“Lies of P” surely wears its inspiration on its sleeves, drawing heavily from the FromSoftware playbook in its steampunk revisitation of the "Pinocchio" novel in a mood reminiscent of “Bloodborne”. For fans of the soulslike genre, this game serves as a commendable love letter, showcasing a deep understanding of its mechanics and atmosphere.
However, the game is surely not without its flaws. Its derivative nature, combined with a somewhat linear and monotonous story progression with the same environment being repeated all over, may quickly lead to player fatigue. The incorporation of soulslike tropes also seems to border on the malicious on many occasions, as if frustration is a prerequisite for authenticity. The parry window is ridiculously tight, with the payoff not even being worth the risk most of the time. Adding to the challenge is the unintuitive timing of enemy attacks, making the learning curve remarkably uneven. Some puppets also tend to have infinite stamina and absurd attack ranges, to the point that regular enemies combined with silly traps and narrow hallways end up being more frustrating than actual bosses. The infamous fireball and fat clown sequence is the epitome of the team's questionable taste for level design.
Despite these issues, the game somehow retains an irresistible quality, compelling players to persist. Whether it's the atmospheric allure, the satisfying combat experience, or the unmistakable soulslike essence, there's an undeniable charm that keeps players engaged.
I have completed two runs and got all trophies in approximately 50 hours, with about 10 hours only spent on overcoming Fuoco and the Nameless Puppet. Those were the only two times the game demanded a deeper understanding of its mechanics. While the initial struggle may feel daunting, encountering the Nameless Puppet earlier in the game could have provided a more balanced difficulty curve, as it really helped me master dynamics like a perfect guard, guard regain, and prosthetic arm tricks, allowing me to go through NG+ almost effortlessly.
However, the game is surely not without its flaws. Its derivative nature, combined with a somewhat linear and monotonous story progression with the same environment being repeated all over, may quickly lead to player fatigue. The incorporation of soulslike tropes also seems to border on the malicious on many occasions, as if frustration is a prerequisite for authenticity. The parry window is ridiculously tight, with the payoff not even being worth the risk most of the time. Adding to the challenge is the unintuitive timing of enemy attacks, making the learning curve remarkably uneven. Some puppets also tend to have infinite stamina and absurd attack ranges, to the point that regular enemies combined with silly traps and narrow hallways end up being more frustrating than actual bosses. The infamous fireball and fat clown sequence is the epitome of the team's questionable taste for level design.
Despite these issues, the game somehow retains an irresistible quality, compelling players to persist. Whether it's the atmospheric allure, the satisfying combat experience, or the unmistakable soulslike essence, there's an undeniable charm that keeps players engaged.
I have completed two runs and got all trophies in approximately 50 hours, with about 10 hours only spent on overcoming Fuoco and the Nameless Puppet. Those were the only two times the game demanded a deeper understanding of its mechanics. While the initial struggle may feel daunting, encountering the Nameless Puppet earlier in the game could have provided a more balanced difficulty curve, as it really helped me master dynamics like a perfect guard, guard regain, and prosthetic arm tricks, allowing me to go through NG+ almost effortlessly.