Imagine you‘re at the helm of a creaky old fishing trawler, setting out into an archipelago of mist-shrouded islands and dangerous waters. Your goal? To track down the most elusive, awe-inspiring fish the ocean has to offer. Welcome to the world of Dredge, an atmospheric indie fishing adventure that challenges you to explore the furthest reaches of a mysterious realm while uncovering its darkest secrets.
As any true angler knows, there‘s no greater thrill than reeling in a fish that few have ever laid eyes on. That‘s where the "Recording Rarities" pursuit comes in. This optional quest, given by a traveling merchant, tasks you with catching four of the game‘s rarest fish – creatures so uncommon that many doubt their very existence. But with the right knowledge, gear, and a whole lot of persistence, you‘ll be able to prove the skeptics wrong and cement your status as a legendary fisherman.
The Thrill of the Chase
What is it about rare fish that captivates us so? Part of it is the simple joy of collection – the satisfaction that comes from gradually filling out your logbook with creatures of all shapes, sizes, and colors. But there‘s also something deeper at play. In pursuing these elusive species, we tap into a primal human desire to seek out the unknown and conquer the unconquerable.
"Fishing, at its core, is about the chase," says marine biologist and avid angler Dr. Kenji Nomura. "The rarer the fish, the more thrilling that chase becomes. It‘s a test not just of skill, but of determination and resilience."
This philosophy is woven into the very fabric of Dredge. In a game where progress is often slow and hard-won, the Recording Rarities pursuit stands as an ultimate test for only the most dedicated players. According to lead developer Travis Shank, fewer than 5% of players manage to catch all four rare fish. "We wanted these creatures to feel truly special," Shank explains. "They‘re not just trophies to be collected, but living emblems of the game‘s themes of discovery, perseverance, and facing the unknown."
Know Your Prey
So, what exactly are these legendary fish that have enticed so many eager anglers? Let‘s take a closer look at each one and the strategies you‘ll need to reel them in.
1. The Oarfish: A Serpent of the Deep
Location: South of Dusty Pontoon, inside a waterfall
Unlock Condition: Reinforced hull, advanced sonar
Best Bait: Frozen shrimp, jellyfish
Peak Times: Dawn and dusk
Weather Conditions: Clear skies
The oarfish is a true marvel of the deep, a serpentine creature that can grow up to 36 feet long in real life. Ancient Japanese fishermen called it the "Messenger from the Sea God‘s Palace," believing it to be a harbinger of earthquakes and tsunamis. In Dredge, the oarfish holds a similar mythical status, with many fisherman dismissing it as nothing more than a legend.
To catch this elusive leviathan, you‘ll need to venture south of Dusty Pontoon until you spot a mighty waterfall. With a reinforced hull, you can steer your ship straight through the cascading waters to reach the hidden cove where the oarfish resides. Scan the depths with your sonar to pinpoint its location, then use frozen shrimp or jellyfish to entice it to bite. The oarfish is most active at dawn and dusk, so time your attempt accordingly.
2. The Gulper Eel: A Alien Angler
Location: Research Outpost
Unlock Condition: Pressure-resistant tank
Best Bait: Bioluminescent plankton
Peak Times: Midnight to 4am
Weather Conditions: New moon, aurora borealis
Next on the list is the gulper eel, a nightmare-inducing creature that looks like it swam straight out of a sci-fi movie. With its massive, pelican-like jaws and bioluminescent lure, the gulper eel haunts the abyssal depths, using its expandable stomach to swallow prey up to twice its size.
To encounter this deep-sea monster in Dredge, make your way to the Research Outpost and prepare to dive deep. You‘ll need a pressure-resistant tank to reach the eel‘s habitat over 3000 feet below the surface. Once there, try using a special bioluminescent plankton bait to grab its attention. The gulper eel is most active in the dead of night, particularly during the new moon and under the ethereal glow of the aurora borealis.
3. The Goliath Tigerfish: A River Monster
Location: Twisted Strand (south)
Unlock Condition: Reinforced line, live bait tank
Best Bait: Live tilapia, catfish
Peak Times: High noon, river in flood stage
Weather Conditions: Overcast, light rain
Few freshwater fish strike more fear into the hearts of anglers than the goliath tigerfish. Armed with a mouthful of razor-sharp teeth, this super-sized cousin of the piranha has been known to reach lengths of 5 feet and weights of over 150 pounds in the wild. Some locals along the Congo River even believe the tigerfish is endowed with evil spirits.
In Dredge, you‘ll need to venture deep into the jungle to the southern reaches of the Twisted Strand to find this river monster. Upgrade your fishing line to its maximum strength and stock your tank with live bait like tilapia or catfish. The goliath tigerfish is a fierce fighter, so get ready for a brawl once it takes the hook! These predators are most aggressive during the heat of the day, especially when heavy rains flood the river with churning, murky water.
4. The Coelacanth: A Living Fossil
Location: Charred Pontoon
Unlock Condition: Heatproof hull, lava suit
Best Bait: Deep-sea crabs, snailfish
Peak Times: During underwater volcanic eruptions
Weather Conditions: Sulfuric haze
Last but not least, we have perhaps the most enigmatic fish of all: the coelacanth. This "living fossil" was thought to have gone extinct along with the dinosaurs 66 million years ago, until a live specimen was miraculously caught off the coast of South Africa in 1938. Since then, small populations have been found near Indonesia and the Comoros Islands, always in deep underwater caves.
Fittingly, reeling in the coelacanth in Dredge will require you to brave some of the game‘s most treacherous waters near the Charred Pontoon. This area is home to active undersea volcanoes, so you‘ll need a heatproof hull and a specialized lava suit to even approach the coelacanth‘s lair. Try using deep-sea crabs or snailfish as bait, and keep an eye out for bubbling magma – many players have reported the coelacanth surfacing during earth-shaking eruptions!
Rarity and Responsibility
While the thrill of chasing and catching these rare creatures is undeniable, it‘s worth reflecting on the implications of our actions. In the real world, many of the fish species prized for their rarity are also critically endangered. The coelacanth, for example, is considered a "Critically Endangered" species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, with only about 500 mature individuals thought to exist in the wild.
This raises some intriguing philosophical questions: Does the very act of seeking out endangered species, even virtually, normalize or encourage harmful behaviors? Or can games like Dredge actually raise awareness about these fragile creatures and the need to protect them?
According to Dr. Nomura, it‘s a bit of both. "On one hand, digital recreations can help people appreciate the incredible biodiversity of our oceans without directly harming real fish," he notes. "But we must be careful not to glamorize the pursuit of endangered species or present them as mere collectibles. Any media depiction of fishing, virtual or otherwise, should strive to promote sustainability and conservation."
It‘s a fragile balance, but one that Dredge arguably strikes well. Even as it taps into the very human desire to chase the unattainable, the game never shies away from shining a light on the consequences of unchecked exploitation. The decaying structures and uneasy atmosphere of the game‘s world constantly remind the player of what can happen when the ocean‘s resources are plundered without regard for the future.
Ultimately, the tale of the Recording Rarities is about more than just fishing. It‘s a parable about the lengths we‘ll go for status and glory, the sacrifices we make in the pursuit of the extraordinary, and the need to cherish and protect our world‘s rarest treasures. So cast your line, brave angler, and see what marvels you reel in. But never forget the true value of the catch isn‘t measured by its rarity alone, but by the respect and wonder it inspires within us.
The Bigger Picture
As thrilling as the Recording Rarities side quest is, it‘s just one small piece of the much larger puzzle that is Dredge. This is a game that truly rewards exploration and experimentation, offering up a boatload of secrets, lore, and diversions to discover as you chart your own course through the archipelago.
One of the most intriguing elements you‘ll encounter are the ancient shrines scattered across the islands. These mysterious structures seem to have some connection to the rare fish, with inscriptions and carvings hinting at their larger role in the world‘s history. Piecing together the clues found at each shrine will gradually reveal a story of an ancient civilization, an angered ocean spirit, and a cataclysmic event that forever changed the islands.
You‘ll also cross paths with a variety of eccentric characters during your journey, each with their own tales to tell and favors to ask. Chief among these is the enigmatic Hooded Figure, a recurring presence who seems to know an uncanny amount about the islands‘ past and the rare creatures that inhabit its waters. Could this mysterious individual hold the key to unlocking the true ending of the game? Only the most dedicated players will find out!
Of course, all this lore and world-building would be for naught if the core fishing gameplay wasn‘t compelling. Fortunately, Dredge delivers on that front too. With over 100 unique fish to catch, dozens of rods, lures, and boats to unlock, and an dynamic day-night cycle and weather system that directly impact fish behavior, there‘s always some new angling challenge to tackle.
It‘s this perfect marriage of atmospheric exploration, intriguing storytelling, and satisfying reel-based action that elevates Dredge above your typical fishing sim. By treating its aquatic denizens not just as resources to be extracted, but as living creatures with their own roles to play in a richly-imagined ecosystem, the game achieves a level of immersion that few of its peers can match.
So even if you usually scoff at the idea of a "fishing RPG," trust me when I say that Dredge is well worth dipping your toes into. Who knows? You just might find yourself hooked by the allure of the angling unknown. And if our paths ever cross in multiplayer, be sure to show me your rare fish collection – I‘m always eager to swap fish stories with a fellow digital fisherman!
Until then, may your nets always be full and your hulls never spring a leak. Happy fishing!
