Octodad: Deadliest Catch – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Octodad: Deadliest Catch

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

app2018

84%

WISE Score

4.3

App Store

You're an octopus pretending to be a suburban dad, and every simple task becomes hilariously catastrophic.

Octodad: Deadliest Catch

app

Everyone, 2018

84%

WISE Score

4.3

App Store

You're an octopus pretending to be a suburban dad, and every simple task becomes hilariously catastrophic.

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App Store

Google Play

Screenwise Verdict

Octodad is one of those rare indie games that's both genuinely funny and family-friendly. The premise—an octopus in a suit trying to blend in as a suburban dad—is absurd gold, and watching your "dad" flail through grocery stores and wedding receptions never gets old.

The catch? The controls are intentionally terrible. That's the joke and the challenge, but it means younger kids (under 8-ish) will likely find it more frustrating than fun. For kids 8-12 with some gaming experience (or playing co-op with you), it's a blast. The game celebrates family and acceptance in a goofy, non-preachy way, and there's zero predatory nonsense—no ads, no in-app purchases, just pure weird fun.

It's short (3-4 hours), so it won't dominate your kid's life, and honestly? You'll probably laugh as much as they do.

Age Fit

Best for ages 8-14, though the ESRB says 10+. Younger kids can enjoy it with a patient co-player, but the intentionally difficult controls and spatial reasoning required make it tough for under-8s. Teens and adults find it hilarious too, but the novelty wears thin after a few hours.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Light-hearted slapstick humor with themes of family, identity, and acceptance. The premise—an octopus disguised as a human dad trying to keep his family together—is absurd and sweet. No mature or dark themes, and the emotional core celebrates family bonds without being saccharine.

Imaginative

Incredibly original premise and execution. The intentionally clunky physics-based controls turn mundane tasks (pouring coffee, mowing the lawn) into creative problem-solving challenges. The absurdist humor and bizarre scenarios invite players to embrace chaos and experimentation.

Safe

ESRB rated E10+ for Fantasy Violence and Alcohol Reference. Violence is purely slapstick (knocking things over, flailing tentacles). No in-game purchases, no online features, no predatory mechanics. Main safety consideration is frustration—the intentionally difficult controls can overwhelm younger or less patient players.

Enriching

Develops spatial reasoning, problem-solving, and persistence through physics-based challenges. The game's themes of acceptance and hiding one's true identity offer some emotional depth, though it's played mostly for laughs. Entertainment value is high, but educational/growth elements are moderate—it's primarily about having fun with absurd mechanics.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Genuinely original concept that's consistently funny—you'll laugh at the sheer absurdity of trying to pour coffee with tentacles
Themes of family acceptance and identity wrapped in silly chaos (dad's secret is he's literally an octopus)
No monetization traps, no ads, no online toxicity—just a weird, wholesome indie game
Great for co-op play where one person controls upper tentacles, one controls lower (hilarious bonding experience)
Teaches persistence and problem-solving as kids figure out the intentionally wonky physics

⚠

What to Watch For

The controls are deliberately clunky and frustrating—that's the point, but younger or less patient kids may rage-quit
Some kids under 8 might find the gameplay too complex or overwhelming despite kid-friendly content
Brief alcohol reference (aquarium scene) and cartoonish slapstick violence (nothing graphic, just chaos)

Conversation Starters

"If you had to hide a big secret from everyone, what would be the hardest part?"
"What's the silliest thing that happened when Octodad tried to act normal?"
"Why do you think Octodad's family loves him even though he's so clumsy?"
"If you could be any animal pretending to be a human, what would you pick and why?"

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