Dredge Is an Absorbing Blend of Fishing Simulator and Survival Horror

ign.com:

Just a couple of hours into Dredge, Black Salt Game's fishing-sim-meets-survival horror RPG adventure, I've fallen into a comfortably familiar routine. Thanks to the intriguing genre mashup's fantastic pacing, engaging progression systems, and fun, intuitive mini-games, I've settled nicely into the quaint maritime town of Greater Marrow and its surrounding islands.

My angling business is thriving, as evidenced by the plentiful coin the local fishmonger pays for my daily bounties. I'm doing so well, in fact, I've been able to invest in a new rod – capable of plundering both shallow and coastal waters – as well as a faster outboard engine for my customizable craft.

The future looks bright too, as I've also earned enough research parts on my seafaring journeys to invest in even better gear. And thanks to my newfound ability to dredge supplies from the ocean's depths, I've also started gathering resources that'll eventually see my ship upgraded with more space, better lighting, and a sturdier hull.

Life for me on the beautiful archipelago is, literally, smooth sailing, so I offer to help out some of the less fortunate locals. A friendly dockworker seeks a more fulfilling existence North – on the tiny island of Steel Point – so I collect some materials for her residence before ferrying her to the new home.

I also meet a grieving man in the neighboring Little Marrow. He's seeking closure from the loss of his son, who apparently perished in a shipwreck years prior. I dredge the wreckage, find the victim's engraved belt buckle, and return it to his father for some peace of mind.

My extracurricular activities also find me accepting a task from a traveling merchant with an interest in rare ocean species. But with my quest log expanding