Review: Octodad: Dadliest Catch

Posted by Chris K on April 22nd, 2014 | 0 Comments | Tags: Octodad: Dadliest Catch

There are games that try to be serious in their mechanics and there are those that are just about having fun. Octodad: Dadliest Catch is one where, for the most part, it is just about goofing around and attempting to control the Octodad himself. The game is fun because the controls are so awkward that even trying to do the simplest things like walking or opening a door end with hilarious results.

The game also does not out stay its welcome. My playthrough clocked in at around three hours and by the end I had played enough to get the joke and have a good time. There were parts where I was getting frustrated with the controls, pretty much anytime the game makes you stealth around, and while this does pop up from time to time it isn’t a deal breaker. The crazy control-all-your-limbs aspect is amusing, but only when you aren’t tasked with controlling them with the required precision to sneak around a listing ship or aim a water gun. You can hear some more of my thoughts in this video.

There are a couple different control methods to choose from and as I am a lunatic and own all the Move controllers one would ever need… I checked them all out. From my playing I ended up sticking with the default DualShock 4 controls as my preferred method of input. Using two Move controllers does add extra precision in using your arm tentacles, but leg movement is much harder. The next best thing to using the DS4 is a Move controller and a Navigation controller, but even then it isn’t as easy as moving with the standard controller. There is also an option to have two players control different parts of the Octodad. My friends and I had the most fun when we turned on the roulette mode and just passed two controllers around. Slip and sliding around while trying to coordinate with another person is actually a blast.

I don’t really think there is much replay value in the game sadly. Although the trophies and hidden neckties do offer you a chance to head back into the levels… much of the enjoyment is found the first time you scuttle around and knock stuff over. You can only fall out of bed and turn off an alarm clock so many times before it loses its humor. However, Octodad Dadliest Catch is definitely worth checking out. Even if the controls can at times be frustrating, you just have to put one foot in front of the other and soon you’ll be walking across the floor.

A copy of this game was provided by the publisher for review purposes. For more info on our review policy click here.