Review: Lies of P – A Dark Fairytale That Impresses Despite Familiar Strings

 

In a world where "soulslike" has become a genre in its own right, developers are increasingly turning to unconventional inspirations. Neowiz and Round8 Studio decided to draw from... Pinocchio. The result? Lies of P – a dark, gothic reinterpretation of the classic tale that, while it openly borrows from Bloodborne and Dark Souls, manages to surprise with its unique style and high-quality execution.

A Masterful Imitation with Personality

There’s no denying it – Lies of P closely follows in FromSoftware’s footsteps. The interface, aesthetics, and combat rhythm all evoke Miyazaki’s games. Bloodborne fans will feel right at home – perhaps too much so. Some bosses even have nearly identical names and designs, as if the developers couldn’t resist the urge to copy. This is both a criticism and a compliment – the game doesn’t innovate, but it masterfully recreates what we love about the genre.

A Fairytale for Adults

What sets Lies of P apart is its story – dark, brutal, and surprisingly engaging. The tale of Pinocchio wanting to become a “real boy” is reimagined here as a dystopian horror with steampunk elements. Players face moral choices (truth or lies) that affect the ending, encounter familiar characters in eerie new forms, and meet intriguing side figures like the eccentric Venigni. While the narrative isn’t as deep as in Jedi: Survivor, it stands out among other soulslikes.

Combat – Classic with a Twist

The combat system is solid, responsive, and well-balanced. It encourages aggressive play, reminiscent of Bloodborne, though without the health regeneration from counterattacks. A fresh addition is the weapon crafting system – players can mix and match blades and handles to create deadly custom combinations. It’s a lot of fun, though it’s a shame that the most powerful "legendary" weapons are excluded from this system.

Add to that the Legion Arms – Pinocchio’s mechanical arm that functions as a secondary weapon (grappling hook, cannon, explosive shield, etc.) – and a compelling character progression system that lets you upgrade healing charges or amulet slots, and you’ve got a well-rounded gameplay experience.

Too Easy… Until It’s Not

A key issue is the uneven difficulty. Exploration is often too easy, while some boss fights suddenly spike in difficulty, leaving players unprepared. The game also lacks a more non-linear structure – Krat is a beautifully designed city, but progression is very linear. Optional bosses and hidden locations are scarce, and there’s little to discover after beating the game aside from New Game+.

Missing the Souls of Companions

The lack of multiplayer is a major drawback – even a symbolic PvP mode could have added excitement and extended the game’s lifespan. In a game that encourages weapon and combat experimentation, the inability to showcase these to other players feels like a missed opportunity.

Audiovisual Feast

Visually and aurally, Lies of P is stunning. The 19th-century Europe-inspired city of Krat, character animations, and environmental details create a suffocating, oppressive atmosphere. The soundtrack deserves special praise, especially the vinyl records you can play at your base – a small but delightful touch.

Conclusion

Lies of P doesn’t try to revolutionize the soulslike genre but brings enough freshness to earn its spot among the best. Its atmosphere, combat, visuals, and deep weapon mechanics make it one of the most interesting titles of its kind in recent years. It may lack a bit of originality and boldness in world design, but if you enjoy challenging action RPGs, this puppet is worth your time.

Pros:

Excellent audiovisual presentation

Engaging, dark reinterpretation of Pinocchio

Deep weapon crafting system

Satisfying, dynamic combat

High attention to detail and polish

Cons:

Highly linear exploration

No multiplayer modes

Uneven difficulty curve

Underused “humanity” system

Final Score: 8/10

Lies of P doesn’t shy away from being a copy, but it does so with class and character.