Song of the Deep Reviews

Song of the Deep is ranked in the 48th percentile of games scored on OpenCritic.
7.5 / 10.0
Jul 27, 2016

While Song of the Deep isn’t quite the piece of smooth sailing I expected it to be, it’s still a fun, appreciative title that makes up for its rough parts with exciting combat and a superb presentation.

Read full review

3.7 / 5.0
Jul 15, 2016

Despite some of the puzzles becoming a major pain in the last few hours of the game, it’s pretty easy to recommend Song of the Deep. It’s a relaxing undersea adventure with a compelling storyline and an earnest and endearing protagonist that you genuinely want to help with completing the task of locating her father.

Read full review

Jul 17, 2016
Song of the Deep - Easy Allies Review video thumbnail
7 / 10.0
Jul 8, 2016

A charming story and enjoyable combat make the journey worth taking even if sub-par puzzles, technical issues, and frustrating controls drag down the experience

Read full review

Polygon
Top Critic
7 / 10.0
Jul 8, 2016

At around six hours long, Song of the Deep doesn't have enough time to become a disaster, and there are redeeming aspects of it. The character, the voiceover, the presentation are all a change of pace from the video game status quo, and the sense of discovery the first half offers is welcome. But it's hard to shake the feeling of a game with potential that never quite figures out how to deliver on it.

Read full review

7 / 10.0
Jul 8, 2016

Despite its sparkling surface, Song of the Deep could use a bit more polish. That said, it hits more than it misses, and I can easily see myself coming back to its sprawling world every few years or so. With more development time in the form of a sequel (possibly using another mythos and setting), it could be something really special. For now what we've got is absolutely still worth playing.

Read full review

7 / 10.0
Jul 12, 2016

Beautiful, charming and touching, Song of the Deep provides an enjoyable, worthy adventure despite its issues.

Read full review

VideoGamer
Top Critic
7 / 10
Jul 8, 2016

Annoying puzzles aside, Song of the Deep is an excellently put together Metroidvania with a sweet tale to tell.

Read full review

7 / 10
Jul 17, 2016

Song of the Deep has a big heart, and is a fun, uncomplicated game that players of all ages will enjoy. The abilities are fun to use, the gameplay is mostly solid, and the presentation really won us over. Exploring this lush seascape, solving simple puzzles, and experiencing the sweet story – this is where the game excels. It contains most of the established rules and trappings of a Metroidvania, and is one of the easier games that we've played recently, but this isn't necessarily a bad thing. Sometimes, it's nice to play a game that doesn't ask too much of you, one that allows you to relax and simply enjoy being in its world. If you can forgive its technical hiccups and learn to adapt to its loose controls, you'll have a whale of a time.

Read full review

3.5 / 5.0
Jul 8, 2016

Song of the Deep feels like a distinctly different experience from the Insomniac that we’re used to. It’s a beautiful, lonely world and the Ghibi-like aesthetic work incredibly well in its favor.

Read full review

Jul 11, 2016

I won't lie. This game hits you right in the feels. This is a story driven by love ​and begs the question how far would you go for the people you love. In Merryn's case, it's to the bottom of the ocean. The games artistry, music, and narration had me close to tears at a few key points. I thoroughly enjoyed the first part of the game. I only wish they had a clear definition of what they wanted the game to be. With such a hard turn from puzzles to strictly waves of enemies, the game lost it for me a little. It felt like a different game in the last couple of hours, and I missed the game I had started six hours back.

Read full review

3.5 / 5.0
Jul 10, 2016

Song of the Deep could have been downright outstanding, but there’s enough flaws here to bump it back down into the realm of simply good.

Read full review

7 / 10.0
Jul 13, 2016

You'll find out while deep under the sea, that this adventure should have remained on shore. With uninteresting puzzles and mixed controls, you may want to think twice,

Read full review

Jul 12, 2016

Song of the Deep is gorgeous and has some creative ideas, but lacks the polish to make it a must-play.

Read full review

Digitally Downloaded
Nick H.
Top Critic
Jul 20, 2016

The overall package provided by Song of the Deep is a good one. The presentation is enjoyable and the puzzles and discovery of new powers are genuinely exciting. If you can look past repetitive combat and backtracking and are willing to live with a few technical hiccups along the way, Song of the Deep is enjoyable but flawed, with some unrealised potential around the narrative meaning it was a missed opportunity.

Read full review

Jul 15, 2016

Despite stumbles in its gameplay, I am a sucker for sappy stories, and that is what 'Song of the Deep' should be played for. There are many other games that provide engrossing, replayable platforming and puzzles, but with less warmth or none at all. I enjoyed my time with Merryn and her submarine but we sure did bicker a lot.

Read full review

Jul 25, 2016

Song of the Deep tends to be your typical indie game fare; harking back to the older generations of gaming with the 2D side-scroller appearance, but having a big heart and an emotional story, with a very predictable ending. But that’s okay, as it doesn’t try and do anything different by offering a big twist at the end. Gameplay wise it can get a little boring and dull after a while, but it is well paced and doesn’t feel overly long or overly short. It just feels right. It is flawed elsewhere but after 12 hours underwater with Merryn and her new found friends, I am content and pleased that I got to experience this game.

Read full review

7 / 10.0
Jul 19, 2016

Song of the Deep is a solid effort by Insomniac Games to create a family friendly game adventure.

Read full review

6.8 / 10.0
Jul 11, 2016

Song of the Deep is a meandering lesson that not every reflection of Metroidvania has to be a grand odyssey. By that measure it's a serviceable decent into the great unknown with a handful of neat ideas. It's also too oblivious of its own limitations to leave a distinct impression in a crowded field. "Groundwork for something greater" isn't a beacon of optimism, but it's probably the finest impression Song of the Deep can manage.

Read full review

6.5 / 10.0
Jul 12, 2016

Song of the Deep is quite often a fantastic voyage, full of rich detail and swimming with charm, but it does little mechanically to rise above similar, better titles. At its best, it’s an entertaining way to spend a few hours in a wonderfully-built ocean world. At its worst, it’s a cheap. uninspired and frustrating slog.

Read full review