Understand hitting the spacebar to switch between legs and arms. But I can get right leg to move ,but not left leg. And even if I get the left leg to move (accidentally;I have no idea HOW,even after looking at my control setup)...I cant get octodad to move in any direction whatsoever.
This is a cute game,but surely a saved-game (instead of that dreaded console checkpoint BS) would help in my progression. If I give up after a bit,or goodness forbid have to STOP playing to continue my life, I have to start from checkpoint all over again. Wish I had d-loaded the (original) game free first to get a feeling for how interminably frustrating it is.
Anyway...I'm determined. How in the WORLD to you use mouse or keyboard to make octodad walk in any direction,instead of simply moving one leg and wobbling back and forth?
Thanks

OK, here's the deal: there are actually only a few controls, but they're difficult to master. You only need the mouse, plus the spacebar to switch between the "legs" and the "arm". When in "legs mode", the left mouse button is for the left leg and the right mouse button for the right leg (or the other way around, but that isn't so important). To walk, perform the following actions: hold down the LMB, move the mouse in the direction you want Octodad to move in (relative to the current camera position), release LMB, hold down RMB move in the desired direction, release RMB, hold down LMB again... One fine point here is that you need to first lift the "foot" in the upward direction before making the step, just like real walking, not just slide it on the ground. It won't be long before you learn to alternate between the two legs. Do this right a few times and you'll soon get the hang of it. I got comfortable with the controls before I left the starting room.

Later you'll need to perform even finer movements as Octodad will have to climb boxes and ladders, crawl into air ducts and run away from danger.

THanks so much. I'll give it a try later!

I forgot to add that the checkpoint system really is forgiving. Checkpoints are very close to one another, usually the game is saved after each minor objective completed. So you never lose more than two minutes of gameplay.

Well,I just tried for quite some time. Still stuck in the first scene. Got all the way to the tux. Dropped the key to the floor,cant pick it up (in the tux closet);thus I cannot progress to unlock the door in the banquet hall. So....after quitting out ,it reverts me back to the START of the first scene...again. ANd I have to go through those steps to get to the tux...again. ANd I can'k both walk and hold the key at the same time...again.
Choosing your own save slot sure would help. If the rest of the game is THIS frustrating...I';ll chalk it up to my impulsing a waste of $12.
I usually avoid games with checkpoints. This is one BIG reason why.

Once you grab an item, Octodad will hold on to it until you click LMB to drop it. So just grab the key and switch to legs. To pick up the key from the floor, go into the hand mode, hold RMB and move the mouse upwards/downwards to raise/lower the hand vertically. When the object glows green, click LMB to pick it up.

I wouldnt say Ive mastered the controls, and they are surely a pain to use with keyboard and mouse...but I'm getting slightly better.
For me,though,as an adult who can't simply sit for hours at a time in front of my computer...the lack of a saved game is a huge negative for someone like myself...who doesn't have consecutive hours of gameplay at his or her disposal.
I shouldn't have to spend a half-hour doing mundane tasks (I get it; the tasks are cute and innovative;given that he's an octopus), stop playing...and lose ALL your progress because ONE task (of a dozen or so,not all easy,either) wasn't completed.
Warning for the (apparently few) who are planning on dropping $12 on this through GOG: if you don't have: A)patience to master not-easy controls if you're not using a controller...or
B) an extended period of gametime at your disposal...this game MAY wind up being frustrating. There are many tasks to be performed each time before a checkpoint is reached. If only ONE task is not completed and you need to quit...tough luck,Octofans...you're back to the previous checkpoint if you quit out. I guess one could leave their computer on all day and casually come back and play...
...But,if you're masters at controls w/ keyboard and mouse manipulation and are quite dextrous...have at it!
It IS cute,innovative and I think it's definitely a game for a youngster who had PLENTY of time on their hands....as long as they're dextrous.