Dredge Review – Gamereactor

If you find that these days the big games are copying each other’s homework a bit too often and it’s all about live service chats and multiplayer systems, then luckily March offers a little gem, emerging from the dark depths. I’m talking, of course, about Dredge, the first game from small indie studio Black Salt Games, a studio made up of just four people out of New Zealand.

But these four people set their goals high and also think outside the box. In Dredge, you are the captain of your fishing boat and must trade among the tiny archipelago of The Marrows, while at the same time, like the rest of the island’s various inhabitants, remain somewhat disoriented by the puzzling events that occur in the waters. A thick fog settles over the islands each night, creating hallucinations and driving dangerously insane mutants, fish mutants, and mysterious figures who worship ancient ruins.

The idea is that you command your own little fishing boat, earn and spend money, and take on side quests for the various inhabitants of the archipelago, while a Cthulhu-like menace lurks in the dark depths of the ocean. It is a kind of survival horror on the high seas. Four people in New Zealand came up with this and they’ve had great success.

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However, it’s the game’s structure and weird mix of narrative elements that generate entertainment, suspense, and engagement, where Dredge lacks a structured narrative. One mission is certainly the focal point at the end, leading to an actual conclusion, but the steady beats that provide a sense of progression are somewhat evident by their absence here. However, Black Salt tries to speed things up a bit so you’ll be visiting new islands as you go. You’ll also discover new details about the threats afflicting The Marrows as you upgrade your boat. It works fine in most cases, but the overall flow needs a little touch-up.

The characters you meet are quirky, dark, enigmatic, and exciting in just the right way. And while Dredge isn’t very character driven, it exudes a right Lovecraftian vibe that fans of this universe will no doubt enjoy. Side missions are usually about finding something or delivering special types of fish to a destination. Under normal circumstances this might be considered repetitive, but here these subgoals are such an organic part of the overall flow that they don’t bother you. You are a hunter “And the fisherman must have a fish.”

Since there is a day and night cycle here, time management is key. Docking in the morning, she makes necessary repairs, upgrades, and other general maintenance before hitting the water. You will see the small boat in third person view, and if you install the right rails and tools that take up limited inventory space, you will catch fish to sell. At the same time, you dig up debris that you can use to improve the ship and other valuables. But if you don’t plan your trip properly, you can find yourself far from the port when it gets dark and dangers suddenly loom in the mist. I don’t want to give too much away, but avoiding going out too much at night is part of the whole episode, and it’s very satisfying.

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It’s all wrapped up in a sparse soundscape that fits the mood, and an almost comical and cartoonish visual design that really sells the game’s exciting identity. Everything looks great and black salt has made a game made by four that feels like a game made by 40.

There are a few disappointments here and there. The cliffhanger could be 8-9 hours long, and while it’s consistently entertaining, there are aspects that could use an overhaul. There is also a lack of customizing your boat. Yes, you choose what tools to take with you, but you don’t feel as attached to your ship as you had hoped. In addition, monsters, fog, hallucinations, and creeps in general become unavoidable simple gameplay elements that you, the player, and the characters around you consider trivial. Perhaps playing a little longer and gradually revealing the threats you face will be better in the long run.

But Dredge is a resounding success and an incredibly easy game to recommend to anyone with a penchant for quirky little experiments that do more than meets the eye.