Lies of P Review (PlayStation 5)
Summary: Lies of P is the best alternative Soulsborne game if you want to taste something other than FromSoftware works.
4.3
Best Non-FromSoftware Soulsborne
You are a puppet created by Geppetto who’s caught in a web of lies with unimaginable monsters and untrustworthy figures standing between you and the events that have befallen the world of Lies of P. Awakened by a mysterious voice, it guides you through the plagued city of Krat – a once lively place that has been poisoned by madness and bloodlust.
Throughout history, we had multiple games with great ideas that weren’t as fruitful as they should have been because of gameplay issues. They either had the wrong genre or the gameplay mechanics weren’t made that could. Lies of P is the exception that beautifully embodies a unique idea with amazing gameplay.
Inspired by the story of Pinocchio written by Carlo Collodi, Lies of P is set in the steampunk city of Krat where all the puppets that were designed to help humans, go rogue and start attacking everybody. Now the duty lies on the shoulders of Pinocchio, the latest creation of Geppeto to put an end to all of this frenzy.
Inspired by the Soulsborne games, Lies of P borrows a bit of mechanics from all games made by FromSoftware and adds a little bit of their uniqueness to it. The best of them by far is the option to dismantle and combine different weapons with each other. Every weapon (except for the legendary ones) can be separated into the blade and the handle and mixed with each other. For instance, you can combine the handle of a large axe with the blade of a dagger or vice versa to create the weapon that suits you best.
Apart from that the game borrows most of its things from games made by FromSoftware, maybe too much. That is one of the issues I had with Lies of P. The game lacks in characteristics to become a unique Soulsborne game. Apart from combining weapons, the level design, combat mechanics, and overall gameplay are all something we saw in previous Dark Souls, Bloodborne, or Sekiro games.
But if we put the inspiration to the side for a moment, the gameplay of Lies of P is one of the most polished and addictive I’ve seen in the latest Soulsborne games. In some cases like camera movement, it does even a better job than FromSoftware. The variation of enemies as you progress is amazing and it never feels repetitive.
The same goes for boss fights designs as well. Each will propose a different threat that requires a different strategy and in some cases even a change of weapon to make the fight easier. While the majority of bosses can be tackled down after a few attempts, there are a few like The King of Puppets that will truly test players’ patience. If we put it on a scale it is a good balance between having some challenging bosses and a few that will truly test you.
Of course the same could be said about the world design of the game. Each area truly feels unique to its own and the pieces of lore you can find are put in the right way. Although I would have really loved it if the story had more depth to it as I expect from a Soulsborne game. On the other hand, following the main story apart from the lore was much more straightforward. This approach also helped with side-quests being less confusing as well.
Lastly, the secret ingredient of conveying feelings in a Soulsborne game is music and Lies of P truly delivers. Not only the music in the background but the songs you find throughout the game by exploring are also neatly picked and help with the mood of the game.
Final Thoughts?
Lies of P is the best Soulsborne game that wasn’t made by FromSoftware. The gameplay and design of the game are great and have a little signature of their own but the density of inspiration is a bit too much. The steampunk design of the game truly fits with its story and the music helps to convey the mood but I wish the story had more depth.
KEY FEATURES
A DARKLY ELEGANT AND CRUEL WORLD
Unearth the secrets of the city of Krat – a place soaked in the style of the Belle Epoque era which once thrived due to its puppet industry and now sees its streets covered in blood.
BATTLE WITH TWISTED INSTRUMENTS
Develop a unique combat style to counter vicious enemies and terrain by weaving together dynamic weapon combinations, utilizing the Legion Arms, and activating new abilities.
WHAT’S IN A LIE?
There will be times when you will be confronted with choices where you can give comfort to others in sorrow or despair by lying…or you can choose to tell the truth.
A CLASSIC REIMAGINED
Experience the beloved fairy tale of Pinocchio reinterpreted as a dark, grim narrative that allows players to discover the secrets and symbols hidden within the world of Lies of P.
About the Author
S. Masoud Kazemi An admirer of art that doesn't stop talking about films and games.
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