Lies of P review: a slow-burn entry in the Soulsborne genre

Lies can create illusions. This is something that the aristocrats, and even self-proclaimed “pioneers” of Krat are well aware of. Lies about PThis premise is the basis of the game. It breathes new life into a genre that has become oversaturated by giving you the opportunity to create your own reality with the characters and shape the world through your decisions.

Lies about PIt is part of the growing list of Soulsborne games. The game looks great on paper. It’s a hack-and-slash game with obtuse mechanics; challenging areas delimited by sweet, sweet checkpoints; and dramatic entrances for each and every boss encounter. The standout element is its narrative, which sets the tale of renowned lying apologist Pinocchio against the Belle Époque era.

A powerful mineral, found in the depths of the city’s bowels, is responsible for turning a small coastal town into an oasis of luminaries. This mineral is responsible for the monumental structures, monorail systems, etc., that are visible to you. But it’s also what powers all the puppets who used to be butlers, cops, etc. Unknown forces have turned the puppets against mankind. Pinocchio must find the source of this problem while staying protected inside the hotel, which is the central hub for all your journeys.

Neowiz

Pinocchio however is not like most puppets. He’s able to pretend that he’s a human, which is necessary for blending in among the humans hunting his kind. Neowiz brings this theme to life with time-based, Telltale-style conversation choices. You can choose to receive specific items or skip battles by saving the lives of characters that can help you in later stages. Generally speaking, these decisions play on Pinocchio’s dual nature as a puppet and a (cough) real boy. I spent most of my time lying — like the rest of the humans remaining in Krat — and the world reacted accordingly: Characters in the hotel expressed concerns about my autonomy; a cat who previously pushed my hand away let me pet them as I gained more humanity; and Pinocchio’s very appearance changed, aa his hair grew and he aged.

The mystery of this sort of karma system kept me interested during the first hours of my 46 hour playthrough. The hook was much needed because, aside from its vivid art style, Lies of the P is as derivative as Soulsbornes come. The game is heavily influenced by BloodborneThe combat of this game is similar to that in Sekiro: Shadows Die TwiceIt is important to approach bosses in the same way as Dance Dance Revolution levels, where perfect parries can completely reduce damage. This strategy is pretty much mandatory in later areas, as enemies attack relentlessly at an overwhelming pace — even compared to the genre standards.

Liars of the P’s most gripping conceit gradually emerges over time: Pinocchio is, in effect, a weapon in constant iteration. You use a Frankenstein’s monster-style chair to upgrade certain stats and actions (such as increasing your available number of health vials, or making enemy stagger periods last longer so you have more time to perform a strong attack), and your left arm can become a flamethrower, shield, or cannon, to name a few. At first it was fun to try out these attachments and skills, particularly in combination with weapons that I found throughout Krat. After I had found a way to defeat several bosses with a single combo, I didn’t feel the need to switch my style of play.

Neowiz

Flexibility is the key to overcoming all challenges Lies about PIts story was the one that I returned to again and again. It was refreshing to have some agency over the course of Pinocchio’s character development, however binary it may be. And it was rewarding to see NPCs’ intentions change throughout the game. My skills were used by a couple of sisters to help them clear an area, rather than band together and attack me. After finding out their intentions and what they sought, I helped them again to show solidarity, rather than retaliating. The protagonist is ultimately a weapon built to be augmented and reassembled — and it’s exciting to actually be able to challenge this nature with your choices.

As the Soulsborne genre continues its inevitable expansion, the entries that truly stand out are the ones that build their own identities on FromSoftware’s foundation. Ashen replaces obtuse mechanics with an approachable understanding of the genre’s strengths, inviting you to slowly build a community and see your home base change over time. The Surge takes the idea of mixing and matching weapons, and extends it to your character’s own robotic body. The recognizable patterns and pillars are all present, but they’re a structure upon which to build something new.

Lies about P’s contributions to the genre are slow burns. There’s just enough intrigue at the beginning to lure you into the world, and thankfully, it pays off. I was surprised by the grim story of a city that turned against itself due to greed and an obsession with power. Despite a clear obligation to pay homage to its pioneers, it carves its own reality — one in which you decide which illusions to believe in.

Lies about P The game will be available on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 and Windows PC as well Xbox One and Xbox Series X. Neowiz provided a PS5 pre-release code for the game’s review. Vox Media partners with affiliates. Vox Media can earn affiliate commissions, but this does not affect editorial content. Find out more about affiliate links. additional information about Polygon’s ethics policy here.