15 Games Like Dredge in 2026 To Play If You Love Chill Horror

Our Top Picks for Games Like Dredge

There are plenty of solid options out there, but these three stand out right away for capturing the atmosphere, exploration, and quiet tension that make Dredge work so well.

Each one nails a different part of that formula, whether you’re after calm ocean wandering, steady progression, or deeper underwater discovery.

Abzu ADVENTURE A peaceful dive into vibrant underwater environments with zero stress and tons of visual charm. It’s a great pick when you want something soothing that still gives you that sense of uncovering small secrets beneath the surface.

Raft

SURVIVAL

Starting on a tiny raft and slowly turning it into a full floating base feels incredibly satisfying. The mix of gathering, crafting, and exploring islands gives it a steady rhythm that keeps you pushing farther into the ocean.

Subnautica

SURVIVAL

One of the best underwater exploration games ever made. Its biomes, creatures, and sense of discovery create a constant feeling of curiosity and danger that fans of Dredge usually appreciate right away.

These three are a great starting point, but there’s plenty more worth exploring. Scroll on to see the full list and find the perfect ocean-inspired adventure for your next session.

15 Games Like Dredge for Deep-Sea Exploration Fans

Here’s the full lineup of fifteen ocean-themed adventures, each offering a different way to explore strange waters, follow mysterious clues, or simply enjoy the calm rhythm of life at sea. How many of these games like Dredge have you played?

Abzu

Best Game Like Dredge for Peaceful Ocean Exploration

Our score ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ Type of game Adventure / Exploration PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch Creator/s Giant Squid (developer), 505 Games (publisher)

Average playtime 2–3h Best for Players who enjoy calm, atmospheric underwater exploration What I liked Beautiful visuals, relaxing pacing, and smooth swimming mechanics Abzu drops you straight into a vibrant underwater world where the main focus is exploring at your own pace. There is no combat, no pressure, just smooth swimming and a strong sense of discovery as you move through caves, coral forests, and ancient ruins.

The game leans heavily into atmosphere, and the way marine life reacts to you makes the world feel alive in a really gentle way. It’s the kind of experience that works perfectly if you enjoy games similar to Dredge but want something more relaxing.

Why we chose it Abzu stands out for its serene underwater exploration and handcrafted set pieces. The combination of fluid movement, stunning art direction, and a calming soundtrack makes it an easy pick for anyone who wants a peaceful ocean journey that still feels full of life.

The more you swim through Abzu’s world, the more you notice small unique touches, like hidden meditation spots or moments where massive sea creatures cross your path. It is short, but it uses that time well, giving you a focused journey that feels refreshing if you want something atmospheric without any stress.

My Verdict:

If you loved the ocean atmosphere in Dredge but want something peaceful and visually striking, Abzu is an easy recommendation. It’s a chill, feel-good dive that still delivers that sense of mystery under the surface.

What do players say?

u/RuRu92 ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ Abzu is one of the most beautiful, breathtaking and jaw dropping experiences I have ever played! … I have played it in one go in silence just with my mouth open at how amazing it was.

u/Capable-Newt ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ABZU is a game that I completely misjudged… A few minutes in I noticed that I was relaxed. … This was a different experience.

Raft

Best Survival Game Like Dredge on the Open Sea

Our score ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ Type of game Survival / Crafting / Co-op PC, Xbox One Creator/s Redbeet Interactive (developer), Axolot Games (publisher)

Average playtime 20–40h Best for Players who enjoy cooperative survival, crafting, and steady progression What I liked Building up the raft, exploring islands, and the constant sense of forward momentum

Raft

starts you off on a tiny plank drifting through the ocean, and from there you slowly turn it into a full floating base. Most of the game revolves around catching debris, crafting tools, upgrading your raft, and steering toward islands or shipwrecks. It has that satisfying loop where every small improvement makes you want to go a little farther.

The co-op mode is especially fun, because everyone plays a part in keeping the raft alive and pushing deeper into unexplored waters. It’s a solid fit for players looking for games similar to Dredge but with more hands-on survival and building. And if

Raft

ends up being your thing, you’ll probably enjoy browsing some of the best games like Raft since they lean into the same survival-on-the-water loop.

Why we chose it

Raft

captures the feeling of being alone on the ocean and slowly mastering it through teamwork, smart upgrades, and exploration. Its catch-craft-expand loop is simple but addictive, and it creates great stories when you play with friends.

You’ll find plenty to do once your raft grows, from diving into reefs for rare materials to hopping between islands in search of blueprints. The game has had strong community support since early access, and updates keep adding useful items and new places to explore, so the world never feels static.

My Verdict:

If you enjoy survival games with a clear sense of progression,

Raft

delivers a rewarding ocean adventure that keeps pulling you back out to sea. It’s perfect if you want something more hands-on than Dredge but still love that open-water atmosphere.

What do players say?

u/dougfisher11 ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ Yes 100%. If you like survival games, it’s one of the best. Super fun solo. Super fun with other people. Do it.

u/talrich ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ The rest of the game is fun. The puzzles are good. Building is great. Most of the technology you unlock feels rewarding. Resource collection is fun, mellow, and chill. Definitely worth the price of admission.

Subnautica

Best Open-World Underwater Game Like Dredge

Our score ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ Type of game Open-world survival / Exploration PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch Creator/s Unknown Worlds Entertainment (developer & publisher)

Average playtime 25–50h Best for Players who want deep exploration, progression, and real underwater tension What I liked The biomes, the creature design, and the constant sense of discovery

Subnautica

drops you into an alien ocean full of strange creatures, hidden caves, and massive biomes to explore. You’ll gather materials, build bases, create tools, and slowly push into deeper and more dangerous areas.

It nails that feeling of wonder mixed with quiet dread, especially when you’re exploring new zones with limited oxygen or following a signal into the dark. If you enjoy games similar to Dredge but want something with more survival depth, this is one of the strongest options. Want more of that? Then checking out a few top games like Subnautica is a natural next step.

Why we chose it

The survival and exploration systems work together perfectly, giving every dive a purpose. The creature variety, handcrafted locations, and audio cues make the world feel alive and unpredictable, which is exactly what you want from an underwater adventure. Trust me, the sound design alone can make your heart race, especially when you hear something large moving in the distance.

As you explore, the story unfolds naturally through signals, wrecks, and logs you find along the way. The more gear you build, the further you can travel, and each new biome feels distinct thanks to unique resources and creatures.

My Verdict:

If you love ocean worlds that mix beauty with danger,

Subnautica

is an easy recommendation. It captures that sense of mystery that fans of Dredge appreciate, but expands it into a full open-world survival experience.

What do players say?

u/Next-Effective-9372 ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ This game is fantastic, it’s very freeing… Damn I’ve played through 3 times. It’s never as good as the first time, but there’s always new things and always great.

u/jonhanson ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ The atmosphere in this game is just amazing. With most games I might remember playing them — with Subnautica, even after 6 years, I still remember being there.

King of Seas

Pirate-Themed Action RPG Like Dredge

Our score ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ Type of game Action RPG / Naval combat PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch Creator/s 3DClouds (developer), Team17 (publisher)

Average playtime 10–20h Best for Players who want light RPG progression mixed with pirate-style combat What I liked The fast ship battles, random world generation, and easy drop-in sessions In

King of Seas

, the first thing that hits you is how lively and unpredictable the ocean feels.

Each new run rearranges the map, so no two journeys play out the same. Sea skirmishes, treasure routes, and quick quests keep coming your way, and little by little you start adjusting your ship, unlocking new skills, and drifting into the kind of pirate role that feels natural to you.

There’s a charming tone to the world too, helped by colorful visuals and a simple storyline that keeps you moving from one objective to the next. Combat is the highlight, and experimenting with different ship builds gives each run its own flavor without overwhelming you with deep systems.

Why we chose it The procedurally generated seas, branching quests, and tight naval battles give it a fun mix of replayability and accessibility. It’s easy to jump in for short sessions, level up your ship, and chase loot without needing a huge time investment.

It plays from a top-down view, which gives you a clean look at the action and keeps everything feeling quick and responsive. For anyone looking into games similar to Dredge but craving more combat and progression, this one clicks fast.

My Verdict:

Great pick for anyone who wants an ocean adventure with more action than Dredge but still loves that feeling of roaming unpredictable waters. It’s fast, fun, and perfect for short bursts of pirate chaos.

What do players say?

u/VirionSovo ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ Good music, great writing = an atmosphere I have never experienced before. … After 3, 4 captains, that is like 2 hours, you might get to a point where you won’t die … After 5 months or so I felt like I found every little secret present in the game and ever since I still play it sometimes just for the atmosphere it retains.

u/AgreeableRoo ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ Loved the world-building and the writing in Sunless Sea, but the gameplay loop became repetitive and the grind was too tedious for me to go far.

Stranded Deep [Best Survival Game Like Dredge for Realistic Island Exploration]

• Our score
• ☆
• ★
• ☆
• ★
• ☆
• ★
• ☆
• ★
• ☆
• ★
• ☆
• ★
• ☆
• ★
• ☆
• ★
• ☆
• ★
• ☆
• ★
• Type of game
• Survival / Open-world crafting
• PC, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
• Creator/s

Beam Team Games (developer & publisher)

Average playtime 15–30h Best for Players who love gradual survival loops and ocean-island freedom What I liked Sandbox freedom, island wrangling, reef and cave dives Lost in a vast archipelago, you’ll be scraping together supplies, crafting rafts or shelters, and diving into underwater caves in a world where every island feels like a fresh sandbox. The mixture of land-based survival and ocean mechanics gives

Stranded Deep

a unique flavour among games similar to Dredge.

Why we chose it

Its blend of realistic resource-management, procedural islands, and dual land-and-sea exploration makes it ideal for players who want an open-ended survival experience that still carries that marine vibe.

You’ll hunt, fish, build, explore wrecks and reefs, and then ask yourself whether staying on land or diving deeper is the smarter move. The unpredictable ocean and changing islands add replayability, and the setting hits hard when the sun sets and everything feels quieter, more dangerous.

My Verdict:

Perfect if you want a survival game with deeper systems and full freedom, while still keeping the sea-faring tension that fans of Dredge appreciate.

What do players say?

u/ExcellentDirt7069 ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ Always worth it it’s amazing!

u/Professional-Job4330 ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ Here we are in 2025, and I’m playing through again. Nothing like some escapism in this ’Golden age’.

Call of the Sea

Best Story-Driven Game Like Dredge

Our score ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ Type of game Story-driven adventure / Puzzle PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch Creator/s Out of the Blue (developer), Raw Fury (publisher)

Average playtime 5–7h Best for Players who enjoy narrative mysteries with light exploration What I liked The atmosphere, puzzle pacing, and gorgeous island setting A remote island, strange markings, and a mystery tied to a lost expedition set the tone right away.

Call of the Sea

mixes gentle exploration with puzzles that feel logical and satisfying instead of overwhelming.

Its warm art style and subtle Lovecraftian elements make it an approachable entry for anyone looking into games similar to Dredge but with a stronger focus on story rather than tension.

Why we chose it

The blend of calm exploration, emotional storytelling, and beautifully designed puzzles makes it an easy recommendation for players who want a narrative-forward adventure with light supernatural elements.

As the story unravels, the island reveals more personality through ruins, clues, and small environmental details backed by a lovely soundtrack. It’s short, polished, and ideal when you’re in the mood for something atmospheric without combat or stress, easily standing alongside other top adventure games for relaxed evenings.

My Verdict:

A great option if you want a heartfelt, puzzle-focused experience set in a lush island world that slowly builds into a memorable mystery.

What do players say?

u/DancingMarshmallow ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ It’s a cozy fishing game where you start fishing and selling meals … The story is interesting and heartfelt so far, though it still lacks some polish.

u/Disig ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ The beginning is so nice … but I never finished the game because the NPCs falling flat and the bugs just took me out of it.

Submerged: Hidden Depths

Relaxing Exploration Game Like Dredge

Our score ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★ Type of game Third-person exploration / Adventure PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S Creator/s Uppercut Games (developer & publisher)

Average playtime 4–6h Best for Players who want atmosphere and exploration without combat What I liked The calm pacing, the flooded-world setting, and the visuals This chapter of Submerged sends you wandering through a quiet, overgrown city swallowed by water, where traversal and discovery are the heart of the game. Instead of combat, you climb structures, uncover collectibles, solve gentle environmental puzzles, and soak in the scenery while the soundtrack sets the mood.

Why we chose it

Its calm exploration, strong art direction, and focus on environment over action make it a natural fit for anyone searching for games like Dredge that embrace atmosphere and gentle mystery.

With no failure states, you can move entirely at your own pace, drifting across the ruins, restoring plant life, and piecing together the story through the world itself. It’s the kind of game you play when you want something quiet but still visually striking.

My Verdict:

Submerged: Hidden Depths

is ideal if you enjoy slow exploration and want a peaceful break that still captures some of the moodiness that made Dredge compelling.