10 Best Gaming Surprises Of 2023

Whilst the big budget AAA titles often take up most of the conversation of the industry - due to taking up most of the market share - it's always nice when a indie game really breaks through the net. There's usually a couple every year that grab everyone's attention and in 2023 one of these was Dredge.

Not only is Black Salt Studio made up of a staff of four people, Dredge was their first game so for it to blow up really says a lot about both their talent and the brilliant concept of the game. You command a motor boat out on the sea boarding a mysterious town, fishing and collecting supplies to sell in order to have more success fishing and collecting supplies. It's a simple, enjoyable loop that isn't too demanding and pulls you along as it unfolds a strange cosmic horror tone.

What's fun about Dredge is that it's all about balancing the cosy fishing sim with the Lovecraftian madness. Villagers tell you not to fish at night but the creatures you'll catch then are worth more money. Secrets can be found by exploring further afield but at the risk of your rising madness meter, which will play tricks on you.

There's definitely a meta-conversation here about insanity and comfort which nobody expected to have from a fishing game made by an unknown studio.