Dredge: A Fisherman’s Descent into Madness

XPN Network
Nov 10
4 min read

Fishing games usually conjure images of calm waters, gentle breezes, and a cozy loop of casting lines and reeling in catches. Dredge, developed by Black Salt Games and published by Team17, takes that familiar formula and twists it into something far more unsettling. On Xbox, the game feels perfectly at home, running smoothly with crisp visuals that highlight both the beauty of its coastal landscapes and the creeping dread that lurks beneath the surface. From the moment you dock your boat in the quiet town and meet its wary inhabitants, you sense that this isn’t just a fishing trip, it’s a descent into something darker, a journey where curiosity and survival constantly clash.

You begin as a fisherman who arrives in a small, isolated town after your boat is wrecked. The locals are polite but guarded, and they quickly set you up with a new vessel under the condition that you help supply them with fish. On the surface, it feels like a simple tale of rebuilding your livelihood. But as you venture further, you discover that the waters surrounding the islands are cursed, and the townspeople are hiding secrets they don’t fully explain.

The central narrative revolves around collecting mysterious artifacts for a shadowy figure known as “The Collector.” He promises answers if you bring him these relics, but his motives are never entirely clear. Each relic you dredge up adds to the unsettling atmosphere, hinting at a larger cosmic horror lurking beneath the waves. The story doesn’t bombard you with exposition; instead, it lets the dread seep in slowly, through cryptic dialogue, mutated fish, and the growing sense that your sanity is slipping the longer you spend at sea.

What makes the story effective is its restraint. It’s not about jump scares or overt monsters, it’s about suggestion, implication, and the feeling that something vast and incomprehensible is watching from the depths. The narrative mirrors the gameplay loop: curiosity drives you forward, but every discovery comes with a cost. By the time you reach the ending, you’re left questioning whether your choices brought salvation or doom, and whether the ocean ever truly gives up its secrets.

The gameplay loop is a deceptively simple one: you head out to sea, cast your nets, and bring back fish to sell. But the longer you play, the more you realize that Dredge is less about fishing and more about managing risk. The daylight hours are safe, almost cosy, with bright skies and shimmering waters. Yet as night falls, the ocean transforms into a hostile, unpredictable place. Strange shapes emerge in the fog, whispers echo across the waves, and your sanity begins to fray. The tension between the serene daytime routine and the terrifying nocturnal expeditions is what makes Dredge so compelling. You’re constantly weighing whether to push your luck for one more catch or retreat to safety before the horrors of the deep consume you.

Progression is handled through upgrading your boat, expanding your equipment, and unlocking new areas to explore. Each upgrade feels meaningful, whether it’s a faster engine to outrun dangers or sturdier nets to catch rare, mutated fish. The sense of discovery is strong, as every new region introduces unique challenges and grotesque surprises. The narrative unfolds gradually, pulling you deeper into a mystery involving cursed relics, shadowy figures, and the unsettling truth about the waters you’re navigating. It’s not a story that overwhelms you with exposition; instead, it rewards exploration and patience, letting the dread seep in slowly until you’re fully immersed in its world.

Atmosphere is where Dredge truly excels. The art style balances charming simplicity with eerie detail, making the grotesque fish designs stand out all the more against the otherwise inviting visuals. Sound design plays a huge role in building tension, creaking wood, distorted sea noises, and unsettling whispers all combine to keep you on edge. On Xbox, the performance is smooth enough that nothing distracts from the immersion, allowing the game’s mood to take centre stage.

By the time you reach the later stages, the game’s pacing can feel uneven, with some stretches requiring more grinding than others. The fishing mini-games, while simple and satisfying at first, can become repetitive over long sessions. Yet these minor drawbacks don’t diminish the overall experience. Dredge succeeds because it dares to take a genre known for relaxation and inject it with paranoia, turning every trip out to sea into a gamble between profit and survival.

Pros

Unique blend of cosy fishing mechanics and Lovecraftian horror
Strong atmosphere with excellent sound and visual design
Rewarding upgrade system that keeps progression engaging
Smooth performance on Xbox hardware

Cons

Late-game pacing can feel uneven
Fishing mini-games may become repetitive over time
Horror elements may feel too subtle for players expecting constant scares

My final impression Dredge leaves is one of lingering unease. It’s a game that makes you question the allure of the unknown and why are we chasing these mysteries even when they might destroy us? On Xbox, it’s a polished, atmospheric indie that stands out not just for its mechanics but for its emotional impact, plus its available to play as part of Xbox Game Pass. It’s rare to find a game that can be both meditative and terrifying, but Dredge manages that balance with remarkable skill. Whether you’re a fan of fishing sims, horror stories, or simply unique indie experiences, this is a voyage worth taking. Just don’t stay out too long after dark.

XPN Rating: 4 out of 5 (GOLD)