Neowiz has delivered a triumph with Lies of P, a dark, Pinocchio-inspired action game that proves it belongs in the upper echelon of the Soulslike genre. Despite the bold risk of inviting direct comparisons to FromSoftware, the game captivated me for 40 hours in just five days, compelling me to seek multiple endings and dive straight into New Game Plus. By masterfully blending familiar mechanics with innovative twists, Neowiz has crafted an unforgettable and deeply rewarding experience.
Beyond the Fairytale: A Narrative Shift
While the initial premise of controlling Pinocchio may invite a chuckle, Neowiz quickly pivots to a more profound narrative. After the first 10 hours, the novelty of the character gives way to a compelling story about an exploited class rising against its creators, the lengths to which power-hungry architects will go to maintain control, and the philosophical question of what it truly means to be human. By grounding these themes in a dark interpretation of the classic tale, the game succeeds in delivering a narrative that feels both fresh and thematically rich.
Refined Combat and Strategic Depth
The combat will feel instantly familiar to genre veterans, yet it possesses a distinct rhythm. Set in the 19th-century, French-inspired city of Krat, players face high-stakes encounters where every misstep can be fatal. The game introduces mechanics that evolve as you progress, preventing the combat from ever feeling stagnant.
Pinocchio’s Legion arm acts as a versatile tool, offering fire, electricity, acid, and grappling capabilities to exploit enemy weaknesses. This is augmented by Grindstones for weapon imbuing and one-time-use Wishstones that can turn the tide of a desperate boss fight. Furthermore, the ability to disassemble weapons into handles and blades, combined with flashy “Fable Arts” moves, ensures that combat remains dynamic and deeply customizable throughout the journey.
A Stunning, Corrupted World
Krat is a visual achievement, brimming with the industrial, puppet-infested energy of a city ravaged by plague. From the base of operations at the Krat Hotel to gothic cathedrals and World Fair-esque exhibitions, the level design is masterfully connected through intricate shortcuts. The game performs exceptionally well, maintaining a level of visual polish that makes every environment a treat to explore, regardless of whether it’s a decaying street or a swampy ruin.
Bosses That Challenge and Reward
The boss encounters in Lies of P represent the pinnacle of the experience. While many are approachable, others serve as rigorous skill checks that demand mastery of the “perfect guard” mechanic. The final boss, in particular, is a masterful test of everything the player has learned over the course of the campaign. These encounters are memorable, fair, and perfectly balanced, avoiding the common pitfalls that often plague lesser titles in the genre.
Empowerment Through Exploration
The game excels at rewarding curiosity. Venturing off the beaten path yields Quartz, which is essential for upgrading Pinocchio’s abilities, such as enhanced dodging or improved Pulse Cell charges. Whether it is finding rare costumes in hidden chests or gathering consumables from basic enemies, every action feels meaningful. This constant sense of progression is what makes the game so difficult to put down, even when the difficulty spikes threaten to frustrate.
Lies of P succeeds because it understands the core tenets of the Soulslike subgenre while carving out its own identity. By balancing oppressive, challenging gameplay with a rewarding sense of player empowerment, Neowiz has created something exhilarating. It is a rare achievement that honors its inspirations while standing firmly on its own mechanical and narrative merits.
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