Octodad: Dadliest Catch

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.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Reviews

94%

Audience ScoreBased on 5,779 reviews

humor1,329 positive mentions

stability27 negative mentions

humor
1,330 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in "Octodad: Dadliest Catch" is widely praised for its absurdity and slapstick nature, with players frequently laughing at the chaotic and clumsy antics of controlling an octopus disguised as a human. Many reviews highlight the game's clever dialogue, quirky characters, and the hilariously frustrating controls that lead to unexpected and funny situations. While some players find the humor occasionally repetitive or hit-or-miss, the overall consensus is that the game delivers a delightful and entertaining experience filled with charm and laughter, making it a great choice for both solo and co-op play.
- “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.”
- “The quirky voice acting and humorous dialogue further contribute to the game's comedic charm, creating an enjoyable experience that appeals to players of all ages.”
- “It's just not funny, or good.”
- “The humor falls flat and feels forced.”
- “I expected more laughs, but it was mostly cringeworthy.”
story
1,015 mentions
43 % positive mentions
55 % neutral mentions
2 % negative 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, typically taking around 2-4 hours to complete, it is filled with humor, charm, and surprisingly emotional moments that resonate with players. Many reviewers appreciate the game's unique premise and character interactions, though some express a desire for a longer storyline and more depth in the plot.
- “Beneath the humor and absurdity, Octodad tells a surprisingly heartfelt story about family, acceptance, and identity.”
- “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.”
- “The story is funny, the gameplay is great, and the achievements are genuinely pretty hard to get unless you're just cracked, and this game is just super duper good!”
- “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.”
gameplay
493 mentions
38 % positive mentions
59 % neutral mentions
3 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Octodad: Dadliest Catch" is characterized by its unique and chaotic physics-based mechanics, which require players to control the titular character's tentacles in a humorous and often frustrating manner. While the game offers a short playtime of around 2-4 hours, it is filled with entertaining challenges and clever puzzles that keep the experience engaging, especially in co-op mode. Despite some criticisms regarding its simplicity and occasional repetitiveness, the game's charm, humor, and innovative controls make it a delightful experience for players of all ages.
- “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.”
- “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 is fun when it's not stealth sections, although even those parts aren't too bad; it's just a control thing.”
- “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 main mechanic is the frustrating controls, which makes perfect sense, as you are trying to maneuver a boneless jelly blob around multiple areas full of stuff to break by 'accident'.”
graphics
189 mentions
43 % positive mentions
52 % neutral mentions
5 % negative 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 appreciate the charming visuals and how they fit the game's humor, others find them simplistic and reminiscent of older gaming graphics. Overall, the graphics are deemed adequate for the game's lighthearted premise, contributing to its fun atmosphere despite not being 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 is pleasing and the gameplay was fun.”
- “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).”
emotional
166 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is widely praised for its surprisingly heartfelt narrative that explores themes of family, acceptance, and identity, often evoking laughter and tears from players. Many reviews highlight the game's ability to blend humor with touching moments, creating a wholesome experience that resonates deeply, despite its silly premise of an octopus masquerading as a human father. Overall, players find the story to be a significant strength, making the game both entertaining and emotionally engaging.
- “Beneath the humor and absurdity, Octodad tells a surprisingly heartfelt story about family, acceptance, and identity.”
- “The story is touching; although ridiculous, it's rather intriguing that in the end I actually found I felt for this Octodad and his family.”
- “Unexpectedly, this is actually a heartwarming story about an octopus’s love for his family while he tries to hide his real identity.”
music
160 mentions
57 % positive mentions
41 % neutral mentions
2 % negative 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, including upbeat music and amusing sound effects, contributes significantly to the game's charm and enjoyment.
- “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.”
replayability
107 mentions
22 % positive mentions
68 % neutral mentions
9 % negative mentions
The game's replayability is generally viewed as limited, primarily hinging on achievements, collectibles, and user-generated content from the Steam Workshop. While some players find enjoyment in speed-running and exploring alternative solutions, the short main campaign (around 2-5 hours) leaves many feeling that replay value is minimal unless they are particularly invested in hunting for collectibles or engaging in co-op play. Overall, the game offers a mix of fun and charm, but its brevity and lack of substantial content may deter those seeking extensive replayability.
- “Octodad: Dadliest Catch offers moderate replayability, particularly for players who enjoy experimenting with the controls and discovering alternative solutions to puzzles.”
- “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.”
- “Though, there is not much replay value, unless you go back and try to get all the achievements.”
- “The game is short, but offers replay value to anyone who likes collecting or great gameplay.”
- “The entire game can be finished in about three hours with little replay value.”
stability
31 mentions
10 % positive mentions
3 % neutral mentions
87 % negative mentions
The game's stability is characterized by a range of bugs and glitches that can affect gameplay, such as character control issues and physics quirks. While many players find these technical hiccups amusing and part of the charm, some report more severe problems, including crashes and freezing. Overall, the consensus is that while the game is fun and engaging, it is indeed quite buggy, which may detract from the experience for some players.
- “No freezes.”
- “No glitches or anything wrong with it!”
- “It runs great on my slow computer, and I think everyone should own it!”
- “Your character might not do exactly what you want, or an item glitches out.”
- “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 kinda annoying... otherwise, it's a great game :) and very funny :)”
- “The game did however experience a good share of bugs and glitches.”
grinding
20 mentions
5 % positive mentions
15 % neutral mentions
80 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of the game is frequently described as tedious and frustrating, with many players feeling that it detracts from the overall enjoyment. While some find the game charming and fun, especially in multiplayer, the awkward controls and repetitive tasks can lead to a sense of monotony, particularly in later levels. Overall, the experience can be enjoyable in short bursts, but prolonged play often becomes a chore.
- “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.”
- “Though the game is funny and fun to play at times, the controls make the game fairly frustrating and tedious to play.”
atmosphere
17 mentions
59 % positive mentions
24 % neutral mentions
18 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of Octodad is characterized by its playful and whimsical sound design, charming character aesthetics, and a lighthearted narrative that creates an immersive experience. The combination of upbeat music, entertaining dialogue, and engaging mechanics contributes to a quirky, memorable environment that enhances the game's comedic elements. Overall, players appreciate the game's refreshing and delightful atmosphere, which effectively ties together its various components.
- “The sound design complements the comedic atmosphere with whimsical music and amusing sound effects.”
- “Very refreshing game with a nice quirky 'summertime in the suburbs' atmosphere.”
- “The atmosphere is amazing, the lighting is really good, and the dialogue is extremely entertaining.”
- “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.”
optimization
10 mentions
50 % positive mentions
20 % neutral mentions
30 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's optimization is generally praised, with smooth performance and high frame rates on PC, indicating effective design and compatibility. However, some users report significant performance issues on certain levels, likely due to poor optimization and physics simulation. While the graphics are well-presented, they may not be groundbreaking, but they complement the gameplay effectively.
- “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 16x AA, 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 development
7 mentions
43 % positive mentions
14 % neutral mentions
43 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is praised for its superb execution, particularly through the charming and exaggerated design of Octodad, whose clumsy antics enhance the comedic atmosphere. Players appreciate the depth of Octodad's character as they navigate his evolving judgment and philosophy, contributing to a lighthearted and humorous experience. Overall, the combination of expressive character design and engaging gameplay mechanics fosters a delightful and memorable character journey.
- “The character development is superb as you travel through twists and turns in this character's judgment and philosophy throughout this game.”
- “The character design, especially that of Octodad, is charming and adds to the overall comedic atmosphere.”
- “The expressiveness of Octodad's face, and just the character designs in general, all promote a lighthearted humorous feel.”
- “The character development is subpar, lacking depth and meaningful progression throughout the game.”
- “I found the character arcs to be predictable and uninspired, making it hard to connect with them.”
- “The characters feel one-dimensional, and their development does not evolve in a satisfying way.”
monetization
4 mentions
75 % positive mentions
-25 % neutral mentions
50 % negative mentions
The game features a straightforward monetization model, as it does not include in-app purchases or microtransactions, allowing players to enjoy the experience without financial distractions. However, some users feel the game is overpriced for its short duration, suggesting it should be priced lower to match its content. Overall, the monetization approach is seen as fair and user-friendly.
- “The game does not tempt you with silly in-app purchases.”
- “You can play local multiplayer, where one person controls the legs and the other controls the arms.”
- “The game is enjoyable and well explained, with no pressure to make additional purchases.”
- “This game handles platforming about as well as EA handles monetization.”
- “Please join my Better Business Bureau complaint against unscrupulous advertising.”