Comparison

The Stanley Parable vs DREDGE

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both games, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

The Stanley Parable

An expanded re-imagining of a critically acclaimed indie game, this title preserves the original experience while adding new content, choices, and secrets. It features visual upgrades, accessibility options, and the original's iconic narration.

Highlights
  • Expanded content and choices
  • New secrets to uncover
  • Visually upgraded graphics
  • Accessibility features
  • Faithful preservation of original tone
  • Impeccable voice acting
Features
Read full description

The Stanley Parable: Ultra Deluxe is an expanded re-imagining of the critically acclaimed, award winning indie game The Stanley Parable from 2013. Everything that was in the original Stanley Parable is here, preserved just like it was back in 2013. But The Stanley Parable: Ultra Deluxe also dramatically expands the world of the original game with new content, new choices, and new secrets to uncover. The labyrinth has just gotten bigger. In addition, the game has been visually upgraded to reflect modern technology while faithfully preserving the tone of the original game. Accessibility features have also been added to the game, including localization of in-world text, colorblind options, and content warnings. And just as before, the impeccable voicework of Kevan Brighting will accompany you every step of the way. In The Stanley Parable: Ultra Deluxe, everything you remember has been recreated, yet it's different somehow. We've been here before, haven't we? Is Stanley still the same as he was back then? Or is it you who has changed?

About

DREDGE

Captain a fishing trawler to explore remote islands and their depths, selling catches and completing quests to uncover secrets. Upgrade your boat and research equipment to reach new areas, but beware of the dangers lurking in the dark.

Highlights
  • Explore remote islands and depths
  • Catch and sell over 125 sea creatures
  • Complete quests and uncover secrets
  • Upgrade boat with researchable equipment
  • Navigate treacherous waters
  • Survive encounters in the dark
Features
Read full description

*TRY BEFORE YOU BUY* Play the first area for free. One-time purchase unlocks the base game. DLC expansions available as additional in-app purchases. Captain your fishing trawler to explore a collection of remote isles, and their surrounding depths, to see what lies below. Sell your catch to the locals and complete quests to learn more about each area’s troubled past. Outfit your boat with better equipment to trawl deep-sea trenches and navigate to far-off lands, but keep an eye on the time. You might not like what finds you in the dark... Explore the Islands & Discover their Secrets Starting from your new home in the remote archipelago, ‘The Marrows’, take to the water and scour the depths for curious collectables and over 125 deep sea denizens. Explore each area while completing quests and visiting neighboring island regions – each with their own unique opportunities, inhabitants, and secrets. Dredge the Depths Someone wants you to dig up the past, but can you trust them and will it ever be enough? Beware the Fog Danger is everywhere, so watch for sharp rocks and shallow reefs, though the biggest threats of all lurk within the fog that cloaks the night-time seas... Game Features: - Unravel a Mystery: Captain your fishing trawler across a collection of remote islands, each with its own inhabitants to meet, wildlife to discover, and stories to unearth. - Dredge the Depths: Scour the sea for hidden treasures and complete quests to gain access to strange new abilities - Study Your Craft: Research special equipment and upgrade your boat’s capabilities to gain access to rare fish and valuable deep-sea curios. - Fish to Survive: Sell your discoveries to the locals to learn more about each area, and upgrade your boat to reach even more secluded locations. - Fight the Unfathomable: Strengthen your mind and use your abilities to survive trips out on the water after dark.

Screenshots

The Stanley Parable4 screens
DREDGE4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is monetization model: DREDGE at free with in-app purchases against The Stanley Parable's paid. On price, rating, review sentiment and ratings volume there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. The Stanley Parable sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and DREDGE sells 8 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

DREDGE holds the better App Store score, 4.3 against 4.1. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 703 and 1.1K respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 66% of The Stanley Parable's written reviews are positive against 60% of DREDGE's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

The Stanley Parable ships an update monthly, DREDGE every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 4, 2026 and November 6, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
The Stanley Parable versus DREDGE: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterThe Stanley ParableDREDGE
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.1 (703 ratings)4.3 (1.1K ratings) — better
Positive reviews66.3% of reviews — better59.9% of reviews
Number of ratings7031.1K — better
Update frequencyMonthlyEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationPaidFree with in-app purchases — better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, Mac — better
Requires iOS17.016.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size1.4 GB768 MB
Age rating12+12+
DeveloperCrows Crows CrowsBlack Salt Games

Customer experience

The Stanley Parable

All ratings693 ratings
Positive76.8%
Neutral5.3%
Negative17.9%
Written reviews475 reviews
Positive66.3%
Neutral9.3%
Negative24.4%

DREDGE

All ratings1,100 ratings
Positive82.0%
Neutral3.8%
Negative14.2%
Written reviews1,148 reviews
Positive59.9%
Neutral10.2%
Negative29.9%

User reviews

The Stanley Parable

From 703 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Great mobile port
  • 👍 Faithful to the original
  • 🤩 Exclusive mobile content
  • 💎 Hilarious and engaging

Room to improve

  • 🔨 Clunky touch controls
  • 💰 Expensive for a mobile game
  • 🔋 Drains battery quickly

DREDGE

From 1.1K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Great game
  • 🚀 Excellent port to mobile
  • 🎮 Supports controllers
  • 🎨 Stunning graphics
  • 🕹️ Intuitive controls

Room to improve

  • 💰 Expensive for a mobile game
  • 🔍 Misleading 'free' description
  • 📱 Text/UI too small on phones
  • 🐛 Crashes and performance issues
  • 🎮 Controller support needs improvement

Bugs and requests

The Stanley Parable

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • Graphical issues in certain areas
  • Audio not working in free trial

Requested features

3 requests
  • Joystick/virtual stick controls
  • Landscape mode support
  • Ability to track unlocked endings

DREDGE

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Crashes on startup
  • Controller issues
  • Inventory/menu navigation problems

Requested features

5 requests
  • Larger text and UI options
  • Cross-save between devices
  • More content and DLC
  • Minimap or navigation aids
  • Ability to walk around boat/town

In-app purchases

1 purchases

The Stanley Parable

One-time1
  • Full Game$14.99
8 purchases

DREDGE

One-time8
  • Blackstone Key$0.49
  • Blackstone Key$0.99
  • The Pale Reach$2.39
Show 5 more
  • The Iron Rig$4.79
  • The Pale Reach$5.99
  • Base Game Unlock$9.99
  • The Iron Rig$11.99
  • Base Game Unlock$24.99

Questions

Is The Stanley Parable free?
The Stanley Parable is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is DREDGE free?
DREDGE is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, The Stanley Parable or DREDGE?
DREDGE is rated higher. The Stanley Parable averages 4.1 out of 5 from 703 ratings, while DREDGE averages 4.3 from 1.1K ratings.
Do The Stanley Parable or DREDGE have ads?
Neither The Stanley Parable nor DREDGE shows ads.
Which is updated more often, The Stanley Parable or DREDGE?
The Stanley Parable ships an update monthly, and DREDGE every 3 weeks. Most recently, The Stanley Parable was updated on November 4, 2026 and DREDGE on November 6, 2026.

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