Dredge is a peaceful and rather relaxing fishing experience -at least until the sun sets. After dark the waters become far more sinister. Boats in the distance seem to vanish behind rocks, weird creatures seem to stalk you below the water’s surface and rocks seem to suddenly appear just inches ahead.
I personally didn’t expect the themes of Lovecraftian horror and Stardew Valley’s fishing minigame to really compliment each other as much as they did. Ultimately it’s about the themes presented and the nervous fear of the unknown -something that Dredge has in heaps.
The actual mechanics of fishing are pretty straight forward. It’s the tense atmosphere and constant vigilance that really help the game evolve. You’ll have to be mindful of your environments, both near and far as you sail around hunting for specific aquatic life. Firstly, if you’re not a huge fan of fishing minigames in other titles then it is possible that Dredge might not be for you. That being said, the various elements that help create the mysterious seascape really do set it apart from other generic fishing games. The scenic towns and villages, as well as the sparsely scattered NPCs really bring the waters to life. Waters riddled with monsters and mystery.
Managing the finite number of spaces aboard your vessel as you dredge and fish, can and will pose a challenge. Deciding which section of the ship you should upgrade next such as the engines, lighting or even cargo space combined with the added pressure of where exactly to go next are enough to test even the most strategically minded gamer. Knowing when to keep pushing, or rather -fishing through the night, or when to call it a day and head back to civilisation will constantly challenge your sense of risk versus reward. The threat of the unseen is ever present too. Neglect resting and you’ll see your paranoia grow as the shapes and silhouettes in the distance may become more real than you’d imagined and will waste no time in turning your ship into a shipwreck.
The waters truly are treacherous. A few too many collisions and you’ll find your ship at the bottom of the ocean. Some of the creatures that lurk beneath the surface can rapidly send you sinking towards Davy Jones’ locker too. You’ll have to remain ever vigilant, as even some NPCs can be permanently lost overboard, ending their respective quests early.
The constant intrigue and contrasting themes are fantastic motivators. Shipwrecks and lost cargo seem to litter the edges of islands and towns. Some of the townsfolk seem cautious of you before they’ve even met you. The questions of what and why will compel you across the dark and mysterious ocean.
As you progress the main story not only will you upgrade your ship with bigger engines and more adaptable dredging gear but you’ll dip your fingers into the forces of the unknown. It may come as no surprise to learn that some of these powers come at a price. Although you’ll be better equipped at dealing with the unknown with these new tools and powers, some of them will require you to manage your own paranoia produced by simply using them.
The audio complements the game’s mood. Soothing ambient waves and the gentle wood creaking as you sail across the ocean by sunlight. Gentle tunes serenade you as you fish and trawl to make ends meet. But by night the music slowly changes, warping and slowing for an unsettling backdrop. After nightfall the waves sound more aggressive, horns blare in the distance and nearby flora seem to twist and bend as if reaching out for the player.
Dredge is successful in creating a lonely and claustrophobic atmosphere even when on the open seas. The limited light the small boat gives out only serves to compliment these concepts and fears. Dredge also looks fantastic. A heavily stylised look with an equally fantastic soundtrack and sound design. An iconic and towering lighthouse can be seen from almost any point on the map helping guide and direct players around the world.
Unfortunately Dredge does have limited replayability, aside from creating your own rules or restrictions for each play through. It does, however, allow the player to return to “the point of no return” once you’ve finished the game. This means you’re free to complete any quests you may have missed or attempt to go for a complete compendium of weird and wonderful fish.
Overall, Dredge is an engaging and unsettling fishing experience which unfortunately won’t appeal to all. The Lovecraftian inspiration is a welcome theme that is well executed similar to the successful themes of Bloodborne and the more recent title, Lies of P. The relaxing atmosphere juxtaposed against the sense of mystery and paranoia are incredibly intriguing.
A well balanced and genuinely interesting game which was everything and more than I’d hoped for from a Lovecraftian fishing game. With more content to be released, Dredge is definitely worth dipping your toes into.
