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Lies of P Review
Cutting Down the Strands of Fate .
Read Time 11 minutes
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“ ...Damn, imagine breaking a sweat in a game about 'toys' in a children's story... ”
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Once upon a time, in the pages of a beloved storybook, a wooden boy dreamed of becoming a 'real' person. In Lies of P, that dream is shattered beneath the weight of a world that twists fantasy into a profound nightmare. Truth is, this isn't your everyday whimsical fable of wonder—this is a game where lies, innocent or otherwise, hold the power to alter reality, and where the question of what makes one truly human is not a matter of fairytale magic, but of choice and hard-hitting consequences.
The story follows P, a puppet that's truly unlike any other—sentient, self-aware, and bound to an enigmatic voice guiding him toward his ultimate purpose, which stays enshrouded in mystery until the plot begins to slowly unravel itself. As for the narrative, it hinges on unveiling some harsh truths in a world where honesty is not always rewarded and where deception, however distasteful, may be the only viable option to make miracles come true.
Unlike its biggest inspirations, Bloodborne and Sekiro, which revel in cryptic storytelling, Lies of P takes a slightly more structured approach, blending mystery with a narrative that feels more deliberate yet no less compelling. Though it borrows heavily from those game's structural blueprints, mainly in terms of its punishing combat, I can personally attest that it threads in just enough originality to stand apart, through multiple innovative mechanics that we'll explore in detail later on.
Set in the magnificent city of Krat, once a beacon of technological marvels, we'll visit the region that was transformed into a land of unleashed horrors after its mechanical servants inexplicably turned on their human creators in a blood-drenched revolt that left an aftermath of utter chaos and destruction, contrasting the city's former grandeur.
Against this frightfully eerie backdrop, the search for Geppetto, our protagonist's master inventor, becomes the driving goal in our quest to find answers. But finding him amid such wild chaos is no simple task, and whether we'll find the old man in time is a matter of how efficiently we can deal with the numerous frenzied threats lurking around in the city well after closing hours.
What's undeniable is that Lies of P thrives on a fascinating type of tension I loved every second of, even though I have some fair share of criticism to dispense. For now, just be aware that this is a game that can catch even veteran players by surprise (not in a good way), so keep your blade sharp, your wits sharper, and your gears well-oiled—lest you find yourself weak-willed to push forward.
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Finding Purpose and a Will to Exist: A Special Puppet Awakens .
After waking up in a random train wagon, without any idea of where we are or what's going on, we step forward, unaware of what awaits us outside. In the opening moments of Lies of P, the game presents itself as something that's both familiar and wildly distinct, proudly wearing its inspirations while carving out its own unique identity. From its core themes to the intense combat that demands every inch of your attention, the outside influence is unmistakable, yet it's the execution that sets it apart from a mere 'soulless' clone.
The initial sense of awe is undeniable, but as the hours pass and the deeper layers of the world come into focus, a different kind of appreciation sets in—this isn't just another action game that's hard for the sake of being hard with an ambiguous storyline shoehorned on top of it. Instead, it's a meticulously constructed play with a narrative that doesn't hold any cards against the player as it foreshadows later developments that are sometimes hidden in plain sight once you know what's going on beneath the curtains.
As we push forward, it's not just P who evolves—our understanding of the world and its secrets, as well as its tragedies deepens with each new discovery, growing alongside the character we control. Meanwhile, Krat, with its hauntingly elegant architecture, now reduced to bloodstained rubble, makes every step feel like a walk through a semi-well-preserved time capsule. What truly elevates the ambiance, however, is the way it exudes an overwhelming sense of hostility—there’s no warmth here, no flicker of hope hiding in the streets. All that's left is an eerie, almost unnatural stillness, and the oppressive atmosphere makes us feel unwelcome, like an outsider trespassing where we don't belong.
On that note, we quickly realize that finding Geppetto is only the tip of the iceberg, and what lies ahead will be a test of resilience as well as our commitment to uncovering the truth, whatever it may be. After settling somewhere safe amid the turmoil going on in the streets, it soon becomes clear that there's something grander going on beneath all the initial commotion—something far worse than a rebellion by a large group of machines, which simply doesn't happen by occasion.
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There's plenty to uncover in the streets of Krat, as hidden corners and alleyways hold many rewards, from stories to riches, offering additional layers of intrigue to exploration.
As we piece together fragments of this puzzle, we're reminded that trust in a world full of liars shouldn't be easily given to anyone whose false whispers seek to manipulate or deceive us, regardless of their intent. Those we meet throughout our journey may hold answers, but whether their words are well-intended or not is rarely obvious at first. Anyhow, what begins as a simple search for answers gradually morphs into something much more terrific, with each revelation leading to deeper uncertainty and leaving us to question who or what can be trusted as being on our side.
In that sense, the thrill of discovery gives way to an ever-clearer picture as the game drip-feeds its lore through notes scattered around environments, most of which I didn't bother reading, but it's nice that they're there. Likewise, with many side quests along the way, their objectives, often intertwined with the broader conflict, help flesh out our mission in a tangible manner. These aren't just time-wasting padding but serve as actually worthwhile goals, as each interaction reveals hidden perspectives and provides useful insights, contributing to a sense of connection that elevates the experience.
In terms of what can make or break a game, combat is Lies of P's crown jewel, and as such, it's precisely where it shines the most, to no one's surprise. To be completely honest, I was somewhat skeptical at first, wondering if the system would hold up under scrutiny, but after diving in I was pleasantly surprised by how well it managed to do exactly that, and unironically far better than I expected. As we'll discuss in a minute, every battle demands patience, as even the seemingly insignificant foes can punish recklessness, and many of the larger foes require a lot more than just quick reflexes to beat.
As my first Soulslike in a long time, Lies of P is a relatively lengthy game that doesn't disappoint at all. Quite the contrary, actually, the controls are tight, the action is sufficiently varied, and the world is filled with intrigue that keeps pulling you forward. Even when its flaws become more apparent, whether through occasionally frustrating difficulty spikes or a handful of flawed mechanics, the sheer strength of its atmosphere, storytelling, and coherent gameplay make it a journey well worth taking.
Welcoming the Climb With Courage: A Valiant Soul, a Heart of Steel .
When the topic is difficulty, we often wonder: "How hard can a game realistically get?" And, if I'm being truthful, the answer depends on the level of sanity of its developers. As pointed out before, it just happens Lies of P isn't an ordinary Soulslike; instead, it's an anomaly where difficulty is literally through the roof. And believe me when I say this: when you think it can't get any worse after barely scraping by through a rough fight, it somehow gets worse again and again, like some kind of elaborate mockery—this is a really vicious game that doesn't hold back from beginning to end, where you constantly have to watch your back for whatever it might throw at you next time.
In that vein, Lies of P excels in making encounters a high-stakes challenge, demanding precision and a deep understanding of the need for balance between offense and defense. There's a noticeable amount of effort that went into making the game as punishing as it can be, ensuring that no victory can ever be taken for granted. Every fight is a test of patience and adaptability above all else, given that reckless aggression is swiftly punished, and success comes from mastering the rhythm and flow of battle rather than confidently charging in without a plan, only to get immediately squashed into a pulp.
Speaking of which, the major enemies aren't just obstacles; they're outright roadblocks, with each new boss we meet ratcheting up the intensity to absurd levels. Their erratic attack patterns, with mix-ups of delayed smacks with quick jabs, make predicting their movements nearly impossible, forcing players to adapt on the fly—a recipe that can spell hours of trouble if you're unprepared to handle these lengthier standoffs.
That is to say, getting comfortable isn't an option, and sometimes you're forced to use every dirty trick up your sleeve just to stand a chance to come out on top in some particularly tough scenarios. However, while the occasional frustration is pretty much unavoidable, I'll say that it's rarely a matter of difficulty being artificially turned up. Still, the line between "brutally fair" and "borderline unfair" blurs at times, particularly in moments where victory feels dictated more by luck than pure skill.
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Though unbelievably intimidating, many enemies have clearly defined weaknesses that observant players can exploit for a meaningful advantage against stronger adversaries.
Another really great pair of features in Lies of P is its parry and counter system, which, while reminiscent of other games, tries quite exemplarily to be its own thing, but not without a few blunders. When it comes to barring enemy attacks, perfectly executed parries not only serve to mitigate damage but also stagger foes, opening up windows for a devastating follow-up, while a poorly timed block can leave you exposed to brutal retaliation.
Needless to say, experiences may vary, but personally, the guard/block system felt slightly off to me, mainly because you don't completely negate damage by using it, and perfectly timing attacks is just madness with how quickly enemies can embarrass you for a misjudgment in timing. Those are the main reasons why I found myself avoiding it entirely in favor of sticking to just dodging attacks like I'm already used to.
Meanwhile, progression is tightly woven into the combat system's fabric. In short, players can shape P's abilities through a linear skill tree that branches into a couple of paths after the investment of points on nodes, allowing for meaningful customization based on how you wish to approach fights. The system here feels sufficiently robust, but as the game goes on, it gets clear that some perks offer a lot more utility than others, outshining some options and, in turn, making some choices more apparent than others for long-term success. That being said, despite the sense of progression occasionally feeling uneven, I still got pretty engaged with collecting skills like trophies, even though their benefits weren't always that gigantic to make up for the trouble of gathering points.
Together, these systems form the backbone of Lies of P's gameplay loop—brutal, rewarding, and deeply satisfying once properly mastered. The difficulty ensures that victory is never handed to you, but rather something you have to earn through skill and adaptation. While some mechanics tripped a bit in their execution, the combat remains the game’s greatest strength, with a near-perfect blend of strategy and intensity that I enjoyed a lot.
Weaving Life Essence Into Strength: Making Use of The Fallen .
Moving on, beyond the immensely punishing combat, Lies of P weaves an intricate web of supporting mechanics that subtly shape the player's journey. Aside from the expected, such as leveling our character through traditional stat upgrades, the game also has a wide variety of ways to tweak and refine playstyles. Whether it's improving our character, adjusting abilities, or experimenting with tools, there's a steady sense of progression that extends beyond simply hitting harder or surviving longer.
One of the game's standout features is weapon customization, where, rather than simply finding new weapons with ever-higher numbers, Lies of P allows you to experiment with combinations of different hilts and blades to create kick-ass hybrid weapons. Want to use a blade that delivers quick strikes but still has the reach of a heavier weapon? Well, it just so happens that you can totally craft that—this flexibility adds layers to the gameplay, giving players a sense of ownership over their playstyle.
Of course, these items can be upgraded up until a cap, but since resources are somewhat scarce, it's ideal that players commit to a weapon they feel comfortable with before investing too heavily. For me, I'm only a little bit saddened that this doesn't apply to boss weapons, but I guess you can't have everything, otherwise, it'd be too much fun, which we can't be having.
Then, there's the Legion Arm—a fascinating addition that introduces a unique layer of utility to P's arsenal. These mechanical appendages, which can be equipped with various abilities like a flamethrower or a grappling hook, offer much-needed variety in combat. They create new ways to engage with enemies, whether by abusing their weaknesses or providing valuable opportunities to deal even more damage.
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When in a rough spot, it's useful to employ one of the many tools we're given to dispatch enemies efficiently and overcome moments in which the odds are stacked against us.
But, I have to mention, having this Legion Arm thingy comes at the awful trade-off of being unable to hold a weapon in our left hand. This odd limitation aside, this is one of those features that sounds fantastic on paper but doesn't always integrate seamlessly in the player's arsenal due to its fluctuating utility and niche applications, making it not only unreliable but sometimes straight-up forgettable, at least in the early game.
Now, in terms of gear, we can replace body parts to alter P's defensive stats, which is a neat variation on the typical "wear whatever you can find" type of deal. Though stylish, wearable clothing like different coats, masks, and accessories exist purely for cosmetic purposes; therefore, equipping the right bits and pieces is what takes on a more functional role in determining our resistances. If you ask me, I found this system to be quite great, especially since looking good no longer comes at the cost of survivability, but I'm sure some RPG enjoyers out there might disagree.
There are also amulets, which provide passive stat boosts and unique effects that can turn the tide of battle by just equipping them. For instance, some increase stamina regeneration, reduce damage taken, while others simply enhance damage dealt to enemies under given circumstances. That's to say, their effects can more or less dictate the outcome of tough encounters, making them an essential part of a well-optimized build. However, with limited slots available, choosing the right amulets to carry comes down to what's most useful in certain scenarios, so there's not much of a point in stressing over it unless you're having a specific kind of trouble.
Wrapping up, there's seriously a lot more going on under the hood than what's immediately obvious. I speak for myself, but I liked how everything was so interconnected, forming a cohesive system where fine-tuning builds for maximum efficiency was a real delight. There's so much potential with mixing and matching parts that when I learned I could do that, I sort of went crazy until I was finally happy. A spark in the Soulslike scene that demonstrates what can be achieved by just giving players the freedom to be creative and play the game on their own terms.
Final Thoughts: The Show Must Carry On, Even Without Its Master .
When you think you’ve seen it all, Lies of P somehow manages to pull you back with a wicked blend of brutal combat, innovative mechanics, and an enchanting atmosphere to accompany it all. It's a game that thrives on its ability to surprise, not just in its steep difficulty curve but in how it constantly reinvents itself across its journey. Every new area brings fresh horrors, every encounter forces you to adapt, and every twist in its grim fairytale keeps you on edge.
What begins as a promising Soulslike quickly flourishes into a unique experience of plentiful qualities, offering players a fresh take on familiar mechanics while giving its own spin on the signature Fromsoftware concept playbook. An immensely charming game through and through, Lies of P draws you into a world where each element feels purposeful, from the environment to the characters you meet, pulling you deeper into its captivating world.
Though a few mechanics may not always land perfectly, these minor missteps never fully detract from the journey. The gameplay is refined and intuitive, with snappy movement, responsive controls, and a wealth of customization options to keep things engaging and make combat feel uniquely yours. The sheer satisfaction of mastering the game's intricacies is what keeps you hooked—every fight, every encounter, and every triumph is a testament to its well-crafted design. Even when frustration inevitably sets in, you can't look away from the screen because the moment you overcome a seemingly impossible challenge, it all feels worth it in the end.
As for those who love a healthy dose of challenge, Lies of P delivers exactly what fans have come to expect: a freakishly punishing experience that mauls beginners and pushes veteran players to the edge of their seats. What may seem like an absurd reality-check to others, to me, was a respectable approach to difficulty that forces players to grow with the game rather than button-mash their way to victory. From a personal perspective, I genuinely liked that you can't steamroll through everything and instead have to take the time to learn enemy movesets in order to advance.
On another note, a possible issue is that, despite the game's best efforts, it distances itself very little from its inspirations in the way many elements look and behave identically to the subgenre's hallmarks, which can definitely come across as a lack of originality. Still, as I said before, that's not enough to dismiss the game as a straight-up "copy-paste" clone because, at the very least, it adds its own flavoring to the equation, even if it does lean somewhat heavily on well-established tropes.
All things considered, Lies of P is well worth a shot for everyone, but newcomers are advised to approach it with a degree of caution. Either way, if you're coming in blindly expecting a more forgiving role-playing experience, do be warned that this is far from an accessible entry point into the genre. If that's the case for you, I suggest steering clear of this one for now unless it is right up your alley somehow.
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Responsive controls paired with a steep but fair difficulty curve make every encounter feel meaningful and engaging.
The ability to mix and match weapon parts allows for creative playstyles and adds depth to the build-crafting process.
Boss fights feel distinct, with visually striking designs, and unpredictable attack patterns that keeps you on edge.
Combat feels tight and rewarding, encouraging players to master enemy patterns rather than rely on brute force.
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The game avoids taking risks by leaning too heavily on common Soulslike tropes, sometimes to its own detriment.
Very vague item/attribute descriptions, and guide messages disappear far too quickly, making it hard to read them on the fly.
Difficulty spikes make certain encounters disproportionately harder than others, and balance sometimes feels uneven.
The block/parry system feels unintuitive, which makes it harder to grasp its full potential without trial and error.
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Lies of P
An original take on the Soulslike formula, borrowing from genre staples, while its unique mechanics make it stand out in a sea of similar games. A high difficulty curve make it a potentially unsavory experience for those looking for a more laid-back experience.
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Caius, The Puppet Master
April 12, 2025
8.5
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