Quick Links
Decay seeps into even the most decadent of worlds, tearing them asunder from within. Isn’t that a part of the inherent appeal of Soulslikes? You see such unfathomable beauty, the kind of beauty you may barely believe was built by mortal hands, and then, you see the rot that trickles from its every crack and crevice. Beneath that alluring facade of progress, the world withers.
You don’t have to look hard atLies of Pto see that it is a Soulslike. With an aesthetic heavily inspired byBloodborneand the mechanics to match, it feels like the second coming of one of FromSoftware’s most beloved entries. But is it worth it?
Review
As Joe Parlock says in his review, “Lies of P: Prepare To Lie,” it’s easy to see the Bloodborne DNA in this particular Soulslike. From its Victorian-esque aesthetic to its terrifyingly intimidating bosses and morally-ambiguous NPCs - there’s no way to deny that Lies of P isn’t heavily inspired by the FromSoftware juggernaut.
You can get meaty combat encounters, deep worldbuilding, and a sense of challenge without feeling frustrated.
Yet, as Parlock notes, Lies of P is its own beast - calling it a copy would be a simplification at best and an insult at worst. That isn’t to say that it’s better than Bloodborne by any stretch - not many games can claim that title, frankly - but it’s an elegant distillation of what makes Bloodborne so memorable.
As its name playfully suggests,Lies of P is a retelling of Pinocchio. In the streets of Krat, you may find humans going about their days and the “Puppet” automatons that take care of the city on behalf of humanity. Of course, such an idyllic existence (for humans, at least) can’t last, and the puppets stage what amounts to an uprising. Now, the streets are full of threats - and you must deal with whatever has caused reality to run so amok.
Along the weaving streets of Krat, you will run into enemy types of all makes and models - androids, to biological, to the terrible synthesis of both. You must fight your way through, and hope you succeed. Luckily, the combat is engaging and entertaining - Parlock compares it to a rhythm game. Your items, equipment, and stamina must be carefully managed if you hope to survive the onslaught that befalls you.
Of course, like its inspirations, Lies of P does require practice. you’re able to’t jump in and assume you’ll be ready to take on anything, anywhere. Your success depends on your ability to learn the combat system - though, luckily, the game is much kinder to its players than Bloodborne.
Parlock praised Lies of P’s ability to feel challenged without being frustrated. With beefy combat, an interesting world to explore, and just the right amount of difficulty, Lies of P shines among its peers - whether those be other Soulslikes or theFromSoftware games that inspired it.
Cost
Lies of P is available onPC,PlayStation 5,Xbox Series X/S,andMacfor$70. But don’t fret if your PC can’t handle the game and you don’t yet have a Series X/S or PS5 - you can purchase Lies of P onPlaystation 4orXbox Onefor$60.
Adigital deluxe versionis available for$80, which includes different clothing for your main character. If you’ve already purchased the standard version of the game, anupgrade to the deluxe versionis available as DLC for$10.
The physical editions of the deluxe version of the game come with the same digital goodies, with the added bonus of a steel book and an artbook. The game is also availablefor free on Game Pass.
Time Expenditure
Like most Soulslike games, Lies of P is a pretty lengthy adventure.According to HowLongToBeat, completing themain story will take around 25 hours. If you want to indulge insome side content, you may expect to sink an extra ten hours into the game, taking yourtotal play time to 35 hours.
If you’re acompletionist, and you want to do everything the game offers you, then you’ll be immersed in the city of Krat forupwards of 52 hours. The game also offers aNew Game Plus modefor those who want to experience the game all over again - you’ll just be a little tougher this go around.
What People Are Saying
I Can’t Believe It’s Not Bloodborne! - James Kennedy
Lies of P is Bloodborne with a side of Sekiro and a pinch of Pinocchio added in for good measure. When it is at its best, it is directly ripping from FromSoftware’s masterpiece. When it is at its worst, it is boring you with its cliched dialogue and its soulless (heh) story. The P-Organ system it introduces acts as a legitimately excellent skill tree, and the weapon crafting stuff is brilliant, but there are a ton of other systems that are superfluous, feel half-baked, or only serve to bog the game down.
That being said, while it may be shamelessly copying FromSoftware, itisa high-quality imitation. The boss battles are consistently engaging, its combat feels finely tuned, and its winding stages provide a lot of the same joy that a From-designed stage brings. If you like Bloodborne, you will almost certainly enjoy Lies of P as, at its core, it is a clumsier,occasionallyinspired, version of that game. FromSoftware fans will undoubtedly find Lies of P to be worth their time.
Yes - Amanda Hurych
Not every Soulslike game is a gem, but Lies of P is one of those titles that phenomenally captures what it means to be considered a “Soulslike.” It embodies the principles of FromSoftware’s classic games, almost shamelessly copying the iconic gameplay elements that work. But Lies of P also adds some quality-of-life changes to the formula. Plus, it takes place in a macabre universe of puppets and clanking machines. What’s not to love? If you’re a fan of the Soulsborne games, Lies of P is definitely worth your time.
My Favourite Soulslike - Joe Parlock
I’ve never really gelled with Souls games, but found myself completely sucked in to Lies of P. From its gorgeously grim Steampunk world to its crunchy, precise combat, it grabbed me like no other game in this genre has before. It does shamelessly copy some of FromSoftware’s ideas, but it makes the genre more accessible and more palatable at the same time.
