Hands-on Preview: Dreadmoor is the Spooky Fishing Game You Have to Play

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I recently had the chance to play the demo of Dreadmoor at PAX East. It’s a new indie game that people are comparing to Dredge, another popular title, but while there are similarities, it’s not quite the same experience.

Dreadmoor feels like a completely different, more complex game than Dredge. While I really loved Dredge – it was actually the first game I reviewed for college – Dreadmoor offers a lot more depth, and I’d find it hard to go back to playing Dredge after experiencing it.

Dreadmoor feels quite different from other games, both in how you experience it and the story it tells. While it’s still being refined, the core gameplay is very promising. In this preview, I’ll share my impressions of the demo and explain how the game generally plays.

What is Dreadmoor?

Dreadmoor is essentially a fishing game. You pilot a boat to different locations to catch fish, which you can then sell or use for materials. You can also find crates floating around that contain items for crafting. Just be careful – things get much more dangerous when night falls!

Okay, so this game has a story, and it’s a big one! I played for nearly an hour and honestly, I feel like I just scratched the surface. You’ll run into some really quirky characters – they have some seriously strange dialogue – but most of them are pretty friendly, even the weird mutant fish people! It’s a lot to take in, but in a good way.

It’s not just about catching fish, though. You can improve your boat and fishing rod, and there are lots of other things to find. I didn’t get to see it in this preview, but the game is also supposed to have combat, though I’m not sure exactly how that will work.

Dreadmoor is a captivating game that prioritizes player immersion over simply creating a scary atmosphere. While the demo didn’t reveal much about the game’s story, it’s clear that something deeply unsettling and dark is happening within its world.

So Many Mechanics

This fishing game offers a lot more than just reeling in fish. You can use a grappling hook to explore and interact with the world, and you can craft different lures to catch specific types of fish. It can feel a bit overwhelming initially, as the game doesn’t always explain these extra features very well.

Almost everything you do in the game involves a hands-on action. Refueling your boat requires you to connect the hose, and starting the engine has its own specific process. This isn’t a drawback, though – it actually makes the game world feel much more realistic and engaging.

Fishing is a core part of the game, and it works pretty much how you’d expect: you cast your line, reel it in, and then fight the fish until it’s tired enough to bring in. It’s very similar to the fishing in Sea of Thieves, especially the way you pull the fish in – they still seem to struggle a bit!

I didn’t experience everything the game has to offer, but it’s clear there are some clever puzzles built into the world as you unlock new routes and explore different locations. Each area seems to have its own unique story, and you’ll help people either because you’re forced to or because you’re looking for a reward.

A Delightfully Creepy Vibe

The game’s beautiful design and sound work together to create a fantastic and immersive atmosphere. It strikes a perfect balance between spooky and silly. You’ll immediately encounter a memorable character – a two-headed fish person where one head does the talking and the other handles all the physical tasks.

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The characters can be a bit strange, but their oddness is balanced by genuinely funny moments during conversations. This contrast – dark themes mixed with humor – helps the game stand out. For example, a massive, boat-sized monster attacks the NPC’s crab shack, only to be comically shaken off, stepped on, and ultimately have its head ripped off. It’s a bizarre but memorable sequence.

Even in the small part I played, the game struck a great balance between spooky and funny. It looks like you can learn a lot just by exploring the world, but the story will probably unfold mostly through conversations with characters. The art style and writing really fit the game’s overall atmosphere.

I was initially drawn to Dreadmoor because it reminded me of Dredge, but it quickly became clear that Dreadmoor is a unique and impressive game in its own right. I’m really looking forward to its full release later this year – it’s wonderfully creepy and I can’t wait to play more!

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2026-04-03 16:39