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DREDGE similar games & best alternatives

DREDGE

PC (Microsoft Windows), Mac, iOS, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Android, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5 • 2023

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Quick resume

DREDGE is a single-player fishing adventure with a sinister undercurrent. Sell your catch, upgrade your boat, and dredge the depths for long-buried secrets. Explore a mysterious archipelago and discover why some things are best left forgotten.

Global score

96/100

Genres

Adventure, Role-playing (RPG), Simulator

Similar games

    Pros

    • Unique blend of fishing and lovecraftian horror
    • Atmospheric art and sound design
    • Engaging progression and upgrades
    • Addictive gameplay loop
    • Multiple endings and secrets

    Cons

    • Short overall length
    • Some repetitive gameplay elements
    • Story can feel minimal or underdeveloped
    • Dlc pricing criticized
    • Limited combat and social features

    Motivations

    • Autonomy

      Game with the same Autonomy vibe

      4

      "Players freely explore a large island, choose their own path, and decide how to map and approach objectives."

      Capsule for Miasmata Miasmata

      "Players freely explore islands in any order, choose upgrades and fishing strategies, and decide how much risk to take at night."

    • Competence

      Game with the same Competence vibe

      3

      "Game involves skill development in boat handling, fishing techniques, crew management, and navigation with feedback on performance."

      Capsule for Fishing: North Atlantic - Enhanced Edition Fishing: North Atlantic - Enhanced Edition

      "Players engage in fishing minigames, boat management, and progression through upgrades, providing skill-based challenges and feedback."

    • Competition

      Game with the same Competition vibe

      -4

      "Focus is on personal pace and exploration without competitive or ranked modes."

      Capsule for Slime Rancher 2 Slime Rancher 2

      "Focus is on personal pace, exploration, and individual progression without competitive or ranked modes."

    • Continuation

      Game with the same Continuation vibe

      4

      "Players report addictive gameplay loop with long sessions, repeated raids, and desire to keep improving gear and skills."

      Capsule for ZERO Sievert ZERO Sievert

      "Many players report addictive gameplay loops and long sessions, with motivation to complete encyclopedia and side quests."

    • Cooperation

      Game with the same Cooperation vibe

      -5

      "Gameplay is primarily single-player with no cooperative multiplayer elements."

      Capsule for Espresso Tycoon Espresso Tycoon

      "Gameplay is primarily single-player with no multiplayer or cooperative elements."

    • Creativity

      Game with the same Creativity vibe

      2

      "Players can customize and upgrade weapons and suits, but level design and story are mostly fixed."

      Capsule for Dead Space (2008) Dead Space (2008)

      "Players customize and upgrade their boat and equipment, and manage inventory spatially, but game world and story are fixed."

    • Domination

      Game with the same Domination vibe

      -5

      "No evidence of exerting control or superiority over others; interactions are solo and balanced."

      Capsule for Beneath Oresa Beneath Oresa

      "No evidence of exerting control or superiority over others; interactions are solitary and balanced."

    • Escapism

      Game with the same Escapism vibe

      5

      "Strong escapism through immersive horror atmosphere and psychological tension, providing distraction from real life."

      Capsule for Don't Be Afraid - The First Toy Don't Be Afraid - The First Toy

      "Strong atmospheric and horror elements provide immersive escapism from real life, with players seeking distraction and mood."

    • Expectation

      Game with the same Expectation vibe

      -5

      "Players engage voluntarily out of intrinsic interest and enjoyment, with no obligation or external pressure."

      Capsule for Lucky Tower Ultimate Lucky Tower Ultimate

      "Players engage voluntarily out of intrinsic interest and enjoyment, with no obligation or external pressure."

    • Experimenting

      Game with the same Experimenting vibe

      3

      "Players explore different fishing techniques, boats, and strategies; some experimentation encouraged."

      Capsule for Fishing: North Atlantic - Enhanced Edition Fishing: North Atlantic - Enhanced Edition

      "Players explore new areas, try different upgrades and fishing techniques, and uncover secrets, encouraging experimentation."

    • Exploration

      Game with the same Exploration vibe

      4

      "The game encourages discovering new locations, secrets, and lore on the island, rewarding curiosity and thorough exploration."

      Capsule for Knights And Bikes Knights And Bikes

      "Game encourages discovering new islands, secrets, and lore, rewarding curiosity-driven activities."

    • Expression

      Game with the same Expression vibe

      1

      "Some customization via boat upgrades, but limited player-driven expression."

      Capsule for UMIGARI | ウミガリ UMIGARI | ウミガリ

      "Some self-expression through boat upgrades and minor customization, but limited character or environment personalization."

    • Fantasy

      Game with the same Fantasy vibe

      5

      "Strong Lovecraftian horror theme with cosmic monsters and supernatural elements."

      Capsule for Menace from the Deep Menace from the Deep

      "Strong Lovecraftian cosmic horror theme with supernatural creatures and surreal events."

    • Fellowship

      Game with the same Fellowship vibe

      -5

      "No social or community features; gameplay is solitary and individual."

      Capsule for Sproggiwood Sproggiwood

      "No social or community features; gameplay is solitary and individual."

    • Growth

      Game with the same Growth vibe

      4

      "Players learn fishing mechanics, improve skills, and progress through levels and gear upgrades."

      Capsule for Professional Fishing Professional Fishing

      "Players learn fishing mechanics, manage resources, and improve skills and equipment over time."

    • Health

      Game with the same Health vibe

      -5

      "Sedentary gameplay with no physical activity or health-related features."

      Capsule for THE ENIGMA MACHINE THE ENIGMA MACHINE

      "Sedentary gameplay with no physical activity or health-related features."

    • Idle

      Game with the same Idle vibe

      -3

      "Requires focused attention during fishing; not suitable for background or idle play."

      Capsule for Ice Lakes Ice Lakes

      "Requires focused attention during fishing and navigation; not designed for background or idle play."

    • Intimacy

      Game with the same Intimacy vibe

      -5

      "No close social relationships or emotional sharing; minimal social interaction."

      Capsule for Cargo! The Quest for Gravity Cargo! The Quest for Gravity

      "Minimal social interaction; no close relationships or emotional sharing."

    • Leadership

      Game with the same Leadership vibe

      -5

      "No leadership or group management roles; solo gameplay."

      Capsule for Resident Evil 2 Resident Evil 2

      "No leadership or group management roles; solo gameplay."

    • Progression

      Game with the same Progression vibe

      4

      "Strong progression through acquiring new equipment, upgrades, and unlocking new abilities and areas."

      Capsule for DEATH STRANDING DIRECTOR'S CUT DEATH STRANDING DIRECTOR'S CUT

      "Strong progression through boat and equipment upgrades, unlocking new areas and abilities."

    • Relaxation

      Game with the same Relaxation vibe

      3

      "Many players find the game relaxing and immersive, balancing challenge and flow in fishing."

      Capsule for Fishing Sim World®: Pro Tour Fishing Sim World®: Pro Tour

      "Gameplay balances calm fishing with moments of tension and dread, providing a flow experience."

    • Sensation

      Game with the same Sensation vibe

      3

      "Atmospheric visuals and sound design provide sensory stimulation and emotional engagement."

      Capsule for Deadlight Deadlight

      "Atmospheric visuals and sound design provide sensory stimulation and emotional engagement."

    • Status

      Game with the same Status vibe

      -5

      "No social recognition or status systems; achievements are personal."

      Capsule for Project Hospital Project Hospital

      "No social recognition or status systems; achievements are personal."

    • Story

      Game with the same Story vibe

      3

      "Narrative with Lovecraftian themes adds immersion, though story is considered weak or secondary."

      Capsule for Magrunner: Dark Pulse Magrunner: Dark Pulse

      "Engaging narrative with Lovecraftian themes and multiple endings, though some find it minimal or underdeveloped."

    • Strategy

      Game with the same Strategy vibe

      2

      "Some strategic planning in investment and upgrade timing, but overall gameplay is straightforward."

      Capsule for Holyday City: Reloaded Holyday City: Reloaded

      "Players plan upgrades, inventory management, and risk-taking, but overall gameplay is straightforward."

    • Thrill

      Game with the same Thrill vibe

      3

      "Tension from night attacks and survival challenges provide suspense and excitement."

      Capsule for Kingdom Two Crowns Kingdom Two Crowns

      "Tension builds at night with threats and sanity mechanics, creating suspense and relief cycles."

    • Value

      Game with the same Value vibe

      2

      "Generally perceived as good value especially on sale; some complaints about DLC pricing and content."

      Capsule for TEKKEN 7 TEKKEN 7

      "Generally perceived as good value for price, especially on sale; some criticism of DLC pricing."

    • Violence

      Game with the same Violence vibe

      -3

      "Combat is indirect and minimal; focus is on survival and avoidance rather than destruction."

      Capsule for They Breathe They Breathe

      "Combat is minimal or indirect; focus is on fishing and survival rather than destruction."

    • Survival

      Game with the same Survival vibe

      3

      "Players manage resources and ship integrity to survive battles and progress."

      Capsule for Pixel Starships Pixel Starships

      "Players manage boat integrity, sanity, and resources to avoid failure and progress."

    Analysis

    Less representative of its motivational profile, with noticeable differences. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Fellowship, Cooperation, Leadership, Violence. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Violence, Value, Creativity.

    How to use the graph
    Similar games map

    Each dot is a game. They are arranged from the same motivation profile as in the “Motivations” section below. Closer dots usually mean more similar reasons to play (exploration, competition, relaxation, etc.)—not that one game is “better” than another.

    • Larger dot with a light outline: the game you are viewing.
    • Colour: groups of games with comparable motivation patterns (statistical clusters).
    • Hover a dot to see the game name; click to open its page.
    • Scroll or double-click the chart to zoom out and see more games.

    Why don’t the axes read like a score? This view uses t-SNE: it only keeps who is close to whom. The scales are not “good to bad” or hours played—they separate groups on the map. Read distance between dots, not the axis numbers.

    Where to buy

    Come talk about it on Discord!

    Last update: 30/04/2026