![]() ![]() They’re made more worthwhile by the fact that each one contains interesting writing that fleshes out the world’s lore or is somehow tied to the broader story, and the cast of characters are interesting and likable until the end. Following the main quest is crucial to unlocking advanced fishing rods and nets, but most objectives are bite-sized, adding up to little more than fetch quests. Thanks to all that, I often found myself pulled along with Dredge’s current, solving puzzles and gathering hidden relics as I carefully built up my ship and kept a stream of currency rolling in. Since time only moves when you move your ship or play a fishing minigame, the constant, creeping fear of being snuck up on by a rogue sunset keeps my watchful eye pinned to the clock – which conveniently sits overhead – at all times. And because there is only one limited method of fast travel, the stakes are raised even further if you find yourself adrift after dark. The Greater Marrow lighthouse remains a central landmark no matter where you are on the map, but you still need to get there safely on your own gumption if you find yourself lost at sea. That brings balance and danger to every expedition. Of course, light attracts monsters that will quickly destroy your boat’s hull if you don’t evade them, so it’s a bit more challenging to manage than a simple fishing game. The higher it goes, the more likely it is that monsters and other obstacles will spawn, so you have to balance that against turning on lights to temporarily lower panic. Things heat up at night when the fog rolls in and your panic meter begins to increase in the darkness. Which is something that actually happens, in more than a few cases. Tactfully breaking up its fishing minigames with these elements, Dredge gradually unveiled its hidden agenda and latched onto my brain like a series of parasites slithering onto my boat’s deck. This tension is fleshed out through genuinely interesting and well-thought-out dialogue with townsfolk between quests, and the broader story’s concealed undercurrents are cleverly pieced together in bottled notes found amidst the waves. But what starts out as a relaxing fishing trip rapidly takes a darker turn through threatening encounters with the ocean’s natural and supernatural denizens – who turn hostile after dark. Care has been taken to make each island chain feel different too, from the luminescence of the Stellar Basin to the smoky magma of the Devil’s Spine.Dredge’s story is intentionally cryptic at first glance, with your ship’s bow providing minimal context to the series of events unraveling in front of your eyes. This is particularly effective with the grotesque 'aberration' fish that range from bloated, pustule-covered squid to decaying manta rays that have unsettlingly human-looking skulls under the rot. ![]() Dredge feels visually similar to Kentucky Route Zero, with an abstract approach to design mixed with a strong sense of fluidity in its seas and some wonderfully drawn pieces of character and item art. ![]() It's rather impactful, and part of this is down to the aesthetic. Rocks appear out of nowhere, large predators snap at the bottom of the boat, typhoons spin towards the player, and ghost ships and glowing eyes are always around the corner. ![]() There are some situational-specific threats available in certain locations, like a large kraken-like creature that doesn't take kindly to the player's presence in one island grouping, but the real fun comes out at night. It creates a high risk, high reward scenario to night fishing, with the player keeping an eye on how panicked their captain is and how dangerous the situation is as the night rolls on.ĭredge may lack character models, with the player's boat always acting as their avatar, but the game creates a phenomenal sense of vulnerability. Almost like Superhot, this means that there is a tactical element to play, particularly at nighttime when the player is under threat at all angles. The day-night cycle of Dredge has an interesting twist on the usual formula, as time doesn't move unless the player is moving or taking part in an action like fishing or dredging. Dredging itself is also a vital part of the game, with the player finding treasures to sell or scrap to change into hugely important upgrades for their boat. Landing a swordfish is different to a cod, while other forms of life like crabs are found via crab pots, and the player has the option of using trawling nets for ambient catching as they explore the seas. This fishing is done via a variety of quick time events, with different kinds of fish and sea-life having different interactions with the player. ![]()
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