Song of the Deep review: Endearing, but disappointing

Song of the Deep concerns a young girl named Merryn, who grew up hearing her father’s tall tales of the sea and has a vision when he goes missing. She searches for him, encountering the mythical beasts from her dad’s stories along the way. The interplay of characters and creatures seems haphazard and the ultimate resolution lacks punch, which is disappointing because the game is so endearing in other ways. The art style has a beautiful painterly quality, and the cutscenes look handcrafted with lush illustrations. The bulk of the game involves exploration and puzzle-solving. You’ll use the various tools at your disposal to traverse tight spaces or reconstruct statues that open pathways. These are usually light and enjoyable, but again the game trips over itself by making some too reliant on precise timing or aim.