Lies of P Review: Dark Pinocchio Soulslike Adventure

Introduction: Why this Lies of P review matters

If you love Soulslike games and dark fairy-tale reimaginings, then this lies of p review is for you. Lies of P takes the Pinocchio myth, twists it into a gothic, mechanical city, and asks you to survive, lie, or become the puppet you were built to be. In this review I cover story, Lies of P gameplay, combat mechanics, boss fights, weapons and builds, performance across PC and PS5, and what makes the game worth your time or cautious investment.

The pitch: What is Lies of P at a glance?

Lies of P is a single-player, Soulslike action RPG that blends tight, reactive combat with a narrative choice system based on truth and lies. From parry windows and precise dodges to weapon crafting and stat-based builds, it wears its influences proudly while offering fresh twists like Puppet Systems, upgrade systems, and multiple endings. Expect challenging difficulty, atmospheric level design, and haunting cutscenes that lean into the Pinocchio source material.

Combat and gameplay: Precise, punishing, rewarding

The core Lies of P gameplay is a dance between aggression and patience. Combat borrows heavily from Soulsborne tradition: stamina management, timing, and learning enemy patterns are crucial. But there are important innovations.

• Parry and riposte mechanics — The parry window feels tight but fair, rewarding patient players. Successful parries open bosses up for heavy damage and cinematic counters.
• Weapon variety — Weapons range from rapid daggers to heavy cleavers and signature transforming arms. Each weapon has distinct hit windows, combos, and attack range.
• Crafting and upgrades — You can craft new weapons, modify them, and improve stats through an upgrade system. Resource management matters; choosing which weapon to invest in shapes your build.
• Puppet arm mechanics — The game’s unique Puppet system allows tools, ranged options, and mechanical augmentations that change combat strategies and add depth to builds.

Tip: If you prefer aggressive play, prioritize stamina and resistances. For a parry-centric run, invest in timing, small shields, and weapon movesets that open windows for counters.

Story, worldbuilding, and voice acting

Lies of P rewrites Pinocchio as a tragic, metallic odyssey. The narrative is darker than most fairy-tale retellings and often frames choices through dialogue and play. The city of Krat, full of rusted machinery and broken automatons, is a highlight of level design and atmosphere.

• Story pacing — The plot unfolds in chapters, with well-timed reveals and optional lore scattered across hand-crafted areas. Cutscenes are cinematic but rarely overstay their welcome.
• Characterization — NPCs range from creepy to sympathetic. The lie/truth system influences certain interactions, giving the world reactive moments.
• Voice acting and soundtrack — Generally strong performances and a moody soundtrack heighten tension. Some lines land better than others, but the overall mood is consistent.

Example: A seemingly minor choice early can change dialogue in a later hub, hinting at different endings and encouraging multiple playthroughs.

Level and boss design: Memorable encounters

Level design in Lies of P emphasizes verticality, looping routes, and secret shortcuts. Areas feel dense with purpose, offering exploration rewards and optional mini-bosses that improve skills for later challenges.

• Boss fights — Boss design is standout: varied, punishing, and often cinematic. Each boss has unique phases and tells; reading their patterns is essential.
• Mini-bosses and encounters — Mini-bosses test specific mechanics, like parry timing or crowd control, serving as checkpoints for skill progression.
• Replayability — Multiple endings, New Game Plus (ng+), and optional areas make subsequent runs feel fresh.

Tip: Learn boss tells and observe animations before committing to an all-out assault. Patience often beats brute force.

Weapons, builds, and customization

The variety of weapons and build options is a core reason to replay Lies of P. You can specialize in heavy strength weapons, nimble dexterity styles, or hybrid puppet-tool builds that combine ranged and melee.

• Build examples
  • Parry assassin — Light weapon, high reflex and dexterity, maxed parry timing, small shield for stability.
  • Juggernaut — Heavy weapons, high strength and vitality, focus on heavy hits and stagger.
  • Puppet engineer — Balanced stats, emphasis on puppet arms, ranged tools, and skill augmentations.
• Armor and fashion — Armor choices affect mobility and defense. The game allows for aesthetic freedom, so mix form and function.
• Progression and stats — Stat allocation matters: a poorly planned build can make content unbearable. Plan early and respec when possible.

Tip: Experiment early with two different weapons to see which movesets feel natural. Save upgrade materials for the weapon you enjoy most.

Performance, platforms, and technical considerations

Platform performance is a practical part of this lies of p review. The game launched on PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S, and Xbox One, with variable performance at release and subsequent patches that improved stability.

• PC and Steam — On PC the game offers scalable settings. Players on higher-end rigs enjoy stable frame rates and sharper visuals. Lower-end systems may need to compromise on shadows and effects.
• PS5 and Series X — Consoles deliver a smooth experience, with options for quality vs performance modes. Load times are generally fast on SSD-equipped hardware.
• Common issues — Early patches addressed camera stutter, occasional frame dips during heavy boss effects, and minor collision bugs. Most problems are solvable with updates, and the developer has been responsive.

Tip: If you see frame drops during boss fights, try toggling performance mode or lowering crowd and particle quality for steadier frame timing.

Accessibility, difficulty, and quality of life

Lies of P sits on the harder end of the difficulty spectrum, but several quality-of-life features help reduce frustration without diluting challenge.

• Difficulty — Soulslike difficulty is present: expect frequent deaths and learning curves. Combat rewards practice.
• Checkpoints and save system — Checkpoints are logically placed; dying often sends you back to a safe hub with risk-reward for exploring farther.
• Controls and camera — Controls are responsive; camera is competent but can feel tight in narrow spaces. Camera smoothing options improve the feel.

Tip: Use shorter runs to the next checkpoint when exploring new areas. That prevents long stretches of lost progress after a surprise boss encounter.

What I loved and what could improve

Strong points in this Lies of P review:

• Atmosphere and story — Exceptional worldbuilding; the Pinocchio twist is bold and memorable.
• Combat depth — Satisfying melee, parry mechanics, and puppet augmentations that reward experimentation.
• Boss and level design — Creative, challenging, and varied encounters that stick with you.

Areas that could improve:

• Technical hitches — Some frame drops and minor bugs persisted early on; many have been patched, but occasional oddities remain.
• Pacing — A couple of mid-game sections drag with backtracking. Better fast-travel options might help flow.
• Side content clarity — Optional quests sometimes lack direction; clearer hints would reduce aimless wandering.

Comparison: Lies of P vs other Soulslike games

Compared to other Soulslike games, Lies of P leans harder into narrative and thematic coherence. Its strength lies in combining classic Souls mechanics with unique puppet systems and a darker fairy-tale framing.

• Vs Dark Souls — More story-driven and cinematic, slightly less open in level structure but stronger in narrative payoff.
• Vs Sekiro — Sekiro prioritizes timing and posture; Lies of P has similar parry emphasis but allows broader build variety and weapon customization.
• Vs Elden Ring — Elden Ring offers a vast open world. Lies of P focuses on dense, handcrafted levels and a tighter story experience.

FAQ: Quick answers about this Lies of P review

Final verdict

In this lies of p review I find a bold, atmospheric Soulslike that achieves a rare mix: it respects its genre roots while adding distinct, memorable elements. Combat is deep and rewarding, weapon and puppet systems allow for varied builds, and the Pinocchio-inspired story gives the game a unique narrative voice. Technical issues existed at launch but have been mostly smoothed by patches. If you like challenging action RPGs with strong lore, Lies of P is a must-play that rewards patience and curiosity.

Conclusion

Lies of P stands out as a haunting, mechanically satisfying Soulslike with a compelling twist on a classic tale. Whether you care most about combat, story, or replayability, it offers worthwhile experiences in each area. This review should help you decide if its punishing but rewarding approach fits your playstyle. Dive in, learn the boss tells, experiment with weapons and puppet tools, and enjoy the dark fairy-tale at the heart of Lies of P.