The soul genre is a tough nut to crack, due in part to the name of the genre itself. The standards set by FromSoftware games can only be emulated to a certain extent without becoming a half-hearted imitation, but time has shown that straying too far from the ideas that fuel such titles does not bode well for developers – this is the tightrope. . Lies of P is walking.
Developed by Round8 Studio and published by Neowiz, Lies of P weaves a simple but effective spin on the classic Pinocchio tale we all grew up with, with equal reverence for the game’s thematic material and influences. In doing so, Lies of P creates an experience that most soulslikes can only hope to achieve.
So is Lies of P truthful in forging its own unique story in a desiccated genre? Here is my honest review.
How to play
Lies of P’s gameplay is what you’d expect from any soul who takes the genre seriously. You have the usual dodge, roll, and parry mechanics to avoid attacks, and a mix of light and heavy attacks to return your own damage. In addition to this, you will level up your stats using the Ergo Coin, which you collect from defeated enemies. Later on, you’ll unlock more skill sets through P-Organ’s skill tree, allowing you to dodge more effectively or carry more items. The only minor drawback in this regard is the leveling system, which doesn’t allow you to respec your points until you’re almost halfway through the game. This can make bad leveling decisions sometimes really hurt.
In terms of weapons, Lies of P differentiates itself from other soulslikes through its cool weapon assembly system. Each weapon, aside from the boss weapons you can create mid-game, can be separated by handle and blade. Each sword has certain characteristics in terms of damage, while each handle alters the way the weapon is swung. This means that you can mount weapons of various types, depending on your preferences. Additionally, each blade and handle has its own Fable Art special attack, similar to Elden Ring’s Ashes of War. This is an absolute game-changer and I can’t emphasize how much variety this system brings to overall combat.
In addition to weapons, Lies of P has its own version of Sekiro’s Shinobi prosthesis in the form of the Legion Arm, which can transform into various weaponry, from a flamethrower to a shield that explodes with a burst of fire when stopped correctly.
The game is difficult, without a doubt. However, with all of the aforementioned elements combined, Lies of P allows you to create various builds that can be used to devastating effect when used in perfect harmony. Your second playthrough is guaranteed to be a night and day difference from your first, if you so choose.
Score: 4/5
bosses
Incredibly difficult boss fights against powerful and sometimes imposing enemies are part and parcel of the Soulslike genre, and Lies of P does not disappoint in this segment. The main bosses are intricately designed, along with the stage in which they operate. Attack patterns vary wildly with each fight, to the point where simply using a singular tactic of rolling, dodging, or parrying can land you in trouble. The trick is to combine every part of your arsenal.
Some boss fights transition into a second phase through beautifully rendered cutscenes, allowing players a moment of respite before plunging them into an even more difficult fight. In addition to the main bosses, many areas contain unnamed mini-bosses that can often be as challenging as the main boss fights. My only complaint with the boss fights in Lies of P is the uneven difficulty scale, where some bosses can be so unfair that you’re stuck in an endless loop of farming Ergo to level up and have a chance of defeating them. However, this is being fixed in patches.
Score: 4/5
Related: How to Beat the Scrapped Vigilante in Lies of P (Boss Guide)
world design
The world design of Krat City in Lies of P is brilliant, to say the least. Many times, I found myself eliminating enemies in a level only to switch to walking mode and appreciate the details. Drawing heavily from the prosperous and technologically advanced Belle Époque era of Europe, the world is filled with stunning architecture and grandeur at every glance. The city streets are filled with cargo and remains of desperate citizens trying to escape the puppet frenzy, but all is not lost. Sometimes, one can find the few survivors still huddled inside their homes: some play the piano, while others want to chat with you.
As you progress, the world opens up to new areas away from the city center, taking you through swamps, sewers, and huge sinking vertical areas in a very clear nod to the Dark Souls formula. Lies of P’s level design is extremely linear, but that’s not much of a criticism when the levels have so much depth and variety, both in terms of enemies and platforming sections. Additionally, minor amenities for players, such as broken railings to get to an area faster, or the training area located right next to the Weapon Upgrade section, really highlight the developer’s understanding of its player base. . All in all, Krat City is a world meticulously designed for immersion and executed to near perfection.
Score: 5/5
History
The story of Lies of P is, as indicated in the introduction, directly inspired by the work of Carlo Collodi. The Adventures of Pinocchio. The respect the developers have for the Italian author’s work is reflected in the various characters who are directly inspired by the novel, as well as some original characters who are interesting enough to be in the book itself. The game takes the liberty of twisting the story around to create a unique story that is both intriguing and easy to digest. As in the original story, Pinocchio is a puppet with the rare ability to lie. Unlike the source material, however, Lies of P presents lying as a human decision, one that brings P one step closer to becoming a real boy.
To further build the story, each level is filled with notes and posters in the form of collectibles that provide deeper insight into Krat’s workings, and sometimes hint at the next boss fight coming your way. You can interact with the numerous NPC characters (who are voiced tremendously well) to gain further insight into the story. While not as complex as the story of FromSoftware’s titles, Lies of P’s story is easy to follow, engaging, and completely effective at fully immersing you in.
Score: 4/5
Related: Best Combat Style in Lies of P: Strength, Dexterity, or Balance
Verdict: A truly moving experience with all the key tenets that define the genre.
For all its similarities to the Bloodborne and Dark Souls series, calling Lies of P just another type of soul would be a bit unfair. It’s a love letter to FromSoftware’s design approach, written in language that all fans of the genre will love. With Lies of P, Round8 Studio has put the soul formula to a T, bringing with it all the charms and excitement that only the souslike genre can offer. I highly recommend playing Lies of P.
The publisher provided PGG with a free copy of Lies of P for review.