Lies of P evaluation: a strong Pinocchio Soulslike with some strings connected
MSRP $59.99
“Lies of P makes it clear that developer Neowiz has a deep appreciation and understanding for FromSoftware;s games that goes beyond a surface-level copy.”
Pros
Strong ambiance
Memorable enemy design
Offense is rewarded
Great customization choices
Cons
Frustrating bosses
Underwhelming assist techniques
Co-op is missed
Ever since its launch in 2015, I’ve been craving for a sequel to FromSoftware’s wonderful Bloodborne. Eight years later, Lies of P is the closest I’ve gotten to that dream – and that’s not what I anticipated from a sport primarily based on Pinocchio.
Lies of P is a traditional Soulslike motion RPG by builders Round8 and Neowiz that’s clearly impressed by the gothic aesthetic of Bloodborne. It’s as troublesome, moody, and atmospheric as you’d anticipate contemplating that affect, however these aren’t the one substances that make FromSoftware video games work in addition to they do.
Though it might have the aesthetic down, Lies of P doesn’t at all times nail its fight stream, significantly in boss fights. Even with some lacking items, the sport’s sturdy monster designs, assorted weapons, and a few tight fight techniques give it sufficient to face out in a crowded area of Soulslikes, whereas additionally offering a way of familiarity.
Standing other than Bloodborne
As weird because it sounds, Lies of P’s story is impressed by The Adventures of Pinocchio and follows a humanoid puppet who travels via Krat to seek out his grasp, Geppetto. All of that occurs as the town crumbles round him. Like most Soulslike video games, the narrative is advised in a moderately cryptic method, and it largely feels extra like a backdrop to the style’s most vital points: fierce fight and unsettling ambiance.
Neowiz
The Bloodborne comparisons are obvious instantly; the central hub space, Hotel Krat, includes a musical theme that even appears like a fancier model of Hunter’s Dream from Bloodborne. But it’s that oddball Pinnochio setup that helps it stand by itself two toes. The inhabitants of its haunting world are largely impressed by that story, with Neowiz twisting characters and puppets into memorable, creepy NPCs. Hotel Krat’s reception agent, Polendina, is a puppet primarily based on Geppetto who wears a yellow wig. There’s even an previous woman sitting in a wheelchair that’s harking back to Gehrman, the First Hunter from Bloodborne. It’s all very bizarre, however undoubtedly distinctive.
Lies of P pairs that concept with a steampunk aesthetic that fits its unusual world. The streets are full of dashes of gothic buildings, lending the journey a mysterious ambiance that even standout Soulslikes like Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty haven’t been capable of seize in addition to FromSoftware’s titles. It’s clear that developer Neowiz has a deep appreciation and understanding for the studio’s video games that goes past a floor degree copy.
That’s most obvious in some standout boss designs. The monsters right here vary from gross, natural creatures to menacing machines. Early on, I fought a disgusting fallen priest who merged with a spider that regarded like one thing out of Elden Ring. In one other battle, I confronted off in opposition to an ironclad machine wielding fireplace – a battle that jogged my memory of 1 I’d fought in Nier: Automata. The breadth of various designs offers every battle its personal distinct character, making for an unpredictable rogues’ gallery that’s worthy of being slain.
Souls fight with strings connected
Lies of P’s motion RPG fight appears like an ideal stability between Bloodborne’s fast-paced clashes and the defensive posturing of Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice. When blocking assaults, gamers nonetheless take injury at a decreased fee, however there’s a possibility for them to regain misplaced well being by hanging instantly afterward. This mechanic rewards those that take some initiative in battle versus hiding behind blocks. Like any Souls sport, battles require ability and precision, however Neowiz builds in some useful conveniences between these fights. The degree design is rife with cleverly designed shortcuts that make it straightforward to navigate again to a tricky boss after a dying.
Those fights are sadly the place Lies of P’s best flaw begins to disclose itself. Bosses assault fully too quick, because it feels troublesome to maintain tempo with a flurry of offensive assaults with out being extremely adept at excellent blocking. Deflecting on the final second negates all injury and doesn’t eat up any stamina meter, so it’s a key technique that must be mastered to get via some punishing fights. Those unforgiving boss fights make the ability ceiling really feel that a lot increased when making an attempt to nail down such an vital maneuver.
Neowiz
When I’m on the offensive, I’ve to decide to my assaults. They can’t be canceled if a boss is about to strike and I don’t find yourself staggering it. I’d typically run into conditions the place I’d lose that sport of rooster, getting hit and staggered myself, which allowed my foe to comply with up with one other assault. For nearly each single boss, I felt like I used to be preventing a fast-paced Bloodborne enemy with a Dark Souls slowpoke. That makes giant weapons like greatswords really feel unviable for the late-game bosses as they assault fully too quick. I needed to persist with lighter weapons for his or her shorter wind-down occasions, slicing down on my lifelike choices.
Several bosses additionally make use of an annoying “two phases” technique (just like the notorious Guardian Ape from Sekiro). When you suppose you’ve overcome a boss after depleting all its well being, you’re in for a shock because it morphs into a brand new kind for a second spherical. A number of bosses having two phases could be a enjoyable – and devilish – shock, however Lies of P goes overboard.
Players can get somewhat assist in battles, however these techniques left me wanting extra. Star Fragments, that are scattered world wide or dropped by enemies, enable me to summon an NPC to assist throughout boss fights. It’s a pleasant thought for a helper system, however I typically discovered I might burn via the consumables as I’d die so typically to significantly punishing bosses. And that’s the one assist I can get. There’s no multiplayer co-op like in Dark Souls or Elden Ring; Star Fragments are your solely hope. That is, till you run out of them – and belief me, you’ll.
Build-A-Puppet Workshop
Though the fight isn’t as finely tuned because it may very well be, Lies of P has some helpful customization choices that add some selection to battles. For most weapons, I’m capable of take aside each the blade and the hilt and blend and match every of them for various stats. Different elements also can give entry to distinctive Fable Arts, that are highly effective particular assaults that may be unleashed when a Fable meter is full. It’s an additional contact that brings somewhat magic to the heavy hacking and blocking stream.
Neowiz
Additionally, the character’s left arm provides some shocking utility to fight. The Puppet String arm lets me seize enemies like a hookshot and pull them straight towards me, which is beneficial for separating enemies from a gaggle and selecting them off one after the other. Another is Flamberge, which is actually a flamethrower you may launch on monsters. These arms deliver an added layer of technique that goes above and past what I’ve come to anticipate from the Soulslike style at this level.
My favourite customization choice, nonetheless, are the P-Organs. These act kind of like ability timber in an RPG. A consumable merchandise, Quartz, permits me to equip sure attributes, resembling sustaining decrease injury whereas dodging and rising the quantity of Ergo (this sport’s model of forex) earned from killing enemies. By linking these attributes collectively, I can unlock new skills resembling enabling one other dodge whereas in the midst of my present dodge. All of those totally different customization choices make me really feel extra engaged in Lies of P than I do in different video games within the style. Progression goes past simply leveling up when I’ve sufficient Ergo so as to add some extent to a stat; I really feel like I’m extra concerned in my character’s development. He’s an actual boy, in any case.
With its fascinating setting and ambiance, in addition to distinctive gameplay techniques that twist the Soulslike system, Lies of P is among the most spectacular takes on the style to this point. With some strong imitators within the style like Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty, Code Vein, and Nioh, Lies of P on the very least matches its contemporaries. It does have some evident points, although, particularly how the sport’s irritating boss fights play out. Developer Neowiz nonetheless has some rising to do if it’s going to succeed in the identical heights because the video games it’s impressed by, however Lies of P is something however wood.
Lies of P was reviewed on Xbox Series X|S.