Steam is absolutely packed with fun survival games, both for co-op groups and solo play. However, it’s somewhat rare to find a fishing game with survival elements. Fishing tends to result in relaxing games where players slowly fill out fishing logs with their biggest catches, or more likely, it serves as a simple mini-game in a larger experience. It’s for these reasons that Steam’s Dreadmoor stands out so much, as it’s entirely focused on solo fishing, yet looks anything but relaxing.
While some of the creatures unlucky seafarers will encounter in this Steam game resemble Drowners from The Witcher franchise, the setting and technology of Dreadmoor allow for a stronger comparison: Fallout 4. And, more specifically, Fallout 4’s standout Far Harbor expansion. That DLC may have stood out partially for its Synth-focused story and the tough choices regarding DiMA, but its foggy and borderline lovecraftian setting also helped it stand out from everything offered in the base game. Dreadmoor’s shanty towns and creepy nightfalls offer some major Far Harbor vibes, and when mixed with its ship and gear upgrades as well as some quick-time events, it’s poised to be one of the most unique fishing games ever released.
Dreadmoor launches on November 9.
Dreadmoor = Horror + Fishing + Fallout
- FISH for disturbing creatures in a flooded world using skill-based mechanics.
- EXPLORE a world full of giant bones, scattered settlements, and mutated monstrosities.
- LOOT abandoned caves, buildings, and shipwrecks for scrap metal and blueprints to trade.
- UPGRADE your arsenal with specialized bait, better harpoons, and medicines.
- IMPROVE your ship’s durability, engine, and spotlight.
- SURVIVE unexpected attacks from creatures by completing quick time events.
Dreadmoor is a dark first-person fishing adventure game set in a submerged world, rotting from a past catastrophe. Fish in murky waters, upgrade your boat, craft survival gear, and fight monstrous creatures that lurk under the water and on the land.
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Dreadmoor is Basically Far Harbor Without the Power Armor and Weaponry
Dreadmoor essentially places gamers in control of a Far Harbor NPC, as they’re stuck fishing for a living in a post-apocalyptic game world full of mutated creatures. Said fishing looks fairly in-depth, and not just because of the solid visuals. In first-person, players will choose their bait, cast their rod, and reel in fish. As they try to resist, their “health bar” will drain, and players will eventually snag themselves a big catch. There are “dozens of dangerous and rare species” for players to hunt down, and players will have to keep track of which fish like certain bait and what areas are particularly good for fishing.
However, catching these fish is easier said than done. Players will have to contend with attacks from humanoid sea monsters that board the ship, forcing gamers to complete a QTE. Additionally, a kraken’s tentacles could lash in the ship’s direction, forcing players to quickly manuever out of the way or risk their ship being destroyed. Bigger creatures could also eat a fish players are reeling in, throwing them off. To deal with these threats and survive the attacks from all the threats lurking in the seas of Dreadmoor, players will need to upgrade their arsenal.
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Upgrades in Dreadmoor are twofold, as players need to expand both their fisherman’s gear and their boat. They can explore the flooded world’s abandoned buildings, caves, and bone masses to find scrap metal that can be used for trading and blueprints that can be used for crafting. Players won’t just be able to make better bait and harpoons, but useful medicines to heal their injuries from attacks on the boat. As for ship upgrades, players can install components piece by piece that help with speed, maneuverability, and durability. They can reinforce the hull, boost the spotlight to see better in the dark, and add on an afterburner for speed boosts, and all of the additions will be clearly visible to add to the sense of immersion.
Dreadmoor Could Be The Gift That Keeps on Giving
Like many of the best horror games on Steam, Dreadmoor is launching in early access, which means improvements will be made to the title over time. Dreadmoor will be part of Steam early access for 6–12 months, with the full version having a slightly higher price tag. The initial version of the title will have a story, a major region to explore, and plenty of fish species and mutations to discover. However, plenty more will come to the game over time. For instance, there will be more fish introduced, new regions to explore with additional stories, and more boat upgrades. Even more complex fishing mechanics will be added, too, improving one of the core features of the game.
For those that don’t want to wait until November to see if this particular fishing game is for them, a free Steam demo is available to try right now. Dreadmoor is perfect for players who love creepy worlds to explore, skill checks that test their timing, and survival crafting mechanics that test their planning. With plenty of atmosphere and a slightly fantastical setting that sets it apart from similar games that have real-life sea critters to catch, Dreadmoor is worth a wishlist on Steam for even those who wouldn’t typically consider playing a fishing game.
