My Octopus Friend is a cozy, kid-friendly action roguelite adventure game for PC in which players control a small octopus on repeated dives through procedurally arranged underwater environments. The core premise involves restoring light to the Lagoon by recovering four lost Glyphs scattered across nine distinct seas, each featuring unique biomes such as sunlit coral gardens, a drowned shipwreck, a frozen shelf, a sunken palace, and volcanic vents.
Gameplay
The gameplay centers on short, repeatable dives where every room layout changes with each run. Players navigate branching paths, choosing routes at current splits to explore all nine seas. Movement includes a spin button that lets the octopus jet forward like a real cephalopod, hopping over obstacles when a room is safe. Standing still triggers idle animations such as juggling gems, hiding under a shell, or patting a buddy. Combat and exploration involve eight weapons that can be swapped, ranging from an ink jet to a tentacle whip, across sixteen available octopi to dive as. Thirty-nine kinds of sea creatures populate the environments, and nine guardians serve as major encounters at the end of runs.
Treasures form a major progression layer. One hundred twenty-two treasures await discovery, including one hundred nine wearable items like hats, glasses, outfits, and handheld objects, plus thirteen buddies. Thirty-nine additional items and charms exist, many of which alter gameplay. An octopus can equip one of every kind simultaneously along with up to six held items, one per tentacle. These combinations produce one hundred six synergies that encourage experimentation with pairings such as a wizard hat and mage robe or a sword and trident.
After defeating a guardian or completing a trial, two treasures appear for selection via picture cards. Buddies such as penguins, starfish, seahorses, pufferlings, a seal pup, a baby turtle, and a baby octopus accompany the player and provide assistance. The Lagoon itself expands once all four Glyphs return, unlocking building projects with Bramble the builder crab and resources like stars and pearls spent on structures including a trophy hall, bubble caf茅, and kelp garden. Five neighbors may move in and offer treats for future dives.
Game Modes
Daily Dive serves as the primary repeatable mode, supported by shareable seeds that allow consistent run generation for friends or community sharing. Five tides introduce layers of extra challenge that modify dive conditions. The game supports gamepad, keyboard, and mouse controls with fully remappable keys. An optional seated VR tabletop mode on Windows uses OpenXR headsets through SteamVR, tested on devices such as the HP Reverb G2. In this mode the Lagoon appears as a floating tabletop world that players can lift, lower, zoom, and rotate using both grips, with the minimap positioned on a virtual tentacle. A look-only controller setting permits a second person to observe the dive in VR while the primary player uses a monitor and gamepad.
Customization and Progression
Customization extends beyond functional gear. Mira's Mirror Pool lets players try on any collected treasure purely for appearance and save favorite looks for actual dives. A dedicated Photo Spot offers poses, filters, and frames for capturing images. Gentle options include a Gentle Current for easier navigation, auto-fire that aims automatically, larger text, reduced screen shake, minimized motion, disabled screen flashes, and a brighter display. Forty-four Steam achievements track progress across these systems.
Is It Worth Playing?
My Octopus Friend suits players seeking a relaxed yet varied roguelite experience with strong emphasis on collection, light customization, and gentle exploration rather than high-stakes difficulty. The combination of procedural rooms, meaningful treasure synergies, buddy companions, and post-run Lagoon building creates a loop that rewards repeated dives without overwhelming pressure. Accessibility features and the optional VR tabletop perspective broaden its appeal to families or those preferring seated play. The game stands as a complete single-player title focused on charm and replayability through its nine seas, guardian encounters, and extensive treasure roster. Those who enjoy cozy action adventures with roguelite structure and creative outfit experimentation will find consistent engagement in its systems.
