Screenshot: Young HorsesKratos wasn’t the ideal father figure in God of War (2018) but he contributed to establishing the genre. There are numerous challenges that Kratos encounters in his first Norse adventure that most individuals wouldn’t relate to–not everyone has confronted such formidable adversaries. That’s where the appeal of Octodad: Dadliest Catch from 2014 lies. The main character is an average guy who does regular guy things. He works hard, loves his wife and kids, and also happens to be an octopus.
10 Most Played Games on Steam Deck: June 2023 Edition When it was initially launched a decade ago, Octodad: Dadliest Catch offered a delightful escapade for a cephalopod with a penchant for parenthood. Even today, the game remains an enjoyable and straightforward experience for those seeking a clever and amusing take on fatherhood. The premise is that the octopus masquerades as a typical person and finds happiness in family life without his loved ones being aware of his true nature. In order to maintain his secret, Octodad—yes, that’s the protagonist’s name—must carry out mundane daily tasks without revealing his identity to those around him, all while maneuvering using his tentacles. Managing Octodad’s movements often feels like a battle for control, as directing the tentacles is imprecise. Whether it’s managing his arm tentacles or leg tentacles (only one set can be controlled at a time), players must assist Octodad in completing tasks such as making coffee or going shopping. As the tentacles flail about and cause mayhem, Octodad proves itself to be a delightful farce. Nevertheless, causing havoc comes with consequences. If you create too much chaos, it becomes evident to many that something is amiss, prompting the need to restart the level and safeguard Octodad’s secret. The game refrains from treating Octodad as anything other than an ordinary person, employing a classic comedic approach presented straightforwardly. While all events in Octodad are absurd, the game treats everything as normal, making every significant mistake a source of amusement. Integrating humor into gameplay has always been a challenge in video games, but those that succeed often rely on clever storytelling rather than the gameplay itself. Octodad: Dadliest Catch’s effective use of slapstick action makes it one of the greatest comedy games of all time, a fact that has only become more evident in the decade since its release.
