One of the most unique games releasing in 2023 is Lies of P. The premise is simple: you play Pinocchio as you navigate a gothic steampunk nightmare where puppets rule the city instead of humans. But what makes the upcoming release interesting is how the gameplay is styled after Soulsborne games. Specifically, the game functions very similarly to Bloodborne with a similar aesthetic and similar basic mechanics. Lies of P is one of the most anticipated games of the year because it is a love letter to both Pinocchio and the Soulsborne genre. Here’s everything you need to know about Lies of P before it releases in September 2023.
Story
The story is described on the Steam page as the following. “You are a puppet created by Geppetto who’s caught in a web of lies with unimaginable monsters and untrustworthy figures standing between you and the events that have befallen the world of Lies of P.”
Further, the player is “awakened by a mysterious voice that guides you through the plagued city of Krat – a once lively place that has been poisoned by madness and bloodlust. In our soulslike, you must adapt yourself and your weapons to face untold horrors, untangle the unfathomable secrets of the city’s elites and choose whether to confront predicaments with the truth or weave lies to overcome them on the journey to find yourself.”
Lies of P takes place in a city called Krat. It is “a place soaked in the style of the Belle Epoque era which once thrived due to its puppet industry and now sees its streets covered in blood.” The unique steampunk and gothic mix helps to separate Lies of P from prior soulslike games.
Gameplay from the Demo
The official demo provides some key insight into how the game functions. There was also an official trailer that showcases more of the gameplay and how it functions very similarly to Bloodborne. There are three weapons that the player can start with. The Path of the Cricket with a balanced sword with equal speed and damage. The Path of the Bastard prioritizes fast attacks over high damage. And the Path of the Sweeper which emphasizes a strength build over anything else.
The moveset is simple. There’s a lock-on feature, a dodge roll, a sneak attack, a stagger meter with certain bosses, and a light and heavy attack. Also, there’s a parry and a block mechanic. Depending on the weapon that is picked, blocks can either completely eliminate damage or mitigate it just slightly. Blocking and rolling spend a bit of the stamina bar.
Each enemy defeated gives off a sort of currency called Ergo. These function similarly to Souls and Blood Echoes in Dark Souls and Bloodborne respectively. There are Stargazers that function similarly to bonfires in Souls games and are an opportunity to save and upgrade stats.
What Makes it Different From Bloodborne?
However, there are a few features that distinguish it from other Soulslike and make it stand out on its own. For one, each weapon comes with both a blade and a hilt that have different buffs and stats that allow for greater levels of customization. What also helps the customization options is something called the legion arm. The legion arm works akin to trick weapons in Bloodborne. However, they don’t work with the weapon directly, they are a separate feature.
For example, there’s a legion arm called the puppet string that functions like a harpoon. There is also one called Falcon Eyes that fires a timed-explosive projectile. Together, with the several different bosses in the demo and the approximately two hours of playtime, the demo is a great way to tell if you will be interested in the upcoming game.
Release Information and Available Platforms
Lies of P will release on Steam, PS5, PS4, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S. It will release on September 19, 2023. If you pre-order the base game, you get access to an extra set of costumes called the “Mischievous Puppet’s Clothes”. However if you pre-order the digital deluxe version, you get 72 hours early access and three extra sets of costumes. Stay tuned to Final Weapon for more information on Lies of P before its release!
