Lies of P from Round8 Studio and Neowiz demonstrates an unmistakable comparison to FromSoftware's dark fantasy overtones, and has therefore earned itself the identification of a Souls-like. Indeed, Lies of P's atmospheric, fantastical interpretation of "the familiar story of Pinocchio" has garnered a lot of questions about what narrative it will follow.
If Lies of P is truly similar to FromSoftware's titles, players may be in store for subtextual lore and environmental storytelling rather than an explicitly story-driven experience. As a Souls-like, Lies of P seems to take its greatest influences from Bloodborne in particular. However, instead of the distinctly Victorian Gothic Yharnam from Bloodborne, Lies of P sets its dark fantasy reimagining in the Belle Époque era with appropriately themed environments, aesthetics, and weapons in the city of Krat.
Today, Lies of P's first official gameplay teaser has been shared, though the teaser's already impressive-looking visuals are apparently only demonstrative of a pre-alpha state. Lies of P's gameplay teaser concentrates on fast-paced combat with a number of different weapons in combinations of light, heavy, and thrust attacks. Pinocchio is able to block incoming attacks and seemingly riposte once the respective enemy is left vulnerable after its own combination string.
Lies of P, similar to Bloodborne, is highly stylized to suit its surreal, fantastical environments. Enemies portrayed in Lies of P's pre-alpha gameplay teaser appear biomechanical in nature, not unlike the puppet Pinocchio himself. These supposed creations are then pitted against players comparably to Bloodborne's mobs of Hunters, while larger and more bizarre-looking enemies are reserved for mini-bosses and bosses, as seen in the teaser's last moments.
Interestingly, Lies of P's gameplay teaser also shows off a unique grapple hook mechanic, which fires from Pinocchio's mechanical arm, as it reels in an enemy from an opposing rooftop. It appears as though players will find new arm attachments a la Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice throughout Lies of P, with the grapple hook and an arm-mounted flamethrower that reflects Bloodborne's Flamesprayer.
Though Pinocchio's tale may be a strange adaptation to a Souls-like game from the perspective of many fans, Lies of P provides a persuasive argument for its grim fantasy adventure with this showcase of action-combat and superb environments. If FromSoftware fans adore Bloodborne, then they may want to follow the development of Lies of P until it eventually launches in a couple years.
Lies of P is currently scheduled to release in 2023 for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X.
Source: Steam
