Song of the Deep

 PlayStation 4
User Score
7.4

Mixed or average reviews- based on 50 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 30 out of 50
  2. Mixed: 14 out of 50
  3. Negative: 6 out of 50
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  1. belgrave
    Jun 19, 2018
    7
    Very enjoyable and pleasant game with great game design and music. At times it can be annoying, but still fun
  2. snakekill321
    Jul 12, 2016
    9
    This Game is beautiful. Insomniac's first take on the metroidvania genre really came out well, with a radiant and engrossing soundtrack, well designed and well animated puzzles, and a gripping story, this game was kind of short, and the water physics could use some touch-ups but both were minuscule when thinking about just how beautiful and awesome the art was, and how I just wanted toThis Game is beautiful. Insomniac's first take on the metroidvania genre really came out well, with a radiant and engrossing soundtrack, well designed and well animated puzzles, and a gripping story, this game was kind of short, and the water physics could use some touch-ups but both were minuscule when thinking about just how beautiful and awesome the art was, and how I just wanted to dive deeper into this game.… Expand
  3. Lionarith
    Feb 9, 2019
    9
    Overall, this game is a joy. It has a lighthearted mentality combined with a mystical atmosphere in which you can explore an underground world. You also gain more feats during progression, which freshens up the gameplay multiple times. You can then reach areas you had to skip previously. While the most time it is relaxing to play, here and there you will find yourself in a tight spot. TheOverall, this game is a joy. It has a lighthearted mentality combined with a mystical atmosphere in which you can explore an underground world. You also gain more feats during progression, which freshens up the gameplay multiple times. You can then reach areas you had to skip previously. While the most time it is relaxing to play, here and there you will find yourself in a tight spot. The cute graphics are adorable on top of that. If you like side scrolling games with these attributes, it is a must-play.… Expand
  4. Underpants158
    Jul 14, 2016
    7
    The Pros:
    -stylistically beautiful and the narrator is an Irish lady!
    -Interesting albeit light world building The OKs: -Combat consists of punching (with your sub), shooting, and throwing. When enemies attack it is almost always in a wide open space and so each battle feels the same. Even the last boss fight is just a wide open area with waves of enemies. -Puzzles and obstacles are    The Pros:
    -stylistically beautiful and the narrator is an Irish lady!
    -Interesting albeit light world building

    The OKs:
    -Combat consists of punching (with your sub), shooting, and throwing. When enemies attack it is almost always in a wide open space and so each battle feels the same. Even the last boss fight is just a wide open area with waves of enemies.
    -Puzzles and obstacles are relaxing and really go a long way to give you that nice tranquil vibe to mesh with the artstyle.

    The Cons:
    -gotta mention it's bad framerate. Everytime you swim (dive?) over a save point the framerate drops absurdly. Even besides that there are some dips but I never felt it affected gameplay.
    -Few cases of game breaking bugs I have heard about and I was affected by one myself. So somehow I never got an upgrade to my gun, I expect a bug that makes interact-able items to be non interact-able is the culprit, and I progressed pretty far without it until I got to a point of no return where I needed it to break a wall. Usually a game will force you to use a mandatory item shortly after getting it so I can't help but feel that the design choice not to do that coupled with the bug really boned me.

    Conclusion:
    -If you are on the fence I wouldn't suggest it. If you are mesmerized by its beauty and tranquility then sure, give it a shot.    … Expand
  5. duncanaus
    Jul 19, 2016
    5
    I was excited for a Metroidvania-style game and didn't want to believe the reviews but unfortunately Song Of The Deep is a mediocre experience. There are some good aspects, the soundtrack in particular, but the controls are fiddly and the level design very monotonous. Not terrible but not all that great, either. I'll probably return it tomorrow then scratch the itch by replaying an oldI was excited for a Metroidvania-style game and didn't want to believe the reviews but unfortunately Song Of The Deep is a mediocre experience. There are some good aspects, the soundtrack in particular, but the controls are fiddly and the level design very monotonous. Not terrible but not all that great, either. I'll probably return it tomorrow then scratch the itch by replaying an old Castlevania or something instead.… Expand
  6. lhmtgame
    Jul 17, 2016
    4
    Firstly, the game starting have no any tutorial. The Graphics are ugly but take much system resource to run (not optimized for PC).
    Secondly, the game's sound and music are bad.

    You may regret to buy this game!
  7. dypsomaniart
    Sep 6, 2016
    8
    This was a great, entertaining and, in spots fairly challenging game that left me with a good, happy and satisfied feeling when I was done. The artwork and underwater physics of the little sub were excellent I thought, it was a pleasure playing this game.
  8. XxX-jesus-XxX
    Jul 16, 2016
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. It is amazing game that blow my mind of the art and puzzle. The game made by a 9 year old. The upgrade for the weapons is amazing for your submarine to get further into the game and try to fined your dad… Expand
  9. tomvs123
    Dec 2, 2020
    5
    Average submarine-based metroidvania game.

    The story is told like a children's fairy tale and is much more coherent than Child of Light (if the rhyming dialogue in that game irritated you then you'll like this one more). As a young girl, you go searching for your father, who went missing on a fishing trip. You build yourself a rickety submarine and go off exploring looking for him.    Average submarine-based metroidvania game.

    The story is told like a children's fairy tale and is much more coherent than Child of Light (if the rhyming dialogue in that game irritated you then you'll like this one more). As a young girl, you go searching for your father, who went missing on a fishing trip. You build yourself a rickety submarine and go off exploring looking for him.

    Along the way, you meet magical creatures that help you, in a typical children's tale manner. The tone of the story is a bit dark, but not too dark for children. As an old man, I didn't get much out of it. Nothing amazing and nothing stupid (such as big plot holes) happen; The story is just average all-around.

    The gameplay is decent. Controls are easy with your left stick controlling your thrust and direction simultaneously. You get a close-rage hook weapon that fires in whatever direction you're currently pressing, and you get several missile types that all home-in enemies. This is by far the easiest ship-based game I've played recently. If you're looking for a challenge, you'll want to increase the difficulty.

    Battles are fairly easy. As soon as I learned I could spam my rockets and monster drops would quickly replenish my rocket energy, I did just that. Only a small number of enemies require special tactics - the only one I remember being giant crabs that you must hit from behind after they perform their attacks.

    Metroidvania mechanics are not great. Exploration is okay, but there's not enough variety in the environments and you always know where to go next (thanks to big X's on the map). So there's not much reliance on your own exploration abilities. You're also railroaded into the items you need to get to the next area. For example, right after you beat a boss, you get an item or skill that allows you to get to the next boss.

    The items and skills aren't too interesting. You get a hook early that lets you open doors, you get different rocket types that break down certain barrier types, you get lights that make some impassable creature walls disappear, and you get a multi-purpose sonar that opens walls, damages enemies, and activates certain devices. These are all okay, but none really stood out as being unique or amazing when compared to other metroidvania games.

    There's a few puzzles in the game, with the light puzzles being above-average and somewhat unique. You'll reflect light beams on reflectors and your knife (you can exit the sub later on) to activate various doors and other devices. You'll have to combine the beams sometimes into different colors to activate certain devices, and stronger beams hurt you, enemies, and exploding devices that you'll need to move around. The light puzzles are the most memorable part of the game for me.

    So this is an okay metroidvania game. Not recommended unless you really want another average metroidvania to play. Though it would be a great game for kids to practice their problem-solving abilities while letting them experience a good "take action to save your father" story.    … Expand
  10. JayPenrith
    Jul 27, 2016
    10
    This game is enchantingly beautiful, a steal for what I paid just under $20AUD, the story, the sound, the water, the underwater world that was created, one can see there is a lot of love put into this game, for $20AUD you cannot go wrong buying this and I don't think anyone will regret it, after all haven't we wall pretended at some stage in our young lives that we were 20000 leagues underThis game is enchantingly beautiful, a steal for what I paid just under $20AUD, the story, the sound, the water, the underwater world that was created, one can see there is a lot of love put into this game, for $20AUD you cannot go wrong buying this and I don't think anyone will regret it, after all haven't we wall pretended at some stage in our young lives that we were 20000 leagues under the sea as Captain Nemo or Ned ?… Expand
  11. Crazygar
    Jul 13, 2016
    8
    So far, so good. I picked up my reserve copy yesterday, and since it was a rainy day, decided to plunk down on the couch and test it out.

    Impressive! Good story line and graphics, wow, very nice. It's nice to play a game without having to look over your shoulder every 2 seconds. The narration of the Story line I found rather soothing. If you are Trophy Hunting, this is not a game for    So far, so good. I picked up my reserve copy yesterday, and since it was a rainy day, decided to plunk down on the couch and test it out.

    Impressive! Good story line and graphics, wow, very nice. It's nice to play a game without having to look over your shoulder every 2 seconds. The narration of the Story line I found rather soothing.

    If you are Trophy Hunting, this is not a game for you. There are none to be had. Simply enjoy the game for what it is.

    For something different, visually impressive this is a game for you!    … Expand
  12. xvvolf
    Aug 23, 2016
    9
    One of my factors when judging a game is on how much I pay for them and the amount of enjoyment I get out of them. For $20CDN I have to say the 15 hours I spent on Song of the Deep was an absolute steal.

    The game has a nice story with easy and relaxing gameplay. The graphics are quite beautiful although I did encounter a few framerate drops in certain parts, but nothing that took away    One of my factors when judging a game is on how much I pay for them and the amount of enjoyment I get out of them. For $20CDN I have to say the 15 hours I spent on Song of the Deep was an absolute steal.

    The game has a nice story with easy and relaxing gameplay. The graphics are quite beautiful although I did encounter a few framerate drops in certain parts, but nothing that took away from the game.

    For a game I never thought I'd even consider buying, it's one I look forward to revisiting once again, soon.    … Expand
  13. destinyfan1
    Apr 19, 2018
    7
    Song of the deep is a pretty good adventure that doesn't costs much for great visuals,great puzzels and good music.
    It was like i was Nemo,which is a good thing
    Unfortunately the game is short and has bugs and wasn't a game that will stay long in my head
  14. 86Mayo
    Mar 6, 2021
    8
    An absolute joy to play. Gorgeous visuals, sounds, and commentary. Fluid controls that kept a smile on my face at all times. A wonderful Metroidvania. Highly recommended
  15. Spirit_Shadow
    Sep 6, 2023
    10
    This is one of the best under the sea metroidvanias I have ever played. The controls are intuitive and flow well. Going in I expected the movement to be floaty and annoying, however it was the opposite! Definitely a must play on PS4.

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
69

Mixed or average reviews - based on 41 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 41
  2. Mixed: 25 out of 41
  3. Negative: 1 out of 41
  1. Easy Allies
    Dec 1, 2016
    70
    An enjoyable undersea adventure overall, and we expect it to last about 6 to 8 hours for most players. The serene music sets a relaxing pace for you to search out each nook and cranny while the friendly narration bolsters the storybook tone. It strikes a nice balance between making sure you never feel lost, while providing ample room to experiment and explore. Don’t fret over this sub’s creaks and groans. There’s much to see beneath the waves.
    Read full review
  2. Edge Magazine
    Sep 26, 2016
    40
    For the most part, Song of the Deep is content with being pleasantly unremarkable. [Oct 2016, p.119]
  3. Games Master UK
    Sep 6, 2016
    68
    Takes on too much water to cruise comfortably, but it's bailed out by a few brilliant moments. [Sept 2016, p.81]
See all critic reviews »