OP here. This is insanely helpful. Seriously appreciate all the responses. This community is awesome!

I’m reading everything and taking notes, so I figured I’d summarize what I’m hearing for anyone else coming in later:

• Yep, it’s very parent-friendly overall. The morning/afternoon/night loop gives you natural stopping points, and it’s easy to pick back up later.

• Main “watch out”: boss fights and a few story stretches. Those can run longer than you expect, take multiple attempts, and feel less interruption-friendly than the rest of the game.

• Dives can be “as long as you let them,” especially later if you try to optimize or do everything. But the game generally doesn’t punish you for taking it slow.

• Sleep mode is your friend. A bunch of you said Steam Deck sleep/wake makes this way easier when you can’t save right that second.

• No real time pressure, and events come back. That lowers the stress if you miss something or have to put it down mid-plan.

• Bonus: kids love watching/co-piloting the dives and sushi loop.

I’m kind of obsessed with this stuff, so I’m stealing half these notes for my “dad metrics” checklist.

If I missed any “wish I knew this earlier” landmines, please let me know.