Channeling the spirit of the gruesome Brothers Grimm fairy tales rather than Disney’s cheery adaptations, Neowiz Games’ Lies of P offers a grueling, Soulslike reinterpretation of the classic story of Pinocchio.
Announced in 2021, the game drew major attention during Gamescom 2022 with its fascinating steampunk aesthetic that’s rooted in 19th-century France and punishing combat mechanics.
Now, thanks to Summer Game Fest 2023, the highly-anticipated demo for Lies of P is officially ready for download, and an official release date has been announced.
In this dark and brooding reimagining, players step into the role of humanoid robot P, journeying through a dystopian landscape to find Geppetto in a bid to become human. The game is set in the puppet-infested city of Krat, a once-beautiful metropolis now transformed into a nightmare-scape by a deadly plague and rampant puppets. Drawing heavily from the DNA of the Souls series and exhibiting visible influences from FromSoftware’s Bloodborne, Lies of P marries the familiar anxiety-inducing, fast-paced gameplay with a unique setting and narrative.
The demo released at Summer Game Fest 2023 offers players a substantial chunk of the game to explore, featuring several hours of content across multiple chapters. It introduces us to Lies of P’s dark world, providing a showcase of its unique combat mechanics and enemy design. Players are given the chance to select one of three initial weapons, each conferring a distinct combat style: speed, power, or a balance of both. Additionally, the demo grants a glimpse of the innovative Weapon Assemble system and presents a couple of formidable bosses to test players’ mettle.
This Bloodborne-inspired, Soulslike action RPG is slated to launch on September 19, 2023, for PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X. The demo, available for immediate download, includes the first two chapters, allowing fans to experience Lies of P’s unique blend of dread and excitement ahead of its official release.
Lies of P’s unveiling at Summer Game Fest stood amidst a flurry of other high-profile game announcements. These included a deep dive into the gameplay of the rebooted Mortal Kombat 1, a trailer for Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, and a new spot for the Twisted Metal TV series.
While Lies of P echoes the style of Bloodborne, game director Choi Ji-Won insists that the game isn’t merely derivative but a heartfelt homage to the influential series. This Pinocchio-inspired grimdark tale could be seen as an intimate love letter to the Soulslike genre, drawing from the series’ signature aesthetic and combat mechanics while infusing its own unique narrative and design elements.
The team at Neowiz Games felt deeply honored by the comparisons to Bloodborne, recognizing the significance of such a benchmark. If the final game manages to capture even half of Bloodborne’s magic, Lies of P promises to be an unforgettable experience.
Upon pre-ordering, players will receive the Mischievous Puppet’s Set outfit, while a Deluxe Edition pre-order adds the Great Venigni’s Set outfit, a unique mask, and grants you access to the game three days early. A physical standard edition is also available, housed in an exclusive SteelBook tome-inspired collector’s box, accompanied by a 92-page artbook, and bonus digital items including the original soundtrack.
In closing, Lies of P represents a fresh, macabre take on a beloved classic, promising intense, Soulslike combat mixed with intriguing narrative elements based on the tale of Pinocchio. Its release on September 19, 2023, is set to breathe new life into the genre and add another name to the pantheon of standout Soulslike games.
