Octodad: Dadliest Catch is the dumbest game this year that will leave you feeling smarter for playing. When you first look into the mirror and see an octopus in a suit you know you are not in for the “normal” experience. Octodad is a loving husband and father of two, but he’s also an octopus (that can breathe air). This is what makes developer Young Horse’s game so endearing. It isn’t perfect, but it believes in itself to the fullest extent, and the experience is much better when the player believes as well.
Dadliest Catch is the continuation of Young Horses’ IGF submitted experiment back in 2010, simply titled Octodad. Now, we finally get to live a day in Octodad’s shoes (suckers?). The game is a dad “simulator” in a way – mow the lawn, cook some burgers, make coffee and go to the aquarium. But nothing is simple in the outlandish life of Octodad; he’s a true fish out of water, which is how the player is intended to feel using the control system.
“Meaningful play” is a teaching term used to evaluate how well player action and system outcome fit within the larger context of the designer’s world. There is a purpose behind the obtuse nature of the controls: the unpredictability is part of the game in both the story and the game mechanics. If you have a Dualshock 4 around, this is the perfect time to use it. Not only does Dadliest Catch recognize the controller immediately, it’s possibly the best interface layout for mastering the controls. To move like a “normal” person, lift Octodad’s tentacles with the corresponding right and left triggers, and release to drop them. When stationary, you can control Octodad’s arm with the analog sticks graphically (remember the x-y-z graph from school?).
If it sounds nebulous, that’s because it is. Up until the end of the end I was still figuring out new ways to make the controls work for my game style.
At times Young Horses tries to replicate the natural excitement of discovering this bright and luscious world by focusing on the “perfect.” Switching from the sandbox to the jungle gym (not the literal jungle gym in the game) is necessary, but the abruptness is jarring. Young horse does an excellent job of easing the player into the strange world of Octodad, but not the world of the “octo.”
In a way, Octodad reminds me of myself. No, not the uncoordinated part, but the strive to be “normal” that we all share in our day-to-day lives. Octodad tries every task thrown his way, whether it is purchasing the only soda bottle left in the store or trying to win prizes for his concerned wife. He isn’t perfect nor should he be expected to be.
Octodad: Dadliest Catch is a reflection of video games, and a reflection of the player. By playing, you realize a gap in your knowledge. Whether it’s in the controls, situation, or objective, there’s a learning curve to just “be normal.” Even if you’re not a normal octopus, you can still be a great dad.
This review is based on a code sent to the reviewer by the publisher.
No Comments