Octodad: Dadliest Catch

78%
Game Brain Score Based on 11,565 reviews
  • humor
  • story
  • gameplay
Octodad: Dadliest Catch Game Cover
Octodad: Dadliest Catch is a quirky mix of physics and mini-games wrapped up into a story about an Octopus that pretends to be a man and simply wants to live a normal life with his family.
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In Octodad: Dadliest Catch, players control an octopus posing as a father in a world of humans, completing mundane tasks with octopus physics while avoiding suspicion. The game features a campaign with various levels and challenges, testing the player's ability to maintain the disguise and keep Octodad's true identity hidden. With humor and light-hearted gameplay, Octodad: Dadliest Catch offers a unique and entertaining experience.

  • iPad
  • iPhone
  • Mac OS
  • Nintendo Switch
  • PC
  • Phone
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Android
  • Linux
  • Mobile Platform
  • Play​Station
  • Play​station Vita
  • Tablet
  • Wii
  • Wii U
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

78%
Audience ScoreBased on 11,565 reviews
humor2,662 positive mentions
stability54 negative mentions
  • humor2,664 mentions

    The humor in "Octodad: Dadliest Catch" is widely praised for its absurdity and slapstick nature, with many players finding the chaotic controls and quirky scenarios to be a source of endless laughter. The game combines clever dialogue, charming characters, and a heartwarming story, making it appealing to both children and adults. While some players note that the humor can become repetitive or frustrating over time, the overall consensus is that the game delivers a uniquely funny experience that is best enjoyed with friends or family.

    • “You flop around being a chaotic mess for a few hours, soaking in the absurd humor the game offers.”
    • “The slapstick humor is brilliantly executed, and every playthrough is filled with moments of pure, unfiltered joy.”
    • “Octodad is undeniably hilarious, and I was inspired to give it a shot thanks to PewDiePie's gameplay.”
    • “It's just not funny, or good.”
    • “It's just not funny, or good.”
  • story2,031 mentions

    The story of "Octodad: Dadliest Catch" is a whimsical and heartwarming tale about an octopus masquerading as a human father, navigating the challenges of family life while trying to keep his true identity a secret. While the narrative is often described as short and simple, typically taking around 2-3 hours to complete, it is praised for its humor, charm, and emotional depth, resonating with themes of love and acceptance. Players appreciate the quirky premise and engaging character interactions, though some express a desire for a longer storyline and more substantial content.

    • “The deeper you get into the story, the more you realize that this isn’t just about an octopus trying to fit in—it's about an individual trying to be the best father he can, even if his very awkward nature makes that an uphill battle.”
    • “Beneath the humor and absurdity, Octodad tells a surprisingly heartfelt story about family, acceptance, and identity.”
    • “What surprised me was the quality of the story and writing the game presented, creating a funny yet heartwarming story of a man who loves his family...who just so happens to be an octopus.”
    • “Even the story, which should be a highlight of any narrative-driven game, fails to engage.”
    • “The plot is paper-thin and predictable, serving as little more than a flimsy excuse to string together a series of increasingly absurd scenarios.”
    • “The story is short and has lots of variety, and I didn't get bored at all.”
  • gameplay987 mentions

    The gameplay of "Octodad: Dadliest Catch" is characterized by its unique and chaotic physics-based mechanics, where players control the titular octopus's tentacles to navigate everyday tasks, resulting in both humorous and frustrating moments. While the game is relatively short, typically offering around 2-4 hours of playtime, its charm lies in the combination of silly controls, engaging puzzles, and a lighthearted story that appeals to players of all ages. Despite some criticisms regarding the repetitiveness and difficulty of the controls, many players find the experience enjoyable and recommend it for its comedic value and innovative gameplay.

    • “The game’s physics-based mechanics ensure that things can go wrong in the most spectacular ways, and it’s in these moments of chaos that Octodad shines brightest.”
    • “The humor of this game is great as well as its unique and challenging gameplay.”
    • “With its charming characters, unique gameplay mechanics, and comedic storyline, it's no surprise that younger players, like my son, find it irresistible.”
    • “The gameplay feels overly simplistic, and it's disheartening to realize that the entire game can be summed up in the first five minutes.”
    • “The gameplay is awful (I know that's sort of the point), and even though it is sort of funny I ended up getting bored within 30 minutes.”
    • “The problem is the main mechanic - the controls, or rather the awkwardness of them - certainly makes for an entertaining play, but at a certain point the controls stop feeling novel/funny and begin to feel frustrating which is something of a problem considering it's what the game is centered on.”
  • graphics378 mentions

    The graphics of "Octodad: Dadliest Catch" are characterized by a colorful and cartoonish art style that complements the game's whimsical nature, though they lack the polish and detail found in other indie titles. While some players find the visuals charming and fitting for the game's humor, others note that they are relatively simple and unremarkable, reminiscent of older console graphics. Overall, the graphics serve the game's lighthearted premise well, even if they don't stand out as cutting-edge.

    • “Visually, Octodad: Dadliest Catch employs a colorful and cartoony art style that complements its whimsical premise.”
    • “The visuals are colorful and charming, perfectly complementing the game's whimsical nature.”
    • “The graphical style of this game is cartoonish, and it adds to the silliness and humor of the game itself.”
    • “Graphically, the game is unremarkable.”
    • “While the cartoonish art style is charming in its own right, the visuals lack the polish and detail of other indie titles.”
    • “The graphics are horrible (except for Octodad).”
  • emotional332 mentions

    The emotional aspect of "Octodad: Dadliest Catch" is widely praised for its surprisingly heartfelt narrative that explores themes of family, acceptance, and identity, often blending humor with touching moments. Players report feeling a strong emotional connection to the characters, with many expressing that the game made them laugh, cry, and reflect on the challenges of fatherhood, despite its silly premise. Overall, the game is described as a charming and wholesome experience that resonates deeply with players, making it a memorable emotional journey.

    • “Beneath the humor and absurdity, Octodad tells a surprisingly heartfelt story about family, acceptance, and identity.”
    • “The story was beautiful and I cried at the end.”
    • “The constant humor, intertwined with a surprisingly touching story and the hysterical concept of a cephalopod living a human life all adds up to a great experience.”
  • music320 mentions

    The music in "Octodad" is widely praised for its whimsical and catchy soundtrack, which enhances the game's playful atmosphere and complements its comedic elements. Players particularly enjoy the memorable theme song, often describing it as a highlight that sticks in their heads long after playing. Overall, the sound design effectively contributes to the game's charm, making it a delightful experience for many.

    • “The delightful soundtrack adds another layer of joy, making every step of Octodad's journey feel like a magical dance.”
    • “The soundtrack is fantastic, the environments are detailed, and the characters are all very memorable and funny.”
    • “The music is charming and very 1950s with the main theme rocking towards the 60s' style, the characters are all very charming people and you will never believe how much there is to know about kelp.”
    • “The soundtrack also makes me want to vomit.”
    • “Sadly, besides that song, the rest of the soundtrack was awful.”
    • “The music is very repetitive, which matches the style of play.”
  • replayability214 mentions

    The game's replayability is generally viewed as limited, primarily hinging on achievement hunting and collectible ties, with most players completing the main story in about 2-5 hours. While some enjoy the quirky gameplay and co-op features that add a layer of fun, many agree that the short length and lack of substantial content reduce overall replay value. However, the integration of user-generated content through the Steam Workshop offers potential for extended play for those interested in exploring additional challenges.

    • “A main playthrough doesn't take too long, but going back for a new best time, achievements, and collectible ties adds some good replay value.”
    • “The ties, hidden easter eggs, achievements, and bonus stages provide plenty of replayable content goals.”
    • “While the game's story is short, the game's difficulty, its replayability with speed runs and collectibles, the co-op gameplay, and its custom levels with the Steam Workshop make sure that this game can entertain for a long time.”
    • “The game is short, but offers replay value to anyone who likes collecting, or great gameplay.”
    • “Well.. it's $15, has little to no replay value aside from achievements, and takes about 3 hours to beat if you're meandering a lot.”
    • “The entire game can be finished in about three hours with little replay value.”
  • stability62 mentions

    The game is generally described as fun and charming, but it suffers from various bugs and glitches that can affect gameplay, such as character control issues and physics quirks. While some players find these technical hiccups enhance the experience, others report significant problems, including crashes and items disappearing. Overall, stability is a mixed bag, with many users acknowledging the bugs but still enjoying the game for its humor and engaging story.

    • “It runs great on my slow computer, and I think everyone should own it!”
    • “No glitches or anything wrong with it!”
    • “Runs great and looks good.”
    • “However, I have one really big issue with it... it always crashes after exactly 10 minutes of gameplay each time I start up the game... and then it just freezes... and sometimes I can't even get out of the game without shutting down the entire computer... which is kind of annoying... otherwise, it's a great game :) and very funny :)”
    • “The main story is fine but the shorts are terrible; the romance one is so boring and the medical one is so buggy with parts that you need to finish the level disappearing.”
    • “Now to the problems... the Linux version is... well... buggy.”
  • grinding40 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game is frequently described as tedious and frustrating, with many players feeling that the awkward controls and repetitive tasks detract from the overall enjoyment. While some find moments of charm and humor, the gameplay often devolves into a monotonous experience, particularly during longer levels or challenging modes. Despite these criticisms, playing with friends can enhance the experience, making it more enjoyable despite the grinding elements.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “However, what could have been a charming and humorous adventure quickly devolves into a tedious exercise in frustration.”
    • “Playing on hard, in my opinion, does not make the game fun; it makes it tedious and boring.”
    • “A little boring once you've fallen over a few times, gets to the point where you can't really be bothered doing long levels at this tedious pace.”
  • atmosphere34 mentions

    The atmosphere of Octodad is characterized by its playful and whimsical sound design, charming character visuals, and a lighthearted narrative that creates an immersive experience. The combination of upbeat music, entertaining dialogue, and a quirky suburban setting contributes to a memorable and engaging environment that enhances the overall gameplay. Despite some design missteps, the game's delightful atmosphere and humor keep players invested throughout.

    • “The sound design complements the comedic atmosphere with whimsical music and amusing sound effects.”
    • “The atmosphere is amazing, the lighting is really good, and the dialogue is extremely entertaining.”
    • “Very refreshing game with a nice quirky 'summertime in the suburbs' atmosphere.”
    • “The atmosphere and story is simple, yet charming.”
    • “A fascinating experiment in how controls can add to a game's narrative and atmosphere.”
    • “The humor and just the overall atmosphere alone kept me playing to the end.”
  • optimization20 mentions

    Overall, the game's optimization is generally praised, with smooth performance and high frame rates, particularly on PC. However, some users report serious performance issues on specific levels, likely due to poor optimization and physics simulation. While the graphics are well-presented and fit the game's aesthetic, the experience can vary significantly based on individual system performance.

    • “The game is very well optimized; I never experienced any crashing or bugs.”
    • “The graphics in the game are well presented, nothing too over the top, and I doubt it would win any awards. However, it fits in well with the game, and it ran at a perfect 120fps even with 16xAA, showing that the game is fairly well optimized to run on PCs.”
    • “It performs great and feels well optimized.”
    • “A word of warning though, the game has some serious performance issues on a couple of levels.”
    • “This is probably due to some poor optimization and the constant physics simulation.”
    • “But the major difference is that the first game was very buggy, and many issues could come up depending on your computer's performance (in my case, Octodad would begin to climb towards the sky and then slowly come back to the ground).”
  • character development14 mentions

    Character development in the game is praised for its depth, showcasing significant growth in the protagonist's judgment and philosophy as players navigate various challenges. The charming and exaggerated character designs, particularly of Octodad, enhance the comedic atmosphere and contribute to the overall expressiveness and humor of the game. Overall, the combination of superb character development and delightful design creates a lighthearted and engaging experience.

    • “+ fantastic character development”
    • “The expressiveness of Octodad's face, and just the character designs in general, all promote a lighthearted humorous feel.”
    • “The character development is superb as you travel through twists and turns in this character's judgment and philosophy throughout this game.”
    • “The character designs are charmingly exaggerated, with Octodad's clumsy antics adding to the game's comedic appeal.”
    • “The character design, especially that of Octodad, is charming and adds to the overall comedic atmosphere.”
  • monetization8 mentions

    The game features a straightforward monetization model, as it does not include in-app purchases, allowing players to enjoy the experience without additional costs. However, some reviewers feel the game is overpriced for its short duration, suggesting it should be priced lower to match its content. Overall, players appreciate the lack of aggressive monetization tactics, focusing instead on the gameplay experience.

    • “The hidden collectibles (like Halo skulls) are available in-game with no purchase required.”
    • “You can play local multiplayer, where one person controls the legs and the other controls the arms.”
    • “This game handles platforming about as well as EA handles monetization.”
    • “Please join my Better Business Bureau complaint against unscrupulous advertising.”
    • “The game does not tempt you with silly in-app purchases.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

71% average critic score

Buy Octodad: Dadliest Catch

Play time

4hMedian play time
31hAverage play time
2hMain story
8hCompletionist
2-18hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 90 analyzed playthroughs

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