Octodad (Student Edition) (2023)

Developer: Young Horses: Free Range, Young Horses
Publisher: Young Horses
Platforms: Windows
Genres: Adventure, Indie, Simulation, Free To Play
Rating: 4.6 of 5, 145 player ratings
Typical playtime: about 40 minutes
Where to get it: Steam

The 3D catalog: game boxes on wooden shelves, with the cat sitting at the counter next to its greeting.

The catalog in 3D

The same catalog has a room you can walk around in. The cat behind the counter is the AI Catbot, and they pick real games from it when you tell them what you feel like playing. Nothing is for sale, here or in there. Go in from here and this game is already out on the counter, with more like it waiting on the shelf next to it.

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How it feels

You wrestle with floppy tentacle controls to perform mundane tasks while trying not to blow your cover as a secret octopus dad.

goofy physicssillyfrustratingcharmingclumsylighthearteddad-corejanky

What players say

Players call this a charming but janky student project that is the original prototype for Octodad: Dadliest Catch. Controls are stiff and frustrating compared to the final game, but fans of the series enjoy seeing where it came from. It is very short and free.

Screenshots

More games like this

This page is from Underplayed Gems, a catalog of older and overlooked games. Not quite it? You can browse by platform and genre, or take this one into the 3D catalog and ask the Catbot for something closer.