For the longest time, I was a naive fool. I didn’t play most indie games because, for the longest time, the majority were seemingly content with repeatedly releasing platformers. I’m not fond of platformers and lumped indie games into one group. However, a few indie projects caught my eye and completely flipped my opinion of the industry. Dredge is one such game. It’s phenomenal and easily one of my favorite titles to date. I’ve had the pleasure of reviewing the main game and its last expansion, and now I’m back with The Iron Rig review!
Editor’s Note: The Guide Hall received a review copy of the game from the developer/publisher/PR for this review. Their generosity does not impact our overall opinion or thoughts on the game!
The Good
Can I say “everything?” From the get-go, Dredge expands upon its mysterious world by introducing new characters, an ominous oil rig in the distance, and additional mechanics to revamp the experience completely.
For those of us who have spent countless hours exploring the world of Dredge, catching each one of the unique fish, and unlocking the best equipment, there’s little else to do besides starting a fresh playthrough. However, The Iron Rig fixes that problem by introducing new end-game mechanics and grinds that don’t feel overly exhausting to tackle. The various new fishing rods, nets, and crab pots are upgraded with greater efficiency and possibilities.
But to unlock and use these unique tools, you must participate in The Iron Rig’s storyline, uncovering the secrets of the drilling rig, the company behind the project, and the massive split in the ocean floor cascading across the archipelago.
The new quest line sees you traveling back to the various islands of the game, hunting for unique fish in the now-polluted waters. As you track new fish and unearth lost crates, you can return to the drilling platform to upgrade its various structures. With each new upgrade, you unlock additional mechanics. It’s a greater sense of progression that offers meaningful visual and otherwise improvements.
Trust me when I say you’ll need those upgrades to deal with whatever lurks deep along the ocean floor following the drilling rig’s mishap.
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The Bad
I wouldn’t even call this a negative trait of the expansion, as most of Dredge revolves around exploration. Still, missing the new content is easy if you’re not paying attention. You won’t receive a note or Pursuit in your captain’s log, and no NPC guides you toward the oil rig. It’s off in the distance, soaring up toward the clouds with a string of lights indicating its presence. If you’re unaware of your surroundings, you might not notice how to start The Iron Rig!
Again, I don’t consider this a negative trait. It’s not “bad,” but it can throw new players in a loop, which deserves some attention. Even a note could alleviate the issue.
Is this a reach? Absolutely! Is it worth taking a point off the review core? Absolutely not. It won’t, either. We don’t have anything genuinely bad to say about the DLC!
Should You Play Dredge – The Iron Rig?
Yes! If you’re a fan of Dredge already, The Iron Rig expands the universe in fascinating ways. There are numerous unique fish to collect, better equipment and upgrades, and mysterious characters that leave you wanting more; it’s just a fantastic package that everyone who plays the main game deserves to enjoy.
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