Every so often, an indie game emerges that feels like a refreshing shock to the system—an experience so unique and engaging that it demands attention. For me, Dredge was one such game, except the shock came in the form of a cold, slimy, and mutated fish. Now, Black Salt Games’ haunting fishing adventure has officially arrived on iOS, and it remains just as mesmerizing as ever.
The story begins when a lone fisherman washes up in a remote archipelago after crashing into a small town’s dock. Taking on the role of the town’s new fisherman, he starts by catching fish in the surrounding waters—until he encounters a mysterious figure who sends him on a quest to recover lost relics. As his journey unfolds, he finds himself entangled in a web of eerie encounters, questioning his own sanity, assisting peculiar inhabitants, and confronting nightmarish, Lovecraftian horrors lurking beneath the waves.
I had already fallen in love with Dredge while playing on my PlayStation 5 and PC, but this time, I was experiencing it on my iPhone 15 Pro. While the game itself remained unchanged, the way I engaged with it felt entirely different.
Casting Off in Familiar Waters
My journey began in the familiar, misty bay of Greater Marrow, where the town’s Mayor welcomed me after my unfortunate crash. In exchange for taking on the role of the town’s fisherman, he provided me with a new boat. Eager to get started, I set sail into the shallow waters between Greater and Little Marrow, ready to reel in my first catch.
Having already spent countless hours with Dredge on other platforms, the first thing that stood out was the redesigned UI and touch controls. Steering the boat was handled by a thumb on the left side of the screen, while camera movement was assigned to a thumb on the right. As someone who doesn’t play many mobile games, this felt a little unconventional at first, but I quickly adapted. Before long, the controls felt second nature, allowing me to navigate the eerie waters with ease.
I found myself playing Dredge on my phone during Tube journeys and while traveling—often in bright, bustling environments rather than in the dimly lit comfort of my sofa or desk. If you’re someone who enjoys being fully immersed in a game’s eerie atmosphere, this is something to keep in mind before picking up Dredge on mobile.
A Haunting Voyage, Anywhere
Despite the less immersive surroundings, I still loved setting out on late-night expeditions in Dredge, constantly second-guessing whether I had made the right call or if I should have planned my routes more carefully before daylight faded. The game’s light survival mechanics added an extra layer of tension, making every decision feel impactful. If you enjoy survival elements with a psychological twist, Dredge will be right up your alley.
A Pocket-Sized Masterpiece
Playing Dredge on iOS was nothing short of fantastic. Having one of my favorite indie games instantly accessible was a game-changer—whether I was out and about, stuck waiting for my PS5 to free up, or simply too lazy to boot up my PC.
Performance was smooth, and visually, the game looked just as stunning on my iPhone 15 Pro as it did on console and PC. While the controls took a different approach, they actually enhanced the experience, making me feel even more like the town’s fisherman as I tapped to reel in catches and dragged my boat across the eerie waters of the Marrow islands.
Ultimately, Dredge on iOS is an incredible way to experience Black Salt Games’ haunting debut title. My feelings about the game remain unchanged—I absolutely love it—and having it on my phone means I can now play it anytime, anywhere. It’s the perfect choice for both returning players looking for quick access and newcomers who want to experience the game without any performance hiccups.
Dredge launches on mobile on February 27th.
