DREDGE

 PC
Metascore
80

Generally favorable reviews - based on 41 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 33 out of 41
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 41
  3. Negative: 0 out of 41
  1. New Game Network
    Apr 13, 2023
    73
    DREDGE offers an addictive fishing loop that pairs well with its surface-level Lovecraftian horror, undone only by a missed opportunity to dive deeper.
  2. CD-Action
    Apr 20, 2023
    70
    Dredge is a short, humble game full of unrealized potential. The longer I played it, the more I regretted that it offers so little content. Black Salt Games also couldn’t decide whether their debut title should be relaxing or challenging, and as a result it does neither well. However, it is still a fun change from huge RPGs and open worlds that devour weeks.
  3. GameSpot
    Mar 23, 2023
    70
    The constant threat of the night and the engaging balance of risk and rewards is ultimately what makes each of the hours spent with Dredge so rewarding. The manifestations of your stressed psyche are intelligently represented by varying degrees of oddities at sea, which instill an appropriate sense of unease that is supported by the uneasiness of all the other characters you meet sprawled across each of the game's wonderfully varied islands. There are instances where its eldritch themes could've been expanded on more, especially when taking into account how the otherworldly powers you're bestowed are the least interesting part of your repertoire. But Dredge does a lot with many small, simple mechanics, all of which coalesce into a satisfying system that makes the horrors of this maritime adventure a thrill to tackle bow-on.
  5. Edge Magazine
    Apr 20, 2023
    60
    Dredge draws a line between Animal Crossing's pun-laced fishing minigame and Lovecraft's fondness for a seaside locale, and the two prove a surprisingly natural fit. [Issue#384, p.117]
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  6. Destructoid
    Mar 23, 2023
    60
    I just don’t think Dredge is all that it could be. While the sea-harvesting foundation is solid and well thought out, nothing else around it has much depth. There’s a dearth of imagination surrounding it, which I found disappointing. The plot is lifeless, the gameplay is one-note, and it never really picks up speed. However, if you want a more relaxing take on horror, Dredge might be worth hauling up from the depths.
  7. NME
    Mar 23, 2023
    60
    A beautifully decorated vessel that runs well for the first few hours, before revealing itself to be a bit of an old clunker, the experience of playing Dredge doesn’t line up with the promise of its enchantingly strange presentation.
  8. TheGamer
    Mar 23, 2023
    60
    Dredge is a nice, enjoyable fishing game with a low-fat horror coating. The mechanics, upgradability, and weird fish variety are enough to make for a lightweight and engaging time. But if your primary interest is in the narrative or atmosphere, you may find yourselves disappointed.
  9. Slant Magazine
    Mar 23, 2023
    60
    It’s indicative of just how important a game’s moment-to-moment hooks are that even with its shortcomings, Dredge is by and large an enjoyable experience.
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In Progress & Unscored

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  1. Polygon
    Apr 5, 2023
    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. [Polygon Recommended]
  2. Rock, Paper, Shotgun
    Mar 23, 2023
    I love a game that can get under my skin like this, but ultimately it's the steady hand that developers Black Salt Games apply to the rest of this ship that makes Dredge such a tantalising prospect. It casts a wide net, but in the process catches the best and most accessible bits of survival horror, management and exploration games and serves them all up on a glowing, eldritch platter that's simply too good, and too moreish, to ignore. It's a special game, old Dredge, so whatever horrible nasties you might find out there, don't let this be the one that got away. [RPS Bestest Bests]

Awards & Rankings

99
#99 Best PC Game of 2023
42
#42 Most Discussed PC Game of 2023

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 65 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 49 out of 65
  2. Mixed: 13 out of 65
  3. Negative: 3 out of 65
  1. juraviel
    Apr 8, 2023
    7
    i was surprised by the amount of 10/10 reviews this game got. it's definitely fun, especially the first half, but later on in the game youi was surprised by the amount of 10/10 reviews this game got. it's definitely fun, especially the first half, but later on in the game you just upgrade your boat for the sake of upgrading it, fish don't have 'stats' and you don't really even make more money as you're able to catch newer types of fish. the amount of times my engines got disabled by the slightest damage was frustrating as well. buy it on sale for the story & aesthetic feel but expect gameplay to be a bit lacking… Full Review »
  2. Almoststan
    Apr 7, 2023
    7
    A visual and stylistic aesthetic that sucks you in like a current which, in the beginning, instills a great feel of dread in you. Game playA visual and stylistic aesthetic that sucks you in like a current which, in the beginning, instills a great feel of dread in you. Game play begins simple enough and is quite cathartic in some ways, and develops well enough into the mid game.

    Unfortunately I found some elements of the game to feel a little flashy with very little actual substance. The panic system for instance looks cool but is often quite redundant, as the game finds few opportunities to actually force you to sail in the dark (e.g. some fish require night catching, but can be caught from 6pm, meaning your job can be done quickly and early before panic becomes a big issue), so most of the game can be waited out for daylight. The actual horror aspects I also found to be pretty poorly utilized too, with each isle having its big evil fish to deal with, yet they all end up just feeling annoying rather than scary.

    Also once late game comes around, you realize that fishing takes a backseat in favor of some pretty boring puzzle mechanics that result in the game losing its engine, ending in a bit of a sputter.    … Full Review »
  3. skjold27
    Apr 3, 2023
    0
    When I saw the gameplay of the demo I thought it was just another garbage. However, I wanted to give it a try, hoping I was wrong.
    But no,    When I saw the gameplay of the demo I thought it was just another garbage. However, I wanted to give it a try, hoping I was wrong.
    But no, unfortunately, I wasn't. It is a delivery boy simulator. "Hey, dude, bring me this, bring me that, do this, do that", without any real interest in seeing what happens when you complete the task and, in some cases, the game tells you: "the person leaves without giving you anything in change" WTF? I mean, you've done a job, for nothing, because it's not even entertaining. It is that you have to fish and dredge and, although the name implies it, it shouldn't mean you have to spend 99.99% of the game fishing and dredging, but yes, yes it is. Fish and dredge, fish and dredge, for all eternity. Because the crappy boat you have is improved with things that are quite expensive and what you fish and dredge is not worth a damn. It is barely enough to repair the damage, some of which is caused by the slightest touch against a rock.
    And the story? Better to watch both endings on youtube, save your money and use it on something much better than this overhyped piece of trash.    … Full Review »
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