Info
Developed By: Black Salt Games
Published By: Team17
Platforms Available On: Xbox Series X/S and One, PS5/4, Nintendo Switch and PC.
Reviewed on Xbox Series X, a code was very kindly supplied for the purpose of this review.
Overview
Captain your fishing trawler to explore a collection of remote isles, and their surrounding depths, to see what lies below. Sell your catch to the locals and complete quests to learn more about each area's troubled past. Outfit your boat with better equipment to trawl deep-sea trenches and navigate to far-off lands but keep an eye on the time. You might not like what finds you in the dark...
Game Features
● Unravel a Mystery: Captain your fishing trawler across a collection of remote islands, each with its own inhabitants to meet, wildlife to discover, and stories to unearth
● Dredge the Depths: Scour the sea for hidden treasures and complete quests to gain access to strange new abilities
● Study Your Craft: Research special equipment and upgrade your boat's capabilities to gain access to rare fish and valuable deep-sea curios
● Fish to Survive: Sell your discoveries to the locals to learn more about each area, and upgrade your boat to reach even more secluded locations
● Fight the Unfathomable: Strengthen your mind and use your abilities to survive trips out on the water after dark
Overview taken from the official game description on the Xbox marketplace store page.
Review
Since doing reviewing I've become a big fan of fishing games, love the fact I can sit on the virtual banks whilst in the comfort of my own home, but what if a game came along that mashed the genre up and added a eerie mystery theme to it well step forward Dredge, a fishing sim with a difference.
A new spin on the on the fishing simulation, Dredge sees you head on the open seas with a Lovecraftian horror theme, monsters of the deep lurk behind every wave keeping you permanently on your toes. The name of the game is essentially to gather enough fish to keep the local fishmonger happy, keep him happy and he'll reward you handsomely allowing you to upgrade your equipment and catch the bigger fish for bigger rewards.
I like how the game mixes the fishing simulation mechanics really well with the telling of the story adding a bit more adventure to the overall game. Fishing in the day is a challenge and overall pretty fun but the big fun time comes at night when the open seas come alive with all kinds of horrific creatures. You can literally get lost for hours within this game as you get lost in the open wilds of the sea spending hours catching fish or defending yourself from the horrors below, you do get a sense of satisfaction when you get back to shore in the early hours with a hull full of fish and a battered boat.
The many different areas to explore certainly peak the interest with different species of fish available in different areas with these only being able to catch with the right equipment so being prepared is definitely the way forward. The challenges you are set by the village fishmongers are a challenge but relatively straightforward, most times you are set a target of species of fish to catch and the amount needed, hit the required level then you go back and claim your reward, at times you will need to do your challenge in stages going back to empty your boat a bit at a time each time adding to your goal.
Overall I felt the game was pretty well balanced with the story and simulation so giving the gamer a balanced experience. The eerie horror vibe works well with the style of the game.
Graphics and Sound
The developers have gone with a hand drawn cartoon style to the game that gives a good overall feel to the game. The horror theme lends itself well to the art style of the game and it works well adding depth to the atmosphere of the game.
The soundtrack of the game is eerie and works with the theme of the game. Unfortunately there is no voice acting but the stills and wording on the screen tell the story well.
Summary
Time for me to put my thoughts into a summary, overall I enjoyed the game to some extent I found the challenges well balanced and there is plenty for you to do, the night fishing was more fun than the day time for me personally. I would recommend the game more for a filler really or if you just want to try something different it's well worth the punt.
Verdict-Out of 5 
GOOD
I give Dredge a good rating of 3 a decent title with a good blend of genres, not a game I would invest all my time in but well worth having in your collection.
Get your copy of Dredge on Xbox now click here
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