Fans of survival and horror-themed indie games can now get an early look at DREADMOOR, a post-apocalyptic fishing adventure that blends exploration, survival mechanics, and dark fantasy elements. Developer Dream Dock and publisher Digital Vortex Entertainment announced the game’s first public playtest as part of Steam Ocean Fest, now available for PC players through Steam.
The milestone comes as the game surpasses 200,000 wishlists ahead of its planned launch later in 2026.
DREADMOOR Combines Fishing, Survival, and Horror Elements
Set in a plague-ravaged bayou environment, DREADMOOR places players aboard a damaged fishing boat in a flooded world filled with mutated sea creatures and environmental hazards.
Players must explore the game’s “Submerged Lands” to locate fishing spots, gather supplies, and survive encounters with dangerous predators lurking beneath the water. While fishing serves as the core gameplay mechanic, the experience also incorporates scavenging, crafting, and exploration systems commonly found in survival games.
The game’s dark atmosphere and unusual setting position it within a growing trend of atmospheric indie titles that mix traditionally relaxing activities like fishing with horror and survival gameplay.
Public Playtest Adds New Gameplay Features
According to the developers, the Steam Ocean Fest playtest introduces several gameplay systems that were not previously available during private or in-person demos.
New features include:
Day and Night Gameplay Cycle
Players will now experience changing environmental conditions depending on the time of day, including nighttime tentacle attacks that introduce additional dangers after dark.
Exploration and Puzzle Mechanics
The playtest also adds lockpicking systems, forbidden areas to investigate, generator refueling mechanics, and water-flow puzzles designed to expand the game’s exploration elements.
Mastery and Crafting Systems
Players can unlock recipes and progression upgrades through a new Mastery system, allowing for more advanced survival and fishing strategies.
These additions aim to deepen the game’s blend of fishing simulation, exploration, and survival horror mechanics.
Mutant Fishing and Upgradable Equipment Drive Progression
As players catch mutated fish and collect materials throughout the flooded landscape, they can return to a traveling bait shop built atop a massive crab creature to sell their haul and upgrade equipment.
Resources gathered during exploration can be used to improve fishing gear, strengthen the boat’s hull, and unlock specialized lures designed to catch more dangerous aquatic creatures.
The developers describe the progression system as a balance between survival and risk-reward exploration, encouraging players to venture into increasingly hazardous waters in search of rare resources.
Developers Say Player Feedback Has Shaped the Game
Dream Dock CEO Rostislav Fedorov said community feedback from earlier playtests has played a major role in refining the project.
“We’ve been hard at work making DREADMOOR into the dark fishing game of our dreams, and the player feedback we’ve received during our past playtests has been a huge part of making that happen,” Fedorov said in a statement.
The studio says the current public playtest represents only an early look at the full experience planned for release.
DREADMOOR Scheduled for PC Release in Late 2026
DREADMOOR is currently scheduled to launch for PC via Steam in the fourth quarter of 2026.
Publisher Digital Vortex Entertainment includes industry veterans who have previously worked on titles such as Atomic Heart, Lost Ark, and PUBG: Battlegrounds.
Meanwhile, Dream Dock is an independent studio founded by former developers from companies including Playrix, MY.GAMES, Saber Interactive, and Owlcat Games.
Conclusion
With its unusual mix of fishing gameplay, survival mechanics, and horror-inspired exploration, DREADMOOR is emerging as one of the more distinctive indie titles headed to Steam in 2026. The new public playtest gives players their first widespread opportunity to experience the game’s dark aquatic world ahead of its full release later this year.
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