Gamescom revealed a few largescale titles this past week, but also showcased some intriguing indie releases. Black Salt Games, a small indie studio from New Zealand, has developed Dredge, a self-described “unusual fishing RPG.” Published by Team17, the single-player adventure title sees players captaining a fishing trawler to catch fish and complete quests. That alone sounds like a nice, relaxing premise for a game. However, the title throws in an unnerving twist in the form of Lovecraftian horrors lurking below the depths.
So how will the game balance the serenity of fishing with the horror of eldritch secrets? The Steam description suggests that during the day, players will primarily fish, but those who stay out after dark will encounter some horrific happenings. The game also features a plot around someone who wishes to dredge up the past, which doesn’t sound like a good thing in the world of this title.
As for gameplay, players will start out from an archipelago and explore the various islands and their surrounding waters. In addition to catching and selling fish, they can also find collectable and secrets, undertake quests, upgrade the boat, and achieve new abilities. On the (watery) surface, the ominous ocean-exploration elements invite comparisons to Sunless Sea, but Dredge differs with the core fishing premise. The upcoming indie game will feature over 125 underwater dwellers for players to haul aboard.
With no exact release date just yet, Dredge will sail into port sometime in 2023. Players can delve into the alarming aquatic world of Dredge on PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S and Nintendo Switch.
