Lies of P is a new Soulslike title based on Carlo Collodi's The Adventures of Pinocchio. The title takes many of Collodi's original characters and events and transforms them into a Belle Epoque horror action-RPG, complete with killer puppets, terrifying monsters, and tough-as-nails boss fights. While Lies of P boasts a strong narrative, its greatest strength lies in its introduction of the Weapon Assemble feature, which allows players to mix and match parts to create new weapons with dual functionality. Though it differs in form and implementation, the feature brings to mind the Trick Weapon mechanic of 2015's Bloodborne, which offered its own method of dual functionality. Were they to be combined in a future Soulsborne title, these two combat features could make something genuinely memorable.
Lies of P follows P, a puppet created by the master alchemist Geppetto, as he seeks to end the Puppet Frenzy. His journey sees him traverse the city of Krat, encountering various dark twists on Carlo Collodi's classic characters. Many of these characters hope to do him harm, resulting in a variety of grueling combat encounters in which players must utilize a host of attack strategies. To aid them in this effort, Lies of P introduces the Weapon Assemble feature, which allows players to custom-build weapons from an assortment of blades and hilts.
Lies of P and Bloodborne Offer Players Diverse Weapon Features
When Bloodborne was released in 2015, it delivered a unique gothic-horror experience to the traditionally medieval Soulslike genre. The title featured much faster combat, pitting players against a host of Lovecraftian horrors. To manage these enemies, it introduced the concept of Trick Weapons, right-handed armaments that could change modes, or form, at the click of a button. Each Trick Weapon mode greatly changed the weapon's properties, as well as the moveset that players had available to them. While they did not allow for player customization, Trick Weapons essentially allowed players to wield two weapons in one.
Lies of P's weapons differ in that their dual functionality is highly customizable. The Weapon Assemble feature allows players to mix and match a wide range of blades, or weapon heads, with a host of weapon hilts. Doing so enables a single weapon to wield the characteristics of two. While Lies of P's weapons don't swap modes, they offer much more diversity and can be tailor-made to complement a player's unique play style. Additionally, should players utilize mid-way through a particular area, they can return to Hotel Krat and alter weapons to better suit that area's enemies and boss fight.
Pairing Lies of P and Bloodborne's Weapon Features Could Change the Genre
Pairing Lies of P's Weapon Assemble and Bloodborne's Trick Weapons in a future Soulsborne title could create an immensely satisfying combat mechanic. The title could allow players to craft their own weapons, using the top and bottom halves of any previously acquired ranged or handheld weapon. Then, adapting the Trick Weapon mechanic, players could tap through a pre-set assortment of additional weapon heads of their choice, essentially combining all equipped weapons into one. With the wide range of weapons available in titles like Bloodborne and Lies of P, the combinations could be near-infinite, with swords, blunts, axes, spears, and firearms all available for assigning to an interchangeable weapon head slot.
In combining Lies of P and Bloodborne's best combat features, a future Soulsborne title would also require an incredibly diverse variety of enemy types. The Soulsborne title will have to contend with players' highly diverse arsenal, while still maintaining the genre trademark difficulty. Perhaps enemies too will benefit from the title's weapon mechanic, as its nature may be tied in some way to a narrative or lore-based concept. If so, the Soulsborne title could build on the foundations set by its primary inspirations, delivering a fast-paced, highly customizable combat system that ushers in a new age for the genre.
Lies of P is available for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
