In an era when games are pushing the boundaries of storytelling and world-building, Lies of P stands out as a compelling new entry in the soulslike genre, weaving together dark fantasy and a reimagined classic tale. With a unique blend of storytelling, visuals, and challenging gameplay, this adaptation of the Pinocchio story shifts into a world filled with gothic dread, stunning atmospheres, and brutal combat. Players control a mechanical protagonist navigating through a twisted, Belle Époque-inspired city plagued by violent puppets and enigmatic forces. While it shines in many respects, the game isn’t without its rough edges. Below is a deeper dive into its strengths, weaknesses, and the reaction from players who have taken on its challenges. This review is sponsored by Kour io online game.
An Intriguing Setting with Rich Atmosphere
One of the most striking aspects of this title is its hauntingly beautiful world, inspired by the late 19th century and the aesthetics of the Belle Époque. The fictional city, Krat, brims with eerie charm, drawing players into its abandoned streets, opulent architecture, and mechanical monstrosities lurking in the shadows. There is a sense of melancholy, layered with remnants of a once-thriving society devastated by the mysterious puppet uprising.
Environmental design is meticulously crafted, allowing players to explore areas that evoke a palpable sense of foreboding and wonder. From decrepit factories to abandoned theaters, each location feels distinct and immersive. While exploration is encouraged, it isn’t always as rewarding as some players might hope, as secrets can be limited, and certain areas lack the dense, interconnected design that fans of the genre often seek. Nonetheless, the visual aesthetic is mesmerizing, with detailed textures, atmospheric lighting, and a compelling sense of place that draws players into Krat’s tragic past.
Gameplay: Familiar Soulslike Mechanics with Unique Twists
The gameplay draws heavily from the genre’s foundations, offering players a familiar yet challenging experience filled with calculated combat, precision timing, and harsh consequences for mistakes. Combat mechanics are focused on parrying, dodging, and understanding enemy attack patterns, demanding patience and skill in every encounter. The core fighting system is tight and responsive, allowing players to customize their mechanical protagonist’s abilities with a range of weapon combinations, each with its own feel and impact.
A unique mechanic, known as the “Lying System,” sets the game apart from its peers. Players are frequently presented with moral choices that revolve around lying or telling the truth, with these decisions subtly impacting both gameplay and the story’s unfolding. This mechanic offers a refreshing change, granting players a sense of agency in the protagonist’s development. Yet, some players feel the impact of these choices is more superficial than significant, as the game does not always fully exploit the consequences to meaningfully alter the narrative or gameplay experience.
Weapons and customization also play an essential role. The modular weapon crafting system allows players to mix and match weapon parts, giving them the chance to experiment with different combinations of blades, handles, and special abilities. This customization caters to various playstyles, adding an extra layer of personalization. However, there is a learning curve to mastering these combinations, which some players find daunting in an already challenging game. While the crafting system is innovative, it doesn’t fully integrate with progression, as weapon scaling and upgrades can feel unbalanced in certain builds, requiring careful planning to avoid potential limitations later on.
A Challenging, Sometimes Punishing, Experience
At its core, this game is for those who thrive on difficulty. The challenge level aligns closely with that of other soulslike titles, where boss encounters are brutal tests of reflexes, timing, and patience. The game’s AI and enemy design are formidable, especially during boss fights that combine multiple phases, unique movesets, and relentless aggression. The combat rewards precision, but a mistimed parry or misjudged dodge can result in a quick end, which is satisfying for genre veterans but may frustrate newcomers.
Some players have praised the well-designed boss battles and the sense of accomplishment they bring, while others have noted that certain areas feel overly punishing or exhibit slight inconsistencies in difficulty scaling. These moments of imbalance can disrupt the pacing, making specific encounters feel disproportionately more challenging than the surrounding areas. Community feedback on this point varies; some enjoy the demanding nature, while others feel the difficulty curve could be more even, with better progression to avoid sudden spikes.
Storytelling: A Dark, Poignant Narrative with Mixed Pacing
The game’s reinterpretation of the classic Pinocchio tale infuses familiar elements with a darker, morally ambiguous twist. As players navigate the storyline, they encounter familiar characters reimagined as part of a world gone awry. This narrative approach has been met with mostly positive reactions, as it offers a unique blend of nostalgia and horror, combined with a mature examination of themes like free will, loyalty, and identity. The Lying System further complements this by allowing players to make decisions that test the protagonist’s moral compass.
Despite its intriguing setup, some players feel that the pacing can be uneven. Key story beats are often dispersed over long stretches of exploration or combat, leading to moments where narrative momentum slows considerably. Certain aspects of the lore are hidden within item descriptions and side quests, making it challenging for players to piece together the broader story without extensive exploration. However, those who invest time in deciphering the subtleties of Krat’s history find a richly woven story beneath the surface.
Technical Performance: Polished but with Room for Improvement
On the technical side, the game performs well on most platforms, delivering a relatively smooth experience with stable frame rates and minimal loading times. Graphically, it’s a beautiful and polished title that captures intricate details across a range of settings, contributing to a consistently immersive experience. Character models and animations are particularly well-done, reflecting the eerie, mechanical nature of the game’s world.
However, the game isn’t without its technical issues. Players have reported occasional bugs, particularly with enemy hitboxes and animation glitches. These issues are generally minor but can disrupt the flow of intense combat sequences, especially in boss battles where precise timing is essential. Patches have been released to address some of these issues, and developers are reportedly working to iron out the remaining technical quirks. For most players, these bugs are rare and don’t detract significantly from the experience, but they are worth noting.
Community Reception: Divisive but Intriguing
Feedback from the community reflects a broad spectrum of opinions. Hardcore soulslike fans have generally praised the game’s unique setting, challenging combat, and morally complex storytelling, viewing it as a worthy addition to the genre. Many players appreciate the fresh perspective the Lying System brings, even if its impact on the game’s progression isn’t always as profound as hoped.
On the other hand, some players who are newer to the genre or prefer a more balanced difficulty curve have found the game’s steep learning curve and unforgiving mechanics a barrier to enjoyment. The uneven pacing and minor technical issues are points of contention, though they rarely overshadow the game’s strengths for those willing to embrace its demands. In summary, Lies of P has captured a specific niche within the soulslike community, appealing particularly to those who appreciate gothic storytelling and challenging gameplay.
Final Verdict: A Dark Fairytale with Depth and Distinction
Overall, Lies of P is a captivating journey through a hauntingly beautiful yet unforgiving world, offering a fresh narrative take on a classic tale. With its atmospheric setting, innovative mechanics, and intense combat, it’s a rewarding experience for players who value challenge and dark storytelling. Its Lying System, modular weapons, and carefully crafted visuals give it a unique identity, setting it apart from other games in the genre while paying homage to the beloved soulslike formula.
However, the experience may not resonate equally with all players. Those seeking a more forgiving gameplay style or consistent pacing may find certain elements frustrating. Additionally, while the Lying System brings intrigue, its potential remains somewhat untapped. Yet, for genre enthusiasts, the game delivers an engrossing adventure that merges story and gameplay in a deeply satisfying way, solidifying it as a memorable, if at times punishing, addition to the world of soulslike games.
