Octodad: Dadliest Catch Reviews
Despite the flaws, Octodad offers a good, ludicrous journey that at least pays off in its key moments to make enduring the frustration worth it in the end.
Octodad is the sort of game that is going to sell itself on absurdity alone. But by reducing it to just a joke, we miss what makes it so special
If nothing else the IP represents an interesting attempt to turn a brilliant tech demo into a full game and it's certainly unlike anything I've ever played before.
If you've already played this on Wii U you'll know what's to come, and there won't be the laughs to the extent there'd be if you're a newbie. It's certainly worth experiencing, but try and get those controls nailed down ASAP or you're in for a frustrating time.
Octodad: Dadliest Catch is quite a hard game to actually recommend but, at the same time, it’s worth a dabble for a cheap laugh. While the original was praised for its interesting proof of concept, this rendition of trying to flesh out the idea further can feel a bit stretched. However, there is a charm to this game and its very short length ensures that it doesn’t outstay its welcome too much, and, if you want, you can always try and coordinate the lovable protagonist with a friend for some squits and giggles.
What will likely either attract people to Octodad or scare them away will be its unorthodox control and style of play. If you’re looking for a serious challenge with tight controls and impeccable level design you will very much come away disappointed. If, however, you’re open to the experience and the humor of it all Octodad is an excellent representation of the genre as a whole and plays very well as a handheld game to boot. If you’re looking for a major change of pace on the Switch Octodad will be happy to help you out with that!
Octodad looks like it is made for kids, but the gameplay can be very hard and frustrating at times. It will reward you with dozens of laughable moments nevertheless. We recommend buying it in a sale.
Review in German | Read full review
Octodad: Dadliest Catch is an absurdist delight. It only has one joke, but it's a damn good one. Though the game itself falters perhaps towards the end as Young Horses try to force things a little too much, it is to be hoped that the creation tools and the Workshop included with the game extend its lifespan. A brave and bonkers game, for the most part Octodad lollops along the fine line between fun and frustration with gloriously haphazard aplomb.
Still, even if you don't subscribe to that particular analogy; that Octodad is code for anyone a little different that needs to figure out how to act in mainstream society, there's still a lot of fun to be had here. Even when the overall challenge of living a day in Octodad's shoes bears too much weight, the game is amusing enough to quell most of the frustration.
Intentionally uncooperative controls are one of the most difficult ways to engage a player, but Young Horses has pulled it off twice in a row as of Octodad: Dadliest Catch. Aside from a handful of gameplay missteps (heh), the game is sublime slapstick that never stops being funny.
While many ports are simply lesser versions of what is already available, Octodad on the Vita retains what made the original releases so fun and therefore it is easy to recommend.
I can't really figure out why the developers felt they needed to add some of the frustrating platforming sections seen in the second half of the game.
Octodad: Dadliest Catch isn't a system seller, but if you already own a PS4, it is a game you must buy, because it is just so different it must be experienced. What could have felt like a tech demo, or an experiment, turns out to be so much more. A well rounded game, that will give you so much joy when playing.
The game's fun outweighs its faults. Do I recommend you go purchase this game right away? Absolutely!
The concept of Octodad: Deadliest Catch is clever and the overall experience is good for some laughs. But it is hard to recommend a game that is fun for little over an hour. Young Horses just doesn't seem to know what to do with their good idea.
If you're looking for a very interesting game with a weird premise, Octodad is the way to go on Switch.
Octodad: Dadliest Catch is a unique and fun game in which the awkward controls and the weird situations you find yourself in are part of the charm. The odd premise, the funky controls, the colorful graphics and the objectives to complete will keep you coming back for more from start to finish. The game might be a short one, but it's a fun one you have to experience on Nintendo Switch.
Octodad: Dadliest Catch is the epitome of cult, as it's clearly a love-or-hate video game, since its purposely "bad" control scheme and comedic approach to things is far from most people's cup of sea water. As for those who think that this is up their alley, it's best to wait a bit. Not because this isn't fun or anything, but because it's currently a bit too pricey for what's on offer.
In the end, Octodad is an interesting and amusing title, a good game to pick up and play with friends for short gaming bursts. If however, you are liable to fits of rage then for the love of God, avoid.
I loved Octodad's premise right when I heard about it, and I'm glad to finally have the chance to play it. The Wii U version doesn't run at 100%, but It's already sold me on any projects Young Horses works on in the future. I just hope it comes to a Nintendo platform sooner.