Octodad: Dadliest Catch Reviews

Octodad: Dadliest Catch is ranked in the 56th percentile of games scored on OpenCritic.
7 / 10.0
Apr 28, 2014

In the end, the entertainment value of Octodad rests on one all-important factor; what kind of sense of humor you, as a player, have. If you can laugh at the absurdity of game mechanics, then this game will be silly, goofy fun and well worth the $15. If, on the other hand, you get mad at any design failing that impedes your ability to win, this game will simply bore you at best, enrage you and make you put your foot through your TV at worst.

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7 / 10
Apr 21, 2014

Octodad: Dadliest Catch is a game that embraces its craziness. The title's zany controls lead to some even stranger onscreen occurrences, and that culminates in a lot of unexpected entertainment. The release does start to grate in long sessions, and perhaps doesn't have enough gameplay variety to carry its core idea, but with PlayStation Move support and a ridiculous co-op component, the package will spread a smile across even the sternest countenance.

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Ken McKown
Top Critic
7 / 10.0
Aug 27, 2015

Octodad is a clever game that is fun in the same sense something like Goat Simulator is. It is hilarity, physics-based mayhem that is entirely random. The difference here is that the developers tried to streamline it with actual objectives and level progression, which can lead to frustration.

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Jan 30, 2014

Octodad: Dadliest Catch knows exactly what type of experience it wants to deliver and, for the most part, it succeeds in doing so. The mechanics work well and the concept is charming and enjoyable. But a few rough patches will likely keep players from seeing the game as anything more than a pleasant distraction or a fun sandbox to mess around in. Luckily, Octodad is a relatively short experience, and even when it starts to get a little dull or frustrating, there's always something different for Octodad to struggle to do.

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7 / 10.0
Feb 10, 2014

Octodad: Dadliest Catch is a rare beast, then, because it made me laugh out loud the first moment that I ambled down the aisle to meet my doting bride-to-be. Whilst the joke didn't have me splitting my sides with laughter for the entire duration, the shift to a more endearing tale of one sea-dwelling creature's pursuit of a normal life was a welcome one. Octodad: Dadliest Catch is a lovely game, despite its issues.

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7 / 10.0
Jan 29, 2014

When the bizarre controls make mundane tasks impossible, Dadliest Catch is just too funny to be frustrating. When it piles on the weight of traditional video game challenges, controlling the tendrils of an uncooperative marionette becomes instantly less appealing.

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Jan 30, 2014

It might be brief, but Octodad is definitely worth checking out for anyone interested in a charming, hilarious experience. Also, you get to play as an octopus, which... you know, is pretty awesome.

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7 / 10
Feb 3, 2014

It's a shame Octodad leans so heavily on traditional gameplay tropes like boss fights and stealth sections in its second half, especially when the opening sections suggest something quirkier and more inventive - but taken as a whole, it's still a minor triumph.

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7.1 / 10.0
May 14, 2014

Originally and stupidly funny, with plenty of charm wrapped up in a package that is a bit too short.

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7.5 / 10.0
Feb 8, 2014

Octodad: Dadliest Catch offers a short, good value and entertaining romp that should satisfy those looking for something a little different.

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Cheat Code Central
Angelo M. D’Argenio
Top Critic
3.9 / 5.0
Apr 23, 2014

Octodad is a pretty interesting game. It takes a huge risk in making frustrating controls its centerpiece of gameplay, but it really pays off considering the absurd subject matter. It's not without its flaws, especially considering the repetitive level design, but it's undeniably fun. Octodad is one of those rare games that literally gets you to laugh out loud while playing it. It's a comedy in a landscape filled with dramas starring hardened marines and action movie stereotypes. It's a real gem of an experience and for $10-$15 dollars, depending on whether or not you have a PlayStation Plus account, it's certainly a game worth spending your time and money on.

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IGN
Top Critic
7.8 / 10.0
Jan 30, 2014

Octodad revels in its brand of absurdist physical comedy, but also tells a touching tale.

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8 / 10.0
Nov 12, 2017

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!

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Apr 22, 2014

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.

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80%
Dec 7, 2017

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.

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8 / 10
Mar 9, 2018

If you're looking for a very interesting game with a weird premise, Octodad is the way to go on Switch.

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Jan 31, 2014

The game's fun outweighs its faults. Do I recommend you go purchase this game right away? Absolutely!

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8 / 10.0
Jun 3, 2015

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.

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Jordan Hurst
Top Critic
8 / 10
Feb 25, 2015

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.

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Feb 1, 2014

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.

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