Song of the Deep is a small game with big ambitions. Developed by Owlchemy Labs and published by Curve Digital, it launched on PS4, PC, and Xbox One in 2016, and it wants to be a heartfelt adventure about family, loss, and the ocean. It mostly succeeds, but its ambitions outpace its execution in several ways.
The premise is simple. A young girl named Marina goes out to sea to rescue her father, who has fallen overboard. She builds a submarine out of scrap metal and household items, and the game follows her journey across a series of oceanic environments. That setup sounds charming, and it often is. What gets in the way is a control scheme that never quite settles into comfort, a combat system that feels unfinished, and a narrative that leans heavily on exposition.
Trailer, via PlayStation.
Marina and Her Father
The relationship at the center of Song of the Deep is the strongest element of the game. Marina’s determination to save her father drives every scene, and the game spends considerable time establishing why she cares so deeply. Her father is a marine biologist who has dedicated his life to studying the ocean, and his work has pulled him away from his family for years. Marina’s resentment is palpable, but so is her love. When he falls overboard, she doesn’t hesitate. She grabs the tools around her and starts building.
The game’s emotional core is sincere, and it lands more often than it misses. The scenes where Marina talks to herself about her father, or where she finds a personal item of his in the wreckage, carry genuine weight. The writing isn’t flashy, but it’s honest, and that honesty is enough to carry the early hours.
Building the Submarine
One of the game’s most distinctive features is its crafting system. Marina collects parts from sunken ships, old fishing equipment, and other debris scattered across the ocean floor. She then assembles these pieces into a working submarine, adding new systems like propellers, lights, and weapons. The process is slow at first, but it becomes a satisfying loop once you understand the logic behind it.
Each part has a purpose. A propeller increases speed, a light reveals hidden paths, and a weapon clears obstacles. The game encourages experimentation, and the best moments come when you find a combination that works. The submarine itself is a character, and its upgrades feel meaningful.
What doesn’t work as well is the actual movement. The submarine controls with a hybrid system that mixes analog stick input with a mouse-driven cursor for aiming. This is a clever idea in theory, but in practice it’s awkward. Turning the submarine requires precise movements that the controller can’t always capture, and the game doesn’t offer an alternative. Some players will adapt, but others will find themselves frustrated by simple maneuvers.
“The camera gap is real but the battery is what will decide this.”
That line sums up the experience. The game is full of promise, but technical limitations keep it from reaching its potential.
The Ocean World
The setting is a hand-drawn world rendered in 3D, and it’s visually striking. Each area of the ocean has its own color palette and its own inhabitants. There are glowing coral reefs, sunken cities, and vast open spaces filled with strange creatures. The art direction is consistent, and the lighting gives the water a sense of depth. It’s a beautiful game to look at, even when the gameplay falters.
The music complements the visuals. It’s a mix of orchestral pieces and ambient soundscapes, and it shifts depending on the situation. During exploration, it’s gentle and soothing. During combat, it swells with tension. It’s not a standout score, but it serves the game well.
Combat and the Kraken
Combat is where Song of the Deep stumbles. Marina fights underwater enemies using a harpoon gun and a makeshift cannon, and the encounters are frequent. The problem is that the enemy AI is weak. Enemies wander aimlessly, and they rarely react to your attacks. They also spawn in large numbers, which makes the battles feel more like chores than challenges.
The boss fights are better, but they’re few and far between. The Kraken, the final boss, is a worthy opponent, but getting there requires navigating levels that don’t hold the same quality. The pacing suffers as a result. The game drags in the middle, and the combat sections that should be exciting become tedious.
Length and Structure
Song of the Deep is a short game. It takes about five to six hours to complete, and that brevity is both a strength and a weakness. On one hand, it means the game doesn’t overstay its welcome. On the other hand, it leaves little room for refinement. The structure is linear, with Marina moving from one area to the next, solving puzzles and fighting enemies along the way. There’s no branching path, and the difficulty curve is gentle. The game is accessible, but it doesn’t push you.
There is a New Game Plus mode, which offers harder versions of the levels. It’s a nice addition, but it’s not enough to justify replaying the entire game. The base experience is the whole experience.
Sound Design
The audio design deserves attention. The sound of the submarine’s engines, the crackle of the radio, and the splash of water all contribute to the immersive atmosphere. The voice acting is competent, though the dialogue is sparse. Marina talks to herself more than she talks to anyone else, which fits the character but can feel repetitive. The game is clearly focused on the visual and mechanical aspects, and it shows.
Final Verdict
Song of the Deep is a game with a clear vision, but that vision isn’t fully realized. The crafting, the world, and the emotional core are all strong. The controls, the combat, and the pacing are the weak spots. It’s a game that’s easy to recommend to someone looking for a charming adventure, but it’s a game that’s frustrating to play through.
The score reflects that balance. A 6.9 out of 10 acknowledges the highs while noting the lows.
Key Facts Box
– Developer: Owlchemy Labs
– Publisher: Curve Digital
– Platforms: PS4, PC, Xbox One
– Release Year: 2016
– Length: About 5–6 hours
– Score: 6.9/10
The game is available on all three platforms, and it’s worth playing if you have the time. It’s not a perfect game, but it’s a good one, and it shows what a small team can do with limited resources. The submarine-building mechanic is a standout, and the story about Marina and her father is genuinely touching. Just be prepared for some awkward moments along the way.
The camera gap is real, but the battery is what decides this. Song of the Deep is a game worth playing, but it’s a game worth improving.
