If you haven’t played Dredge this year, I’m here to tell you you’re missing out.
This week, I finally raised the anchor and set sail in Dredge for the first time, and ‘thar she blows’ — what a catch.
The latest update for Dredge gave me the perfect excuse to set everything else aside and dive in, and I’m so glad I did.
READ MORE: Review in progress | Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora (PlayStation 5)
With awards and nominations galore, there was clearly something special about this game.
And after sinking 18 hours into it over the last week, I’m comfortable ranking this Lovecraftian indie as one of my top games of 2023.
Developed by New Zealand studio Black Salt Games, Dredge truly captivated me. It was bleeding obvious this game was made with an excessive amount of passion.
It’s a slime-covered love letter sent directly to H.P. Lovecraft.
What is Dredge?
The premise of Dredge is simple; you’re a fisherman who’s made the journey to a collection of remote islands. You must navigate the waters, net an abundance of fish, sell them and upgrade your vessel — all while unlocking the mysteries of the deep.
It’s a buying, selling and crafting lover’s dream.
READ MORE: Review | A Highland Song (PC)
But while you’re hitting the waves and circling the coast, you’re never alone… As you become weary, the dangers of the deep get curious and you’ll need to make it to safety fast.
Sleeping at a town will keep you refreshed and ready to sail, because if you don’t, you’ll be dragged down to the darkest depths.
Since its release in March, Dredge has received nothing but praise for its addictive gameplay and story, leaving the gaming community desperately wanting more.
The main game had a slightly elevated learning curve, but once I’d figured it all out, it was plain sailing from thereon.
READ MORE: Review | The PlayStation Access Controller
Thankfully, you don’t need to have a fully kitted-out vessel to take part in the new quest line. It’s accessible at any time.
The Pale Reach
Introducing The Pale Reach, the first full expansion taking players to cold and icy waters.
Navigate new treacherous seas, and hook horrifying new species of fish, while following the journey of a crew lost to the ice many years ago.
But that’s just the tip of the iceberg…
The new area felt ever-present, a big red circle on the map begging to be explored. But I held off. I was patient, and made sure my sea vessel was ready for whatever awaited me in the icy depths.
This game makes you work, but it’s a satisfying journey.
READ MORE: Review | Little Goody Two Shoes ‘a work of art’ PS5
After completing the main storyline, I was ready for The Pale Reach.
Thankfully, the main story conclusion is triggered and you can revert back to your save point moments before the credits roll. So even if you’ve finished the game, you’re ripe and ready for arctic exploration.
One of my first encounters in the Pale Reach was with a huge narwhal with a glowing horn. I assisted a photographer by loading up a large platter of freshly caught fish, and after a short wait, the beast had arrived.
It launched out of the water like a torpedo, crashing down on top of the ice and clearing a path to the pale reach ahead.
Incredible!
…Or so I thought.
Turns out this “Narwhal” was actually a demonic sea monster, and if I didn’t keep its belly full, I’d be on the menu instead!
READ MORE: Review | Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name (PS5)
Bring on the Horror
The rush of fishing as fast as possible to keep myself safe, while navigating around the ice at speed was thrilling.
Exploring the new land offers a new mysterious story. There’s several journals scattered throughout the ice, with scribbled entries of loss and horror. These pages offer more insight into the Pale Reach and what happened to its last explorers.
A travelling merchant tips you off on the location of a handy new tool: The ice breaker. This angled piece of steel is eventually fitted to the front of your ship, creating a fancy new addition to your ship’s bow.
It’s satisfying to hunt down the pieces — even more so destroying the blockades of ice.
READ MORE: Review | The Lamplighter’s League (PC)
The Pale Reach has plenty to offer, but it’s a very short venture. I completed the story in just over an hour. That said, when paired with a first playthrough, it’s an excellent bonus — especially at it’s low price point.
The Pale Reach is available now on PlayStation, Xbox, Switch and PC.
Quest Daily scores Dredge: The Pale Reach:
8/10
Quest Daily reviewed Dredge: The Pale Reach with thanks to the publisher.
