Estimated reading time: 6 minutes
Having just finished Lies of P, the experience is fresh, and I have plenty to unpack about my roughly 30-hour playthrough. To set expectations clearly, this game sits comfortably between the expansive worlds of Elden Ring and the tighter narrative-driven experiences of Sekiro. After braving the notoriously challenging world of Sekiro, Lies of P felt surprisingly manageable. Most bosses succumbed after only a handful of attempts, with the notable exception of one particularly stubborn enemy near the latter portion of the game. However, disappointingly, the final boss battle, which usually signifies a high watermark in Souls-like experiences, was too straightforward, leaving a somewhat bitter taste as I concluded the story on my second try. This felt distinctly rushed and anticlimactic compared to the buildup earlier in the game.
Detailed Storytelling and Player Choice
Where Lies of P excels notably is in its approach to storytelling. Typically, Souls-like narratives demand significant effort from the player—piecing together lore through environmental cues, cryptic item descriptions, and scarce dialogues. However, Lies of P chooses to openly share its narrative, making it accessible without losing depth. Conversations with NPCs feel organic and provide substantial clarity about unfolding events. The game places strong emphasis on player choice, revolving around the concept of truth versus lies. These choices directly influence multiple endings, making each playthrough distinctively personal.
My approach was intuitive—I made decisions based purely on instinct, navigating the game authentically, which led to a conclusion I found quite satisfying. My wife, who usually steers clear of Souls-likes, even appreciated the narrative quality, underscoring the game’s story-driven appeal. There’s strong replay value here, as different narrative choices promise significantly varied outcomes, motivating me to revisit and explore alternate paths.
Combat: The Fusion of Sekiro and Dark Souls
Combat is undoubtedly one of Lies of P‘s strongest aspects. The mechanics clearly take heavy inspiration from Sekiro, notably featuring parrying and prosthetic-arm functionalities. The prosthetic arm is particularly reminiscent of the Shinobi Prosthetic in Sekiro, offering diverse combat options and strategies. Yet, what distinguishes Lies of P is its innovative “double-link dodge” mechanic, which closely mirrors the familiar dodging mechanics from Dark Souls. This addition cleverly provides players a viable alternative if they struggle with precise parry timings.
In practice, I tested this extensively and discovered that it’s genuinely possible to complete challenging encounters without mastering parries, thereby expanding the game’s accessibility. This flexibility does reduce the overall difficulty compared to traditional Souls-like titles. Consequently, Lies of P positions itself ideally as an introductory experience for newcomers, allowing them to comfortably transition into this typically punishing genre.
Modular Weapon System: A Game Changer
One of the most exciting aspects of Lies of P is its modular weapon customization. This innovative system allows you to split weapons into distinct parts—specifically handles and blades—which can then be freely combined. The handle dictates special abilities and swing speed, significantly impacting combat styles. This modularity is more than a gimmick—it actively enriches the strategic depth of the combat, encouraging extensive experimentation and personalized playstyles.
Personally, I discovered a combination early on—a massive bone-cutting saw paired with a quicker handle—which dramatically boosted my combat efficiency. This setup allowed me to swiftly dominate enemies, and although it reduced some challenge, it never stopped being genuinely enjoyable. There’s a considerable variety of special weapons, many of which remain unexplored even after my full run, providing additional motivation to replay the game.
Graphics, Visuals, and Technical Performance
Graphically, Lies of P is impressively polished and consistently immersive. Despite playing on an older setup—DDR3 RAM included—the game performed admirably at high-detail settings. Minor visual glitches occasionally occurred, such as enemies appearing abruptly behind me in cleared areas, but nothing seriously impacted gameplay.
The visuals beautifully capture a stylized interpretation of the Belle Époque setting. The city environments, especially locations like Krat City and the Grand Exhibition, stand out with meticulously designed architecture and atmospheric lighting. The Cathedral Ruins provided another memorable backdrop, enhancing the game’s richly detailed and immersive setting.
Sound, Atmosphere, and Artistic Direction
The audio landscape in Lies of P supports the gameplay without stealing the show. While the sound design is solid, contributing effectively to atmosphere and combat immersion, nothing stood out as particularly exceptional or memorable.
However, the artistic direction—drawing inspiration from the tale of Pinocchio—offers a nostalgic charm that resonated strongly with me. It managed to evoke a sense of familiarity intertwined with fresh narrative twists. This theme of lying versus truth, integral to Pinocchio’s story, cleverly integrates into the gameplay itself, providing thematic depth and resonance.
Replayability and Longevity
Replay value in Lies of P is commendable, primarily fueled by the significant impact of player choices and modular weapon systems. While the game doesn’t revolutionize replayability in the Souls genre, it provides strong incentives for multiple runs. Experimenting with alternate endings, different narrative paths, and unexplored weapon combinations offers compelling reasons to return.
Comparing Lies of P to Other Souls-likes
Positioned between the aggressive, parry-dependent combat of Sekiro and the cautious, stamina-driven engagements of Dark Souls, Lies of P comfortably integrates mechanics from both styles. Although heavily inspired by Sekiro, the game’s flexibility provides multiple approaches for combat scenarios, especially benefiting those who prefer dodging and positioning over precise parrying. This balanced approach makes it highly accessible to genre newcomers without sacrificing depth for experienced players.
About the Game
Title: Lies of P
Type of Game: Action Role-Playing, Soulslike
Developer: Round8 Studio
Publisher: Neowiz Games
Release Date: September 18, 2023
Platforms: Windows, macOS, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
Platform Reviewed: PC Game
Where to Purchase:
- Steam (PC): Lies of P is available on the G2A(referral) , Steam Store
- Xbox: Lies of P can be purchases from the G2A(referral) or Microsoft Store
- PlayStation: Buy Lies of P on the G2A(referral) , PlayStation Store
