Becoming human is central to Lies of P, but the protagonist P feels surprisingly lifeless. As a mute puppet, P obediently follows orders without question, lacking the vibrancy of other characters. Unfortunately, this lack of life extends to the game’s world and human characters, making the overall experience feel stiff and unengaging.
Rescuing Gepetto at the start of the game should have been a tense and emotional moment, but instead, he greets you with calmness and happiness. This lack of reaction is consistent throughout the game, with characters navigating the city of Krat without any sense of urgency or emotion. It’s as if they too are puppets, devoid of life.
This disappointment is amplified by the fact that combat, the game’s strongest aspect, feels great. However, without a compelling story, interesting characters, or a richly developed world, the fights ultimately feel meaningless.
Wandering in Emptiness
The initial level of Lies of P, available in the demo, effectively immerses players in its world. The city of Krat is overrun by machines, with police puppets and humans corrupted by a deadly sickness. It sets the stage for a dark and turbulent world, but unfortunately, the story fails to deliver on its promise.
The levels are linear, and the environmental storytelling feels incomplete. While there are interesting ideas, such as triggering events by executing gestures, these moments are few and far between. The lackluster approach to narrative elements is frustrating, especially considering the potential of the unique twist on Pinocchio’s story in a Steampunk-themed robot uprising.
Discovering letters or notes in ruined buildings often adds little to the story, providing vague warnings or information without much depth. This further contributes to the overall lack of engagement and immersion in the game.
Wielding a Sawblade like a Dagger? No Problem.
Despite its narrative shortcomings, Lies of P excels in its combat mechanics. Drawing inspiration from Bloodborne and Dark Souls, the game offers a challenging and punishing experience that will delight fans of the genre.
The weapon assembly system is a standout feature, allowing players to combine different weapon parts to create unique and distinct combinations. With over 100 possible combinations, experimentation is encouraged, and the lack of resource requirements for disassembling weapons allows for freedom in trying out different builds.
In addition to the weapon assembly, the Fable abilities add another layer of uniqueness to combat. Charging up these abilities by hitting enemies and unleashing them adds a visually impressive element to battles.
While the difficulty level can be frustrating, Lies of P implements some player-friendly features. Stargazers allow for easy teleportation to boss areas, and the ability to retrieve lost XP upon death in front of boss arenas reduces the frustration often associated with the genre.
Lies of P is Fun, but Forgettable
Overall, Lies of P is an enjoyable Soulslike game that excels in its combat mechanics. However, the lack of a compelling story, interesting characters, and a fully realized world holds it back from being truly memorable.
As the protagonist P strives to become more human, the player may find themselves becoming disconnected from the game’s world and characters. While the satisfaction of defeating challenging bosses remains, the lack of emotional investment outside of combat diminishes the overall impact of the game.
With a deeper world, more complex characters, and improved level design, Lies of P had the potential to be a standout title in the genre. Unfortunately, it falls short of its promise, leaving players with a fun but ultimately forgettable experience.
Source: DOTESPORTS
