing trips, you visit island towns to talk to strange inhabitants and take on quests that reveal the history of the region. The loop involves planning routes based on weather and tide cycles while keeping an eye out for ominous shadows that signal trouble lurking beneath the surface.

What Players Think

The PlayPile community rates Dredge highly with an IGDB score of 83.3 out of 100 from 210 ratings. Players spend a significant amount of time unlocking achievements, averaging a 30% completion rate across all 60 available trophies. The rarest trophy, Primordial Deviations, remains elusive for only 3.60% of the player base. Critics and users alike praise the game's ability to shift tones from peaceful fishing trips to terrifying encounters. Average playtime data suggests players are deeply invested in uncovering every island secret before moving on to new regions. Reviews frequently highlight the balance between mundane chores and sudden horror elements as a standout feature that keeps sessions engaging without feeling repetitive.

PlayPile's Take

This title is worth your time if you enjoy managing resources while exploring a mystery that gets progressively darker. The current price of $10.00 on GamersGate represents the historical low, making it an easy recommendation for budget-conscious players. You will need to commit roughly 15 to 20 hours to see most achievements, though finding Primordial Deviations requires specific playthrough conditions. Not every fisherman will appreciate the horror elements or the slow pacing of inventory management. However, the distinct art style and sound design create a memorable experience that stands out in the simulator genre. Go for it if you want a game that feels different from the usual fishing titles.

Storyline

Starting from your new home in the remote archipelago, ‘The Marrows’, take to the water and scour the depths for curious collectables and over 125 deep sea denizens. Explore each area while completing quests and visiting neighbouring island regions – each with their own unique opportunities, inhabitants, and secrets.