Released in 2023 by Round8 Studio and Neowiz, Lies of P is an action-horror RPG, based on Carlo Collodi‘s 1883 novel The Adventures of Pinocchio. Blending Belle Epoque aesthetics with elements of steampunk and monstrous body horror, Lies of P is one of the most surprising games of the decade so far, an intriguing and exciting game oozing with style and filled with melancholic, unsettling terrors that are easy to invest into.
Lies of P follows the titular mechanical puppet P, who awakens in the ruined and desolate city of Krat, which has succumbed to disease and madness in both humanity and their inventions, the puppets. As P ventures through Krat, he is faced with moral and philosophical challenges and a vast conspiracy involving the entire city, which threatens his emerging humanity. Whilst P himself is silent, the player themselves has a lot of agency in this game’s story, with a morality system directly informed and impacted by your choices, that will impact P’s character development and the progression of the story.
Courtesy of NeowizIt follows the same gameplay style and loop as other Soulslike games, particularly Bloodborne, in which you explore decrepit locations haunted by the scars of the past, culminating in brutal and violent boss fights as you progress towards the story’s inevitable end. This game does have some technical issues, mainly due to the inexperience of Round8 Studio, who make their story game debut here. Hitboxes are often clunky, the dodging system needs work, and the game can be brutally unforgiving, but when it all works, it’s brilliant, with a fantastic weapon system that allows for personal customization, working in tandem with its leveling system to make each playstyle feel incredible different to one another.
Reinterpreting Collodi’s legendary novel into a video game is no easy feat, but the development team have clearly done their homework, and often introduce elements from the book in fascinating ways, as well as exploring similar themes of human nature, kindness, death and growth. The games’ side characters and subplots often explore madness, grief, and trauma, with the entire game effectively focused on the balance between what is ‘factual’, truthful and objective, versus what is subjective, ‘felt’ and humane. It may not always surprise you, but it’s done well, and I found myself quite deeply emotionally connected to its characters by the end of the games’ narrative.
Courtesy of NeowizSince its release in 2023, it has been followed by a prequel DLC titled Lies of P: Overture, which gives further context to Krat, as well as heightening the existing horror elements to tell the story of the city’s fall from grace. Additionally, there is a sequel in development, taking influence from Frank L. Baum‘s Oz novels. Whilst it may not be the greatest game you’ll ever play, It’s surprisingly rich, with beautiful aesthetics and a moving story that will undoubtedly win over many. It’s got some absolutely stellar bosses too, arguably some of the best in modern gaming, and whilst it’s held back a bit by the developer’s inexperience, it stands out as a slick, fun and interesting game filled with sad, compelling horror storytelling. Yes, it is effectively about Pinocchio becoming a real boy, but there’s so much more to it than just that, and when you spend so much time in a broken world full of grief and sadness, it’s hard not to root for the puppet who dreams of a new life.
Courtesy of Neowiz
English (US) · 