PlayStation
A Dark Twist on Pinocchio's Tale
Lies of P uniquely offers a twisted take on the classic Pinocchio story. The game setting is in a grim, Belle Époque-inspired world. You play as the titular P, a mechanical puppet navigating a city plagued by corruption and monstrous enemies. Immediately upon loading up the first mission, I was quickly immersed in the game’s dark atmosphere. The beautiful mix of action-RPG and Soulslike elements creates a relentless challenge that had me constantly on edge, testing my combat skills. The heavy focus on the consequences of lies and the grim, dystopian world kept me engaged from start to finish.
Graphics: Beautifully Haunting
Visually, Lies of P is a stunning game. With detailed environments that range from dark, crumbling streets to eerie, gothic architecture; it was impossible to not feel the game has a spiritual connection to FromSoftware’s Bloodborne. The character designs here, especially the monstrous enemies, are beautifully done, each one contributing to the game’s unsettling atmosphere. The lighting and environmental effects, like fog and rain, added a layer of tension to an already bleak world. During play-through, every corner of the city felt alive, yet oppressive, and the visuals perfectly complement the dark narrative unfolding. I was never bored by the visuals and was always exited to see what was right around the corner.
It's impossible not feel Lies of P has a spiritual connection to Bloodborne.
Controls: Fluid Combat with a Steep Learning Curve
The combat in Lies of P shines brightly with its fast-paced and fluid control, which incorporates a countering system that requires quick reflexes and precise timing. The combination of light and heavy attacks, along with parries and dodges, made every fight feel intense. There is also a rebound system, like Bloodborne, that allows you to recuperate some lost health in the middle of combat when damage to the opponent is achieved without further damage being taken on yourself. The weapon customization system is very unique. It allowed me to modify my weapons with parts I collected (mixing handles with blades, etc), giving me a sense of personalization and strategy. It was like creating my own weapons to fit play-style, and that was an excellent addition to the soulslike formula. All that being said, the focus on counters makes the game’s difficulty rather punishing, and death is a frequent companion. But, as is common with the genre, as I got better in the game the combat felt incredibly rewarding; especially when I started mastering the different attack patterns and enemy weaknesses.
Sound: Immersive and Tension-Building
The sound design in Lies of P is another standout feature of the game. The absolutely beautiful, atmospheric soundtrack set the tone perfectly with haunting music that did extremely well in heightening the tension during boss battles and in contrast also did an incredible job setting the peaceful, almost tranquil sensation, in quiet moments alike. The growls, clanks, and environmental sounds added to the immersive experience, creating an eerie ambiance that made the world feel alive in its own unsettling way. I absolutely loved it all. Further, the voice acting was top-notch as well, especially in conveying the sadness and despair of the world’s residents. This was one of the few soundtracks that I immediately added to my Music playlist after finishing the game.
Replayability: Deep and Challenging
Lies of P provides plenty of replay value. The weapon variety, the skill tree, and the different ways to approach combat makes each playthrough feel unique. A few side-quests and the multiple endings in the story also offer new insights into the world and its characters, providing additional depth to explore. Although the difficulty can be a turnoff for some, I felt that the rewarding combat and unique twist of the classic Pinocchio story all combine to make Lies of P worth revisiting for those who crave a challenge… or totally feel starved for a new Bloodborne.
Final Verdict: A Brutal and Rewarding Experience
Lies of P is not necessarily for the faint of heart, but for those who appreciate tough, slick action-RPGs and soulslikes. The game is a thrilling and rewarding experience. The combat system is deep and engaging, and the narrative, with its emotional weight and themes of lies and consequences, does well to keep you invested throughout the entire experience. The dark and atmospheric world is beautifully crafted with a well greased difficulty that is often punishing but always fair. If you’re a fan of tough games that reward reflex skill and combat precision, Lies of P is a must-play. It’s easily one of the best soulslikes made, that I’ve experienced. Actually, to me, it’s the best one made so far – even above my adored Nioh.
