The gaming community was nicelby surprised when Lies of P launched in 2023. NEOWIZ and Round8 Studio brought the action RPG to life, taking the traditional story of Pinocchio and adding a dark gothic spin. Rather than the light-hearted children’s fairy tale that readers might expect, Lies of P reimagines Pinocchio as a killer puppet soldier fighting his way through a decaying city that is filled with madness and monsters.
Typically referred to as a Soulslike game, Lies of P draws heavily from Bloodborne and Dark Souls, marrying atmospheric settings, gruesome combat, and rich lore into one experience that won’t be forgotten.
Lies of P Story and Setting
The story of Lies of P takes place in the city of Krat, a once-thriving metropolis now consumed by corruption and chaos. Players control P, a puppet brought to life by Geppetto, who must unravel the mysteries of the city and confront monstrous foes.
Key story elements include:
- The collapse of Krat due to puppet uprisings and corruption
- The theme of truth vs lies, where player choices affect outcomes
- P’s internal conflict with being human, managing his puppet persona and human-like feelings
- Multiple ending outcomes that are based on how much the player lies or tells the truth
Lies of P Gameplay Mechanics
Lies of P is built for players who enjoy hard-hitting combat. Key gameplay features are:
- Accurate melee combat with dodge, parry, and attack timing
- Weapon composition system – assemble blades and handles to create unique builds
- Legion Arm skills – mechanical arm enhancements with special abilities
- Stamina-based combat like in Souls games
- Challenging boss fights with separate mechanics
- Risk-reward lie system that affects the narrative
- Dark gothic world to explore with hidden secrets
- Several endings that promote replayability
Lies of P Weapons and Customization
One of the highlights of Lies of P is the weapon crafting system. Unlike other RPGs where weapons are permanent, players are able to combine disparate parts.
Customization options available are:
- Blades – swift swords, heavy axes, piercing spears
- Handles – modify attack speed and movesets
- Legion Arms – flamethrower, grappling hook, cannon, and others
- Upgrades – enhance damage, durability, and elemental effects
Such a system provides every playthrough with a different feel, enabling players to create weapons that match their playstyle.
Lies of P Boss Fights
Boss fights lie at the core of Lies of P, testing the abilities of players to the fullest. Some of the most memorable bosses are:
- Parade Master – horrific debut to the difficulty slope
- Scrapped Watchman – lightning-beaten beast that protects the city
- King of Puppets – gigantic stage-crossing battle
- Simon Manus – last battle packed with lore value
- Nameless Puppet – hidden boss challenging mastery of the game
Every boss has individual attack rhythms and punishes lax players, so there must be patience and strategy used.
For the puzzle and adventure seekers read our blog on ‘RECUR Game – A Time-Bending Puzzle Platformer That Could Redefine Indie Gaming‘.
Lies of P Graphics and Atmosphere
Being built on Unreal Engine 4, Lies of P features stunning visuals. The gothic buildings, dark streets of Krat, and haunting puppets form a creepy but engaging atmosphere.
Highlights are:
- Dark steampunk aesthetic combining fantasy and horror
- Vivid character designs with realistic animations
- Moody shadows and lighting contributing to suspense
- Fluid combat animations for better immersion
Lies of P Difficulty and Soulslike Comparison
Dark Souls, Sekiro, and Bloodborne fans will feel right at home playing Lies of P. Precise timing, strategic exploration, and command of mechanics are what the game requires.
Comparison:
- Bloodborne – quick, gothic action and ambiance
- Sekiro – parrying and precision focused
- Dark Souls – stamina-based combat and punishing bosses
However, Lies of P is self-sustaining due to its lie system and weapon customization, which introduce new spins to the genre.
Lies of P Key Highlights
- Release: September 2023
- Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC
- Genre: Soulslike Action RPG
- Story: Dark retelling of Pinocchio in Krat
- Mechanics: Weapon crafting, Legion Arms, lie system
- Bosses: Difficult battles with special move sets
- Visuals: Gothic steampunk art style with horror elements
Why Lies of P Is a Fan Favorite
Lies of P quickly gained critical and fan acclaim for its new approach to Soulslike gameplay. Fans laud it for:
- A dark, original reinterpretation of Pinocchio
- Intense combat with modifiable weapons
- Hauntingly mysterious world design
- Multiple endings giving it replay value
- Being one of the greatest non-FromSoftware Soulslike games
Final Verdict
Lies of P is not just a Soulslike—it’s a work of art that combines gothic storytelling with visceral combat. In reimagining Pinocchio in a dark, twisted manner, NEOWIZ has created one of the most interesting action RPGs of the decade.
If you enjoy tough boss battles, customization to the extreme, and engaging worlds, Lies of P should be in your collection. It ranks right up there with titans like Dark Souls and Bloodborne, showing that even children’s stories can turn into nightmares worth investigating.
For the puzzle and adventure seekers read our blog on ‘RECUR Game – A Time-Bending Puzzle Platformer That Could Redefine Indie Gaming‘.
