It is easy to forget. Back in 2016, GameStop decided they wanted to be a video game publisher. They launched an initiative called GameTrust and the very first project they put out was a weird, underwater "Metroidvania" developed by Insomniac Games. Yes, that Insomniac. The Spider-Man and Ratchet & Clank people. Song of the Deep on PS4 felt like a fever dream when it launched, mostly because it was so quiet compared to the bombastic action we usually expect from that studio.
You play as Merryn. She’s a young girl whose father goes missing at sea. Instead of just waiting around, she builds a rickety submarine out of scrap metal and dives into the abyss. It’s charming. It’s lonely. Honestly, it’s one of the most underrated experiences on the PlayStation 4 library.
The Insomniac Polish in a Small Package
People usually associate Insomniac with high-speed web-swinging or ridiculous weapons that turn enemies into sheep. Song of the Deep is the opposite. It’s slow. It’s deliberate. You’re navigating a submarine through tight crevices and fighting against the physics of water. Most games get underwater levels wrong. They’re floaty or frustrating. Here, the submarine feels heavy. It has momentum.
The game is a 2D side-scroller, but the art style looks like a living storybook. It’s gorgeous. Since it was a lower-budget title (retailing for about $15 at launch), some folks dismissed it as "indie-lite." That’s a mistake. The mechanical depth—pardon the pun—is staggering for a game of this scale. You aren't just shooting torpedoes. You’re using a claw arm to grab statues, solve puzzles involving light refraction, and managing your oxygen levels while exploring sunken cities.
A World That Feels Ancient
There’s a specific feeling you get when you’re deep underwater in this game. It’s called thalassophobia by some, but for Merryn, it’s just the path to her dad. The world building is handled through a soft-spoken narrator. No cinematic cutscenes every five minutes. Just a voice telling you about the "Watchers" and the civilizations that crumbled under the waves.
I think the reason Song of the Deep on PS4 sticks with people is the atmosphere. It doesn't try too hard. It lets the silence of the ocean do the heavy lifting. You'll find yourself drifting past a massive glow-in-the-dark jellyfish, and for a second, you forget you’re playing a game and just feel like an intruder in a space that wasn't meant for humans.
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Why the PS4 Version is the Way to Play
While it did come out on PC and Xbox One, the Song of the Deep PS4 experience felt the most "at home." Maybe it's the DualShock 4's light bar changing colors to match the murky depths, or just the fact that it felt like a perfect "pallet cleanser" between the massive AAA exclusives Sony was pumping out at the time.
Performance-wise, it’s solid. You aren't going to see 120fps bells and whistles, but the 1080p presentation on a standard PS4 (or the slight boost on a Pro/PS5 via backward compatibility) keeps the hand-drawn art looking crisp. There’s no input lag, which is vital because some of the late-game puzzles require some pretty precise movement with the claw and the boost engine.
One weird thing? The physical copies. Because GameStop published it, they pushed the physical discs hard in their stores. You can still find these used for pennies nowadays. If you're a collector, the blue case version of this game is a neat little relic of a time when a retail giant tried to become a patron of the arts.
The Gameplay Loop and Upgrades
Progression follows the standard Metroid formula. You find an obstacle. You can't pass it. You find an upgrade later. You go back.
But the upgrades here are actually cool:
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- The Magma Drill lets you break through volcanic rock but also doubles as a melee tool.
- Sonar isn't just for mapping; it’s used to trigger ancient machinery.
- The Typhon Torpedoes are your bread and butter for combat, but you have to manage your energy.
It’s not just about the sub, though. Eventually, Merryn can leave the craft. Seeing her swim around—so much more vulnerable than the metal hull of her ship—changes the stakes completely. It’s a brilliant bit of game design that forces you to respect the environment. You feel small. Because, well, you are.
Common Misconceptions About the Difficulty
A lot of reviews at the time complained about the combat. "It's too clunky," they said. I disagree. I think people tried to play it like a twin-stick shooter. It isn't Geometry Wars. It’s a game about a handmade submarine. It's supposed to feel a little clunky. You have to lead your shots. You have to account for the "drag" of the water.
If you go into it expecting a fast-paced action game, you’re gonna have a bad time. If you treat it like an exploratory adventure with some light "bullet hell" elements during boss fights, it clicks. The boss fights are actually massive. We're talking screen-filling monsters that require you to use every gadget you've unlocked.
The E-E-A-T Perspective: Is It Worth It in 2026?
Looking back from nearly a decade after its release, Song of the Deep holds up better than many of its contemporaries. Why? Because hand-drawn art doesn't age like polygons do. The story, written by Brian Hastings (the Chief Creative Officer at Insomniac), is timeless. It’s a folk tale. Folk tales don't get "outdated."
The game took about 6 to 8 hours to beat. That's a weekend. In an era where every game wants to be a 100-hour live-service job, a self-contained 8-hour story is a blessing. It’s focused. It doesn't have "filler" quests where you collect 10 sea shells for a random NPC. Everything you do matters to Merryn’s journey.
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One minor gripe: the map. It can be a little vague. Sometimes you'll know exactly where you need to go, but the path isn't clear because the map doesn't show the "layers" of the cave system very well. You'll get lost. But honestly? Getting lost in a beautiful underwater labyrinth isn't the worst way to spend a Saturday afternoon.
Exploring the Deep: Tips for Your First Run
If you’re picking this up for the first time, don't rush. Explore every corner. There are treasure chests hidden behind false walls that give you the currency needed for ship upgrades.
- Prioritize the Claw: Your grappling hook/claw is the most versatile tool. Upgrade its range early. It makes grabbing health orbs in the middle of a fight way easier.
- Listen to the Music: The soundtrack by Jonathan Stafford is haunting. It actually provides cues for some puzzles.
- Don't Fear the Dark: There are sections that are pitch black. Your lights only go so far. Use your sonar constantly to "see" the walls around you.
- Check the Physical Edition: If you can find a physical copy, it sometimes came with a small art book or a code for the soundtrack. It’s a nice touch for a budget title.
The game also spawned a children's book. That should tell you something about the tone. It’s wholesome but has a bite to it. The ocean is dangerous. The game doesn't shy away from the fact that Merryn is a child in a very grown-up, very deadly situation.
The Legacy of Insomniac's "Small" Game
It’s a shame Insomniac didn't do more of these. After Song of the Deep on PS4, they basically went full-throttle into the Marvel universe. Don't get me wrong, I love Peter Parker, but there was a soul in this project that felt different. It felt personal.
Brian Hastings once mentioned in an interview that the game was inspired by his daughter. You can feel that. There’s a paternal warmth to the way the story is told, even when you're fighting a giant mechanical crab. It’s a game about family and the lengths we go to for the people we love. That’s why it resonates.
Actionable Steps to Experience Song of the Deep
- Check the PlayStation Store: It frequently goes on sale for under $5. At that price, it's a steal.
- Search Local Retro Shops: Look for the GameTrust branded box. It’s a piece of gaming history from a short-lived publishing experiment.
- Play with Headphones: The sound design is 50% of the experience. The creak of the hull and the muffled explosions underwater are incredibly immersive.
- Don't Use a Guide (at first): The joy of any Metroidvania is the "Aha!" moment when you realize how a new tool works. Only look up the solutions to the mirror puzzles if you've been stuck for more than twenty minutes.
- Verify Your Version: Ensure you have the latest patches installed. Early versions had a few physics bugs where the sub could get stuck in walls, though these were mostly squashed within the first month.
Whether you're a fan of Insomniac's bigger titles or just someone who loves a good "indie" vibe, this game deserves a spot in your backlog. It’s a quiet, beautiful reminder that sometimes the best stories aren't found on land, but a few thousand leagues under the sea.