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Song of the Deep

Xbox One, PlayStation 4, PC (Microsoft Windows) • 2016

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Quick resume

From the creators of Ratchet & Clank, Song of the Deep is a metroidvania-style action-adventure game following a young girl’s quest into the unknown to find her missing father. It combines underwater discovery, skill, and suspense with a powerful story.

Global score

85/100

Genres

Adventure, Puzzle

Pros

  • Beautiful art style and music
  • Engaging exploration and puzzles
  • Relaxing and immersive underwater atmosphere
  • Well told story with narration
  • Meaningful submarine upgrades and progression

Cons

  • Limited combat variety and challenge
  • Some frustrating controls and camera issues
  • Few boss fights and enemy types
  • Occasional technical bugs and performance issues
  • Lack of replayability and social features

Motivations

  • Autonomy
    4

    "Players have freedom to explore a large interconnected underwater world with backtracking and multiple upgrade paths, allowing self-directed progression."

  • Competence
    3

    "The game offers skill-based puzzles and combat challenges that improve with upgrades, though combat is relatively simple and becomes easier later."

  • Competition
    -5

    "Single-player focused experience with no multiplayer or competitive elements."

  • Continuation
    2

    "Players report engaging exploration and story that encourages extended play sessions, though some find it easy to put down after completion."

  • Cooperation
    -5

    "Entirely single-player with no cooperative gameplay or social collaboration."

  • Creativity
    3

    "Players creatively solve puzzles using submarine upgrades and environmental interactions; some experimentation encouraged."

  • Domination
    -5

    "No elements of exerting control or superiority over others; purely individual experience."

  • Escapism
    4

    "Immersive underwater world, relaxing music, and storybook narrative provide strong escapism and emotional engagement."

  • Expectation
    -4

    "Players engage voluntarily out of interest and enjoyment, with no external pressure or obligation."

  • Experimenting
    3

    "Encourages trying new abilities and revisiting areas with new upgrades to discover secrets and solve puzzles."

  • Exploration
    5

    "Core motivation is exploring a large, varied underwater map with many hidden treasures and secrets."

  • Expression
    1

    "Some customization through upgrades and equipment, but limited player-driven visual expression."

  • Fantasy
    4

    "Fantasy elements include mythical sea creatures, underwater civilizations, and a fairy-tale style story."

  • Fellowship
    -5

    "No community or social interaction; strictly solo play."

  • Growth
    4

    "Players develop skills in puzzle solving and combat, and improve their submarine through upgrades."

  • Health
    -5

    "Sedentary gameplay with no physical activity or health-related features."

  • Idle
    -3

    "Requires focused attention on puzzles and exploration; not designed for casual or background play."

  • Intimacy
    -5

    "No social or emotional relationship building; narrative is solitary and introspective."

  • Leadership
    -5

    "No leadership or group management elements."

  • Progression
    4

    "Strong progression through collecting treasures and upgrading submarine abilities to access new areas."

  • Relaxation
    4

    "Relaxing atmosphere with soothing music and calm exploration, though some puzzles and combat add mild tension."

  • Sensation
    3

    "Beautiful visuals and music provide sensory enjoyment, though gameplay is not highly stimulating or intense."

  • Status
    -5

    "No social recognition or status systems present."

  • Story
    4

    "Engaging narrative with voiceover and storybook presentation that motivates player progression."

  • Strategy
    3

    "Requires logical puzzle solving and planning upgrades to progress, though combat strategy is limited."

  • Thrill
    1

    "Some suspense in puzzles and occasional combat, but overall a calm and gentle experience."

  • Value
    3

    "Players generally feel the game offers good value for its length and quality, especially at discounted prices."

  • Violence
    -3

    "Combat exists but is mild and secondary to exploration and puzzle solving; not focused on destruction."

  • Survival
    1

    "Some challenge in avoiding damage and managing health, but overall low risk and forgiving gameplay."

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    Last update: 06/03/2026