As a much more interactive medium than TV, games can tell some pretty powerful stories. Whether it's the epic adventures of the Final Fantasy games, the legendary Bioshock's steampunk tale of science and ethics, or Grim Fandango's quick-talking tale of skeletal afterlife corruption, there's serious tales and thoughtful yarns galore, not to mention the oft-sniffle inducing game-of-the-TV-show, The Walking Dead, a story of survival in a post-apocalyptic, zombie-torn Georgia. And let's not forget the moving tale of a father with a secret that threatens to tear his family apart; a secret which he hides behind the facade of a normal, loving father, as no-one, under any circumstances can learn the truth - that, under his immaculately ironed suit and tie, he's secretly an octopus.
A genius idea for a game, Octodad: Dadliest Catch pops you into the suckered shoes (well, feet, technically) of the aforementioned daddy octopus, and has you performing simple tasks - from pouring your daughter a glass of milk to mowing the lawn to doing a spot of shopping, but makes them hilariously complicated through some deliberately awkward controls. After all, coordinating eight wobbly limbs on dry land can't be an easy feat, especially when you have a charade to keep up - even as you're nonchalantly cartwheeling down the church aisle to your wife to be, slipping on banana peels and knocking over perilously placed vases of flowers...
With a Vita version of the PS4 parenting simulator out earlier this week, we thought this would be the perfect opportunity to introduce you to one of the game's more interesting Easter eggs - a hidden level. With it's own set of collectable ties, it's essential playing if you want to get the complete tie collection trophy too - although it's not without it's perils either, as the entrance to the secret level is closely guarded by a band of marine biologists. And if it's one thing marine biologists are good at, it's spotting an octopus trying to masquerade as a totally normal parent. They have training in that sort of thing, don't you know?
An incognito, and rather reluctant, family outing to the local aquarium is where you want to strike - the Aquatic Fun Centre level, to be precise. From there, it's a not-so-simple trip to the men's room for the world's number one dad, given that the door to the toilets is situated between the turnstile into the aquarium and the first pair of marine biologists you come across. Your best bet is to detour through the gift shop, then hop across the hall to the gents. Once inside, you want to make a beeline for the middle cubicle - the one with the ventilation grate on the wall at the back - and put both of your tentacled feet into the toilet bowl (which is a challenge in itself!). Then, grab the handle and give it a good flush and you'll be transported to the Toilet and Trouble level. Don't worry if you're doing it in Free Play either - the Aquatic Fun Centre level will end and you'll be kicked back to the Free Play menu, but the Toilet and Trouble level will now be in the list!
Toilet and Trouble is a bit of a departure from the usual Octodad style too - instead of being a free-wobbling adventure, it's more of a 2D, side-on platformer, albeit with Octodad's trademark noodley walk and complex controls. You'll need to cartwheel, swing, and wibble your way through a silhouetted obstacle course to the exit, where you'll find three super secret ties waiting for you!
Now we know where all those goldfish go...
Octodad: Dadliest Catch is available on both the PS4 and PS Vita for £11.49 - and that nets you both versions of the game via Cross Buy, meaning that people who already own the PS4 version can download the PS Vita game for absolutely nothing. We thoroughly recommend giving it a go too, as Octodad is easily the best (and most hilarious) cephalopod parenting simulator we've ever played.
