Faisal Ghaffar 
You would not know that you need a horror-fueled, cosmic fishing game until you play Dredge. The game takes you for a 12-hour adventure through haunted open waters and you will find it both compelling and mysterious enough to intrigue your heart and mind alike. It is a challenge to start slow and small with the given fishing boat, but once you upgrade, you are going to see a number of improvements.
The story
These improvements can be seen in your inventory capacity, fishing speed, and also your ability to identify and evade the numerous dangers that might pop up during the night. It is no easy task to manage the fishing boat because there are five zones that can fit within its open world. They hide a ton of quests, secrets, and different types of cartilaginous fish.
You play the role of a contract fisherman and are given a new boat by the townsfolk of Greater Marrow, a remote island settlement after they rescue you. This is all you need to know because the mechanics in Dredge are pretty straightforward. You have to start your quest for fish and it is a treat to be able to enjoy the sights around you because the open water and the sunrise are downright gorgeous.
The fun
While there is no combat, it does not mean that the game is not fun. Dredge’s story is all about sailing around, solving a puzzle now and then, and catching fish. Your goal is to try and return home in one piece. There are some simple fishing minigames that also pop up. It is not that difficult to control the boat and navigate the tight spaces and harsh waters, as you just need to move the left thumbstick.
When you progress through every step of the main quest, you will be able to have access to more movement abilities. For instance, you can give the speed a boost when you unlock the Haste skill and this comes in handy when you have to escape a hungry sea monster. But, you need to rest your boat as well, as going too fast can damage the engine.
The challenges
At first glance, Dredge’s story seems to be very simple and even cryptic, but it only starts as a relaxing fishing expedition. Things take a darker turn as you will face threatening encounters with some supernatural and some natural denizens in the ocean and they become hostile at night. The dialogue with the townsfolk is quite interesting and it helps in fleshing out the tension.
You will also find some bottled notes in the ocean that also come in handy for putting the picture together. When the fog surfaces at night, things start heating up. As your panic meter rises, so do the chances of monsters and other obstacles popping up. You cannot turn on the lights because it will attract monsters who can destroy your boat, so you have to lower your panic levels.
The Verdict
Dredge comes with an intelligent story, colorful graphics, and elements of sea-related thrillers like Jaws that make it a very fun and interesting game for all.
