2021: Unpacking the Intrigue and Allure of the Gothic Thriller ‘Lies of P’

Preview: Lies of P Is a Bloodborne-Infused Gothic Fever Dream

The Premise

The game world has seen countless interpretations of Pinocchio, but Lies of P offers players a unique twist on this classic fairy tale. The game’s unsettling setting, inspired by the works of FromSoftware, combines gothic horror with themes of technology surpassing its creator. The protagonist is P, a puppet created by the legendary Geppetto, who, unlike other puppets, can lie and pass for a human. The story’s intriguing premise takes place in the city of Krat, which resembles the Belle Epoque version of Paris. However, the city is devastated by a plague, and now the only things inhabiting it are crazed automatons and mechanical “puppets” freed from the whims of their masters.

The Gameplay

The game mechanics in Lies of P are reminiscent of Dark Souls, with similar block and dodge mechanics, currency for leveling up, and Bonfires in the form of Stargazers. The combat movements and blows feel deliberate, but blocking is arguably more important, with damage reduction and improved combat damage for immediate counter-attacks.

The game features a Bloodborne-esque health restoration system that reinforces the gothic horror vibe. The combat scenes offer a unique twist with the core weapons action and a Legion Arm, a mechanical left arm with interchangeable components. Each arm has specific capabilities, including a basic attack, a core function, and a grinder that repairs weapon durability. The Legion Arm offers various capabilities, such as pulling in lighter enemies with a grappling wire or imbuing your attacks with elemental damage.

The game progresses with a system to mix and match saber and hilt pieces using the Weapon Assemble feature. This charming feature offers the player the chance to fine-tune their combat experience to their preferences.

The Aesthetic

The city of Krat has a dark sense of mystery and isolation, fitting of the Soulslike genre. The eerie setting, including massive toy-like automatons stalking the streets, creates an aesthetic that sets Lies of P apart from other Soulslikes. Speaking of aesthetic comparisons, Bioshock‘s Rapture could be an apt analogy to Lies of P’s fallen city, imbued with mystery and plenty of little details and world-building to flesh it out.

The game offers cryptic setting and atmosphere as the unique selling point. However, Lies of P still requires fine-tuning in terms of enemy variety and difficulty levels. Skillful players might overcome obstacles, but some levels feel overwhelmingly difficult. The game demo has only a few enemies, which require more enemy diversity to keep the game fresh and exciting.

Editorial

In conclusion, Lies of P shows that the video game industry continues to create inventive retellings of classic stories. With a fascinating concept, promising game mechanisms, and an intriguing storyline, Lies of P seems to have all the potential to become an all-time great Soulslike. It also makes sense for a game based on a beloved children’s tale to appeal to audiences of all ages and levels of familiarity with Soulslike games, from beginners to advanced players.

Advice

For those intrigued and excited to play Lies of P, the wait is still on. But there are plenty of Souls-like games to explore for those who have not played them yet. Bloodborne offers a similar aesthetic and combat system as Lies of P, with a similarly dark and intricate universe. Additionally, FromSoftware’s Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is a thrilling action-adventure game with a rich lead character, a vivid digital world to explore, and challenging enemies to overcome.