4/5 ★ – Oodlemeister's review of Dredge.

Like an eldritch horror that has emerged from beneath the surface of the ocean, Dredge has appeared seemingly out of nowhere to take many by surprise. Part fishing sim, part Lovecraftian mystery, it can be relaxing and soothing one minute, and a nail-biting fight for survival the next. The game puts you in the role of a nameless shipwrecked fisherman that is generously given a second chance to get back on your feet by a small island community. Though all is not what it seems around these parts. The weathered and world-weary village folk are accommodating, but appear to be harbouring fears best left unspoken, fear of things you will soon discover. Strange things are to be seen in the darkness of the open water: an ephemeral glow off the starboard bow of your boat, a booming howl from some nameless horror beneath the waves. Is that another trawler you see approaching? Or a mirage conjured by a monstrous angler fish that will swallow your vessel whole? These are things you will experience on your journey around the scattered islands with nothing but the game’s melancholy soundtrack to keep you company. Gameplay is straightforward. You pilot your little boat around the series of islands and open water, stopping to fish for marine life or dredge for materials in timing-based mini-games. Fish can sold for money and dredged materials used to upgrade your boat, allowing for faster travel, better lighting at night and more cargo space. While the mechanics are simple, Dredge truly excels in its presentation. In addition to its unique art design and superb music, the in-game audio is stellar, serving to immerse you into the world. The sound of gentle waves lapping against your hull. The creaking of the deck as your vessel drifts upon the water. Even the squeak of pulleys as you come into dock create a sense of being there like few other games I’ve played in some time. Dredge is going to be a sleeper hit for 2023 and I expect it to be on many Game of the Year lists. It’s an indie gem well deserving of your time and I highly recommend it.