Dredge: The Pale Reach (2023): The Review

Overview

Although The Pale Reach doesn’t add a huge amount of depth and feels best suited to newcomers discovering this stellar cosmic horror fishing game for the first time, Black Salt Games still delivered more of what I already adore, and that’s hardly a bad thing. I never need much convincing to dive back into the eerie waters of Dredge, so I’m hoping The Pale Reach is just the beginning of many expansions yet to come.

Score: 8 out of 10

The Positives ✅

The Pale Reach marks the first DLC expansion for Dredge, and it wastes little time carving out its own identity. By opening a new southern stretch of the map, the expansion introduces a frozen biome that immediately feels distinct from anything in the base game. Snow-covered islands, drifting icebergs, and harsh, quiet waters establish a bleak tone that fits naturally within Dredge’s unsettling world.

The new region brings with it fresh fish to haul in, specialized ice-focused equipment, and a brand-new mystery to untangle. While the core gameplay loop remains unchanged: sailing, fishing, upgrading, and interacting with strange characters, the additions feel meaningful enough to justify the journey south. Unlocking new tools and upgrades through quests gives the expansion a steady sense of progression, especially for players still finding their footing.

Atmospherically, The Pale Reach hits all the right notes. The stark environment leans hard into isolation and dread, reinforcing the Lovecraftian undertones that Dredge does so well. Even without reinventing the formula, the DLC feels like a natural extension of the base game’s tone and world-building.

The Negatives ⚠️

That said, the expansion doesn’t add much depth beyond its new setting. While the icy biome is visually striking, I would have liked to see more environmental detail or variation to make it feel truly unforgettable. The minimalist approach works thematically, but it occasionally leaves the area feeling a bit underdeveloped.

The main questline is also fairly brief and lacks complexity. The mystery at the heart of The Pale Reach is engaging enough, but it resolves quickly and doesn’t carry the same narrative weight as some of the base game’s standout moments. It feels more like a bonus chapter than a full-fledged expansion.

Even the new threat roaming the region, a persistent Narwhal, fails to pose much danger for experienced players. Those who unlocked powerful abilities in the main game can neutralize it with ease, stripping away much of the tension that should come from being hunted in such a hostile environment.

The Experience 🎮

Despite its shortcomings, I genuinely enjoyed returning to the world of Dredge through The Pale Reach. There’s something comforting about slipping back into its slow, methodical rhythm, even when surrounded by icy waters and lurking horrors. The DLC doesn’t demand much, which made it easy to re-engage without feeling overwhelmed.

I especially appreciated the restrained difficulty. Too often, DLC ramps things up under the assumption that players are fully optimized, making re-entry frustrating. The Pale Reach avoids that trap, offering a gentler experience that feels welcoming rather than punishing, even if Dredge was never particularly difficult to begin with.

Ultimately, this expansion gave me more of what made the original game so memorable. Dredge tapped into a deep-seated fear of the ocean, megalohydrothalassophobia (damn, that's a mouthful), if you’re brave enough to say it out loud, yet somehow wrapped that fear in something strangely calming. The Pale Reach continues that delicate balance, and while it may be modest in scope, it left me eager to dive back in again should more chapters surface in the future.